Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-01-17
A STORM 0F PROTEST
Patients at Detention Hospital at
Waterloo Allese They We're
shamefully Treated.
Ed Amherst OFT Leads in Storm
Of Protest Against Meth.
DDS Employed.

OcucIdI NeSlSeuCes EOOT anu
Insufficient Food, Cold
Rooms Etc. Charged.
| Special to Times Republican.
| Waterloo, Jan. lie Amherst OFT,
| the Drake university instructor has
| stirred up a hornets nest here relative
/ to the smallpox detention hospital. If
| his allegations are true, the patients are
| treated very much like inmates of the
English workhouse in the days OF Oil
YER Twist The matters was being in
last evening prints the following ac-
count Of the proceedings:
| With the release of seven patients
from the pest house yesterday storm
of protest broke over the management
of the smallpox detention hospital on
the county farm. Ed Amherst OFT, the
Drake university instructor who has
been confined there during siege of
the eruptive disease SO widespread
over the states, appeared before Mayor
Bartin, Aldermen Smith and Lamson
and County Board Member c. d. Beck
er and to them and to them a round
unyarnished tale delivered of the whole
course of treatment accorded the pa
tents at the hospital Being man of
prominence in Iowa and OF good repute
his story created something OF a sensa-
ton. Among the charges made are the
following:
Very inadequate fires.
No heat in the ladies' ward. a
insufficient supplies. II
Inadequate bed clothing
Frowsy and buggy bed steads.
Quarreling between Steward John
Asquith and Attendant Hartnett.
General negligence.
Mr.. OFT says it was a continual nag
to secure food enough to eat, that when
articles were ordered only part of the
order would reach the pest house. For
instance. a barrel OF apples was ord
cred. Fruit is considered very essential
to patients who cannot eat solid foods
Instead of a barrel half bushel. bu-
shell or a peck would be Forthcoming at
SdCu hiCh. Ills WaS true Oh
other supplies.
Both Dr. Sumner and Mr.. OFT state
that hand-to-hand encounter between
Attendant Hartnett and Steward AS
quith was averted only by the most
strenuous efforts on the part of those
who interfered and the latter says that
for days Mr. Hartnett was afraid to de-
liver bill to Mr.. Asquith for fear of
personal injury and that the woman
cook was forced to do these errands her.
self
Mr. OFT declares that the testimony of
Mr.. Hartnett can not be taken for the
reason that he is so under the tyrannical
thumb of the steward that he dare not
tell the truth. He declares that the in
mates of the house We're told again and
again they must not complain to the
doctor. as TIE board of supervisors had
instructed them not to do so. This
Member Becker Indignantly denies. The
general opinion regarding Mr.. Becker is
that ne has personally aided and done
all in his power to make the situation
as comfortable as possible for the sick
people.
All these charges and many more. |
covering a latitude of complaints. Mr.. |
OFT makes as a gentleman and in a |
quiet, even manner. II do not desire |
to stand as a kicker or as one who |
would stir up strife. You seek the truth |
and I am telling YOU" are his words |
addressed to the inquiry committee. II
can not stay over to appear before the
board tomorrow, but l will gladly come
back in a day or two and Will make
these statements to the board assem-
bIed."
Mayor Martin said:
Il want to say, gentlemen, that the
truth must be told. l refuse to stand
under any longer. l have been orcered
off the farm by Mr.. Asqulth, have
been even told not to telephone to the
pest house. l have been lorded over and
showed to one side and / propose to
make stand, to go onto the carpet
with all concerned and let the board OF
supervisors investigate this situation to
the very bottom. make no charges
now. but when the time comes Will
say what 1 know
II have endeayored to do my duty
in the smallpox situation" said DR..
Sumner. and am willing to allow the
patients to say what their opinion is
So far as l know, and i am personally 1
acquainted with the truth of part of
the facts. / maintain that Mr.. OFT is
telling the truth. We took extra bed
ling to the pest house and Mr.. Becker
helped and to this day Mr.. Asquith has
rot been told"
AT this point Mr.. OFT interrupted:
And If that bedding had not been
brought six Of us would have no bed
ling for our beds except as we all di-
1ided and suffered
DIR. Sumner continued: II personally !
Jaw Mr. Asquith mailing bedstead to-
,ether and from the casterhole in the [
bottom saw him poke out horse ma
lure with nail. And this bed went
nto the pest house"
The probable truth Is that Steward
Asquith has been keeping the pest house
.atients much the same as paupers He
nay not be entirely to blame in this
he error. To remedy the condition that
: said to exist, 1t has been proposed by
he mayor that man be hired and paid
or looking after the supplies, the buying
nd the wants that accrue in such cases.
I is believed that such personal atten-
ion should be had and that this is the
heapest and best way out of it. The
ouncil and the board are expected to i
investigate and make all the necessary I
improvements in the service. Extra {
eating will be given, and the house be
rade more comfortable in all possible !
Ways. {
NJ - IA l.