Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-06-28
Mr.. WALKER NOT RELEASED
Judge Cox Thinks the Hospital the Propsr
Place for Him.
Medical Testimony In the Case-To
Inquire Into His Sanity-The
Scene I'm Court.

SSCAS An SooEts
Judge Cox this morning considered the
petition Of Mrs. Irene B. Walter, praying
that her brother, Barlow L. Walker, be
discharged from Providence Hospital. After
hearing the statements of DR.. John w.
Bayne Of the hospital and Of Dr. L. S. Lln-
coln, Judge Cox refused to lberate Mr.
Walker, and ,remanded him to the custody
Of the hospital officials.
As stated in The Star at the time. Mrs.
Walter. on Tuesday last. petitioned for Ter
brothers discharge through a writ of
habeas corpus. alleging that Mr.. Walker
was confined in Providence Hospital against
his will and by the order of his wife. Mrs.
Genevieve E. Walker. Judge Cox made the
writ returnable before him at 10 o'clock
this morning.
1t was nearly IL o'clock before the case
was reached. Promptly at IL o'clock. how
ever Mr.. Walker was brought into court
by one Of the hospital nurses. They were
accompanied by Sister Beatrice and another
Of the sisters in charge Of the hospital, and
also by Mrs. Walter and Mrs. Walker. Mr..
Walker wore haggard, wild look. and APP
peared to be unable to fully comprehend
what was transpiring about him. The court
room was crowded to its utmost capacity.
When the case was reached, Mr.. John
Ridout, representing the sisters in charge
Of the hospital, read their answer TO the
petition Of Mrs. Walter. 1t stated that Mr.
Walker was admitted to the hospital on
the 27th of last month, with great hesita-
ton and reluctance on their part, because
he was violent in his actions and suffering
greatly from alcohlic insanity. He was ad-
mitted only upon the earnest request Of DR..
Bayne, who represented that Mr. Walkers
life depended upon it,
The sisters stated that Mr.. Walker. while
somewhat improved. was still suffering
from the disease, and they denied that he
was capable Of forming a desire for release.
They had no interest in the matter one way
or the other except their patients welfare
and safety, and were ready and willing to
release him upon the order Of the court.
The Medical Case.
At Judge Cox's suggestion Mr.. Ridout
then called Dr. John W. Bayne to testify
as to Mr.. Walkers state.
DR.. Bayne said he was first called to see
Mr.. Walker by a telegram from his wife
at the Kelley Institute. at Laurel. Nd,
about six weeks ago. He found him in an
stefan In charge stated that the institute
vas not proper place for him.
Mr.. Walker. said DR.. Bayne, was suffer-
Ing from delusion. imagining that his food
was being poisoned, and that the people
about him were endeavoring to kill him. He
refused to take food, and II was only at
the earnest effort Of the witness that he
would at length take the least bit Of food
For two weeks, said DR.. Bayne. Mr. wal
ker was treated by him at the institute
when he improved sufficiently TO be rsn,oy I'd
to providence Hospital. to which place wit
ness had advised his Immediate renewal
There he was brought about a month ago
and under the Improved conditions ard
treatment there his physical health grad
ualiy Improved. As his physical he alth i'm
proved, the strength and deluson of Mr.
hnaa
to confine him to his room. At times he
would become so violent that II became nee
sssary to bind him TO his bed with soft
s s,,an me sister In charge Of the hos
pitai had objected to receiving NJ. Walker
until witness had told her that the mans
lie depended upon ais coming there Al
the request Of witness, NJ. Walker had
been examined by DR.. GoddinR about tw,o
or three weeks ago, and DIR. SodSins IA
ADVISED that he be sent to some institution
suitable for treatment in such cases
Upon cross-examination by Mr. Leo Sim
mons DR.. Bayne said that he had NOT or
dered Mr.. Walker to be tied down bur ana
ing his arms bound one informing. witness
had approved such precaution. Replying 10
an inquiry OF Mr.. Simmons. Dr. Bayne said
that he believed that Mr.. Walkers condS
ton was due to drink, and not 10 any otbsr
poison Or. Bayne said that he had seen
MI Walker sleeping with the straps on
MIN. The patient believed that the straps
protected him from harm. and he had q "A
that he be bound. The straps were placed
about Mr.. Walkers wrists. DIR. Bayne ad-
mitted that he had heard Mr. Walker re-
quest that the strap be taken of Of him
and that he be allowed to leave the hos
pital. But DR.. Bayne said that he believed
that Mr.. Walker did not realize what he
was then saying. DR.. Bayne said that the
patients clothes had been taken from him,
but not to prevent his escape. for the man
would IL he could. have escaped without
clothes.
DR.. Bayne denied that he had refused TO
allow Mr.. Walkers sister to see him. al
though he believed that the fewer persons
DR.. Bayne explained, had been placed in
the hospital at the witness advice and
with the consent of the patients wife. Dr.
Bayne said that ne left no orders that Mr.
Walker should not be allowed to sign any
papers. but had remarked that 1t was not
advisable for him to do so. The witness
said that Mr.. Walker was improving and
witness believed that If he was left alone
he would fully recover. That is kept alone
free from all annoyance. Witness had even
advised Mrs. Walker to visit her husband
as infrequently as possible. Dr. Bayne
said that he had not known Of Mr.. Walker
signing checks or other papers during the
last four or six weeks. and II Mr.. Walker
had signed them, witness believed that they
were not worth the paper they were writ
ten on
Another Doctor.
Mr.. Ridout next called DR.. N. S. Lincoln
T..
ker yesterday and had found him in a
greatly excited condition. unable to COM
prehend perfectly his condition or what was
going on about him. DIR. Lincoln said that
Mr.. Walker was now unable to control him.
self or properly conduct his affairs. The
witness believed that he should be kept in
the hospital or in some other suitable insti-
tuition. II that were done and he was kept
perfectly quiet, DR.. Lincoln stated he be-
lieved that Mr. Walker would recover.
Application Refused.
Upon the conclusion of DR.. Lncoln's tes-
timony, Judge Cox remarked that it was
to even think Of discharging
Mr. Walker from the hospital in his pres
ent condition.
"will your honor" asked Mr.. Simmons.
ALLOW US to show that Mr.. Walker Is re-
strained in the hospital against his will?'
Certainly not" replied Judge Cox, for
that Is clearly evident. If you can show
me by competent medical testimony that