The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-09-29
a DEFENsE OF w. S. WAIT
BY His Friends at the State Insane
Asylum.


BY His Friends at the State Insane
Asylum.
10 the Editor Of the state Journal:
In an article headed Lincoln Post
Acts in the JOURNAL of September oath.
and alluded to in your issue of the 2Sth,
statements appeared quoted from the
Lawrence World on the authority OF
some unknown ~ informant Of that pa
per, which represents wv. 5. Wait OF the
state board Of charities as having robbed
an insane old soldier named Cook Of an
invalid chair=to use the exact words of
the article: THE charges made to Lin
coin Post were that Treasurer Wait saw
MT Cooks chair and bounced upon it for
his own use"
This is a grossly exaggerated and out
rageOusly distorted statement of a trivial
incident entirely devoid of evil intent or
quainted with the facts know and can
testify. Only petty malice coupled
with an utter disregard for truth could
have manufactured such an Infamous
story from such a dearth of material
The straig htforward, simple truth of the
matter is s-only this and nothing more"
Captain Wait (whO has not sheen con-
tinuouslv at the asylum since March, is
not here now and has not been in the
past except Is his official duties and the
welfare Of the institution warranted his
pres nce) was called to the asylum about
the last of August to assist as a member
of the board in an important business
meeting Of that body. He was suffering
with a severe attack of rheumatism in
his knee and foot when he arrived, which
grew 20 severe that any effort to use the
ailing member or any jarring motion
caused him excruciating pain.
\ ct he felt it his duty to be present at
each business session and to do this it
was necessary to move him some distance
morning and evening from the B. build
ing where the officers lodge and are
served with meals, to the A building
where the board room is situated
At fret he was conveyed in common
rocking chair but this proving unsatis-
factory, some one suggested that there
was rolling chair in the building which
mi ght be borrowed long enough TO trans
fer he captain from one place to the
Other-which would take about ten min
utes. Mr. Wait knew nothing about
the chair or the proposition to
borrow it until he was lifted
into it, though he doubtless felt
a grateful relief (as did all who were
capable Of human sympathy that the
brief journey was thus rendered less
painful. The chair was borrowed for a
Few minutes several DAYS during that
week, the time all told not amounting 20
two hours. That this humane act, which
Dir. Wait did not solicit, but simply &C
cepted as a thoughtful courtesy from
those who offered 1t. should be construed
into an effort his part to steal the
chair IS preposter0us and shows to what
straits his enemies are driven for
accusations. The Kansas City Star tells
this absurd story with added colorinqr
stating that Mr.. Cook scried for his
chair. This is wholly false. Mr.. Cook,
for some time before his death was 50
paraiyzed by disease that he sensed lit
tie that occurred, and occupied the chair
but rarely; being unable to retain his seat
IN II without being strapped in, making
it uncomfortable for him to remain there
any length of sime.
Senator Householder, who is president
OF the state board of charities. knows the
facts in regard to the chair. and endorses
the statements here made in regard to it.
and invites all who wish his confirma-
ton Of the facts as stated, to apply to
him. Said facts can also be proven by
the private attendant Of Mr.. Cook and
DIT. Morey the clerk, who suggested
borrowing the chair.
And now let those who allude with
with such tender sOiicitude to the ser
vices rendered and the respect and CON
siderate treatment due to our old soldiers.
remember that Captain Wait is an old
soldier with war record of honor and
promotions that his wrecked health was
caused by hardship and exposure in his
country's service. ANY one would
consider it brutal to strike
wounded soldier IL it any less
dastardly to stab with lying prosecutions
one who fought SO valiantly our conn
try's battles in the mast. bpt Who -
spite Of a weak and crippled BODY.
deals yet such sturdy blows against in
Justice and oppression that the sneak,
the hypocrite, the tyrant and the boodler
shrink from. and fear and vilify him to
such he is doubtless ian all-round nuis-
ance" But from the sincere champions
OF truth and justice Captain Waits
brusque candor. his merciless dissection
OF shams, his invincible courage and in
corrupuole honesty win deep respect
and implicit confidence. All who know,
HIM Intimately (even his enemies) know
MIN to be incapable of defrauding any
one, least of all an old comrade in arms
B. E MANIEY
AANsAs insane Asylum, Sept 20, 1894
Cream Puffs.
Baked fresh every day az the
D. Rel