The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-07-09
JOSEPH sHADLE NOT POISONED.
Report of steilacoom Asylum Trustees
to the Governor.


Report of steiIacoom Asylum Trustees
TO the Governor.
TACOMA, July s.--TSpecisl. The Shade
steiiacoom asylum case has been, as an
ticipaied several days ago in the Posr-
isTELLIsEscER. disposed of by the board
OF trustees with report TO Gov. Mciraw
that Shade died from natural causes, and
not from atropine poisoning as was al
legged by DIR. w. /. Hamlen of Detroit. who
made chemical analysis Of Shades
stomach.
The report of the trustees is based largely
upon an investigation made by Superin-
tendent Waughop, of the asylum, who con-
suited eminent chemists. and the state
ments adduced are used in breaking down
the allegation that atropine was found in
the tissues of Shades stomach, as re-
ported by Dr. Hamlen. The trustees
based their investigation primarily on DIR.
Hamlen's analysis alleging poisoning as
the cause of Shades death. In order to
satisfy the trustees that DR.. Hamlen was
in error DR.. Waughop visited the foremost
chemists throughout the East. who de-
clared, in brief, that tests for atropine are
exceedingly unreliable, and that there are
no chemical tests for atropine that are
diet of the greatest chemists Of the coun-
try. However, DIR. Hamlen made affidavit
TO the correctness of his analysis. alleging
in effect that Shade was poisoned, though
he did not believe that arrests should be
made or undue suspicion cast upon any
person as the result OF an analysis by any
chemist. Such analysis should simply be
link in the evidence. In the face of the
statements of the leading chemists of the
land DIR. Hamlen does not admit that his
analysis is erroneous. Commenting upon
this in his report 70 the trustees DIR.
Waughop says:
CDR. Hamlen discounts his own certffi-
cate because he knows he was not COM
petent to make II and that it will not bear
Inspection. IL experts fall into
error. how much more novice like DR..
Hamien. i never had the least
reason to believe that Mr.. shade died
from poison. DIR. Hamlen's certificate Is
not worth the paper 10 Is written on. In
stead Of being q celebrated Eastern ex-
peri, as some of the Tacoma papers
stated in startling headlines. DIR. Hamlen
il unknown 20 fame. When / told Prof
Haines that DIR. Hamlen arrived at the
conclusion that he had found atropine be-
cause be had obtained crystals which
dilatsd the pupil in the eye OF a dog. he
said. That's no proof At all
Prot. Haines Is connected with the Rush
medical college. and is n brother OF the
late Col. Haines. of Seattle.
DIR. Waughop Is Of the opinion that DIR.
Bennett. family physician for the parents
OF the deceased. being enthusiastic on
the poisoning theory, had an influence
upon Hamlen. He says: "He (Hamlen)
Is a young man. He was carried away by
the stronger character of DR.. Bennett. who
il the evil genius in the whole business.
DIR. Waughop also says DIR. Bennett stated
that he came here from Wauseon. o., TO
''hush the matter up" on the theory that
shade suicided. DIR. Waughop informed
him that il had 10 be cleared up" not
flushed M" DIR. Waughop says that
while az Wauseon he learned that Hamlen
agreed 10 make the analysis for SIS. and
that il he found poison he would get more
from the state of Washington. DIR.
Waughop then adds that the price charged
for making such an analysis by one OF the
eminent chemists visited by hIm is $500.
None of the chemists save Hamlen ex-
amined the stomach. Their statements
are based upon a statement of the facts
in the case. But IL is stated some of the
ptomains or alkaloids fouudin decompos-
ing animal tissus will produce the same
physiological tests or results that afro
pine does. IL is inferred that DIR. Ham
len was deceived by the aikaloids, although
he says he is aware of the difficulties of
detecting atropine. and made this state
ment for DIR. Waughop:
IL hereby certify that did not wish TO
imply that sulphate of atropine was the
Identical substance taken by Joseph
Shade. but merely that il was in that
form when isolated by me. Atropine
byoscine, daturine or the salts of the aka
loids If taken would give the same results
so far as chemicals are concerned.
The asylum trustees say in part:
1.-The most unfortunate feature OF this
matter is the pain and suffering neces-
shade, and 10 the officers of the hospital,
and more especially TO Mrs. Shade and DIR.
Redpath. However, slight as was the ex-
cuse, if any, TO charge Mr.. Shades death
10 suicide or poisoning, there was abso-
lutely none TO Justify any person for con-
Meeting Dr.. Redpath with the same. or for
stating that any improper relations ex-
listed between Dr. Redpath and Mrs.
Shade. The closest investigation by the
prosecuting attorney and the trustees
failed 10 disclose the slightest act or
circumstance that would require the
least explanation. Since the Tumors
first started the trustees aud prosecuting
attorney have invited investigation by al
PARTIES and from every source, and no fact
has been found 10 give the least cause for
such Fumors To the personal knowledge
of the trustees. Mr. Shade and Or. Red
path were the warrnest friends Gp to the
hour OF MS death. and had been since
thew were connected with the hospital
throughout the entire period Of the in-
yestiration, pr Redpath has conducted
himself an the manifest manner. and has
been most eager that the whole truth
should be ascortained. Ills conduct in
this matter calls for the highest COM
mendatson. aud we feel IL both = pleasure
and duty TO state thai he IS a gentieman
of the highest moral character ana en-
tirely deserving OF our continued con-
hdsnce.
The PsnitsntfAry Jate Min.