Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-07-02
TOILET eooDs.-EWlNe BROS.
Ia C-Low prces io1 lhe El1esi Goods Eyer Shonn in
AN UNPREJUDICED STATEMENT
Ofthe Causes Leading Up to tho Difficult
Between Senator Henders and HI

AN UNI REJ UDICED OIAIEMENI
Ofthe Causes Leading Up to the Difficulty
Between Senator Henders and His
BrOther-in-Law.
Weston Democrat.
A few weeks ago a child was born
unto Mrs. Carrie V. Henderson, an in
mate of the Hospital for the Insane at
this place. She is the wife of Hon. H.
C. Henderson, of Wood county, who is
a member of the State Senate. The I'M
fortunate affair has been given consid
cradle publicity and occasioned much
severe comment. The Hospital admin
iStration has been arraigned and held
responsible for the occurrence, and sub
jected to rigid criticism for the loose
ness of its management. Mr.. Hender-
son, the husband of the lady, was pub
licly assaulted at Williamstown one
day last week by his brother-in-law,
Bud" Snodgrass, the difficulty result
ing from the Hospital dilemma.
Up to this time the Democrat has
refrained from any reference to the cir
cumstanCe. 1t is a delicate subject to
consider and perhaps the least said
about it would be the better policy.
One of the home papers reported the
birth as a news item, and an over
Jealous correspondent very indiscreetly
undertook to excuse the condition of
affairs. The result was that further
investigation was made and renewed
publicity given the matter. Now it has
assumed such an ugly aspect, by the
publication of the various articles writ
ten in condemnation and defense of the
birth, that we feel called upon to pub
lish the facts. The public may judge
Gs to where the responsibility rests.
A visit to the Hospital Thursday
morning revealed the fact that Mrs
Henderson was admitted to the institu-
ton on the goth Of January, 1882. The
records show that since then she has
been released on bond numerous times.
There IS no account whatever of any
of the births which are reported to have
occurred during her residence at the
Hospital. The child lately born, how
ever, is still with its mother and receiv-
ing all proper attention and care.
superintendent Crumbacker deplores
the unfortunate situation and says that
he does not see how it could have been
averted under the circumstances. He
cites section % of chapter 5S of the
Code, which provides how and when
persons may be discharged from the
Hospital. 1t authorizes lunatics con-
fined in the Hospital to be delivered ''tO
any friend, who will give bond, with
security" conditioned Ito restrain and
take proper care of such lunatics." He
regarded Senator Henderson as a rep
utable gentleman and conceived no rea-
sorS why he should not permit him TO
tai& his wife out after he had complied
with the requirements of the statute in
every particular.
Although the Democrat is not dis
posed to participate in the trouble which
this birth has created, it would at least
prefer to have the situation intelli-
gently understood. We are not un-
Of the fact that much righteous
Indignation has been aroused, and re
alize that no fair-minded person will
attempt to justify the condition of af-
fairs which has occasioned it. 1t must
be embarrassing to Dr. Crumbacker's
and deeply humiliating
TO Senator Henderson. 1t would be rep
in the extreme to counte-
nance any conduct that should tend to
encourage childbirth among the insane
who are confined in the hospital
for treatment. II would be dangerous,
indeed, to thus propagate the seeds of
insanity and imperil the lives of such
offspring. 1t not only constitutes an
offense against humanity, but threatens
the safety and well being of the State.
Every sentiment of honor, respect and
common sense forbids it.
But let us see at whose door the re-
sponsibility, in this particular instance,
should be laid. Mrs. Henderson has
been an inmate of the hospital for al
most fifteen years. During that time
her husband visited her upon an aver
age of twice a year. He has manifest
ed the greatest interest and concern in
her welfare, and seemingly his treat
ment of her was kind and affectionate
in every way. He would comply with
the requirements of the statute re-
specting the dismissiOn of patients on
bond and take her to the home of somef
private family in town. She always
to be benefited by these pc
riOdical visits. On the 18Th of August,
1894, Senator Henderson was in Wes-
ton and applied for her discharge upon
bond. Being a man who stands high
in the esteem of the public-prOminent
throughout the State-Dr. Crumback-
er, as superintendent of the Hospital
did not hesitate to entrust Mrs Hen
derson unto his custody. He brought
her over to town where she remained
one week, when she was returned to
the hospital and just nine months
from that time her child was born.
Upon Senator Henderson was imposed
the obligation to restrain and take
proper care" of his wife whilst she wal
with him. This is all that the law de-
manded. If he failed to do so, and by
reason of such failure she became in
a condition to become a mother, il is
just to arbitrate such fact to the lax
management of DR.. Crumbacker's ad-
Should the Superintend-
ent be held responsible? Let the read
er arrive at his own conclusion.
EXCURSION TO SISTERSVILLE