Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-08-30

This paper had hoped that the
publication Of these former indss-
cretlons would incline Dr.. Pitcher
to conservation and care In the
treatment Of the inmates, whether
he possessed the natural qualin-
cations or not. We presumed that
he possessed sufficient Of that dis
erection with which individuals are
usually endowed, to convince him
that the people Of Kansas would not
stand any tampering with the health
or morals Of the inmates Of lie
charitable institutions. But recent
developments indicate that We we're
wrong and that Dr.. Pitcher, instead
Of reforming his methods, has since
committed one OF the greatest out.
RACES known to mankind, or ever
before practced In this or any
other charitable institution.
In the succeeding interviews Is de-
veloped the fact that DR.. Pitcher
has committed the most astroclous
mutilations upon eleven Of the In
mates Of the Asylum. A mutllatlon
which Is regarded In law and pub.
lie conscience as the most horrible
that can beiall . human being; q
mutllation which, while 1t has been
discussed In public prints, and In
law and medical journals for years,
80 the most effective remedy for
criminal PRACTICES no legislature
has yet been so lnhxmane 40 to en-
act 1t into q Law; still this man, ap.
pointed by the popullst administra-
ton as superintendent Of these
poor, helpless children, has visited
upon eleven Of them this most afro
cious and terrible treatment
This article is not written for
political effect. This institution is
not q political institution. 1t be-
longs to all the people. 1t IL for the
unfortunate Of every party, and
every man, women and child In the
state 10 interested personally in Ito
/ proper conduct and In the character
Of its administration. These publ.
cations are made In the interest OF
the people Of the whole state and Of
public decency, and not In the In.
terest Of any political party. II,
when tho former charges we're made
the present populist naturalization
had sought to do justice to the pso-
pie and removed the superintendent
upon the clearly eliminating
evidence then presented, we would
not now have to publish this mat
ter.
Asa prelude to the interviews
contained we publish a letter writ.
ten by DR.. Pitcher to the Advocate,
the popullst state organ. Rumors
had reached Topeka Of the mutula-
ton OF the inmates Of this instution
which rumors we're published In the
Topeka State Journal Of recent date.
The letter given below was written
by DR.. Pitcher In answer to this
publication. 1t was accompanied by
letters from Drs. Emerson and Pick
ems, reputable physicians OF this
city, stating that they had assisted
In o number OF these Surgical OPP
erations" and that, according to
their opinion, these operations were
necessary and were properly and
skillfully made 1t will be observed
In DR.. Pitchers letters that ne &C.
knowledged that Operations" were
made. This was the first definite In
formation we had had respecting
the matter. Rumors have been
heard for three months that such
operations were being committed at
the asylum but they were so I'M
probable and incredible that hardly
any ono believed them, but upon
the publication Of these rumors DR..
Pitcher publishes this letter In
which no acknowledges they were
made. To say we were astonished
upon reading his letter, Is putting
1T mildly. We Immediately began
an investigation OF the matter, have
intervled the former superintendent
and have sought in every way to as
certain and present to the public
tho exact facts in relation thereto
without bias and without desire to
do other than let the people Of this
state, regardless Of party, have all
A. o,,da,oa and form thar own