Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1896-01-30
"A REPLY.
Rev. j. ID. Whitelaw Replies to
References Made Concern
ing Him.
He Also States What He Did to
Secure q Prior Investi-
CATION.
Why Nothing Was Accomplished
in This-His Version of
the Matter.

in This-His Version of
the Matter.
Rev. J. D. Whitelaw, formerly pastor
in this city but now Of Cummings, Traill
county, whom DR.. Archibald stated IN
his published letter used to call at the
Chamberlain residence, q common rem
devious in the "villanous plot" and who
took ian active part in scandalizing every
employe in the hospital" replies to DR..
Archibald in letter to the Argus, as
follows, and attaches his signature
thereto:
In as much as lone" DR.. o. w. Archi.
bald has seen fit to refer to me in what
bids fair to be his 'last will and testa-
ment (what q legacy to his familyD, and
as there are some things which believe
the public should know at this time,
kindly give space to the following COM
munication:
Sometime in the summer of 1894 one
who had been an attendant at the
Jamestown asylum came to me with
charges of an exceedingly damaging
nature, touching the personal character
of DR.. Archibald and some few others
who were and had been connected with
the institution in an official and semi
official capacity. Only that which was
seen, it was claimed, was reported; so
definite and positive we're the statements
that room for doubt appeared out Of the
question. It was also shown that lady
patients were not beyond indecent ap.
proaches from DR.. Archibald. Tes.i-
mony from entirely different sources
went to confirm much that had been
before reported. These statements from
people who bad been in q position to
know whereof they spoke, together with
the general reputation of the doctor
among many. led me to attempt some
thing as believed IN behalf of the state,
common morality, and the most helpless
OF Gods creatures, whom I bad reason
to believe were in the hands of bad
man.
Accordingly I approached F. B. Fan
cher, then president Of the board OF trus-
tees. He appeared very much wrought
up when it was hlnted that anything
could possibly be wrong with such q
worthy gentleman as DR.. Archibald,
and met every statement with bluff and
bluster. 1t was soon apparent that any
charge, however serious, would not re-
ceive reasonable consideration from him.
Everything in the nature OF evidence
was bellttled.
BE said that his own prejudices
against the doctor, when made a mem.
Der of the board, had been fully over
come, and told miserable story OF the
means taken to discover the doctors
character, which made it evident that
Archibald was under suspicion by those
who we're nearest to him.
Mr.. Fancher further stated that he
would not believe the testimony of dis
charged employees and that McGinnis.
another member OF the board, would
listen to complaints but do nothing.
When demonstrated with and shown that
this implied that employees came to the
institution with good characters and
went away with bad ones, there was no
answer. He admitted that the doctors
conduct toward young women was such
at times that he (Fancher) felt like
taking his fist aud knocking him down.
He said that he wished the doctor would
90 away because the morality question
was constantly coming up. Later he in
formed me that undoubtedly the doctor
would leave the lnstltulon very soon.
When told Fancher that an investi-
CATION which would show things wrong
at the institution, would not be to his
credit, he answered, II know it. must
see Mr.. McGillivray," the latter's name
having Just been mentioned as one who
might demand an investigation. The
senator has told his own story which
tallies we'll with the above.
Later I offered in the presence OF two
members OF the board of trustees to DIS
close all the evidence that had come to
me against the doctor to committee OF
two and let them look the matters up
for themselves, provided that l was al
lowed to name one member OF the CON-
mittee. would then leave the matters
in their hands. But they affirmed that
nothing but sworn testimony would do
in order, as Mr.. Fancher affirmed, they
might "cinch" people If they lied.
I then went to Governor Allin and
related much of damaging character
that had come to my ears and urged
that something be done. He listened
like the gentleman that he is. spoke OF q
former investigation as having been
very thorough; had something to say
about politics probably having much to
do with opposition to DR.. Archibald, and
suggested that If had anything it be
taken before the legislature. ] urged
that the matter could be adjusted by
the trustees, provided that the proper
be made. and should have
teen glad to put him in the way OF
for himself the truth or
falsity of the matters reported had he
been disposed to look the matter up.
But he said that he would do nothing
till he had consulted Fancher and some
others. After his appointment Cornwall
was seen and some action urged IN be-
halt OF the good name OF the institution.
II reports OF immortality are constantly
coming up, as former member OF the
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