The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1901-08-24
Especial to '.The Jersey city News."l

IhENION, aug. Il, -A-fANS-~O0
tending strongly to prove that murder
was done by an attendant at the state
Hospital for the Insane above this city
was produced at yesterdays session OF
the Investigating Committee. Testimony
and admissions by officials high in the IN
stitution disclosed the grossest neglect IN
failing 10 ascertain the cause OF the
death of William Funk, which occurred
June q, 1900 after he had been brutally
beaten by an attendant. Sensational de-
velopments were the order of the day,
and while In minor particulars the evil
dence was conflicting, a condition of af-
fairs was brought to light which has
hardly been even limited at in the past.
At the close of last nights proceedings
after three of the stormiest sessions on
record, Governor Voorhees, declared that
the investigation must not end until every
charge had been fully inquired into and
the entire management sifted to the bot
tom. The Governor included in his broad
declaration the misrepresentation of the
funds of the institution, the purchase of
food, clothing coal and provisions by the
warden, the administration of affairs at
--tne fssspitai, and in addition to this the
charge that improper food was served.
To determine these facts the Governor
will insist upon the production of the
hospital books, which will all be gone
over by the committee.
Dr. William f. Jones, the former third
assistant physician, was the star witness
of the day, and his statements proved
revelation to the committeeman. His
testimony showed that despite the fact
that William Funk had been beaten and
jumped on by Attendant Frank Lesher:
that he had died the following day, to all
appearances, from the result of his in
juries, and that the matter was reported
to the medical director, no autopsy was
held and no investigation held.
DIR. Ward, the medical director, admit
ted receiving report in Funks case,
that he knsw he had been maltreated,
that he saw injuries on his body after
death, that Attendant Frank Lesher had
been summariIy dismissed for his part in
the affair, and still that no investigation
had been made.
The direct evidence of DR.. Jones that
Funk had been abused did not stand
alone. 1t was corroborated by witnesses
who had seen Funk, or to whom Lesher
had admitted that he had beaten the man.
One of the physicians when told of the
affair, expressed the opinion that cor
oner should be notified, and still there
was no investigation.
Tt was brought out that an attendant
and baker, John Giberson, had beaten
a patient, for which the attendant, who
was employed by Dr. Ward, was promptly
discharged, while the baker, who is hired
by Warden Hayes was retained in his
position, although the matter was report
ed to him by the medical director. DR..
Ward stated that under no circumstances
would he allow a man who had struck
patient, except in actual self-defense, to
remain in his employ, yet he was power
less to act in the case of Warden Hayes's
equally culpable employe.
The Governor and the members of the
committee were somewhat late in arriv-
ing at the hospital yesterday morning,
having held a conference before going to
the hospital All the members were pres
ent.
Judge Thompson announced at the out
set that the inquiry regarding the food
would be temporarily suspended in order
to investigate the serious charge made by
Or. Jones, the former third assistant ply
sician, that William Funk had met his
Heath as the result of injuries received
at the hands OF an attendant. He asked
whether Dr., Jones was represented by
counsel. and Colonel John 7. Van Cleef
answered that he was present in the
rapacity of DR.. Jones's representative.
sI also appear in that capacity" said
Mr.. Backes, s'and I ask leave to exam
Inc DR.. Jones'"
"on what grounds do you base the re-
suest?" queried Judge Thompson.
"On the ground that DR.. Jones is
witness adverse to the committee; that
he appears as making charges against
the institution and its management, and
that, therefore, his examination in chief
should be conducted by his own COUNSEL
s'The committee" replied Judge Thomp-
son, secs no reason to depart from its
present course. and so its counsel, Mr.
Walker will take up the examination,
after which, Mr.. Backes, you or the
counsel for DIR. Jones will be permitted
10 ask any questions you may see fit. .
Mr.. Backes insisted that the course of
procedure was irregular, but Judge
Thompson was firm and instructed Mr..
Walker to proceed with The examination.
DR. Jones took the Witness chair and
while not exactly what nigh. be termed
trattled. showed that he fully realized
BE import Of his pos4tiea. aud at times