The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-08-10
WAS HOGG FRIGHTENED :
INTO ORDERING THE ADMISSION OF
PURNELL INTO THE AsYLUMi
That Is the Rumor That Was Heard Ysster-
day And Its Bearing Upon the Resig.
natien Of DR.. worsham-What DO
You Think Of it, Anyway

The history of Henry Purnell is q
familiar one in this community. Born
and raised here, young mau of popu-
larity and great promise, his mental
faculties were shattered and wrecked
by an unfortunate accident. How he
was confined to the asylum al various
times how, during one of the periods
when he was at liberty he shot down
and instantly killed superintendent
Reeves; his arrest, trial and convic-
tion for lunacy, are all well known to
the people of Austin.
From The hour when he was incar.
cerated in the county Jail The
STATESMAN has from time to time
made mention of the attempts
that have been made to have him ad-
mitted into one of the state
asylums and the refusals of the
officers of those institutions 10 receive
him. For many, many weary
months has he languished in cell in
our county bastile until close contine-
ment and the lack of that care and
treatment his condition demanded he
became as great physical as a
mental wreck. Nothing could APP
parently move the asylum authorities.
Governor Hogg was memorialized by
our commissioners court and appealed
to through the press to exercise his
executive prerogative and see that
one OF the laws on our statute books
was enforced, although it differed
slightly from the one he invoked in
the famous Alice case.
Thus the matter stood until ab lut q
month ago, when by the order of the
commissioners court Purnell was sent
to our city and county hospital in
what was considered dying coudi-
ton, nurse and guard being furn-
ished by the county. There he re-
manned for few days, when the
amazing news was heard that he had
been admitted to the asylum in this
city. Of course it was generally be-
lieved that the hearts of DR.. White
and his associates had become soften
ed by the deplorable condition of the
wretched man. Almost Immediately
on the admission Of Purnell, DIR. Wor-
sham, second physician in charge,
rendered his resignation to the asylum
board, and which has not yet boon
accepted
So much for the facts in the case.
Now let US see what Dame Rumor is
saying.
She says that up to the time of Pur-
nelPs admission Governor Hogg gave
his sanction to the course the asylum
authorities were pursuing; that day
or so after Purnell wac taken to tho
city hospital he made the statement
that he Intended to get we'll as sooir
as possible, make his escape and end
the life of Governor Hogg within a few
hours after the escape was effected !;
that Purnell's remark was reported to
Governor Hogg and that he then issued
his mandate 10 DR.. White to admit
Purnell within the hour, if possible,
and keep him closely guarded; that
DIR. White at once went to DIR. Wor-
sham and instructed hin to prepare
quarters for Purnell; that DR.. Wor-
sham refused roint blank to do so:
that Governor Hogg was told of DR..
Worsham's refusal and that he (Dr.
Worsham) was summoned into the
august presence of Governor Hogg
where he proceeded to stand pat; that
as soon as Purnell was finally admit
ted DR.. Worsham rendered
his resignation; that thus
matters stood until the meeting of the
asylum board on last Thursday after
noon; that the board refused to accept
the resignation, and requested DR..
Worsham to- withdraw it; that DIR.
Worsham refused to withdraw 1t 80
long as Purnell remained an inmate
of the asylum; that Governor Hogg
insisted that the board accept the res
ignation, which the board, after
wrangliDg over off and on up to Sat
urday night, refused to 90; that as
things now stand Purnell is in, DR..
Worsham wants to get out, and the
governor and the board are at dag
gers points, and finally, dame Rumor
thinks she is right, and that things
are inc hi of fix generally.