The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1898-10-14
SCANDAL
AT THE TOPEKA INSANE ASY-
LUM.
SUPERINTENDENT WETMORE
RESIGNS.
A STATE JOINT AT THE IN
STlTUTION.
GROSS NEGLECT,
YOUNG GIRLS INSULTED
GENERAL INCOMPETENCE,

his position to take affect lmmedlat
ely. In a letter to Gov. Leedy he
gives as his reason for this step tina
he can no longer as self respecting
man consent to be a party to such
fragrant outrages and abuses as ex
list in that institution.
He says that Leedy and the boarc
of charities have filled importan
places at the asylum with drunkard:
and incomr e:ents and points tc
many instances of cruelty, neglect
and debauchery.
He says H. G. Jumper, Pres. Of
the Board of Charities and few Of
the appointees have virtually main
tanned state joint in the instltut-
ion, and that Jumper had been on a
continuous debanch for the last ff-
teen months.
Mr., Jumper installed his father-in
law, DR.. Wellman, as assistant sur
geon of the institution. DIR. Well
man was only street fakir, or ven
der of patent medicines, an all round
professional quack. AT my repeat
ed requests and statements of his
utter incompetency he was not dis
charged, but transferred to the asy-
lum at Osawatomie.
DR.. D. H. Smith boasts that he
had no political pull but that he
told Leedy he owed him fifty dollars
adding that he did not want the
money but he wanted aposition and
he got his appointment. DR.. Smith
devotes the principal part of his
time in the asylum to card playing,
to the neglect of his duties.
DR.. M. w. Scott, assistant super
intendent is inexcusably ignorant
and illiterate. In consequence of
his immoral and indecent conduct
l have, with difficulty, been able to
prevent some of my best lady en-
ployees from resigning their posi-
tons. His characteristics are too
vile and repuisive for description.
There are about eight hundred pa
tients in the institution, two hundred
of whom are women. Think of
man of this character being in
charge of two hundred defenceless
and demented women.
John Young, a patient from
Jewell-co, who for years had labor
ed in the laundry department, was
taken sick on Friday and word was
sent to DR.. Scott that he needed
immediate attention. The doctor
did not go. He was notified again
Saturday and still he did not go.
He was again notified on Sunday
and still failed to visit the patient.
On Monday the patient was found
dead in his cot. knew nothing Of
these circumstances till after the
dead body was found, and on in
vestigation found these facts: This
is only one instance of many SINH
Ter cases of neglect. The doctor
has often said it was better to let
the patients die than to prolong
their lives, since they are an expense
to the state. learn that both of
these physicians have given patients
exactly the same prescription with
out any examination whatever dur
ing their entire term of office.
Attorney General Boyle has
friend by the name of Black who
came from Colorado. The board
of charities, at the request of Mr..
Boyle, created the place OF assist
ant steward for him, Black was
though was not then
voter in the state. There being no
appropriation for his salary, he is
carried on the rolls as an attendant.
He is frequently incapacitated for
duty by reason of drunkenness.
Frequent complaints have been
made to you, Governor, and to the
board of charities, and also to Atty.
Boyle as to the absolute worthless
ness of this man, but he still re-
mains and draws his salary.
herewith incorporate copies of
several letters as samples of the ig-
norance and incompetency with
which have had to contend.
We can give but one of them]
Topeka. Kan. Sept. 20, 1898.
Mr.. P. c. johnson, Bern, Kansas.
Dear Sir:-In reply to your letter OF
the 10Th where you make inquiry con
corning the death of Mrs. Eliza John
son. will say that she died from chron
&c exhaustion and mania. She haC
been going down hill for some time
She refused to eat but once a day but
we fed her with tube. She improv-
ed little prior TO her death, but wa
taken few days before her dealt
with general weakness and seemed