The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-07-07
Louisville Specialist Examines
Him and Fears Former Su-
perintendent May Suffer a
Collapse.
pEPOSED MAN THINKS
ENEMIES AFTER HIM
Major D. c. Peyton, the New
Reformatory Head, Will
Soon Assume Active Con-
troll OF the institution.

Jacksonville, Ind, July 7.-Dr.
Carl weidner. OF Louisville, special
DIST on mental troubles. was called in
consultation with the attending ply
eicians in the case of former Super
intendent W. H. Whitaker Of the In
diana reformatory. Following the con-
sultation. DR.. Weidner gave a dag
nosis to the effect that, in his opinion,
Mr.. Whitaker will never be any
stronger mentally than he is at the
present time, and fears that he may
become totally insane.
Mr.. Whitaker labors under many
Authorizations. one of them being that
different persons are trying to take
his life. He refuses to drink any wat
er during his conscious moments. UNI
less assured 1t was not taken from the
well at the reformatory. He labOrs
under the impression that this water
Is poisoned.
Fears Typhoid Germs.
Another one of his hallucinations is
that different convicts. inspired by
persons not connected with the insti-
tuition. have placed typhoid germs in
the water of the reformatory wells for
the purpose OF causing his death.
These are but few OF the many
turns his mind takes in its present
unsettled mental condition. The ply
sicians are considering. 1t is under
stood. the uadvisability of removing
Mr.. Whitaker to the Fletcher SAM
tarium at Indianapolis.
It has become known in the last
day or two that Mr.. Whitaker has for
some time been sufferer from dia-
betes, and this. together with the
mental strain under which he has
been laboring for two weeks. doubt
legs aggravated his mental condition.
MIS-. Whitaker. who has never been
robust in health. is Frustrated and al
so continues in serious condition.
Trustees Conclude Session.
The board Of trustees of the re-
formatory today completed its bust
ness for the monthly session and ad-
journed A total of fifty-seven paroles
out OF ninety applications was grant
ed. This is the largest number of
paroles ever granted at one sitting OF
the board since the new law became
effective
Mai. D. G. Peyton. the new superin-
tendent, is arranging his private af-
fairs as rapidly as possible so that he
may take over entirely the control of
the reformatory. He resigned yester-
day as secretary of the county board
of health and DIR. W. Marshall Zarble,
his former partner. was elected to
succeed him.
A few months ago DR.. Zarble resign
ed the secretaryship to remove to
Gary. Ind. but he has returned and
will not only resume his former duties
with the board of health. but will take
charge Of DR.. Peyton's office and will
handle his practice.
Mai. Peyton stated today that he
was determined to conduct the insti-
tuition as effectively as possible and
at the least possible cost to the state
consistent with good management. He
1s considering some reforms, among
them the possible reduction In salar-
les In q few instances and consolida-
ton of some of the offices at the in
stitution.
He also stated that he would not
make any changes for a considerable
time. at least. and that all of the en-
ployes who are doing their work prop
erly can rest assured OF their reten-
ton.
The members Of the board of man.
ayers left last night for their homes,
and DR.. H. c. Sharp. one OF their
number, stated that he knew nothing