The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-03-27
CHARGES OF CRUELTY.
Those Directed at Insane Asylum
OHcisis Not Believed.

Information reached the Post-Intelii-
gencer yesterday afternoon from Tacoma
that Gov. Rogers purposes turning things
topsy-turvy al the Steilscoorn insane asy-
lum By discharging everybody connected
with the institution. and putting new
force n work II the statement IS true.
then Gov. Rogers has changed his mind
on that particular subject, as he stated
shortly after his election that il was his
intention 10 leave things alone at the
asylum, being satisfied that long familiar
ity With the treatment OF the insane oy
those in charge has qualified them for
their positions, and that the substitution
OF newer mer OF limited experience would
operate against the successful accomplish
ment OF the institutions intentions He
did not think that political reasons were
sufficient 10 make such change
IL Gov Rogers has decided 10 dismiss
the present force al Steilacoom, IL is prob
ably because ne believes charges or
abuse which have been Ieyeled ar the In
stitution by a dismissed employe and one
OF the patients who has been committed
three times. The employe referred 10
stated that the strong lusty patients took
all OF the food on the table, leaving the
puny. weak ones 10 go hungry. An I'M
Official investigation revealed the falsity
or the report. One cause OF the present
trouble Is the alleged throwing out OF
bed by an attendant Of a patient named
Kewer. who. IL Is said. had been granted
the privilege by Supt. Waughop OF lying
in bed as mucn as he chose.
II VIII be two years in May since George
Kewer was committed 10 the asylum. In
the following February he was discharged
as cured, the usual condition OF six
months probation being imposed. In Sep
TENDER Judge Langley recommitted Kew
er 10 Steilacoom. He escaped, and when
the fact that he had come back TO Seattle
was reported 10 the asylum authorities.
they agreed 10 allow him 10 remain. think
ing that II might do him good. Then Kew
er broke into the Green lake bcathouse
and robbed IL. being afterwards found az
his mothers pace, near Green lake. In
December he was sent back TO Steilacoom.
and March IA his sisters. Mrs. Haynes and
Miss kewer. went over TO visit him. While
out walking. Kewer ran away and week
later showed up al Green lake again. The
matter was reported and the patient
was again sent 10 Steilacoom. Upon his
arrival there IL was found that he was
apparently suffering from a broken rib.
His sisters again went over to see him
and he admitted that he had not received
treatment at the asylum that resulted in
the injury. but charged IL against his trip
from Green lake 20 Seattle.
Mrs. Haynes. who visited her brother al
the asylum says that as far as her OBJ
servation went she saw nothing at Stella
COON that justified complaint Her brother
told her he had been dumped out Of bed
by an attendant and that he lay on the
floor. Then patient came up and kicked
him in the face. telling him 20 get up As
far as the knowledge Of the physicians
goes, the attendants treat the patients
kindly. When any abuse Is heard of the
Offending party is discharged.