The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-04-12

In connection with the suits against
the Canadian government which Geo.
P. Flath OF this city proposes to bring,
and exclusive announcement OF which
was made by the Times last evening,
it might be interesting to note that
several of the Canadian officials who
will be parties to or at least Inter
ested" in the actions, are giving seri-
GUS attention to Mr.. F1ath's COM
plants. One of these gentlemen, 8.
A. Armstrong, of Toronto, Ont, in
spector of asylums, requested and re-
ceived of Mr.. Flath the following pen
picture of inside workings and condi-
tons of the Hamilton asylum, where
Mr.. Flath was confined by force for
several weeks. The letter:
Mr.. S. A. Armstrong,
Inspector of Asylums.
Toronto, Ont.
Dear SIR
AS per your request l give you the
following facts regarding treatment
of patients in Hamilton asylum.
Mr.. Charles Crossman from Chip
pewa was admitted about the 23rd of
JAM, 1906. Age about Is years. Have
seen him struck by Guard Adams a
severe blow in chest. Have also seen
him abused by the other guard called
Ed in hall A while at meals. in
formed on Adams to DIR. Wilson. Was
there when patient Hornybrook of
Brimsby was admitted to hall A, and
have seen him abused by both guards.
Have seen Shaw, an old man in
hall A, knocked clean over chair by
DR.. Russell's driver. He was suffer-
ing from painful side caused by Sc
we're kicks from guards and l had
him keep wet cloth to it to relieve
the pain.
Robert Gibson, hall A, told me that
he was sure that he had his ribs
broken from kicks from these same
guards. Chas. Grossman, l was told,
died there. and feel his death was
fastened by ill-treatment and by neg
lect. Hall A consists of the best
patients and it would be no. use to
try and prove the charges by guards
or doctors. Robert Gibson can tell
it to you, SO can Shaw, old man
Galbraith, Alex. McGregor. Doc. Nc
Intosh, Walter Cresh; may be mis-
taken in McGregor's and Cresh's last
name. Old man Galbraith l do not
consider insane, nor old man Shaw,
simply case of relatives wanting them
out of the way. On Jan. Both was
elevated to hall c because l told DR..
Wilson what thought of him. The
only patient admitted to hall c while
was there. IS days. was Sylvester,
Newton Barr, and the first "a hours
he was in hall G, have seen him
pounded, choked until the blood ran
from his nose. This occurred five
times in that length of time.
saw Joseph Nett. guard, pound
him with heavy cane because he
could not keep the brush in proper
position when made to push it. Have
seen Rod Keough choked into insensi-
bility several times, and also Richard
PIN (once). noticed James Hardie's
condition when l was placed in hall
c. and from the many blows admin
istered to him on the head and ears,
his ears swellei up to almost the
size of hens eggs. full of pus, and it
was never lanced. Another patient
hit him one day, and busted it and
the stencil was terrible. The over
seer, Chas. Piper, informed some peo-
pie passing through. when they asked
about the fellows ears, that they were
insane ears"
Another patient named Vanbuskirk
ears same as Hardie. 1t was Gus
tomary for guard to stand behind
this patient and provoke him while
eating and make him keep still and
II he did not close his mouth. he
would be knocked and slapped un-
mercifully. and dragged out Of the
room, not being given sufficient time
to eat his meals Have seen Richard
PIN pounded SO that he could not
use his right arm.
There are but two guards In hall
c that you may expect the truth from.
Adam Reed and Jas. Mcpherson. /
am not sure of his (McPherson) name
but his home ia near Guelph, and he
had not been there long, only short
time. This Mcpherson is reliable, I