The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-08-08
DIR. .PILCHER's STATEMENT
Hs Replies in Desan to Rscsat Charges
Against Him.
To the editor Of the SAFE Journal.

To the editor Of the STATE Journal:
notice statements in certain republican
papers relative 20 the conducs OF the asy-
lum for idiotic and imbscile youth at VIM
As a, Kas.. and regarding the treatment Of
Certain OF the inma- es. and certain surgical
operations that have been performed upon
some Of the inmates. and the statements
made in regard to such operations "a being
appalling, cruel and uDfs for publication,
and making changes against my manage
ment Of that institution and the treatmen
OF the inmates. have to say thai all such
charges are absolutely and uDQual6edly
false ia every particular. The surgical op
sratioDs, which are the ones referred to,
were performed BY myself and three reput-
able ply sicians and surgeons. so-wit: DR..
George Emerson, OF WiB6=Id. KAs., Dr. T.
M- Plckens. Of Wi a I'D, Kss, aud DR..
Cooper, of Dexter, Kas-; and eash OF the op-
erations were performed after consultation
with these physicians, and after due exami-
nation Of each patient, and after it vas sd-
vised to be necessary on account of ths
diseases and mRlsdiss with which they were
an oted, and that such operations we're
Bklllfully performed and we're ia the opin-
ion OF the physicians making the same
necessary and proper.
Before any such operations were per-
formed, in order to determine whether the
same was necessary or advisable, / called
these doctors in consultation, AID such op-
erations were performed only az er careful
examination OF the coadarion II each in
mate, and when il was decided that il was
necessary and proper for the skillfnl treat-
mont, health az d preser vation Of life OF the
inmates, that such operstIO s be performed.
invite the fullest exsmiu asion into
everything that was done, aud refer any
body that desires TO inquire TO the above
named gentlemen, who are eminent in
their profession, and thoroughly under
stand the reasons for my course in this re-
spect.
Regarding the criminal prosecution
against the editor and employees OF the
Winfield Courier, I desire TO say that I
did institute such proceed,r g, and that the
man who wrote the articles concerning my
ooDducs OF this institution, NJ. A. J. Hen
thorn, died after the conmenc I'm sut Of the
proceedings. After the case was dismissed
I was inf rmed shat tho other defendants,
Mr.. x p. Greer and Mr.. J. p. Wlnton,
through their attorney. applied to my at
turney and urged dismissal # the prosecu
ton a. TO them stating thas they had moth
ing 90 do With it's publioa' ion. aud that they
were both absent as the time &c ~as put into
the paper, and thar if they had been here, it
the charges were without any fouLd ssion,
and they urged that they would so testify,
and that they would not have permitved
such publication TO have been made had
they been present or sdvisad CT its bling
done, and urging tina Fl -nthDrn was re-
spcns BILE FIR the entire matter, and that
they would pub ish q contrs dlcsioa. AID
She prosecution was smissed a. che urgeAs
solicitation OF these parties, a. / was after
ward informed. and for the reasons above
stated. AID not through the sol1sltation nor
AZ the rtq lest Of M self or my attorney.
That I was ready a. all times With d large
number OF Witnesses to show concluslvzly
that each and every statsmsnat was malicious
and falee.
Tne sourrillous and Infamous articles
which 1 have seen in vhe rnpers regardlog
myself have been published for no other
purpose than for political effect, and are
absolutely without fouBd4'ion, aud are
made without any fnvsssiga ion or ep 3lica-
sion TO myself any other pers n in
formed as TO the facts concerning the
management of this lbs itusion. aud 1
brand them nov aud here az MALICIOUS, re-
publicao, political lies.
do not make this explanation upon the
theory that any sensib1e person will be mis-
led By anything that has been said IN the
paptrs. but I do il that the people or Kan
sas may understand sns character Of cam
paign work now carried on by a lot Of re-
publican so-called morally inclined, and
educational newspapers.
II. II Ut PIIcHER, M. D.,
Superintendent 1diosic and ImDsoiIe Asy-
lnm.
REPUBLICAIE PHYSICIANS srArEArNNr.
WINFIELD, KAs July D. 1894.
We, the undersigned, are phyeIclans and
surgeons engaged in the PRACTICE OF medi
ONE and surgery at Winfield, Kas. We
were called in consuItasion upon four diff
ferent occasions by Dr.. Pitcher, superin-
tendent of the asylum for idiotic and i'm
beoils youth, looassd nesr this city. We
examined as to the cond tion OF a number
OF inmates who were 50 an osed as in our
judgments 20 make surgical operations neo
esaarY. We advise the making Of such
operations, aud every one OF them, and
assisted in the same, aud We believe that
Huch operations were necessary and proper
in every respect, and that the inmates
operated upon rec~ived proper treatment,
and the best attention that could be given
them in connection with their unfortunate
condition.
We are ready to give full and detailed
statements as TO Everything thai occurred
and desire to state that DR.. Pllcher called
the time Of each Of said operations we were
present a. his req nest and assisted in per
forming them aud 7hst they we're properl,
performed, and according to the rules ana
practice Of surgery in thai respect. aud tina