Los Angeles herald., 1909-06-12
FINDS DEATH OF
GRASSMEE DUE
TO BRUTALITY
JURY AYERS PATTON PATIENT
DIED FROM SHOCK
BELIEVES INJURIES INFLICTED
BY NIGHT WATcHMAN
ACTING Medical Superintendent and
Acting Supervisor of Insane Asy-
Ium Censured for Not Detain-
ina Alleged Assailant

CONTINUED from Page onel
only person who could have caused the
injuries. and that all they could do in
such a case was to discharge the at
tendant.
Asks Sarcastic Question
Juror Dewing said: "Then if an at
tendant beats man to death he is
simply discharged and no questions
asked?" 4,,.;.-
DR.. Wilson replied he had no Jurls-
diction or authority to make an arrest.
bnt In reply to Coroner Hartwell's in
curry admitted he was negligent IN
not stating that the broken ribs were
"contributory'' causes of death.
The inquest also developed the fact
that one man has charge of fifty IN
sane patients at night; that these pa
tients are kept together. and that
MANY of them sleep on mattresses lalo
on the floor on account OF the over
crowded condition of the asylum.
The members of the jury in their
Intermediates laid great stress on the
fact that an injured man was allowed
to remain twenty-four hours without
receiving medical attention, and that
Berg was allowed to so, after the OF
ficials practically had agreed he was
the person responsible.
That civil as well as criminal action
will be taken in the case was init
mated yesterday by Oscar E. Grassmee,
brother of the deceased. Oscar Grass
NEE was shocked at the disclosures
made at the inquest and for some time
refused to comment on the case. FINAL
w he stated that he was satisfied that
all the details had been brought TO
light.
81 have no malicious feeling, SAID
the brother, ''in this investigation, but
for the sake of the other unfortunates
who are confined in Patton I think it
right that the circumstances should be
brought to light My brother is dead,
and but little can be done in his case,
but there are others who may have to
go through the same experience, and
for their benefit solely 1 believe it right
and Just that an investigation be held. .
Duty to Investigate
Coroner Hartwell said: II have al
ways tried to be fair in public cases
of this kind but when 1 see anything
wrong I know it is my duty to inves-
tigate. No secrecy should be main
tanned in a case of this kind. 1t will
doubtless mean a thorough overhaul
ing of conditions at Patton, and those
RESPONSIBLE for such affairs must suf-
fer. 1t is not professional to make
criticism, but DR.. Wilson made fatal
mistake when he did not report the
whole circumstances to the district at
torney, which probably would have re-
suited in an investigation that would
not have made conditions appear in
such a light as the public must regard
them"
c. d. Van VIE, coroner of San Ber-
nardino county, who was present at the
inquest, said: "Of course it is diff
cult in a place like Patton to have an
attendant for each person. I have al
ways found the officials courteous and
above board, but / am surprised at the
developments shown today. How per-
son supposed to be strapped to his bed
could have his back battered the way
that Grassmee's appears is a mystery
to me. The affair is unfortunate"
DR.. Campbell, who performed the au-
topsy, said why, a child could have
handled a man of Grassmee's physical
proportions. even though he should
suddenly develop a violent streak of in
sanity. He weighed but 105 pounds, and
could have been easily handled with
out using such brutality He must have
been beaten in a murderous frenzy TO
have sustained such injuries. No single
blow or fall could have caused such a
condition as / found. These affairs are
unfortunate, but ultimately result in
thorough investigation of conditions at
Patton. and such an investigation will
place the real responsibility"
Can Easily Find Berg
After reading the coroner's verdict
all that DR.. Wilson said was: 'Well, if
they want Berg they can easily find
him at San Bernardino."
Acting Supervisor Butler had moth
ing to say, but that he felt his posi-
ton keenly was evident from his ac-
tons. In justice to Butler it must
be said that he is not a doctor and
that when he found Grassmee strapped
10 his bed he was surprised and imme-
diately ordered him to be released and
notified DR.. Wilson that the man need
ed medical treatment. 1t was on But
ler's suggestion that Grassmee was re-
moved from the main ward and placed
IN private room with a special attend
ant night and day until he died
oscar e. Grassmee, brother of the de-
ceased, was the first witness called al
the inquest. He stated his brother was
native of Missouri and was "A years
old, and had been confined in Patton
since last September. Mr.. Grassmee's
testimony was simply to prove identifi-
cation of the deceased.
DR.. Wilson was next called and stat
ed that he had been at Patton for five
time of Grassmee's death was actins
superintendent of Patton.
He said that June the night watch.
man had reported Grassmee as restles:
and irritable, and that he had beer
placed under restraint
AT o'clock the next morning I ex
amined the patient and found that ht
was in his usual condition, weak anC
apparently stupid" said DR. Wilton
June I again made an examination
and found discolored spots on the RICH
side of the chest and also that two rib
were broken. / treated him and haC
bandages applied, and notified his rela
tives. The night Waterman had failed
to report the case, so I had advised
that he be discharged, which was don
the next morning.
Improved, Then Failed
June 8 Grassmee appeared improves
In the morning, but in the afternoon h
tracted and he appeared in the las
stages of paresis. He died the mex
morning.
Il sent word to his relatives, VIII
came, accompanied by Mr. Neuner. an,
they agreed when | asked permission
to allow post norton to be made.
THE post norton showed the linin,
of the brain had thickened and inf1am
nation had set in, which showed soft
ening of the brain.
Il informed his relatives of his inju
ries, and told them that such injurie
to a man of good physical condition
would not result in death There wer
ten other patients in the same ward
and others slept on the floor in the hal
outside. I do not think that any pa
tient caused such injuries. Berg, tn