The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-11-17
MORE TROUBLE
FOR GOVERNOR
OF OKLAHOMA
His Wife VIII Investigate the
Asylum Charges.
HER REPORT AWAITED
ExpectantIy, as She VIII Tell
All When She Returns.
HER REPORT AWAITED

Guthrie, Q. T., Nov. 16-The declaration
Of Mrs. William jenkins, wife of Gov
ernor Jenkins. that she proposed to in
vestigate the Oklahoma insane asylum.
at Norman, and ascertain for herself
whether there was any truth in the
stories OF cruelty and starvation of pa
ticnts practiced there by the present
management, cause sa waive of expect
/ ancy to pass over the people of the ter
ritory who know Mrs. jenkins, and are
cognizant of her unfinching devotion
to the caues OF all unfortunates, and
/ her vigorous manne rof expressing her
! self on all occasions when wrong has
been done. especially to those who are
under the ban of the law. or are de-
! prived of their liberty for any cause.
Ever since coming to this city, some
five years ago. Mrs. jenkins has been
/ consistent in the peculiar line of her char
liable work she had mapped out for her
self. Notwithstanding TIE tact that she
held enc Of the highest social positions
in this city, she at once began holding
religious meetings at the jails and pris-
ons, aud doing al in her power 10 alleviate
the condition OF these unfortunates. She
frequently attended the Salvation ARMY
meetings here, aud always took a promi-
neut part in the speaking and singing.
She accepted invitations to preach in
churches all over the territory. and the
theme OF her discourses wa salways to
assist the fallen and help the week She
would tolerate any sin with just an ad-
moniton, and q request 10 do better
next time, except the mistreatment Of
the unfortunates-tllis she has catalogGed
as one of the seven deadly iLiquities Be-
longing 20 the Quakers or Friends, she
was anxious Tor a house Of worship, ard
when the Congregational church of this
city disbanded, she at once leased their
church and now holds regular services
there.
The fact that her husband was made
the chief executive of the territory made
no difference in the life work of Mrs.
Jenkins. The work done and the ideas
formed while in private life still dominate
her as the first lady of Oklahoma, and
She is even more devoted TO the cause Of
the poor and downtrodden now than
ever. She is at present at Fort Worth
Texas. where She went on an invitation
to address the state convention Of the
w. c. T. L, but she declared before she
started that she should stop on her re-
turn and thoroughly investigate the asy-
lum at Norman. The declarations of
Arthur Keith, who was keeper Of ward
four of the asylum, that the patients We're
starved and mistreated. came as q per
sonal blow to Mrs. Jenkins and she feels
it her duty To look into the matter and
ascertain the truth or falsity of the
charges. not as the wife of the governor,
but in keeping with the doctrine she has
preached and practiced ever since coming
to the territory and for all her life prev
ious. If Keiths statements are true.
Mrs. Jenkins VIII proclaim the fact to
the world. regardless of whom it hits or
hurts, and viii demand reform. If they
are not true she viii just as vigorously
declare the author Of the charges a SLAM
derer and prevaricator. The public await
the result with a lively interest.
Washington, Nov. 16.-The latest gossip
here in connection with the Oklahoma
governOrship connects United States Dis
trict Attorisy Horace Speed with the pos
sible succession. 1t is related here that
the department Of justice has suggested
TO the department of the interior that
Speed would make an excellent governor.
The department of the interior is said
to look with much favor upon the sug-
gestion. The general impression is that
Governor jenkins viii have 10 explain
more satisfactorily than he has done. his
connection with the asylum matter or he
win be in serious danger Of removal
one source OF information says that Sec
retary Hitchcock. formerly Governor
jenkins warmest advocate. mas COM
pletely changed his opinion. 1t is ex-
coedingly difficult TO set any information
on the subject The officials of the de-
partment Of the interior absolutely refuse /
to discuss the matter. 1t is understood /