The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-18
Treatment at the Insane Hospital.

treatment at the Insane Hospital.
To the Editor of tho Indianapolis Journal:
1t is after weeks of thought that l address
you. but believing that the subject matter of
this letter is of great Importance to the people of
this State cannot longer refrain from what
conceive to be a duty-a duty because believe
the friends of those confined at the Hospital for
the Insane should know something of their treat
ment l was sent to the asylum Dec. ii, 1884.
| and was allowed to come home Jan. II, 1885. l
arrived at the hospital late in the evening;
| was asked, in the presence OF the
| sheriff of Putnam county if had had and sup
| per- / answered no, and told him that only de-
| sired cup of coffee | was escorted up stairs
| by an attendant, to whom repeated my request
| for cup Of strong coffe in the presence OF an
| Irishman, who afterwards learned was named
| John Sullivan, who cursed me, telling me also
| that supper was over, and threatened to knock
me into eternity. replied to him. when was
| knocked down, and kicked, and beat and choked
| by Sullivan and another man named Madison, to
| such an extent that was unable to rise l was
| finally helped up by them, and taken to room,
! without the coffee. by the way, and left, with
| the threat from Sullivan, that if ever whis
pered of the treatment I received from then,
| that he would kill me; and if | ever spoke of it
| when released and was sent back there, he
would then heat me to death
| OF the inhuman treatment of others was
|
the kicking Of John Lloyd, of Decatur county; at
other times, the beating and kicking of Philip
Blain, man by the name OF johnson, and Joe
Turner, negro, who was outrageously
kicked / know of Others, whose names
1 do not remember if ever
heard them. became acquainted, while
there with a German by the name of Claus
(William CLAUSE, of Dearborn county, who
an inmate before DR. Fletcher took charge of the
| hospital And he secretly told me of many acts
of cruelty, and that he knew of two cases of
death resulting from the barbarous treatment
received there. am well aware that all or any
of these charges are severe but my Lords and
gentlemen" of the Legislature of this great State
are now assembled, and they, having the right
and the power to send for persons and papers"
can investigate. The names given in this article
are furnished. as well as the undersigned. And
just here, desire to call the specia, attention of
Representative John r. Gordon, of nay own
county. to these infamous outrageS.
During my stay there never saw DR.. Fetch
er about the Institution; and heard of him only
through Claus who saw him (Fletcher) when
he took charge. and came to the asylum with
| retinue of ''reformers" and took away and de-
stroyed the only humane means of restraint that
were applied to unruly inmates and left III their
stead the thugs" of whom Sullivan and Madi-
son are princes. Claus and myself often. in con-
versation, wondered what relation, if
any, this John Sullivan bore to
that other great ''reformer," John l..
Sullivan. Some, of course, will attempt to dis
paragG the statements or those VINO nave been
so unfortunate as to have been inmates of a
lunatc asylum; but surely the good people Of
this State will net pass by unnoticed, the state
ments of those only who can and do know, and
are willing to tell. Certainly those who are
responsible care but little, and those who perpe-
trate the outrages viii never tell. I saw
statement in the Journal of Jan. 90 from Jacob
Yeager. that corroborates, in part. the above
and doubt not, on investigation. that numbers
can be found tc testify in behalf of these charges
No one knows to-day who may be sentneXt week
Thousands have relatives there, and to that
extent at least are interested Thousands more
in the name OF common humanity. are interest
ed. Then, Messrs. Gentlemen of the Legisla-
ture order an investigation. Will you do it,
When was released l received what was
| called by the clerk, furlough. 1t was placed
in the hands of Mr.. f. p. Houck, my brother in
law. He was instructed by said furloueh to re-
port my condition each week to Fletcher. He
has, he tells me, made ono report His second
land hope LAST is sent with this, 80 the people.
HARVEY MosTELLER
| LENA Ind, Feb H. 1885.
To the Superintendent for Insane Hospital and the
| People of Indiana
beg leave to report that Harvey Mosteller,
now on furloush from the Hospital for the Insane,
| appears sound in mind. Physically he is much
| improved, having recovered somewhat from the
| kicks and bruises received as he claims. while
| in your charge He still claims that he suffers