Evening journal., 1908-01-25
CRUEL TREATMENT
OF CHILDREN
Startling Revelations AsOut
Conduct Of Illinois Asylum
For FeebIe-minded
ROASTED ON RADIATORS,
AND SCALDED IN TUBS
By THE JoURNAL's speclaI wire.

BY THE JOURNALS Special Wire.
LINCOLN, Ill. Jan. 25.-An Illinois has
been wrought up by the revelations before
an executive investigating commission of
conditions in the State asylum for feeble
minded children at Lincoln. II the testi-
mony given is true feeble minded children
not only have been roasted on unpro-
tected radiators. manned in unprotected
machinery. scalded to death in bath tubs.
but improper food has been fed them,
they have been stood in a row to have
their pockets rified and emptied, but after
death their bodies were exhibited at a
medical museum. Most startling Of all the
testimony perhaps, was that of John
Wagner. He said he resigned as trustee
of the asylum because conditions were
unbearable and he was unable to get the
state administration TO take action. At
one point he told of Miss Cannon, a nurse,
with 81 children in her charge. breaking
into sobs when he questioned her about
the food for the consumptive children in
the asylum.
Children M Treated.
1T is too terrible to describe" he said
she told him. There are more than SO
sick children with nothing TO eat to-day
but roast beef. corn and beans. There
have not been a dozen eggs in this part
of the building in thirty days. Many OF
these children are consumpuyes and eggs
and milk are absolutely necessary for
such patients"
Wagner then alleged that Minnie Steitzi
an inmate. was scalded to death in bath
tub. She was being bathed by another in-
mate-an epflepuc-while the attendant
dressed her hair, he charged. When dis
covered, he charged, the chnd's flesh had
been cooked until in places it was hang
ing from the bones.
Wagner said another case was reported
to him where a child had been fearfully
gnawed by rats. Miss Cannon told him
Superintendent Hardt was trying to de.
ceive the children's parents and DR.. Hoag
told him Hardt had called him FOR say
ing the child had been attacked by rats %
Another time Wagner said he and Su-
perintendent Hardt were walking across
the grounds when a boy threw coal al
Hardt. The boy said Hardt had robbed
him, Wagner testified, and Hardt ex
planned the boys were searched for FIRE
arms. The boy said SSs had been talSer
from him. Wagner continued. But Hard
contended it was only SIS and that amount
was returned.
Beaten Over the Head.
Eddie Jones, an inmate, was beaten
over the head with board by an attend
ant named Miller. Wagner further al
leges. The boy escaped to Lincoln and
got a warrant. Then Wagner says that
a policeman sent to the asylum was paid
500 to hush up the matter and the war
rant was not served.
Superintendent Hardt. on the stand was
questioned about Minnie Steitz. He told
the investigators that even though it was
reported the girls flesh was cooked to the
bone he believed her condition was such
that she could not feel the pain. Il have
known Of such cases." he said.
He added that c. f. Hill pressed for an
explanation of an entry: "Give this in.
mate no dinner" Superintendent Hardi
said he could not understand what II
meant. This was after he denied the chill
dren were starved as a means Of punish.
ment. He said the worst they suffered was
a liquid diet.
There was testimony showing that chill.
dren's bodies were dissected without per.
mission Of the parents.