Delaware gazette and state journal., 1895-12-12


times be was violent and was hard to
marriage
Reporter Symonds of the Philadelphia
Inquirer, who was present made
statement which was materially the
same as has already been published.
lie spoke in the highest terms of the
institution aud DIR. HanclSer and the
management. In regard to the alleged
brutality to patients, he reiterated the
published accounts OF instances but
inferred that Superintendent Hancker
was not aware of what had taken place
in that direction, owing to the fact
that the attendants would not tell on
each other and the patients had been
afraid to say anything, being fearful of
the consequences of doing 80 at the
hands OF some Of the attendants.
Thomas Oakes, the x-attepdant, also
told what he claimed to know. His
story concerning the death of Pisa did
not differ materially from what he
told at the inquest and which has
already been published in The Gazette.
After he had finished speaking
about Pisa's death be told of his dis
missal from the institution. A According
TO his statement, he was employed
there from August 18th to October
Goth. On the latter date he and Lynch
had trouble over some work, and Lynch
reported him to the Office. He went to
the Office and when confronted by what
Lynch had told Dr. Hancker, he in
formed tine doctor that If he were dis
charged on account Of Lynch he would
make certain things public. He de-
MED telling DR.. Hancker that he would
make it hot for the institution, but ac-
knowledged telling Lynch that he
would make il hot for him. The wit
ness then told how he went to the
office Of the Philadelphia Inquirer and
laid the alleged murder OF Pisa before
the editor of that paper. He said be
exhibited letter which he wrote to
DIR. Plack on October 9th, the day after
Pisa's death, but never mailed. He
stated that he intended to mail it after
he was discharged, but on the advice
of the Inquirer people did not do SO.
In addition to the alleged brutality
to Pisa, Oakes stated that on October
10th he saw Lynch assault Amos f.
and that on October 18th be saw Lynch
strike John Grogan with his fist and
knock him down. He also said he saw
handle over Thomas Fisher, an inoffen-
sive patient. He also spoke of Attend
ant Browns profanity towards the pa.
tients.
Amos NayIor, one of the patients
whom Oakes alleged was badly NAL
treated by Lynch, was called. He was
rational and gave a straightforward
story In reply to query from Presi-
uu tn
along in the institution, he said that
during the last week or SO he had been
better treated than before. 81 was
abused a great deal before that he
said. "Mr. Lynch hurt me the worst.
One day he hit me on the side and
also on the head. T." He also stated
that he received an injury at the hands
of Lynch some time ago from which
he is yet suffering He said he was
glad Lynch was gone He had the
kindest words for Supt. Hancker and
his assistant, DR.. Hammond. He said
they treated him all right. He had
no complaint to make against the other
attendants; that is, he would make no
specific charges.
DIR. Clayton, who was called, gave
practically the same testimony as he
did before the coroner's jury. Patient
NAPLES also told the same story as he
did at the coroner's inquest.
Another patient by the name Cloud
was also called, but he had no com.
plants to make, although il had been
stated that in tussle with Attendant
Lynch on one occasion he had one of
his arms dislocated, he claimed to
know nothing about it, except that he
said "Oh, that's all right now" 1t
was the general opinion that while he
was before the board he was somewhat
bewildered.
Joseph p Cross, who was at one time
an attendant in the institution, and
who while there had charge of Lynch,
appeared before the board and said
that while he was there he saw no bru-
tality. He spoke very well of Attend
ant Lynch.
incidentally, Supt. Hancher stated
that since the developments he had
heard number of complaints from out
side about i'll treatment of patients,
but he stated that such information ia
customary in cases of this kind.
Besides the members of the board
there we're present at the investigation
DIR. L. G. Shortidge, who assisted in
the post -mortem examination Attor-
ney- General White and representatives
of Wilmington and Philadelphia papers.
When the meeting opened President
Black made the statement that it
would be public and no effort would be
made to conceal anything. He invited
all present to make themselves COM
Portable. After the meeting adjourned
dinner was partaken of by all at the
hospital, after which the trustees left
for their homes. Tho investigation
lasted from few minutes after 12
O'Clock until about 3 O'Clock. All of
the members of the board questioned
the witnesses, as did also Attorney
General White, and there is little
doubt but that each one told every
thing he knew.
MICHAEL LYNCH RELEASED.
The state Insane Asylum Supervisor Gains