Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-06-11
TO INVESTIGATE
MANS DEATH AT
PATTON ASYLUM
INQUEST WILL BE HELD IN Los
ANGELES
SUPERINTENDENT SAYS ORIGIN
OF INJURIES is MYSTERY
Autopsy Reveals Death Was Due to
Twelve Broken Ribs, Though
Physician Reported
Paresls as Cause

~ TARTLING disclosures are eX-
pected at the inquest to be held at
~ II o'clock this morning at the un-
dertaking establishment of Overholtzer
&, Mills over the body of Henry Grass
NEE, A years old, who died at o'clock
Wednesday morning at the Southern
California State Hospital for the Insane
at Patton, San Bernardino county.
That the unfortunate patient had been
beaten brutally was revealed at an
autopsy held yesterday morning, when
Dr. George w. Campbell, autopsy sur
geon for Los Angeles county, discov-
cred the victim had died as the result
of ten fractured ribs, which penetrated
his lungs, diaphragm and other vital
parts of the body
When the findings of the autopsy sur
geon were revealed to Coroner Hart
well he conferred with the coroner of
San Bernardino county, ana the latter
will be in Los Angeles today to attend
the inquest, which will be held Jointly
by the two officials.
Thorough Investigation Planned
That a thorough investigation is to he
made into the manner in which Grass
NEE met his death, the methods used
by the asylum officials in handling pa
tients afflicted with dangerous maniaSi
and the conduct of the attendants to-
ward the patients, is evident because
of the fact that DR.. Gustave Wilson
acting medical superintendent, who
performed a post mortem examination
and signed a certificate, it Is said, to
the effect that the victim died of ex-
haustion and paresis, and several at
tendants of the institution will appear
as witnesses at the inquest.
A deputy of the district attorneys
office will be present, and If the test1-
mony of the witnesses warrant 1t, 1t Is
thought, serious charges Will be filed
against the person or persons whose
alleged negligence resulted in the death
of Grassmee.
The investigation will not cease al
the inquest it is thought, and IL 1t is
shown that the officials of the institu-
ton were lax in their vigilance tending
to the safety of the patients, 1t Is be-
lieyed a rigid investigation will be
made of the methods used there, and
further startling disclosures probably
will result.
Mysterious Accident
Henry Grassmee formerly was EN-.
ployed by the M. c. Neuner Printing
company as foreman OF the pooE piilu ~
ing department. Last September his
mind became affected and he was sem
to the state institution at Patton. He
lived at 7O9 West Forty-second street
where a widow and child who survive
him still make their home.
few weeks ago o. e. Grassmee,
brother, went to Patton and was con-
sidering bringing the unfortunate man
back to Los Angeles to his home, think
ing that the patient would receive bet
ter care.
He returned to Los Angeles and be-
fore he had perfected plans for bring
ing the patient back to this city re-
ceiyed a letter from DIR. e. Scott Blair,
medical superintendent, stating that on
June 6 Henry had been struck In the
side by some one unknown to the writ
err and a fractured rib was the result
DR.. Blair said that he was unable 70
learn who struck Grassmee and that
the nurse on duty at the time OF the
"accident" had been discharged be-
cause he failed to report the case
promptly. DIR. Blair further stated that
there are many patients there ana
among them are many who are surfer
ing from homicidal manias, and SAID
1--WE cannot be held responsible for this
accident"
Dies Unexpectedly
The brother in Los Angeles later
telegraphed to ascertain the condition
of the patient and was told the injured
man was better. The same night M
C. Neuner, president of the Neuner
Printing company. received a telegram
to the effect that the patient was
worse. Wednesday morning Neuner
the brother and the wife went to Pat
ton to see the unfortunate man, and on
their arrival at the institution learned
that he had died at Z o'clock that
morning.
Acting Medical superintendent Gus
tave wilson held a post mortem exam
ination and signed certificate of death
to the effect, it is said, that Grassmee
died as the result of exhaustion and
paresis.
The family of the dead man arranged
to have the funeral services held at
O'Clock this afternoon and to have the
body cremated.