The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-03-08
The Asylum Mystery.
CONTINUANCE, OF THE TEsTIMoNY-No NEW
DEyELoPMENTs.-THE WHOLE SAD AFFAIR
STILL UNEXPLAINED.

The terrible tragedy, at the Asylum, Of
which We gave full account last week, il
apparently no nearer explanation than it was
then. The taking of testimony has been con.
tinued, and the jury has faithfully done every
! thing that could aid in throwing light upon
the subject. AS yet there is nothing tangible
to report, nothing upon which more than the
barest hope of a solution of the mystery can
be based. There may be some clues in the
possession of the officers, but to make them
public at this time night destroy their value.
Every possible ground of suspicion will be
thoroughly Investigated and the result made
known as soon as advisable. Superintendent
Hamilton has hada sad and painful experience
during the week past, and in consequence has
not been able to give the subject that personal
attention the gravity of the case required. In
addition to the care and anxiety imposed by
the shocking scenes within the Asylum walls,
his own home has been turned into house OF
mourning by the death of his eldest daughter,
bright and beautiful child of thirteen. And
~>SS~oS,
away also attacked other members of the
household including two younger daughters
and niece. Beside the beds of sickness the af-
nicted father has spent nights and days bat
Ting with the aid of other physicians for the
life OF his dear Ones In his sore trials he
has had the most heartfelt sympathy of our
whole community.
Meantime the jury has been pursuing its
investigation. On Thursday the testimony
was continued.
DIR. HENRY s. CROCKETT
was the first witness examined. He too has
three children down with the scarlet fever.
besides being himself considerably indisposed.
His evidence in substance was as follows:
1 am the first assistant physician at the Asy-
lum and have charge of the female depart
ment. Was confined to my house with sick
ness two days previous to the Gath. occupy
the house at the front entrance to the Asylum
grounds, and was there on Saturday when
received message from DR.. Strain requesting
me to come up as soon as possible. The mes
sage stated that several patients had died sud-
denly and others were very sick. | started
Immediately and went directly to 4th ward
where l found Drs. Butler and Strain admin
istering to Hines. Upon examination ofHines
found no pulse at the wrist applied my ear
over the region of the heart and discovered
that 1t was still beating slowly. We sent an
attendant for syringe to administer stimulant.
The patient died in few seconds and before
messenger returned Then went to Myers
and found him in Frustrated unconscious con-
dition. Proceeded to administer stimuants
hyperdermically. In few seconds he exhib-
-ited some clonic convusiye movements.
which soon subsidized. then left him with
DIR. Butler, DR.. Strain and l going to visit
Thomas. Discovered that Thomas had vom-
tied freely, and was informed by DR.. Strain
that he had previously given him stimulant.
Thought Thomas was in fair way to recover.
Then went with Drs Strain and Butler to Sd
ward to Vaughan. Upon examination found
him greatly Frustrated and in an unconscious
condition. We did not administer anything
at that time. Thought his condition hopeless.
The pupils OF the eyes of the patients l saw
were diated. l was satisfied from what Dr.
Strain told me that poison had been admin
istered from which the patients were suffer-
ing
Question by Mr.. Wayt-In your prescrp-
tions for your patients, since you have been in
the Institution, have you ever prescribed hyos-
cyamin, the active principle of byoscyamus :;
or aconitia, the active principle Of aconite?
Answer have not /; l do not think there is
either hyoscyamin or aconitia in the dispensary
of the Asylum. have had but one occasion
to use tincture of aconite and then almost in
homeopathic dose. This was several months
ago. have one patient taking the fluid ex-
tract of hyoscyamus, In one dr.. doses from the
same bottle as prescribed for Vaughan
Question by MIR. Young-Were there any
patients for whom you prescribed on the 23d
February seriously affected by the medicine
that night, or the following morning9
Ans-I heard of no complaint whatever of
the i'll effects Of the medicine.
Question by same-How many patients in
your wards have taken the medicine from the
three bottles that supplied the infected mugs
Ans-Forty or more.
Question by same-Can you inform us Of
any facts that would lead us to ascertain how
poison was put in the mugs holding the fatal
medicine?
Ans-I cannot. Have not the slightest idea.
l feel confident that it was not accidental.
We keep daily report Of the prescriptions
used by the patients in the different wards
male and female. Each physician is in the
habit of writing his own prescriptions. These
are usually filled by DR.. Butler, but occasion
ally by the other physicians. Upon making
his daily visits each physician notes the con-
dition of his various patients, and upon re-
turning to the medical Office records that
condition and the prescription given in book
kept for that purpose. These books are on
file in the medical office.
Question-How long have you been asso-
ciated with DR.. Butler?
Ans-Since his connection with the Institu-
tion-about nine months
Question-Do you regard him an efficient
compounder and dispenser of the medicines
contained in the labratory at this Asylum?
Ans-l regard him as thoroughly competent
to perform all the duties that devolve upon
him as druggist or dispenser of medicines.
have never had the slightest occasion, during
my acquaintance with DR.. Butler, to question
the correctness of this opinion.
Question-Have you any knowledge of DIR.
Butler using alcoholic drinks?
Ans-l am confident that he has not for the
last four months Previous to that time only
in slight degree.
NELSON ANDREWS
examination was resumed. The waiter for nv
ward was brought there about o'clock D. m.
Wilkins came in about $50. In my opinion
there is as much rrecaution used in the care
of the medicine as have ever known in my
experience as attendant at this Asylam-
twelve years.
Question-Is the habit of depositng and
administering the medicines now the same as
it used to be under previous administrations
and in your judgment are the same precau-
lions used !?
Ans-Yes; with one exception. So far as
the depositing of the medicine and its dis
tribution by the attendants, every precaution
is used now that has been since | have been
an attendant The execution ia that in tho