The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1909-12-02
INSANE PATIENTS ABUSED
The Nevada Asylum Superintend-
ent Says Conditions Are Bad.
John Riley's Death as a Result of
Fractured Ribs, Means an Investi-
gation---Employecs Drunk and
Negligent, II Is Said.

gation---Employees Drunk and
Negligent, 1t Is Said.
Nevada, Mo-, Nov.-The circum
stances of the death of John Riley,
patient in the State Hospital for tn
Insane here, are mystery. Riley
who was about 20 years old, suffere,
a week with ten ribs broken. HI
died last Tuesday without medical at
tention. His death, however, devel
oped the fact that many of the attend
ants in the hospital are neglectful
abusive to patients, drunken and in
efficient generally. The town PEG
pie discuss these charges freely. DR.
j. w. Lamson, superintendent Of thu
institution, said that he had discharg
ed twelve attendants within the las
sixty days for such reasons and ad.
mits that he believes the same condi
tons still exist, but he says he can
not dismiss the ones he believes
guilty until he has specific proof. He
says he would be glad to have 9
grand jury investigate Riley's death.
Lee B. Ewing, county attorney, al.
so believes that the conditions at the
hospital should be investigated and
asserts that he will be guided in his
efforts to obtain a grand jury by the
result Of a further investigation that
will be started by Doctor Lamson.
Riley Not Weak When He Came.
Riley came to the hospital Novem-
Der 2 from the Odd Fellows Home
in Liberty, Mo. After spending sew
eral days in the receiving ward he
was placed in Ward No. 5. He was
confined in the 'bull pen," a small
room for untidy patients. The attend
ants reported to DR.. O. R. Rocks,
who has charge of the ward, that
Riley slept well and had a good
appetite. The doctor noticed nothing
unusual in Riley's condition. Last
Tuesday while William Estes and
Charles Doubet, attendants, were
dressing slight injury to one Of his
toes, Riley died. The attendants
summoned Doctor Lamson and Doc
tor Rocks. The physicians found
that Riley's left side had been crush
ed. In places the broken ribs were
almost protruding. Doctor Lamson
notified the county attorney and de-
handed an immediate investigation.
DR.. j. T. Hornbeck, the coroner, per-
formed an autopsy and found that
ten ribs were fractured. Three of
them were broken in two places.
After an inquest the next day the
jury returned this verdict.
We, the jury, find the deceased
came to his death from old age and
infirmity, fastened by the breaking
Of ribs on the left side by personal
violence from party or parties un-
known to this jury.
Attendants Reported Nothing Wrong.
AT the inquest three attendants,
who had cared for Riley constantly,
testified that they had not noticed his
condition, although they gave him
daily baths. John Casmear, William
Estes and Charles Doubet we're his
attendants.
]. T. Reavely, generally supervis-
or, testified that his attention had not
been called to Riley's condition. The
attendants also said that Riley had
quarreled week or so ago with an
insane patient and had been pushed
over a chair. The matter was not
considered Of sufficient importance
to be reported.
II cannot understand why Riley's
condition was not reported" Doctor
Lamson said last night. "Anyone
could tell by a glance that his left
side had been caved in. The autopsy
showed that the conditions had exist
ed a week, at least, probably longer.
Last Thursday it was reported that he
had been given his regular weekly
bath with the other patients, and his
condition required that he be given
daily baths
"As soon as | examined his body
knew that an exhaustive examination
|of conditions in this instituton would
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