The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-01-24

ION the square, = D0tn Oh US DelliS Altsooio'
Cross eran,ined. present at the
Asylum when the fluid extract and tine
ture OF aconite were measured. |, my
self, measured both and found the quahtl-
ties to correspond with the statement OIL
DR.. Butler, viz That three ounces Oh
the extract had been taken to make elght
ounces of the tincture. The thirteen
ounces of the extract remained in the bot
tie and mono Of the tincture was gone that
could not be accounted for. Was present
when DIR. Gibson tasted tll' contents OF
the bottles. Immediately afterwards MI.
Echols took the bottles and locked them
up.
Inever mentioned my conversation with
DR.. Gibson to any one.
In response to question, witness
stated +: | have had opportunity OF form
ing an opinion of DR.. Buffers qualltca-
tions, and regard him as a thoroughly re-
liable, accurate and efficient pharmacist.
Been specially impressed with his ca eful-
ness in mixing preparations.
NELSON ANDREWS
was an attendant at the Asylum at the
time of the poisoning, and in charge OF
the first ward where Wilkins died. On
the evening before. came Ill from walk
and fonnd Wendle sick. Another atten-
dant and l carried the walters of medicine
alternately. The medicine WAS taken from
the chest in the hall about s o'clock, car
ried to the ward and left in the hall. ALI
! of the patients of my ward had access to
the hall. On the night before the poison
ing, my waiter had remained in the hall
over night. 1t contained two mugs-one
of whiskey for Waller and one of tonic
for Wilkins Waller took his mug from
the waiter that night and Wilkins got his
the next morning. Do not think it posi-
BILE that any stranger could have access to
the hall. Was in the Asylum twelve
years. Know of no poisoning before that
time. Heard DIR. Strain say that Wendle
and Mrs. McAlexander were. affected in
the same way as the poisoned patients. !
Always thought poison was put in cups by
patient who had key to dispensary. 1t has
been the custom to keep medicine, except
chloral, on table in the hall, outside of
the dispensary foryears. When DR.. Ham
ilton came he substituted q closed safe for
the table. Col. Byers had access to dis
pensary. He stayed just opposite in ply
stefan g room. Have seen HIM take key
out of dining room. Have known him to
have Dr. Pendleton's key to whiskey
chest. Never saw any other patient in
office alone. The key has been kept in
| the dining room ever since l first went to
the Asylum. Byers had been there about
four years. He was not allowed access to
the dispensary under former administra-
tions.
Cross ecan1ined.-Did not consider Byers
as recovered. He left after poisoning
Have known him to carry whiskey into
wards. 1t was the custom to put the med
icine outside of the dispensary until at
PENDANTS came for it. On one occasion,
under former administration, had known
it to remain there all night.
Am not now at the Asylum. Was not
discharged, but it was made so unpleasant
for me that could not stay. DR.. Hamil-
ton always treated me very kindly, but
Mr.. Mauzy and DR.. Crockett disliked me.
On one occasion was told by Gibson and
Byers that Mr.. Mauzy had said if | voted
the d-n Funder ticket / would have to
find another boarding house next day.
Question by DR.. Hamilton--Didn't |
tell you that l was superintendent, and
would let you know when l wanted you
to go?
Answer-Yes, sir.
Don't know that other attendants were
forced to leave on account of politics. All
of the officers of the Asylum are now Re-
adjusters.
Question by Mr.. White-How many Re-
adjuster attendants were there under for
mer administration
Ans.-Several
Continuing. witness said Byers and
Wilkins were friendly up to within few
days of the poisoning, when they had a
falling out about some oysters and didn't
speak. Don't know that this was known
Ito officers. Know of no other difficulty
Byers had had with patients. Regarded
Byers as dangerous man to have access
to dispensary. Before he came to Asylum
he had sent to New York and gotten
strychnine to kill himself with. This was
stated in his commitment papers. Glib
son and Byers. understand, are now in
Texas.
Question by DR.. Hamilton-Was there
any other reason, besides political differ
ences, which caused ill-feeling between
you and DIR. Crockett
Ans.-Dr. Crockett accused me of start
| ing report about him, and came down
| to the ward to cane me. l told him that
Mr.. Talley was my authority, and went
with him to Mr.. Talley.
Mr.. Opie-What was that report?
Witness-I would prefer not to say.
Counsel for Asylum objected to the
question as not relevant and in no wise
connected with the investigation.
| Members Of the Committee insisted on
knowing what the report was. and at this
point it was determined to send for DIR.
| Crockett. After some discussion it was
decided to go into secret session and the
spectators and reporters were excluded.
This step was taken because the matter in
question was personal and not in any way
connected with the poisoning. In the Sc
cret session the testimony disclosed that
the report alluded to was without shadow
of foundation and the Committee dis
| missed it. A Democratic member Of
fered to submit resolution declaring the
| Committee IS confidence in DR.. G. as man
and physician, but Mr.. White, the counsel
for the Asylum, stated they did not desire
any testimonials from the Committee. but
simple justice. At the suggestion of DR..
Lawson, Democratic member, the entire
matter was then expunged from the re-
cord. The Committee at O'Clock adj
| journed.
WEDNESDAY.
On Tuesday night the Committee at
tended the weekly dance Of the patients
and seemed much entertained.
The investigation was resumed Wednes
day morning. Mr.Jno M. Kinney,t the clerE
of the Committee, read that part of thu