The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1889-06-13
An Experience at Rochester.

A. c. Ingruham, and intelligent and highly
who spent some time as q patient in the
hospital for the insane at Rochester,, makes
the following statements in aninterview VII II
The correspondent Of the Pioneer Press:
A harmeless German in Hall c, I. was re
peatedly strapped to a chair, and while he
was thus situated the attendants took cs-
p'cal pains to step on his feet every time
they passed him until those members became
Il mass of running sores. Such abuse OF him
continued during the three months that
remained in that hall. Mr.. Olmstead Of
Olmstead county, aged about Seventy.tive
wears. was struck in the. small of the back by
attendants with their fists every time they
came within reach OF him, and without any
cause or motive that could perceive, and
this abuse, in my opinion. caused tie Old
mans death. \ harmless, hIlt.imh mhPci.ic
patient Bennie would be inlrcpd by
attendants to kneel in prayer, and while So
kreeIing they cype"tOratei tobacco }Hicp in
his ace and eyes and otherwise malt!eated
him. This was done repeatedly A patient
named Cox would he thumped in the back by
attendants until he was excited to the most
fearful blasphemy. and that was evidently
the purpose of the cruelty Tins man would
sit all day in one plare, unless disturbed.
have seen a patient from Wabasha county
named Hevener often kicked and cuffed tor
no other purpose that | could perceive than
to CRAFTY the ruel dispositions OF the
attendants. Patients were often set to fight
ing by the attendants as a matter of sport.
A patient from Pennington was brutal!y at
tackled by attendants named Wood and
1
me. ION want some of this do you an
sweretl, ies rather han to see one take it
all. IhereupOn | received considerable more
than had bargained or than my share and
as a consequence | was laid up for three weeks
and when six weeks had elapsed before | fully
recovered. | made 10 complaint. fearing
that it would cause me furthur maitrpat mant
| saw Hevener, mentioned before three, days
previous to his death, at which time he was
apparently well. also saw his remains in
the dead room, where [ went to take some
cOttins from the shop in which had been
working. took particular notice OF his
features. There was a bruise something like
a cut Obliquely across the forehead and in the
center of the forehead saw n hole the size 0t
a hazel nut, appearing as if made by bullet
or pointed instrument. In my opinion that
wound was the cause of his death. | have
heard an attendant say to q newcomer.
What are you here for? Are yOu crazv?' A
negative reply being returned, the attendant
remarked, Well, ifyou hain't we can ID
soon make you crazy | heard language OF
this import several times while | was at the
asylum. have seen medicine glasses broken
in the mouths of patients and medicine
stamped into them. am g!al to bo able to
testify that there was Ona kind attendant in
the asylum. His name was Stevens and he
was an attendant in hall c. l. He was loved
and respected by those under his charge fO1
l. -, "a; l.
adjoining cell (B, y repeatedly to stop in.
human treatment that was being perpp.
trated there. He was the only attendant OF
whom | can speak we'll"