Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1902-07-18

Ray in regard TO the recent unfor-
tunate affair that ocrurred in the
Western Asylum. We are always
willing to give both sides of a news
item.
DR.. RAYS STATEMENT.
| A sensational account of the birth
of child at the asylum was pub
lished in one of the Hopkinsville
papers yesterday, which contained
some false statements, some unjust
insinuations, and some suggestions
unfavorable and detrimental to the
management of the institution.
1t is not my purpose ia this card
to reply to that publication, but to
make plain statement of the facts
in the case for the benefit of the
public at large. The facts are
these.
Last October Bette Smith es-
capped from her ward, and when
found was with male patient in
one OF the Easements. In due
course Of time it was reported to me
by the ward physician that Betty
was thought to be in a pregnant
condition. On convincing myself,
| by careful examination, of the
truth of this report, at once COM
municated the fact to the State In
spector, and consulted him in the
matter. / then went to Judge Chas.
H. Bush, a member of the Board
of Commissioners, and reported the
matter to him, and advised with
him on the subject. went to Judge
Bush instead of the other members
of the board because he was the
only lawyer on the board, and or
that account possibly the proper
one with whom to advise. He and
decided that It was a matter that
were best kept quiet until after the
birth of the child. We both agreed
that there was no reason for re-
porting it the board as a whole. A
statement that l claim to have re.
ported the case to the board is in
correct, but / did report it to a men,
Der OF the board, as Judge Bush
will state.
wish to state that nothing con-
nected with this case had anything
to do with Mr.. Browns losing his
place as timer.
wish to state that Mr. Smith,
Bettie's father, did not go off to
Texas in ignorance OF his daugh-
ter's condition, as sent for him
and told him all the facts myself.
l also explained the facts fully to
Mrs. Young, though she had heard
something of it before saw her.
We have here number of those
unfortunate cases of sexual per-
version who require constant
watchfulness and effort to prevent
their effecting a meeting with one
of the opposite sex. The lamented
DR.. Rodman told me, short time
before his death, that this.was one
of the most difficult problems a
superintendent had to deal with.
am informed that it is a part of the
history OF this institution that a
number of births have occurred
here from time to time under similar
circumstances,
In conclusion / will say that l
have devoted my best energies to
the welfare of this asylum since it
has been in my hands. believe
that every one who has taken in
terest in the institution to examine
into the management of its affairs
will agree that, in almost every
particular, the condition is ex-
cellent. The attendants and en-
! ployees are all sober, industrious,
and faithful, and the service they
are giving is of a high order. l
have bent every energy toward
cleaning up the institution, and
keeping it clean.
In spite of watchful care and eff
fort, this misfortune has occurred.
l deeply regret it. Betty has my
sympathy. Every member OF her
family has my profound sympathy.