The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-08-31
KEEPER MORRIS REMOVED
The Committee investigated the
Almshouse Matter
And Finds a Condition of Affairs
Which, in Their Opinion, Justi-
fled the Removal of the Keeper,
Assistant. and Nurse. 1t
Was Fully Investigated.

Bsasley, met at the City Treasurer's
Office last night to investigate the
charge against the Superintendent Mr..
Morris, of misfeasance and malfensauca
ID office. Mayor Petit presided and
City Attorney shelton was present to
look after the interest of the city, and
James E. Heath, Jr., appeared for the
Superintendent. There were also pres
emit as spectators. number OF the
members of the City Council.
The investigation was conducted
with open doors, and was rs full aud
complete as it was possible to be.
Nothing was left uudone that would
''turn on the light, and disclose tho
manner in which the affairs of the
Almshouse are being conducted.
The first witness called WINS Mr..
Edward Craig, who said that ho had
been at tho simshouse TWO years. aud
that he had seen Mr.. Morris neglect
his duties. That tue cook gave out the
provisions and kept the Keys. That he
saw MIR. Morris take meat from the
s,oreroom aud carry 1t up the road to-
wards the house in which Mrs. Minnie
Simpson lived.
He saw Mr.. Morris bring meat to
the city. take it out OF u wagon at
the market and carry it away. 10 Mr..
beabIy ue euil luS ulebt CaiuC OUT Oh
the storeroom. Mr.. Cruis said that
always rowing with Mr.. Morris about
women. 70 MIR. Shelton he said Mr..
Morris told him he went to Newport
News to see q woman and passed of n6
her uncle.
AIR. Murray, nurse OF the aims
house, said MIR. Morris acted lmpru-
IDENTITY with women, and that he both
cred two girls so much that they lott
ehe place.
MIR. S. Z. Deyer, the cook. heard OF
rumors that MIR. Morris was acting
badly, but knew nothing himself. He
(Deyer) kept the Keys and gsve out
the provisions; that upon one
occasion MIR. Morris caused him
to put meat in n basket which he (Mor
ris) carried away from tho place. Said
he missed ut different times consldera
BILE provisions.
Phillip Harrington. negro, knew
nothing and would tell nothing.
VIM. Snowden says he SAW Phil.
Harrington, the negro, take bundles
from the Almshouse TO Minnie Simp.
son. He had seen Mr.. Morris at the
Simpson womsn's house.
q. B. Curtis, police detective OF Nor
stance OF MIR. Walker to learn some
thing about the Simpson woman; met
the woman In tho rood; she wss return.
ing from the almshouse; talked with
her.
The woman was very much excited,
had pistol and said people had been
talking about her and that she III
tended to kill Mrs. Morris and won Id
shoot him, Curtis, If he fooled with
her. MIR. Curtis said the woman told
him that Mr.. Morris was one of her
good friends.
MIR. Hannsn, OF the committee. said
be visited the almshouse and found 1t
in bad condition,
MIR. John Whitehead was called to
testify IN regard to woman seen with
Mr.. Morris at the tent meeting in
Brhmbleton.
MIR. Fatherly was introduced by tho
defense, and SAID the woman Mr.
Whitehead saw with Mr.. Morris in
Brambleton was his vito. That Minnie
Simpson was III destitute circumstance,
and that Mr.. Morris carried her some
provisions furnished by his wife.
Several other witnesses wore intro
duced, who knew nothing about the
conduct OF Mr.. Morris ana had never
heard any rumors.
Mr. Morris was put upon the stand
and said that all the staten ents mncle
about him were false. lie knew moth
ing about any OF the women.
he admitted thnt wien making ro.
port OF goods at the slmshouse that he
reported things that could not he
found when Mr.. Walker took an 1nyen.
tory.
That Mr.. Walker could find only
eighty-two blankets when there shon.d
have been lO2. but that since that time
he had found the blankets. This con.
cluded the evidence and the Nlayor
said he would report mis- action later
when the attorneys could have chance
to be heard.
After the investigation the Council
committee held a meeting and aua
pended MIR. Morris, keeper. Mr.. Craig,
assistant keeper, ard sMr. Murray, the
Nurse, and recommended TO the Mayor
their removal and named To fill the
vacancies L hos. Bailey, keeper; l.. Il.
Curtz. assistant keeper and j. Il.
Warren. nurse. Mr.. Warren was re.
commended by the physician 10 the
poor.
silver PiGtcd ware.