The San Francisco call., 1898-12-15
BESSIE BAILEY DIED FROM A
 NATURAL CAUSE Verdict of AgneWs
 Board. 4 THOROUGH INVESTIGATION NOTHING MYSTERIOUS ABOUT HER SUDDEN DEATH. Much of the Sensation Traced to the Examiners Fad of Taking.
 Stockings Frank
 Statement.
\ THOROUGH INVESTIGATION
NOTHING MYSTERIOUS ABOUT
 HER SUDDEN DEATH.
Special Dispatch to The Call.


 ing the death of Bessie Bailey, con- cludes that she came to her death from natural causes, entirely uncon- nected with the management of the Agnews State Hospital"
 With the adoption of this resolution at the regular meeting of the Asnews Asylum trustees ended the supposed mystery surrounding the death of the unfortunate young woman named The action of the board was taken only after the case had been thoroughly in vestigated, and the examination failed to develop a single doubtful or sus- picious fact. Incidentally It was shown that the Examiners copyrighted and exclusive habit of faking was largely 1,sponsible for the sensational features of the affair that it published.
 Director White brought the matter to an issue. re stated that in view of the reports that had gone out refiectlns on some of the attaches of the instltu- tion and on the management of the asy- lum in connection with the death or Miss Bailey. he thought it but right to invite everyone who had any knowledge on the subject before the board.
 Director Upham warmly seconded the effort of White, adding that he would like to have Dr. Stocking, the first as sistant physiccn of the asylum, and Dr. Sponogle, the superintendent, come be- fore the board and help clear up the al- legged mystery.
 Chairman Curnow placed the matter formally before the meeting in the shape of a motion to investigate the manner of Miss Baney's death and to ascertain who were instrumental in bringing it about.
 Director Gould attempted to throw cold water on the proposition ofso sweep ing an investigation, and moved an amendment to the motion so as have 1t call for an investigation or the man- ner of death only.
 Director White fought this curtail- 11ent of the scope of the inQuisition, saying that 1t had been charged that Dr. Stocking had been in this girls room more than he ought to have been, while Curnow interjected a remark about chicken dinners having been given to the young woman by Dr. Stocking White added that he would agree to the amendment, If the board would, immediately after the decth had been investigated, proceed to inVestl- gate matters at the asylum supposed to De COUnGClcQ Nllll lllC III D LelIA14 0 O4L-
 Gould would not consent to this, but his amendment was carried by the votes of Hale, Upham and himself.
 Director Hale called for all the let ters and telegrams that had passed be- tween the officials and attaches of the asylum on one side and the officials of Nevada and the physician who had at tended Miss Bailey on the train and the physician who had made the post mortem examination on the other.
 Most of this correspondence has al- ready been published. The most inn portant portion of it, and that which has not been published, were the letters that passed between pr. Sponogle of the Agnews Hospital and pr. Hood of Elko, NeV. In response to a note from Dr. Sponogle, the Elko physician who made the autopsy, wrote as follows:
 c. J. Hood,
 Physician and Surgeon.
 ELKO New -
 pr. Sponogle-Dear Doctor: As regards statements of Examiner, using my name, l have never made any remarks as to the cause of death nor any statements re- fiecting on the character of said deceased, nor have I ever given my opinion of the cause of death.
 Certain drugs were found on her per son and one empty paper, which had pre- similar to other powders found, contain ing a substance resembling acetainled with fine powdery substance of a very bitter taste. What the exact ingredients were I do not know.
 Above you may use or not, you think best Very truly, C. J. HOOD.
 This was followed by another note from Dr. Sponogle as follows:
 AGNEws STATE HOSPITAL,
 AGNEWS, Cal, Dec. 5, 1898.
 Dr. Hood Elko, Nevada-Dear Doctor: I am requested by the Board of Managers of this hospital to address you concern ing the autopsy of Miss Bessie Bailey. We would like to have a statement from by inspection, also regarding the vital organs and of the thoracic abdominal and pelvic regions, and if you examined the brain and spinal cord. We would be pleased to have a full and complete his- tory of the case as you found it, and your opinion as to the cause of death. AS there concerning the case we want to obtain
 F. M. SPONOGLE, Medical Superintendent Agnews State Hospital.
 To this came the following reply:
 C. J. Hood,
 ELKO, New, Dec. ', 1898. r. M. Sponogle. M. D., Agnews, Cal.- Dear Doctor: As regards the case of Bes- being embalmed by local undertaken, and on November 21 examined contents of pelvic cavity only.
 Following conditions found:
 On inspection dscoloration of right side of face, as though she might have been lying on that side of face for some time before death. On opening abdomen from umbilicus to pubic bone found absence of Inflammation of peritoneum intestinal tract and genito-urinary organs Above examination was all that was asked for by Coroner and all that was made No evidence of any criminal" operation and no cause of death discovered Fratern- ally c. J. HOOD.
 When Dr. Stocking was called upon to tell what he knew of Bessie BaiIeys condition when she left the institution he stated that she was suffering from a slight cold contracted on the day she left, caused. presumably, by having taken a hot bath a few hours before she started on her fatal trip. He had pro- vided her with some quinine pills and also with some laxative pills and sulphonal powders, but no morphine. He declared that if she had taken at one time everything he had given her it would not have caused death or even hurt her. His opinion, founded on the information received from Nevada was that her death was caused by pulmon- Nry congestion or acute pneumonia. 1t