The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-10-26

IL he (Tarlton) had had the power he would
have discharged Hall. Hall was incompetent to
keep books. and was Harrison's man." He
DR.. Fletcher were not harmonious, and there
were dissensions in the board which the min
utes would reveal"
One of Superintendent Fletcher's reports,
Nov. 8, 1855, has wall meandering all through
it, lamenting thatemployes or sub-officers should
be permitted to gossip about any matter or per-
sons in the hospital to the trustees. He says
the effect of this is ito wreck the authority of
the superintendent and create discomfort and
uncertainty in the hospital service" The whole
tenor of this report goes to indicate that the hos
pital is full of tattlers, spies and informers
creatures of DR.. Harrison, and like master, like
man.
The asking for bids for contract supplies has
long been a farce. Reputable bidders have
many of them ceased to compete, giving the
matter up as hopeless, the awards always being
made to competitors who stand in" with the
powers that be. bIr. Gibson, formerly book
keeper at the hospital, says distinctly of a GER
tain firm of grocers that 'they never did furnish
chance to furnish any at all, until Mr.. Gapen
became trustee" Mr.. Gapen is now. and has
long been, in Arkansas, but draws salary, con-
trary to law. for duties not performed.
THE CASE OF JONATHAN ALLEN.
The total lack of discipline at the Hospital for
the Insane, owing to Encouragement on the
part of the trustees and the character Of the
attendants, may be illustrated to some extent by
the following incident: Jonathan Allen, of JEFF
the Hospital for the Insane, for treatment some
time prior to April II, 1886 On the 18th day Of
April 1885, Allen escaped from the hospital in a
demented condition, walked to Chicago, and
thence home arriving on May 5, 1886. This
patient slept on the ground in swamps and else
where, without care or attention, during all this
trip. The Journal. short time ago, published
essentially the foregoing statement aud added
that the escape was not known at the hospital
Thereupon DR.. Fletcher favored the Journal
with the following communication;
"INDIANA HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, Oct. Ia, 1886.
ITO the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal:
'Your statement regarding the escape of Jona-
than Allen from this hospital not being known
at my Office is not correct. My official report
shows that Jonathan Allen, of Wells county,
eloped April 81 1885, and was returned June %,
absent sixty-five days I wish to state that
never wrote or dictated a letter to Aliens friends,
except to give notice April %, of his elopenant
There may have been letter sent regarding
some other AllSn, by some other person, but not
to my knowledge. Respectfully,
IVY. B. FLETCHER,
"Supt Indiana Hospital for the Insane
The Journal has taken time to inquire further
into the matter. Upon the demented mans ar
rival at home his brother, Isaac Allen, suspect
ing loose management at the asylum, wrote to
Dr. W. B. Fletcher, superintendent. for report
as to the condition of his brother, the patient,
and on May 10, 1885, he received in response a
postal card, of which the following is a fac SIM
lie, and which sufficiently explains itself and
one phase of the character OF the management
of tha inatitutinn.