The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-05-27
AFTER DR.. POTTER.
A New Crusade Started
Against Him.
Cruelty Charged Against Him in
Connection With Two Women.
Foote'S Plan.

Two more cases of extreme cruelty to pa
tients have been charged I'D against Dr. Sam.
uel Q. L. Potter Of the Home fer Inebriates.
Mrs. Bernard Reilly, wife OF painter living at
81 Herman street, IS one of the victims and
Mrs. +. Brown, who is now at st. Luke's Hos
uital in a dangerous condition. is the other.
These charges, added to others already SAID 10
be well substantiated, it is the intention Of the
members of the Society for the Investigation Of
Persons Charged with Insanity to use as basis
for radical change IN the law supposed TO
regulate private asylums.
Secretary Malvern NJ. Foote stated yester-
Gay 10 a reporter for THE CALL that the Home
for Inebriates was the most outFageousy con
Quoted establishment he ever saw; and while
the cases of i'll treatment o Mrs. Reilly and Mrs
Brown had only just been brought to his notice,
he was confident that the statements were not
one whit exaggerated. The society OF which
he was secretary bad made an effort during the
latter part of 1898 to get evidence against DIR.
Potter before the Grand Jury but that body
had adjourned before a hearing could be had
aud tie cases were dropped. The society now
proposes 10 make direct on the private
aSylums through the Legislature. Evidences
IN all The cases, extending over period of a
year past and heretofore published in The
CALL, Will be presented TO each legislator In a
neat pamphlet, together with others that have
come up recently. Dr. POter's method will be
exposed and the Legislature asked to so amend
the present law that private asylums shall be
omen TO inspection at any time TO committees OF
newspaper men, representatives OF humane So
cletieS and members OF County Boards of Su-
pervisors. 1t Is also on the progIamm OF the
society TO present play for the benefit of the
lawmakers, in which the characters VIII be
drawn on lines from the actual lives of sane
persons confined in insane asylums.
al the present time," concluded Mr.. Foote.
"the law regulating the Home of the Inebrates
allows 1t premium for kidnapping, and events
go TO show that Dr. Samuel D. l.. Potter does
not fail TO take advantage of IT,"
al and Inn
Home for Inebrl3tes looks gloomy enough for
any one, without hard treatment thrown In.
The visitors gate is barred and locked, and as
if It were possible that some one might have
temerity enough 10 crawl over it anyhow there
is a big sign wet paint"
Around on Chestnut street the side gate is
battened up with boards from dry-goods box,
and it was only after persistent ringing that a
mld-faced young man opened il and pOked his
nose through d small crack.
No. sir; The doctor is not 10, and he told me
10 say nothing. You're a reporter, are YOU?
Well, he said that If any OF you fellows came
TO say that he didn't care TO talk to reporters,
anyhow"
AND be closed the door gently.
When DR.. Potter was finally reached he was
not particularly pleasant
II don't care to make any statements to The
reporters" he said; "they always give me the
worst OF il. Regarding these Charges, l shall
time"
Mrs. Reilly who is said TO be covered with
bruises and sores from the terrible experience
she passed through, has been removed TO Ag-
news Asylum, where, II Is hoped, she Will
shortly recover.
Mrs. Brown is at st. Luke's Hospital in an
emaciated condition. Both women were found
10 have been covered with yermin when taken
from DT. POttePs charge.
Bernard Reilly, husband Of one of The women,
Is almost distracted at the treatment his vile
received and Will probably take Steps TO bring
the matier before the present Grand Jury, as
well as lnstltutlng suit for civil damages.