The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1894-08-31
to see that they were performed in .
careful and proper manner, which did.

| W be6 THAT tuey Wefo pSriOrmeU IN
careful and proper manner, which did
DR.. F. NJ Pickens has been a resi-.
dent of Winfield for about 12 years
He is prominent in his profession
and mis- statements are entitled 10
the fullest credence. Desiring to Sc
cure his statement the COURIER in
tervied him as follows:
Q. DR.. Pickens, 1 understand you as
sisted DR.. Pitcher in the csstration OF
several of the inmates of the idiotio
and imbecile asylum?
A. Yes. sir; did.
O. Under what circumstances were
these operations performed?
A. DR.. Pitcher called on me and told
me that he had decided to castrate an
inmate to suppress indulgence of certain
practices, which in his opinion, were
tending to iDjure the patient and asked
me to assist in the operation. He told
me that the state board of charisies had
been consulted in the matter and also
the parents of the inmate. L, with DIR.
Emerson assisted in performing a num-
Der of these operations.
Q. How many OF the boys have been
castrated?
A. About ten or eleven. So
Q. Do you know their names?
"A. No, sir: 1 did not learn of their
names.
Q. When were these operations per-
formed?
A. At different times since Msrch or
April last, whom the first operation took
place.
@. Were these operations necessary
to preserve the lives ofths ps:ieBi
A. No. They were calculated to i'm
prove their general health and prevent
these practices.
DIR. Pitcher called at the Office of
the COURIER this morning in re-
spouse to a request and, upon being
told that an interview. relative to
this matter, was desired, replied:
SWELL 1 have nothing to say on the
matter at all.n
O. Will you not give statement Of
the facts?
A. No, sir; will not be interviewed
on the suhj7ct.
@. Will you give the names of the
boys operated upon?
a. No, sir; L won't do anything of the
kind.
q. Will You allow US to send
photographer out to the asylum and
take picture of the Buys?
A. No.
@. Is 1t not a fact that operations
have been performed?
A. Yes. l AM making arrangements
now to have their pictures taken again
to show the improvements made.
Q. Is it not fast that Will Reading,
John Collins, Sam D)lsn, Cusrles Alton
and Arthur Steele hsYe been castrated?
A. L don't recollect now. 1 have
nothing to sayl
Q. Hew many in all have bsen oper-
ated upon?
A. 1 dou't recDllect.
@. Is it not a fact that operations
have taken place?
A. Some operations have taken place
yes sir, and with very satisfactory re-
sulIs.
@. Isn't it true that eleven of the
boys have bsen castrated?
A. No.
Q. DIR. Emerson so states?
A. I'm, hunl
DIR. Pitcher: Well, was this what you
called me up for?
A. Yes. We would like for you to
give Us the facts just a. they are in this
matter. There are reasons for every
DIR. Pitcher: Certainly are!
q. Now then, won't you give US the
names of the boys operated upon and
all the facts? DIR. Emerson states that
ne understood the Governor, the State
Board of Charities and the Attorney
General had been consulted relative to
these
A. I haven't anything to say on the
natter at all.
Q. Then you refuse to be interview
ID at alt?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Well, Doctor, am sorry you have
AIKEN this position. / see 10 your ar
icle published in the Advocate that you
invite "the fullest examination into ev-
,rything that was DONE" We want to
give you the benefit of every doubt in
bis matter, publish your statement and
your reasons Tor castrsting these boys
md desire to be absolutely fair in its
and to give nothing but the
acts and let the public draw their own
Will you not give Us
tatement OF your reasons for these
operations and whether the parents and
he state authorities were consulted in
elation thereto?
A. No, sir; l will not be interviewed
IN this subject at all.
Q. All right, Doctor, but 1 am sorry