The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-11-02
WHEELER's STATEMENT.
Secretary of Board of Charities Writes
of "Hookey Jim's" Death

Topeka, KaS., Nov. 1, 1898.
To the Editor of the State Journal.
The Topeka Capital of October 2Sth
published afidavirs from Harry Hall
and Fred Zimmerman in relation to the
death of James Fusion, an inmate of
the Topeka asylum. In these afhdavits
they state that Funston came to his
death at the hands of some brutal at
tendant, but fail to name the guilty
partv. Hall also duplicates the board
of charities and Gov. Leedy and charges
that they are at fault in this and other
cases enumerated. The affidavit states
that Fusion died Jan. 10, 'sS. At this
time Hall was an attendant at the asy-
lum and one of the duties OF an attend
ant is to report all irregularities TO the
superintendent or board. Did he re-
port this case? If not, why not? The
direct supervision of the inmates of the
asylum is in charge of the attendants
and upon them rests the responsibility
of caring for these unfortunate people.
IF the board made mistake when IT ap-
pointed Mr. Hall, and it fully did if
Fusion was treated as purpOrted, and
he failed to report the case.
If Mr.. Hall was honestly discharglng
his duties why did he not report the
case to the superintendent or to the
board when 1t met at the asylum SIX
days later? As secretary of the board
all formal charges must pass through
my hands and L am positive 1 never
heard Of this case until 1 saw it in the
Capital
Mr.. Hall also states that he has seen
lady attendants visit the room of male
attendants after 10 o'clock at night.
When this was purpOrted to have &C
CURED Mr.. Hall was night watch and
upon him direct involved the RESPONSE
bility of seeing that decorum was main
tanned.
VIII he dare say he ever reported this
to the superintendent or board? Win
he explain how the board or Gov. Leedy
are responsible for acts of which they
know nothing and which were entrusted
to his care2
Six months has elapsed since these cas-
es are purpOrted to have occurred. Mr..
Hall was discharged some two or three
months ago and it now dawns upon him
tnaI great wrong was committed
viii not pass judgment but leave the
readers to ask: Did Mr. Hall WiIfulIy
and maliciously disregard the trust the
board of charities and the state OF Kan
sas intrusted to him or is he now trying
to deceive the voters of Kansas?
Mr.. Jones Of Parkdale also makes af-
hdaVit regarding Mr.. Waggener. He
says he visited the asylum last spring
and saw Mr.. Waggener's condition He
says Mr. Waggener was his friend and
his neighbOr and he was sorry to see
him in such condition. How sorry
were you Mr.. Jones? Were you sorry
enough to enquire of the SUPERINTENDENT
the cause of his condition or did you ev-
er report the case to anyone in charge
No. If Mr. Jones were a friend a
ne1ghbOr or even a sympathetic human
being it vas his privilege and his duty
to see that the superintendent and
board had knowledge of this case. ]
will not ask the voters of Kansas to
take my statement or the statement OF
employees in this case, but ask you to
apply the case to yourself
Should you visit a friend or neighbor
an an asylum and find him in the condi-
ton Mr.. Waggener was reported to be
in would you return home and six
months later try to make political cap
ltaI out OF your unfortunate friend, or
would you report the case and try and
better his condition?
5 Q. WHEEL Err
Secretary Board of CHARITIES