The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-09-07
CORONER'S JURY CAUSES
ARREST OF ATTENDANTS.

sane. In all the history of North
Carolina until last week, with one ex-
ception, the people have not been
aroused over cruelty to the insane.
That was one of the charges that re-
suited in the expulsion of a former
superintendent of the Raleigh Hospital
for the insane when the State was
stirred from centre to circumference.
The death of Mr.. Nall, a patient in
the Hospital at Raleigh last week,
under circumstances that pointed TO
brutal treatment on the part of at
tendants has aroused d feeling of con-
demnation. In Chatham tho in
dignation has been very great The
neighbors of the man felt outraged
when his body was sent home without
investigation. That was heightened
by the feet that the body RETAINED
two days in the station at Richmond
n. c., because the relatives of Mr..
Nall were too poor to pay the bill for
the coffin and charges, the body being
shipped collect on delivery. me
body could not be buried until the
brother of Mr.. Nall, a manned Confed-
crate soldier, could beg enough
money to pay the bill and bury his
brother. In justice to Dr. Mckee it
should be stated that in sending the
body with the bill for the coffin he
followed the practice long prevailing
at the institution. But this incident
should cause the directors to repeal
a rule that may be attendant with
such painful results.
DR.. Mckee made a great mistake
when he sent the body home before
de.nassaing an investigation by the
Coroner and a finding by the Coroner's
Jury. 1t was not enough that he was
of the opinion that the man had not
died from the blows. He knew, or
should have known, that the attendants
pursued him and that people at Cara
leigh Mills felt that the attendants
had been rough in their treatment of
the demented man. That should have
caused him to make the demand at
once for an investigation which he
made some days later. In all matters
relating to an insane asylum there
must be nothing done that gives war
rant for criticism. The public is en-
titled to know everything, and Off
Gals should see to it that when there
ing to one of the employees there shall
be a prompt public Investigation.
Since DE-. Mckee wrote his belated
letter desiring an Investigation. the
authorities, who would have proceed
ed on their own motion if there had
been no request from the hospital au-
thoritieS, have been actively engaged
in making an examination of the
body and an examination of witnesses
The testimony of the witnesses first
examined. as printed in these columns
clearly indicated that the attendants
had been guilty of lack of kind care
of the demented man, to state the case
in it's mildest form. The officials of
the Caraleigh mills and the employees
were all alike Mortified at the spirit
manifested by the attendants and the
rough usage of the man who was IN
serious condition, and there are many
who think the evidence printed makes
the attendants guilty of the death of
Mr. NanA The latter testimony has
not been made public. the coroner and
the jury for reasons deemed sufficient
to themselves, having decided not to
admit reporters or give out any in
formation. but the condition of the
body and the other evidence must
have satisfied them of brutal treat
ment Otherwise they would not
have ordered the arrest of the attend
anti
The man or woman, afflicted with a
disease of the mind, is the special OBJ
ject of the care of the people of North
Carolina. They freely pay tax to sup
port these afflicted ones and pay at
tendants to care for them. They ex-
pect and demand that attendants shall
be gentle and kind in their ministra-
tons. The evidence in this case shows
a disregard of the kind treatment for
which the State paid the attendants.
If Mr. Nall did not die from the bru-
tally of the attendants. they are guilty
of harshness and severity for which
they should be punished. If their con-
duct was such as to bring death, they
should pay the penalty for the crime,
for it is ten-fold worse than if they
had killed d sane man who could have
defended himself.
OF course the general public cannot
know all the evidence upon which the
jury acted, hut since the publication
of a portion of the evidence the pub,
lie expected this verdict They have
withheld criticism. awaiting the result
of the coroner'S investigation. When
they read the result their righteous in
dignation Will be such as to command
the officers of the law to prosecute The
attendants. and if guilty, for them to
pay the severest penalty for their
crime.
Insanity is a disease. There is nc
neighborhood that is not concernei to
see that punishment is melted out t.