The Washington times., 1908-01-25
Children SCalded, GnaW-
ed by Rats, and Rob
bed of Money, Say
Witnesses. =
InvesSfgating
Committee Hears Many
AtrociouS Accusations
by Helpless Invalids.

LINCOLN. IL, Jan. 25.-That feebIa
minded children have been roasted on
unprotected radiators, manned IN uu-
protected machinery. scaIded TO death
N pain tubs, stood IN row and had
their pockets riiied, and that after
death their bodies have been cut 10
pieces for exhibits in the medical mu-
scum. are some Of the atrocities charged
against the State Insane Asylum AZ
ihls place, at hearing before a Iegis-
iative investigating committee.
Trustee Resigns.
Most startling OF all the testimony,
perhaps, was that Of John Wagner. he
said he resigned as one trustee Of the
asylum because conditions we're unbear-
able and he was unable 70 get the state
administration TO take action. Ar one
point he told Of Miss Cannon. d nurse
with eighty-twO children in her charge.
breaking into EObs when lie questioned
her about The food Of the cons7lrnnriy-s
children In the asylum 1t Is too ter
riDls 10 describe - he said she told him.
Here are more than eighty sick chill
dren with nothing 10 eat l8dav bu-
roast beef corn. and beans There have
not been a dozen eggs I nthis part OF
the building in thirty days Many OF
these children are ccnsumD-ives and
eggs and milk are absolutely necessary
for such patients"
ScaIded in Tub.
Wagner then alleged that Minnie
SteItz, an inmate, was scaIded TO death
IN a bath tub. She was being bsthed
by another inmate-an epiIeptic-whIe
the attendant dressed her F-ir he
charged. When discovered hareed
the chiId's flesh was COS sd tarI u
places it was hanging from thl bones.
Wagner said another case was report
ed 10 him where g child .lad been fear
fully gna wed by rats. Miss Cannon told
him Superintendent Hardt vas trying tc
deceive the child's parents. Wagner
testified, and Dr.. Hoag told -him Hardc
had called him for saying the child
had been attacked by rats
Another time Wagner said he and
Superintendent Hardt were walking
across The grounds when a boy threw
coal at HaTdt. Ghe boy said Hardr had
robbed MIN, wagner resumed ana
Hardt explained the boys were search
ed for firearms. The boy said SIS had
been taken from him. Wagner continued.
but Hardt COntended Il was so. and
that amount was returned
Eddie Jones. an inmate. was beaten
over the head with a board BY an at
tendant named Miller Wagner further
alleges. The boy ESCAPED % Lincoln
claims he learned a. policeman sent 10
the asylum was paid 500 TO hush up
the matter, ard the warrant was not
served.
Superintendent on Stand.
Superintendent Hardt on stand was
questioned about the case Of Minnie
Sterlitz. he told the Investigators that
even though It was reported the girls
flesh was cooked TO the bone. he be-
lieved her condition was such that she
could Tot feel the pain
y have known such cases, he added
When AGr. Hit, OF the committee.
pressed him for an explanation OF an
entry in the records Give this inmate
no dinner" Superintendent Hardt said
he could not understand what II could
mean This was after he had denied
the charge that children were starved
as a means Of punishment He said
the worst they suffered in that line
was q liquid diet.
There has been testimony given that
ehf1dren's bodies have been dissecLed
without perulissiOn Of parents.