The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1889-07-12
SETTLING SCORES.
Beginning Of the Investigation Into
the Affairs of the Rochester
Asylum.

ROCHESTER,. Special Telegram, July p
The preliminary investigation of the insane
asylum management was begun by the COM
ini;tee at the hospital today. There were
present W. z. Williston, q. Amrdson, Attor-
ney General Clapp and Secretory Hurt F.
b. Kellogg, St. Paul, and d. W. Eaton ap-
peared for Dr. Bowers Miss Jane Curry was
the first witness. She had been in the asylum
In 1885. Her iniId was so disturbed at the
time that she could not remember what
wards she was in. She said that
she had been choked and had
her head hurt on one occasion by her at
tendants, Misses Manley and Erbnn. She
said she had heard Miss Manlcy use vulgar
language IN the presence of patients. She
saw patient. Miss Cook, choked by IN at
tendant On ncross-examination she admitted
that she knew but little ut the time,
aud had no distinct remembrance of
what happened. The case book in
her case was read. showing that she
had been hard to manage, and
very deleterious. Miss Bertha Erbun testi-
fled that she did not remcmber of choking
Miss Cary. Miss Mary Head testified that she
had never chokcd Miss Cook. and that ut
tendants were always instructed by DR.
Bowers. and also by the supervisors, on 60
ing to work to treat patients kindly; that
they never had orders to take special pains
to put things in order when they were to
have official visitors, and that it was not con-
Eidered
A POINT OF HONOR
among tho attendants not to report cases of
abuse. Gordon Hazclton's charges were
looked into, and he examined his own wit
.icsses. His charges were that his maiI was
tampered with by hospital officials DR.. Col
Inns testified that he opened ono let
ter directed to his wife, thinking
there were other letters in it. His exam
ination amounted to nothing. the witnesses
being questioned on matters that were ir-
relevant ard ridiculous. The examination Of
his witnesses occupied three and half hours
lie asked permission to make statement
Wtlliston said they would set apart one day
for h,m after the other witnesses were cx-
amined. Dr. Quinby Of st. Paul and Il, 3.
Kelley of Minneapolis testified that Hazel
ton has been for years and is
still of nnsound mind. Pursuant to
tho completion of tho investigation
of tire charge by Mrs. Eva Bartlett at st. Paul
on Saturday, her sister. Dora Hofacra, was
called. She testified that she had worked ut
the asylum two years had been employed in
-AiS ANASS'Sus soAC uuAhilItu SIlG uslu tOlu
her sister that she lad heard that q patient
that worked in the laundry, had had Grim
inal intercourse with an attendant She
satd that she had seen things which
WE'RE NOT LADYLIKE
between male and female attendants. al-
though no. criminal acts Attorney General
Clapp pressed her hard MS to what she had
seen She tnal!y cjaculatcd: Il have seen
the girls sit on the boys laps in the presence
OF others" She had heard other scan,lu'. and
had heard Rata Brogan und Kntie
Mnrunl make remarks Miss llof-
acra testified that she had not been
treuted respectfully while ut the asylum,
and when the girls were put on the stand
they b'hnkly denied every charge she made.
except US TO the Nottingham case, which
these witnesses testified was accustomed hy
her own failing in always telling that sllu
had criminal intercourse with men They,
however, unanimously changed Miss lIofucra
with being unduiy intimate with the bead
cock. Stanford. The whole testimony
given on this branch OF the III
vestieation seemed to bc u squaring of
accounts between Miss lIotacra and tho rest.
Henry Moll ex-S Sheriff Of Nicollet county,
arrived during the afternoon session and oc-
cupied n few minutes putting in testimony
leiuting the charSes made by 1'rogdon at st
Paul i'll reference to conspiracy which had
been the means Of his getting In Tho asylum.
Chairman WillistoM said that the charges
were absurd i'll their face; that he did not SEC
the necessity of refutiug them, hut that il lie
wished his testimony would be taken.