The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-02-09
CONVICT CONFINED
IN ASYLUM TO
SEAL LIPS
Charge Is Made by Rep. Whelan as
Member of Committee Which In
vcstigated the Case Of Stanley
Rodebaugh.
Warden of Marquette Prison Is
Severely Arraigned by This Legis-
lator-Committee Reports.
From a STAFF Correspondent

|
Russell. of Marquette, should be be-
hind the bars himself" was the sell
sational declaration made by Rep.
John Whelan, of Corunna, in the
house today. in offering an amend
ment to the report of the special com
mittee of which he was chairman TO
inquire into the case of Convict Stan
ley Rodebaugh.
Rodebaugh, II will be remembered,
! Is now confined In Ionia. having been
transferred from Marquette as an al
| legged insane prisoner When a COM
mittee visited Marquette prison last
year TO investigate alleged abuses,
Rodebaugh gave damaging testimony.
After that. he alleges. he was GRIZZLY
treated. being hung up by the wrists
during the entire daytime Tor i've
DAYS in succession. The committee,
of which Robert Y. Ogg of Detroit
was a member, submitted this report
yesterday:
Your special committee, appointca
under the house resolution No. ~, on
Jan 25, TO Investigate the case OF stan
/ lev ]. Rodebaugh, confined in the asy-
lum for the criminal insane AT roma
beg leave to state that they nave Vis-
tied the institution for he purpose m
Rodebaugh was committed to the
asylum for the criminal insane at
Ionia. Jan 10. 1910. the commitment
document reading as follows:
! Hon. q. II. Long, Medical Supt,
4 state Asylum. lonia, Mich.
Dear sir; J transmit to youT
officers James l.. DEACON ana
Thomas Horn. 1888, John Jackson,
for treatment.
(Signed) JAS. RUSSELL.
| Rodebaugh's case was diagnosed at
Ionia as suffering from melanchoiii;
that he was also "A high grade de-
Degeneraoy is common among con-
victs, especially long termers, Rode-
baush having seryed nd,ng n,lns f.rsn gears q. TO
MeianchoIia In Rodebaugh's case. and
that is what he was treated Tor. as in
the case of any other person living in
! n conflicting atmosphere as he did at
Marquette, would continue TO grow
worse III the patient were not removed
TO other surroundings.
| Under the splendid care OF DIR. Long,
even in an asylum. Rodebaugh i'm
proved during his years soioufn at
Ionia and the spirit OF meinachola haf
| worn off and he is getting well. at
! least sufficiently so TO be- removed
| from the asylum.
Your committee was strongly OF the
opinion hat Rodebaugh developed mel
ancholia from the condition and en- :
vironments OF Marquette prison TINS
opinion is arrived at from Rode Daugh
history at Marquette, with whlch me
committee is familiar and from his
condition on arrival at lonia, ana ms
condition during the year OF MS con-
finement The term insanity Is eias-
tic and might be fitted to any case
where the individual, even for a short
period. might act in an abnormal way
Rodebaugh's condition now, and for
some weeks, as stated by Dr. Long, ~
such that lie should leave Ionia, anu
the doctor believed that he would ne
better IL sent to some other place than
Marquette
Your committee believes that it
would be unwise TO return .Rodebaugh
10 Marquette. feeling that old condi-
tions would be renewed and the con-
vict again be afflicted with mciancho-
! liza Rodebaugh himself believing he
would be in great danger at the hands
OF the authorities OF the prison
Your committee, therefore. recon.
mend that acting on the suggestion OF
Dr. Long. the request OF the patient
himself and from their knowledge and
! Investigation OF the case, that Rode
I baugh be transferred TO some otner
! nrison than Marquette, either Jackson
| or the Detroit House OF Correction. ana
recommend that the governor De re-
iuucsted TO take such action as may bc
necessary TO carry out THIS recon-
| Respectfully submitted.
T. T. WHELAN.
WM j. BIERD,
! n \. GREEN.
! ROBERT Y. OGG.
Ogg replied to the fiery speech with
which Whelan accompanied his
amendment, and pointed out that IL
would be impossible ut this time to
controvert the testimony of con.pe-
tent physicians that the man was in
sane a year ago.
On the motion Of Rep. Warner, the
report was laid on the table and made
special order for Feb. 81, and copy
ordered served on Warden Russell, so
that he might be given chance to be
heard. Russells friends In the house
charge that certain members OF the
committee are prejudiced against
him. SANFORD