Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-04-15
FULTON-ASYLUM A HOTBED OF 20.
- . LITICAL CHICANERY. 10 -,
WHISKY CHARGED UP AS CORN
CAMPAIGN FINDS ExTORTED FROM
EMPLOYEES.
Patients Were Compelled to Work in
Bitterly Cold Weather Poorly Clad
-Witnesscs Also Testify in
gard to Coombs' Bib
ul0us Tendencies.

FULTON. MO-. April 14.-(Special) Tes-
timony of most startling character was
heard at to-day's session of the See in
vestigating committee" Competent and re-
liable witnesses stated to-day that the man.
agement of the asylum was SO influenced
by the Stephens ring that employees were
compelled to contribute to the Democratic
campaign fund and that quantities of in
toxicating liquors were purchased under
other names. The statement was made that
whisky appeared as corn" on the bills
that were paid by the state. The most
important witness was g. l.. Paisley who
was employed at the institution for about
seventeen years. His testimony had the
effect of a bombshell on the committee.
He declared that two funds for the DEM
ocratic party were secured in the asylum,
one to assist +. +. Luckett. VINO was run
ming for prosecuting attorney Of Cole coun-
ty. and another for the benefit of State
Senator Charles Walker. The witness was
positive in all his statements and was cor
roborated by DR.. Wilcox. second assistant
physician at the asylum. The latter was
very reluctant to admit the truth OF Pas
leys charges. but was compelled to do so.
The committee was told of a fishing party
that was arranged by DR.. Coombs. and
that large quantity of liquor was taken
by the party; that twenty-three lunatics
were taken along. who were attended by
but one man. and that all the employees
and officials. except one. were In q state
Of intoxication.
The first charges of mismanagement by
DR.. Coombs were also made. The witness
Paisley declared that many patients were
compelled to work with insufficient cloth
ing in bitterly cold weather.
Another new feature brought out was the
statement made by General Horne. who
declared that he was removed from his po-
sition on the board of charities by the
governor Immediately after the conviction
of DR.. Coombs. The governors telegram
was read. and it was insulting in the ex-
treme. General Horne also produced a
threatening telegram from Paul Moore the
governors secretary.
1t was said to-day that DIR. Coombs
friends have attempted to save him from
further disgrace. The statement was made
that the board of managers approached. the
See committee yesterday and informed
1t that II the charge of drunkenness were
dropped DR.. Coombs would privately admit
this charge, leaving the COMMITTEES an op-
portunity TO investigate the charges of mis-
management and immortality. This overture
is regarded ms an administration move and
was rejected by the committee. AS result
every witness has been questioned concern
ing DR.. Coombs' drinking habits and every
one who knew him declared that he in-
dulged in intoxicants constantly.
General Horne wftness.
General r. C. Horner, formerly president
OF the beard Of managers; told how the
board had convicted DR.. coombs. General
Horne said: ave informed the governor Of
our action. He replied: Gentlemen, i can
not see how you could have done otherwise.
Yes. We had a great deal of trouble over
whisky bills and finally had to protest
against the quantity of whisky that was
used. DR.. Coombs had no recommendations
Whatever and before his election was so
confident that he would be named that he
met me at the -depotsstook me to the asy-
lum and showed me around
DR.. H. w. Westover, who resigned from
the board of managers short time ago,
said that. in his opinion. DR.. Coombs was
guilty of the charges preferred and that
he would not vote to reinstate him unless
compelled to do SO.
Il think said he. that the doctor drank
too much. and he practically admitted that
he was guilty Of the charge of immortality
r. NJ. Abercrombie. of st. Joseph. a mem
per OF the board OF charities. testified that
witnesses as presented themselves. and
when asked whether the accused had been
gwen an impartial trial. replied evaSfvely
that all the testimony that was presented
was heard. = =, --'.---'-
have expressed the opinion" said the
witness. that If DR.. Coom,s would resign
the Democratic administration would be
greatly relieved.
". F. Lloyd. who lost his position as stew
ard at the asylum to make room for q per-
sonai friend OF Governor Stephens. said
that he had seen DIR. Coombs under the in
fiuence of liquor.
G. L. Paisley. who was formerly employed
as farmer at the asylum, said: '.Dr
Coombs is a constant drinker. On one oc-
casion q number of employees of the asylum
nnd patients went on a fishing trip. Near
ly all the employees We're drunk, and the
patients mere allowed to -Llrink.--Eour or
fiye cases Of beer and about five gallons OF
whisky We're consumed. DR.. Coombs raad
arransemenss Tor the party: Many OF the
ized under other names. For instance,
beer appeared ms corn on the bill that
was paid by the state. / paid the bills my
self out cf the state's money. because was
20 instructed u 20 49, = --7- '----t--s-~