The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-09-01
Massey Charges Of Nails
Treatment Bring Action.
POST-MORTEM LIKELY
Dr.. Mckee and Governor Glenn Both
Anxions That Whole Matter be
Sifted to the Bottom. Hearing
Begins at Court House This
Morning.

The death of Thomas III. Nall. the
violent maniac who died at the State
Hospital last week after having been
chased and captured by hospital at
tendants will be the subject of an in
yestigatiOn before Coroner Il. NJ. Jor-
dan and IA Jury who will meet for the
taking of testimony at the court house
at ten O'Clock this morning.
The investigation is desired by Gov
ernor Glenn and DIR. Mckee. the SUI
nerintendent. and comes as the result
of sensational charoeS made by one j.
II. Massey. in which he states that he
heard the attendants beating Nall with
"a heavy slat and that he believes his
death resulted from their treatment of
him.
Upon the publication yesterday of a
statement from j. p. Massey, a farmer
of Swift Creek, as to the chase and
capture on August 24th of Thomas H.
Nall, lunatic attempting to escape
from attendants of the Hospital for the
Insane. Governor Glenn sent the fol-
lowing letter TO DR.. James Mckee, the
superintendent of the Hospital, sug-
costing the propriety of a full investl-
cation of the facts:
August 31st, 1905.
Dr. James Mckee, Raleigh, n. G.
My Dear Doctor: Owing to my hav-
ing been absent from Raleigh, | did
not see the account of the escape and
unfortunate arrest of James II. Nall,
patient in Your hospital, neither have
] seen a statement that l understand
you made in the affair Today, how
ever, / have seen a statement from
one Mr.. Massey, a farmer. who gives
an account of the manner in which
this patient was treated by the attend
ants, which does not reflect any credit
upon them or the State.
Knowing as | do your kindness of
heart and readiness 20 protect the
weak | ask you not only to be willing
but to demand of the public authori-
ties an investigation of this unfortu-
nate affair to the end that it may De
probed TO the bottom; and if the at
tendaris have acted in cruel, lnhu-
man or unnecessary manner, they may
be not only discharged from further
employment in the State Hospital; but
tired and convicted for their criminal
conduct.
l fully appreciate the necessity at
times to use firmnesS, and even con-
siderable force in taking charge of in
mates of the asylum, but it would
have to be an extreme case where two
attendants would have to use sufficient
force to cause the death of a patient.
Knowing that you will give this mat
ter a most rigid examination keeping
nothing from the public, | am, with
kindest regards,
Sincerely yours,
r. B. GLENN. Governor.
DIR. Mckee Desires Probing of Charges
Before the receipt of the Governor
letter. however. DIR. Mckee had al
ready written letters to the solicitor
and to the coroner with reference to
the Massey charges in which he stated
loaf
necessary he would be glad if they
would take up the matter Immediately
and make the necessary investigation
to exhonerate the hospital of any
blame that could possibly attach to it.
Dr. Mckee also took occasion to say
that the parties making complaint
should have brought the matter to
the attention of the coroner before the
remains were sent to Chatham county
for burial. stating that as the matter
stood he would be glad if the remains
were ordered back to Raleigh that an
autopsy might determine the exact
cause of death.
When asked for a further state
ment last night, Or. Mckee stated tndt
the matter was now in the hands of
the coroner and that he would have
nothing further to say before the in
vestigation except that he welcomed
a thorough investigation of the whole
matter.
DIR. Jordan TO Hear Case This Morning.
DR.. Jordan, when seen. stated that
when he heard of the Massey charges
he at once commenced to investigate
although his hands were tied as coro-
\ ner until he had an affidavit. He spent
the day III examining witnesses who
were present at Caraleigh Mills when
the patient was brought there after
capture and in summoning witnesses
to appear before him this morning.
The affidavit. which is in usual legal
form and charges reasonable grounds
or Dellef OF foul play, was sworn TO
nv Mr.. W. A. Parker. of Caraleigh
Mills.
DR.. Jordan also stated that from
what he considered reliable AUTHORITY
he had learned that an autopsy had
already been performed on the body
of Nall by Chatham county physic-
ians and that, if such was the case
they would be summoned to come to
Raleigh and give testimony as to the
result of their examination of the
body If the autopsy has not been
made as rumored. the body will be
exhumed and brought here for autopsy
according TO law. :
In the meantime nr. Mckee bad
written and sent to the coroner and
soae,.vr ,ne le.LerS hereto offered in
which he demands the investigation
suggested by the Governor. DR.. Jor-
dan on affidavit therefore summoned
a jury TO meet at tho court house at
l O'Clock this morning.
AS will be recalled il was sensation
ally charged that the patient, who was