The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1894-08-31

sitIon. He was populist politician
of some note, having been demo
crat and joining the movement in iti
early stages. He is a man of very
large physique, strong and robust
and powerful In constitution, but oil
sluggish brain power, and regarded
by physicians as only ordinary In
his profession. He is excessively
profane in his conversation and
addicted to the use OF liquor. was,and
we understand still is, incorporate
in his habits. All of these facts
were within the reach of the board
which appointed him and while
these things might not disqualify
him for the ordinary avocations of
life, yet it certainly makes him
most unworthy to fill position
of such high trust and responsible
ity as that involved in the care of
these poor, helpless, idiotic chill
dren.
But the board either overlooked
the matter of his habits, or knowing
them, thought such traits did dis
qualify him for their purposes. He
was appointed, and Immediately af-
ter his appointment, began to dis
charge the trained nurses in charge
of the inmates, many of whom had
been In charge of classes in the
institution from it's inception, were
thoroughly qualified and familiar,
not only with the personal peculiar
tiles Of the children, but with the
most improved methods of caring
for their health, comfort, and NOR
ais. These teachers were women
and therefore not politicians, and
could not have been removed for
political reasons. But they were re-
moved and others without exper-
fence in such work put in their
places. This was the first official
evidence of the incompetency of DIR.
Pitcher.
Soon rumors hogan to float about
to his treatment of some of |
the female inmates. Several young !
girls ranging in ages from seveteen !
to twenty-one made complaint to
their teachers and female employees
Of the institution that DR.. Pitcher
had taken tham into his room and
here taken liberties with their per-
sons. These runners became so prev
alent that the COURIER felt it nee
sssary to obtain statements Of the
parties to whom these girls com.
planned. Such statements were tax
IN and the whole matter was print
I'd in the COURIER about eight
months ago. In this publication,
Mrs Murray, a populist woman, who
lad been employed by DIR. Pitcher
n some capacity about the institu-
ion, testified that two of the girls,
me by the name Of Alice and an
'ther by the name of Nora, came to
Ter crying and informed her that
Dr.. Pitcher had taken them in
o his private office, and locked
he door and then taken liberties
With their persons. These stories
we're further sphstantiated by Miss
-ohnson, who was a teacher in the
chooI, and to whom these two girls (
made similar complaints. DR.. Pilch-
r claimed that the stories told by
Alice and Nora were untrue and {
at these m5ecile girls were likely
o tell any story which they might
blink of, whether founded on truth
r not; but the fact remains that at
10 time before in the history of this
nstitution-(of which these girls
ad been inmates for many years.
ad any of them made like COM I
laint against the superintendent or |
nyone connected with the manage 6
lent. If they possessed this dispo- I
ition under DIR. Pitcher they GER ]
ainly possessed it under former ,
uperintendents, hence DR.. Pitchers I
efense falls to the ground. I
We have been informed by
lember of the State Board of Chari- .
es who made a partial investiga-
on of these charges that the Board q
n