The San Francisco call., 1899-07-13
INVESTIGATION
At AN ASYLUM
DoingS at Agn eWs Are
Being Proved.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

SAN JOSE, duly 12.-InYestigatlon
INTO affairs at the Agnews Insane Asy-
um, arising out of the delicate cond1-
ton of Mrs Wilhelmina Chaffers, an
inmate, began this morning before the
State Lunacy Commission, sitting with
the local board of managers. There
we're present Daniel kevane. secretary
IF the State Board of Examiners, who
In the absence of the Governor is the
latter's representative Assistant At
torney General Post; DR.. f. W. Hatch,
general uperintendent of the State in
sane asylums; Charles F. Curry, Secre-
tary OF State; Major John F. Carrere.
secretary of the State Lunacy Com
mission. OF the local board of managers
there were present Messrs. Hale, Up
lam, White. Greeninger and Curnow.
Aside from half a dozen newspaper
representatives there were no specta-
tors. No new facts We're developed in
the case. The testimony showed a
,ooseness in the method of cUnduc ing
the institution.
The first witness examined was DR..
L. E. Stocking. the first assistant ply
sician of the institution. He testified
that Alexander r. Underwood. the
basement man, had reported to him
about the 22d of October that an inmate
had seen Mrs. Chaffers helped through
the basement window by an inmate
employed in his department named
Cooper. DR.. Sponogle was away at the
time, and when the medical director re-
turned he reported the matter TO MIN.
DR.. Chrystal followed with similar
testimony. Dr.. +. w. Hatch told what
he had found out by questioning pa
tients.
Mrs. l. Bambauer. the matron,
gave testimony similar to Underwood.
Mrs. z. B. White, in charge of the ward
where Mrs. Chaffers was confined, said
Mrs. Breemen had told her that Cooper
had helped Mrs. Chaffers into the base
ment and had also seen Cooper acting
rather free with Mrs. Chaffers.
Medical Director Sponogle was the
last witness of the day. He was alb
sent from the asylum between October
p and 80 last. On his return home he
was informed of the discovery of Mrs.
ChafferS visits to the basement to see
Cooper. He took no credence in the
story, but investigated the matter.
month or so later a similar report was
made TO him. Although he placed no
credenee in the story at that time he
Is now convinced that Cooper is re
spOnSible for Mrs. ChanerS' condition.
He stated CCoper's mania was an alco-
holic one and when sober he was per-
feCtly sane.
The Lunacy Commission held a short
executive session. Cooper was exam
lned privately and he denied the charge
In toto. Mrs. Oliver, sister of Bessie
Bailey, and several other inmates We're
also examined. This closed the work
for the day, and the commission ad-
journed until tomorrow morning at
o'clock, when more testimony Will be
taken The commission will undoubt-
edly finish the work tomorrow. Their
decision will probably be reserved for
some time.
Several stories smacking of politics
we're afioat at the asylum to-day. one
is that Governor Gage intends to de-
2apitate Medical Director Sponogle and
make a place for a friend of Burns.
This is borne out some by questioning
Kevane, who is the personal represen-
tative of the Governor At several
times the questions were pointed.
One story is that DR. Stocking Will be
promoted TO medical director, DR..
Chrystal advanced to first assistant
and DR. G. D. Marvin of Humboldt
County given third place. Marvin was
n the Assembly at the last Legislature
and ardently supported Grant for
United States Senator until the Sat
urday before adjourning, when he flop
ned to Burns Now he is to be re-
warded for this latter act. There are
also rumors that Stocking must go be-
cause of his connection with the Bessie
DaiIau "a