The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-03
CRUELTY ATR0CI0US.
INvEsTIoA ALTON INTO THE CAUSE or
AN INSANE PARENTS DEATH
Reveals sfost R,voitl1g ana Darbarous
sta,o OF Ahars-A Newspaper Nan
Hxsoses tho Inhupan grsat-
rasnt OF Attondan,s.

CmcAGo, ILL.,, May Coroner llunl
and jury began today an investigation
into the cause Of the death Of John Burns,
PATIENT In the insane asylum ut JeiIJr-
son. Attendants Richardson. Cr"gin and
Pcicha, who are charged with beating
him TO death, were present The dead
mans widow and her brother testified
that Burns was in good health when he
was sent to the asylum. AMI the only
abrasion on his body was on one OF his legs,
which had been injured. The most dam
aging testimony was that Of Charles Beck,
n reporter, who succc Siully played tho
insanity dodge aud WITS admitted 70 the
asylum, where he WAS an eyewitness to
much Of the brutal treatment which ~.
duccd Burns Ia ten days from a strong
man TO bc q complete physical wreck,
resulting In his death. The story
was one Of the most revolving
aud hcarllcss cruelty. Tho witness de-
tailed Mt great length tbs repeated acts Of
brutality which the lhrcc accused attend
ants inflicted upon the unfortunate man.
lie declared that the patient was not
unruly, but seemed dizcd aud incapable
OF understanding what was wanted OF him.
Beck said that upon their arrival at the
asylum they were given cold baths; then
Ice aud Burns were left shiycring In n cold
room for fifteen minutes; then, after OK.
animation 10y the doctors, the attendants
took charge OF them. Burns WIS ordered
10 sit on n bench. lilo seemed not 10 un.
a .ssI HI L..
wns violently thrown down upon II. Ris.
Ing In dazcd aud helpless way, attend.
ant Richardson kicked him violently
In the abdomen. Burns again arose
and tried 10 walk away, when
Richardson caught him oy the collar an1
threw him 10 the hoor. And 10 the
brutality continued, the three attendants,
Richardson, CrOgan and Peacha each tax.
ing part Ia II, kicking the helpless lunaiic
In the side and stomach, striking and cut.
ting his face with their fats. They under.
took 10 dress his wounded leg, jcrked him
about roughly and causing him excfuci'
aling agony, meantime continuing their
blows. When this was done Lrogaii
picked up one OF Burns's shoes aud, taking
Il by tho toe, beat the unoiIcnding patient
over tho head with the heel Of Il, cutting
great gashes and covering the unfortunate
victim with his own blood. by this
time he was In n scmi-comatoso
condition and was fast losing con-
sciousncsA lie was then jerked out
Of his seat, which was covered with blood
that had run down from his bead. That
night witness aud Buns were put In tho
Same cell. Burns was ordered 10 remove
his clothes, but not complying was cuiIcd
and slapped. Finally tho attendants
stripped him, and then Richardson kicked
him In the abdomen, knocking him across
the cot At another time the witness said
ho heard the sound OF blows In Burns's
cell, and loud cries from Burns lasting
several minutes Attendants SCHUYLER,
Crogan and Richardson were there: Then
a pail OF water was brought, and the door
was closed and locked. The attendants
evidently came TO the conclusion that wit.
nesu Was TOO inquisitiye and he was removed
10 another part Of the building Tho
reporter came out Of the asylum at the end