The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-03-27
Sheriff Steen Greatly Arous-
ed Over Action Of County
Council on Insane Ward
Question.
HUMANE SOCIETY is
ASKED TO SEE JAIL
Sheriff Thinks if People
Realized Conditions that a
Remedy Would Be Applied
Promptly.

In severe criticism OF the Wayne
county council in refusing to apDro-
pirate funds of the county for con-
struction of an insane ward al the
county infirmary, Sheriff Albert Steen
Monday stated that the Wayne county
humane society could well devotH
some of its time to investigating condi-
tons at the jail. as to its facilities for
caring for the insane.
The charges coming as they do from
the custodian of the insane makes
them ali the more sensational. The
sheriff does not hold that the fault lies
with his administration declaring that
he is handicapped. having no place il
which to confine insane inmates, no
way to provide them with special treat
ment and. furthermore, having no
knowledge of expert treatment, sucn
as they should receive.
To Ask Appropriation.
He probably will ask an appropria-
tion for the construction of an addi-
ton to the Jail, providing for three OF
four wards. He believes that small
number of additional wards will be
sufficient to make better provisions
for the care of the insane, so long as
it is necessary to confine them at the
county Jail.
The county council refused to ap-
propriate money last week and Friday
| night Andrew Flatley. violently insane.
was placed in custody of the sheriff.
The sheriff's inability to properly care
for the man was a good example OF the
necessity of such wards as are propos-
ed. The young man since his incar-
ceratiOn has not only destroyed The
! only padded cell at the Jail but has
flooded the institution by turning Oh
faucets and has tried 10 asphyXiate
himself and other inmates of the jail
by blowing out lighted gas jets.
Straight jackets are but piaythings for
his remarkable strength.
! The sheriff said that members Of
the humane society would instantly ar
! rest a man, We're he to whip his horse
or some other dumb animal. but makes
no complaint about lack of facilities to
properly care for unfortunate human
/ beings.
! The sheriff invites the humane So
ciety and others who are interested, to
visit the jail, examine into the condi-
tions. and to report their findings to
the county commissioners. He believes
that once the people really become ac-
quainted with the fitness of the jail
as a custodial place for insane, there
will be no delay in correcting the eX-
listing conditions.
q There are now three insane men at
the Jail. Young Flatley, whose mind
became deranged as a result of grippe.
is in the worst condition. When he is
not yelling or pounding on the sheet
iron flooring and walls. he is doing
something else injurious to himself.
Saturday night he blew out the light
ed gas jets. The escaping gas was de-
tected in time to prevent asphyXiatiOn
of any of the inmates, although a few
We're made i'll. He delights in playing
with water and if given opportunity
will wash himself for hours, declaring
he is getting white sand out of his
body. The insanity commission. in
Guiding Drs. NJ F. Johnston, c. S.
Bond and J. +. King made an eXamina-
tlon Saturday and recommended so
strongly Flatley's immediate admission
S. +. Smith, superintendent of the in
Stitution, will admit him as soon as
/ possible