The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-09-16
BROTHER IS
INDIGNANT
Postmaster OF Crabtree Makes
Sensational Charge. Against
Asylum Authorities.
PATIENT DIES OF NEGLECT
Alleged That Inmates Of Asylum
Have Not Proper Care-Goy-
erDor Asked to Inyes-
tigate.
PATIENT DIES OF NEGLECT

The Eugene Register prints the fol-
lowing sensational arraIgnment OF the
state asylum authorities. made by w.
J. Turnidge. whose brother died re-
Gently In the asylum:
fortunes and abuse OF helpless and
sick inmates OF the oregon asylum for
the insane are alleged by Postmaster
w. j. Turnidge Of Crabtree, Linn coun-
ty, who openly alleged that inmates
are "left to beat themselves against
walls and iron bedsteads, and 10 be
locked In "A room ID Gle alone, with no
more thought or compassion than Is
bestowed on horse or dog
Postmaster Turnidge, who Is Crab
tree merchant. has made formal com
plnint TO Governor Chamberlain against
the alleged abuses. which he says were
called 70 his attention during the III
ness and death Of Joseph Turnidge, his
brother, Al the asylum during August
He has also appealed to County Judge
|c. II. Stewart OF Linn county, and With
tears streaming from his eyes related
TO Judge Stewart a story Of alleged
abuse of the asylum inmates The
complaint to Judge Stewart VAS par
tlcularly directed at the treatment al
legged to have been endured by JOSEPH
TNrnldge.
Postmaster Turnidge wrote Governor
Chamberlain. asking him to investigate
conditions at the asylum. shortly after
the death OF Joseph Turnidge. He says
he received reply from the governor
stating that the matter would be at
tended to at once. He now writes an
open letter, in which he makes public
his sensational charges against asylum
officials, ana describes the case of his
brother as illustrative In these words:
"on Friday, August s, Joseph p.
Turnldge was stricken violently Ill, due
to overwork and overhead In the har-
vest field.
"on Saturday, August l3, he was
committed to the insane asylum from
Albany. Thursday. August 10. we re-
ceived word that he was very low;
that his recovery was regarded doubt
full, and so on.
Hurried From Room.
II started Immediately, and found
him unconscious and lying chilled with
cold, nothing on his body but a thin
cotton shirt, and only one blanket
spread over him. The doctors and at
tendants allowed me only few mo-
ments In his room, then hurried me
out and locked the door. ! left then,
but returned at 1880 p. M, and found
my brother conscious and perfectly ra-
tional. He begged me to take him
home. When asked II he was cold, he
said yes. His hands and feet were
cold as clay. | told the doctor so, and
asked for more cover, but he said II
was unnecessary and would be In the
way. ana also said II was better not to
talk to the patient, and insisted that !
could not remain with him, as l had
asked permission to do, as the rules or
the institution prohibited 1t, and the
door was closed and locked.
Alleges Terrible Condition.
Il left the wretched place, but tele-
phoned twice during the night, and was
told each time that he was better; but
at 4:4O a. m. ! received word that he
had died at 4:30 When ! arrived at
the asylum the body had been sent to
the morgue. and more grewsome
sight my eyes never beheld. Clad In
the thin cotton gown, his body all COW
cred with bruises, his mustache mat
ted together with the phlegm, and his
face most filthy from his inability to
care for himself and neglect Of the at