The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-01-22
T0PR0BEDEATH
OF CRAZY MAN
Wife Tells Coroner She SuS-
poets Nurse Of Cruelty.
PATIENT WAS VIOLENT At TINES
Attendants Mt Philadelphia Hospital
Had TO strap Him to COt-One
Rib Was Broken

PHILADELPHIA. Jan 22.-During the
coroner's inquest in the case Of her hus-
band. Francis Nichols. who died on Mon
day at the Philadelphia Hospital for the
Insane, Mrs. Annie Nichols preferred
charges Of alleged cruelty against q nurse
Of the institution. claiming that her hus-
band had been beaten to death. Nichols,
who was 81 years OF age, formerly lived
az 1856 North Twenty-fourth Street. and
was taken to the hospital on December 90.
Worriment over continued poor health
made him insane
Mrs. Nichols said that a hospital regu-
latiou prevented her from seeing her hus-
band until January Is. She was accom-
panied by Mary DiehI, friend Mrs
Nichols stated that her husbands mind
appeared rational and that he said An
ME. I am glad you called. for have been
treated shamefuIIy by the night nurse
Last Sunday night he threw me into the
bath tub and beat me. Since then 7 have
suffered from pains Of the side and chest
The day nurse, who is standing there, saw
il all. but viii not say anything"
Mrs. Nichols said that she questioned
the day nurse and that he replied. Well.
something happened. but I don't think
your husband was injured in the manner
described 10y him"
Mrs Nichols said that she wanted 20
obtain a further statement from her hus-
band. but that he relapsed into an ira
tional mood and talked I'm a rambling way.
Mary DiehI corroborated what Mrs. Mich
OILS said.
While I doubt the story Of cruel treat
ment, remarked the coroner. "this is a
case which should be thoroughly investi-
gated and ] win continue the inquest IN
til Thursday The TWO nurses will then
have q chance to give their version OF the
affair"
Notification Of Nichols death was sent
10 t. corOner's Office By DR.. Hughes
chic O. the hospital STAFF. who suggested
an investigation. Dr. Hughes. howCvcr. in
his letter made no reference 10 the
charges against the nurse. An examina-
ton Of Nichols body revealed that one Of
his ribs had been fractured. II was stat
ed that the man could have sustained the
injury hmself as his bones and ribs were
very brittle. He was very violent at
times, aand the nurses found it necessary
20 strap him TO che cot
DR.. Hughes, chief resident physician OF
the Philadelphia Hospital could not be
seen last night but Superintendent Geary
volunteered the following statement.
Nichols was brought here on December
% from 20iI Paramount Avenue. and nor
from his wiie's home. 7SG North Twenty
fourth Street On December p IL was
found necessary 10 remove him 70 the in
sane ward. He never received any rough
trea- -uent and could not have been thrown
into q bath tub, as his condition pre-
vented his being moved from his bed he
was utterly deyOid Of reason and had TO
be waited upon like o child. Every at
tentiou was given to him. and when his
condition became serious his wife was
notified. She was a former inmate Of this
institute on. How his rib was broken we
don lU Ow. but. as the post m0rLeu ex-
amiLa-iln revealed no bruises. 70 could
not have been from a blow or any outward
cause. After he died his body had TO De
handel very carefully so as not 10 break
any other ribs.
Mar DiehI could not have overheard
whst , said 10 his wife as she was not
near ego.gh 90 them. We viii be on hand
at tfz1 inquest and have no fear as % the
result No nurse has been discharged
from JHis institution for ill-using pa-
TENTS as we take precautionary methods
TO prevent any such treatment