The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-14
MERE SENSATIONAL STORY.
Secretary BickneIl ExOnerates East
ern Hospital management.

ernest Bicknell, secretary of the State
Board of Charities and Correction re-
turned from Richmond yesterday after
conference with Timothy Nicholson, men,
Der of the board, with reference to the
Payne case. No investigation was made.
The board will report to Governor Mount
that there is absolutely nothing to indicate
that there has been anything improper in
the management of the Eastern Hospital for
the Insane. Much regret is expressed by
the Governor and other state officials to the
prominence that has been given the case by
an afternoon paper published in Indianap-
oils.
1t seems that Mrs. Melinda Payne, of
Muncie, was sent home on a furlough. over
ten weeks after her arrival at Muncie
cnlld was prematurely born to her. She
informed her husband that it was not his
chlo. Ihis started a certain amount of
gossip, and two or three days later the re-
port reached DR.. S. E. Smith, superin-
tendent of the hospital, who Immediately
lald the reports before Mr. Nicholson on
yet. rs. The next day, on the ADVICE of Mr.
Nlcholson, superintendent Smith went to
MuhcIe 10 investigate the case. In the COM
pany OF j. e. Reed, county clerk and Dr.
X. A. Bunch, Superintendent Smith visited
MIS-. Hayne, who voluntarily said that she
had simply made the statements with regard
10 the paternity of the child to annoy her
husband. She declared in the presence OF
ner husband that there was no truth in the
story she had first told, and signed an affi-
uavlI 10 that enect. superintendent Smith
laid the affidavit before Mr.. Nicholson, to-
gether with letters from the family physi-
clan and county clerk stating that they had
been present when the affidavit was made,
ana that Mrs. Payne made ii voluntarily.
All these facts were in possession of the
state board some weeks ago. " hen the SEN
Sational publication casting reflections on
the hospital appeared last week Supern-
tendent Smith at once telegraphed Secretary
thorough investigation. 1t was not deemed
necessary to take any steps in the matter,
1nasmuch as DR.. Smith had at once con-
suited with Mr.. Nicholson and had taken
every step possible to show that the man
agement was not in any wise involved, as
Mrs. Payne minated.
With our knowledge of the institution
Mr.. Nicholson and / are convinced that 1T
would have been next to impossible for any
such thing Mrs. Payne says occurred to
occur at the hospital" said Mr.. Bicknell
last night THE regulations there are we'll
nigh perfect in this particular. There is alb
solutely no blame to attach to the manage
ment. The testimony of four reputable
physicians was taken, and it indicates that
the trouble might have just as well begun
after Mrs. PayneS release as before. There
is nothing to do further. l regret exceed
ingly the embarrassment that it has occa-
stoned Superintendent Smith There no
occasion for the sensational reports that
have been made public"
Mr.. Bicknell said that while Mrs. Payne
was in the hospital there was constant fric-
ton between her husband and herself, and
when he visited her it was necessary for
attendants to be present to prevent them
from quarreling. With this knowledge of
their family relations, the members of the
board were convinced that Mrs Payne had
simply told her husband sensational stories
in order to arouse his anger.