Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-03-13
Report Oh Charges against the In
sane Hospital.

The report OF the Visiting Committee
of the Insane Hospital upon recent charges
made against that institution, through the
columns Of the Bangor Commercial, was
laid before the Governor and Council Fri
day, and by them read and approved and
ordered printed. The report appears else
where in our columns this morning. The
members of the Visiting Committee are
Hon. Frederick Robe, Hon. j. T. Hinck-
lev. and Mrs c. r. Whidden, who were
assisted in their investigations by Hon.
Samuel n Campbell, of the Executive
Council. The known character of the
members of the committee is a sufficient
guarantee that the investigation was hon.
estly and faithfully conducted and carried
out.
The charges against the Hospital origi-
mated with the Bangor Commercial, that
paper publishing them in the form of an
interview with Norris NJ. Tewksbury of
Bangor. Mr.. Tewksbury was an inmate
of the Hospital awhile last year, under
treatment for violent insanity. After his
return to Bangor from the Hospital the
Commercial interviewed him and pub
lshed his statements.
II will be seen by the report of the
Committee. that they went to Bangor and
had an interview with Mr.. Tewksbury at
his own house. and that he told them sub
stantially the same story that was report
ed in the Commercial. He farther added
that he was not insane. when taken to the
Hospital. and charged all the abuse which
he alleged he received to f. J. Williams.
one of the attendants. and this while he
was confined in the lodge room. No per-
son was charged with abusing him except
Williams.
The Committee visited other parties in
Bangor. who knew of his case. among
them the officers who had him in charge
previous TO and at the time he was
brought to the Hospital; also examined
the officers. physicians and attendants
at the Hospital; all of whom agreed in
stating that Mr.. Tewksbury was violent
ly insane when taken to the Hospital. and
was with difficulty restrained from doing
personal violence to himself. He was taken
to the almshouse in Bangor because of his
insanity. where he was very violent From
the almshouse he was brought to the Hos
pital in the same condition. OF what
TRANSFERRED at the Hospital during the time
he said he was abused he could have
known or recollected nothing. He was a
raving maniac. saying and doing the Wild
estthings. tearing his clothes from his body,
and iancying himself some other person.
The testimony of all is conclusive as to
these facts. 1t also appears that Williams.
Of whom Tewksbury complains, is one Of
the best and kindest attendants in
the institution. DIR. Harlow gives Viii.
liams this character, and also states thai
Tewksbury was most violent maniac.
An examination of the report will sat.
isfy any unprecedented person that, as the
committee say, there are mo grounds fol
apprehension that Tewksbury was ILL
treated" The committee ascertained the
facts fairly and have reported them fully
The statements of the Bangor officers art
IS strongly against Tewksbury's story a.
those of the officers of the Hospital. and
they surely were competent to speak o
his condition, and could have no motive Il
prevent them speaking other than tn,
truth regarding their townsman and tn,
treatment which other patients of Ban
gor have had at the Insane Hospital
Why did the Bangor Commercial pub
lish the BRUTAL charges made by Tewks
buryi Was it for humanity's sake or fol
apolitical purpose? Is it humane to havs