The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1908-07-23
AWFUL
TALE OF BRUTALITY
is TOLD
BY BeIOit Man of Mas
siIIOn Hospital
Makes Statement Re-
garding the Condition
His Daughter Was in
When Removed From
the institution.

the Institution.
Beloit, July 19.-Following the pub
lished report from the committee ap-
pointed to investigate the charges of
cruelty at the Massillon state insane
hospital, in when the management
and attendants of the hospital were
exonerated from all blame in certain
charges Of cruelty, Elmer E. Stanley
of this village this week gave out for
publication in the press the following
statement regarding brutal treatment
alleged to have been accorded his
daughter while an inmate of the
asylum.
Esteemed friend, kindly permit me
through the medium of your paper, to
state so~e facts. Since the investi.
eating committee has given a complete
whitewash in regard to the brutalities
inflicted on the inmates of Massillon
State hospital, these facts are now
due the public.
MY daughter was an inmate of said
institution from December 10, '06, to
November 23, 'O7, with the exception
of II days vacation at home
1T is not the hospital proper of
which l wish to speak, but of ward No.
2, where she was confined some seven
weeks. Only about one week had
passed when, as she stated, she upset
two bottles OF ink unfortunate occur
renCe) she was then placed in solitary
confinement night and day. The win
dows in these rooms are so arranged
that when the inner shutters are clos
ed all light is excluded except that
which comes through holes similar to
perforated chair bottoms. From her
sleeping room she was transferred in
the daytime to a room devoid of either
couch or chair or cushion, and if she
wanted to sit down the floor was her
only sOlace, with her bones almost
through her flesh. At the time of
bringing her home her weight was
only 81 pounds, and this included her
heavy winter coat. She complained
bitterly of the treatment and food,
telling how the nurses abused her and
the food being insufficient; bread at
times given without butter and rolled
oats without sugar and if this was
not Immediately eaten was slapped in
the face ;her face at that time being |
horribly bruised and large black spots |
also back of her ears; these the doc
tors said were self-in1icted. I have |
time and time again tried to find out |
the bill of fare in this building, but !
was always given an evasive answer |
Not knowing her true condition was !
advised by an attendant, if possible,
to take her home, as she was not re-
ceiving one-half of the care due to one |
in her condition. Permission was Civ
en- by DR.. Eyman for her removal |
home, and 1t was then the horrors be-
gan to unfold. All down her spine and !
in numerous other places were black
and blue spots, her head was full of
lice and her whole person, covered !
with itch, and on each shoulder was
running sore. If anyone wants cor.
roboratiOn of the above they can con-
suit DR.. A. p. Cobbs of Damascus. We |
also took her to DIR. Anderson Of Sa-
lem.
After bringing her home she rap
idly gained in weight, and IN a few |
weeks weighed 1O5 pounds, with the |
same clothes; not only that but we |
have had her home nearly eight |
months, and never has she made
self-inhicted bruise of like character.
l leave it to the public as to how the
bruises were received.
First | reported her case to my
state senator, Hon. Thomas Kinsman.
and after waiting some four weeks
without reply, | then reported 10
Prosecuting Attorney Epham of
Stark county. who turned over my
letter to H. j. Eckley of CarrolIton,
a trustee of the institution, who prom
Used a thorough investigation. Not
nearing any word, | have made a re-
port to Hon. A. Harris, governor who
directs his secretary to say that he
wished had reported my case sooner.
The question now comes, to whom
should one report, and in the face of
the numerous brutalities reported, can
1t be possible graft is hindering a
thorough investigation.
THE misery my daughter endured
while in the institution consider
equal to the cruelties inflicted by the
Spanish in olden times to defeated
foe, and yet we talk of a Christian
land and boast of state whose citi-
Eens are in an advanced state of civili-
cation. Talk as we may of the South
and the terrible outrages committed
there, and her deadly feuds, but her
equal exists right here in Ohio and
within the shadow of our own home"