The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-14
BISH'S BODY EXAMINED.
Falsity of the Statement that 1t Showed
Dislocations or Other Injuries.

Last Thursday morning the Sentinel OF this
the body of Amos A. Bish, of Miami county, an
inmate of the Indiana Hospital for the Insane,
and who died there on April &c, was found in a
mutiated condition, the arm and ankle being
dislocated and numerous bruises being found on
the reck and head DR.. Fletcher, superlntend
emit of the hospital, and the attendants there,
disclaimed any knowledge of the injuries to the
body. DR.. Fletcher al once, in company with
DR.. w. j. Browning and Deputy Coroner Morri-
son, went to Miami county. A post-mortem ex-
animation was held in the presence of number
statements were groundess.
The following documents explain themselves:
''pr. w B. Fletcher SUPERINTENDENT Indiana Hos
pital for the Insane:
Enclosed please find true copy of Ell the pro-
ceedngs. together with the verdict of the coro-
ner of Miami county, Indiana, in the case of
Amos A. Bsh, who died at the Insane Hospital,
April &C. 1886 l was present when all the evil
dence was taken at Peru aud Denver, Ind. The
result demonstrates conclusively that the parties
making the charge did SO without sufficient de-
liberation, and, in some instances. were notably
deficient in knowledge to enable them to give an
intelligent opinion in the case. The post norton
When the casket was opened there was abso
lutely nothing in the estimation of majority of
the physicians present, as we'll as myself, to in
dictate the necessity of formal post-mortem.
Nevertheless. we made careful dissection of
the parts involved, detailed statement of which
l inclose.
Every physician present signed this report,
including the two who had originally stated that
evidence of violence existed, namely, j. w.
Newell and D.. Ridenour.
Ep
deputy Coroner, Marion County,"
The following is the report of the physicians:
"We, the undersigned physicians of Miami
county Indiana, were present at postmortem
examination held on the body of Amos A. Bisb,
at Chill, Ind, on the 18th day of July, 1886, and
certify that the following is a correct statement
of the conditions found at said examination:
Coffin too short. No elevation of left side of
right foot No depression of right side of right
foot. Appearance perfectly normal Foot can
be returned to natural position nicely On re-
moval of skin no eff1sion of Blood tendons of
ankle still in grooves, everything normal No
effusion of blood around sheaths. Internal
lateral ligaments not torn. Extension tendons
in proper position. No effusion of blood. An
terror liganeut intact. External tendons at
ankle all right, and in proper position, some
what stretched behind external malicious Elk
ternal lateral ligameut intact, bones III proper
position. No effusion of blood over head of
astragalus. No rupture OF ligaments be-
tween astragalus aud scaphoid bone;
no protruson of scaphoid bone in sole of foot; all
bones in position; head jammed up against head
of coffin: chin thrown forward; movement of
head natural; no effusion of blood around the
bodies of cervical vertebrae anteriorly; bodies of
vertebre perfectly in line, cannot by force push
them forward; no overlapping of bodies of verte-
brae; no exaggerated movement between bodies
of vertebrse; anterior common ligament of YER
tebrp intact; transverse processes perfectly nor
NAL; internal normal; intertransverse ligaments
intact; spinous processes in line and natural
occipito atoid ligament intact no evidence OF
disocation."
The report is signed by j. w. Newell, NJ D..
Denver; D. Ridenour, M. D., Chilli; o. F.
Shook, NJ. D., Denver; J. LaRue, NJ D., Denver
H. Waite, Nj. D., Chill; J. A. Robbins, III. D.,
Chilli N II. Brenton, M. D., Peru; Carter B.
Higgins. NJ. d., Peru; L. G.. Ramsey NJ. D.,
Peru; w. j. Browning. M D., Indianapolis
Frank A Morrison. NJ. D., Indianapolis
In accordance with these findings Coroner
George Nelp, of Miami comfy, found that .'sad
Bish came to his death at the Indiana Hospital
for Insane from exhaustion, and that there is nc
evidence Whatever of any violence or any dislo
cation and that said hospital is exonerated from