The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-08-13
Lowell Changes His Testimony
on the killing Of Drape.
Now SAYS He Saw Mclaughlin Bruta||y
Kick the Insane Man--Report Of
Coroner Hawkins.

Coroner Otis A. Hawkins. today, filed
his report on the death of John n. Drape.
a patient at the state hospital for the in
sane.
The coroner says the case Is one OF
murder. and that the guilty party Is
Charles II. Mclaughlin, an attendant at
the hospital
The deposition OF Attendant Lowell,
made after no had told one story, Is very
sensational
IL directly accuses Mclaughlin of the
most heartless cruelty, and says he had
drank quart Of whiskey inside of few
hours.
CoRoNER's FINDINGS.
The coroner says. AFTER hearing the
testimony, and reviewing the same.
find and certify that said John N. Drape.
on the 3lst day OF July. A. ID. 1900. at
about O'Clock, and forty minutes in the
afternoon of said day, at the Rhode
Island State Hospital for the Insane. In
the town of Cranston, county OF Provi-
dence and state OF Rhode Island, came to
his death in consequence OF multiple In
iiries causing fatal shock.
II further certify and report that upon
the testimony of the witnesses filed here
with that said multiple injuries causing
fatal shock, were caused by some blunt
object. and a mop, filled with scalding
water in tho hands of and by feet OF one
Charles T. Mclaughlin. and that said
John N. Drape came to his death by the
unlawful act of said Charles T. McLaugh-
him and by no other person or persons.
There are l35 pages to Coroner Haw-
klns' report ana all the testimony of the
witnesses and report OF the medical ex-
aminer are given.
Then, too, is the very remarkable de-
position of Elwell L. Lowell, one OF the
attendants at the State Hospital for the
Insane.
LowELLS STARTLING TESTIMONY
f.ower's testimony at the inquest was
of special importance. 1t seems the
statements made in his testimony preyed
upon the mind OF Lowell, so he went to
the homo OF Coroner Hawkins, and, ac-
cording to the latter. Uniformed me that
no was suffering from remorse and said
he had shielded Mclaughlin long enough
and wanted me to take truthful de-
position"
The testimony or Lowell at the inquest
was very favorable to Mclaughlin. The
coroner at once expressed a willingness
to take I.owelrs deposition.
In the deposition the conscience-strick-
en- man told how the patient was kicked
and abused. The deposition made by Low
ell follows:
DRAPE ALL RIGHT THEN.
"After I unlocked Drape's door and
opened It and had seen that he was all
right came back up the hall. had the
brass hooks IN my hand, the hooks that
we fasten the doors with.
s'I put the hooks into the box In which
we kept them and then handed the box
over 10 Mclaughlin and had him put his
hooks in IT, Then went down TO the 9TH
er end OF the hall and there is a scresn
door / have to unlock TO let the patients
get in behind and take out the pals and
scrub the holes.
: After this / came out and locked the
screen door again. / was right opposite
John Drapes door at this time. After 1
had locked the screen door, John Drape
was standing there dressing. and heard
him, Drape, call some other patient, some
name which 7 do not remember. / then
went up 10 Drape and told him TO keep
still.
He Drape. called me - and at
tackled me. Just at this time McL.augh-
lin heard the row and came down the hall
towards us. Then I took hold OF Drape
and pushed him against the screen.
McLAUGHLIN's ATTACK.
Then Charles 7 Mclaughlin came down
and commenced to strike az Drape. Then
Drape turned on Mclaughlin and com
nenced TO strike at him.
'"Then ] went mp behind Drape and
grabbed him from behind by the two
arms. and ran him into his room, which
was from us five feet distant.
''I then knocked hts feet out from under
him. and lain him on the floor on his
back
Then Mclaughlin commenced 10 kicl
him. Drape. behind the ear. and In tho
face. and all around the chest and back.
WOULD NOT STOP.
After McLauehlin had kicked him
while, told him. Mclaughlin. TO stop
and let ND and that he was liable To hur
him. Drape Mclaughlin then replied
. No; he Il trying TO fool us. the sam,
az he always has
''Then MCLAUGHLIN commenced 10 kicl
Drape some more around the head. an,
90 stamp him with his heels around hil
head and body.
Then I came out and left Mclaughlin
and Doyle IN Drape's rom and I went ui
90 the other end OF the hall and com
menccd 20 get the patients ready fol
breakfast.
''Ncr.anghiin came M after did ans
we put on our coats. Mclaughlin said