Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1906-08-03


The meeting of the Beard Of Asylum
Commissioners that WIS held yesteI day
| ut the asylum Investigated the affairs OF
the asylum under the management Of
care us pussible under the circumstances
Is being exercised at that institution to
preveut the escape OF inmates and
makes comparisons between the present
and past ADMINISTRATIONS. These show
that the number of escapes during the
last two years is not in excess Of those
Of other years. Following is part OF
the report:
AT the regular meeting OF the State
Board OF Asylum Commits toner's held at
the YUM Monday, July Both, with a
full bOarl present.
After the transaction Of the regular
business, the escape OF Ginnis, an
inmate Of the institution, was brought
up. 1t was shown by the asylum
authorities that Ginnis had been tried
for breaking into the OberOn saloon in
Reno and sent to the asylum as insane
lie was man OF extraordinary cunning
and had escaped by saving the rivets
OF his shackIes inside the clasps at Il
point not visible unless examined by
nm expert, after having picked the lock
OF another pair Of leg shackles TINT had
been fastened with key.
There was no trace found OF the saw
with which he had performed the work.
lie then pried open the door OF his cell
with the end Of the shackle nnc escaped
through window by Jumping through
the window into tree and going from
thence to the ground. The attendant
in his ward at that time had examined
all OF the rooms In that ward every
hour during the night, and the escape
had been made between the visits OF
the attendant.
"Wmle it has always been rule in
the asylum for the visits to be made
hourly during the night, some atten.
dnDts who had been lax in their duties
III that respect had been discharged by
the management. 1t was the opinion
OF the superintendent that for some
time pnst this rule had been fully COM
piled with"
The boaro's examination Of statistics
with reference to prior escapes resulted
rs follows: DR.. Thomas administra-
ticn covering from 1921 to 1891, in
elusive, cav ten escapes; DR.. Bergsten's
administration from 1895 TO 1897, in.
elusive. saw thirty three escapes; DR..
Patterson had thirty-oue escapes, and
there have been fifteen thus far under
the present administration.
In the opinion OF tho board it appears
that there is an insufficient plumber OF
attendante, but no more cnn be secured
under the present appropriation from
the Legislature.
Regarding the care OF dangerous
criminal patients, to which class Ginnis
undoubtedly belongs, the board recon.
mends the construction OF steel cells.
The upper story Of tho building with
its Mansnrd roDi is mere shell, @und,"
says the report, "can DO easily pene.
trated 10y men intent on gaining their
liberty. IL is earnestly recommended |
that tho next Legislature appropriate
sufficient funds to furnish steel cells |
md better doors for the walls and |
strengthen the interior OF the upper
story. Tho board ulso recommends that
the superintendent Immediately notify
the civil authorities Of this Stato Of the |
cecnpe OF any inmate from tho institu.
tion.' Tho report is signed by Governor
John Sparks ns chairman, d. NJ. Ryan
and Sam p. Davis. Reno Journal.