The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-03-28
I. E. Tiff, President of HUI
name Society, lnspects the
County Jail and Dictates
Sharp Criticism.
INSANE NO LONGER
BELIEVED WITCHES
In Former Days, as Now in
Wayne County, they Were
Imprisoned and Even Tor
tured to Death.

Tho Wayne County Humane society
through its president, J. r.. Ilin. has
Investigated, on the sheriff's invita-
tion. the conditions and facilities at
the county Jail for the care Of insane
who are violent and awaiting admis
sion to the state institution. County
officials who are responsible because
they have not provided ways and
means for correcting the present con.
ditions are severely ccnsurcd and the
people generally criticised by Mr.. liff
for permitting such state of affairs
TO exist.
In n communication to the editor of
the Palladium the president OF the
organization declares that IL the small
sum approximately $500. In the soci-
cty's treasury will be of any benefit
10 the county In the construction OF
ward, that II will be gladly rendered.
Duty Of the County.
However. the society feels that II is
the county's duty to provide for more
humane treatment OF the insane await
ing admittance to Eastern Indiana
hospital
On his visit to the Jail Monday even
ing. Mr.. Iliff was shown about the in
stitution and found the conditions TO
be dcplorabie. The insane were con
fined with the criminals. petty offend
crs. and those serving sentences for
misdemeanors. The quarters for the
insane were the same as those for
the other inmates and the attention
and treatment which they receive is
not scientific. ..s-s-. ,-.-yes-- -z,r-
Not only does he feel that an appro-
priation for county insane hospital
would be cxpedient, but Mr.. lliff also
believes the Jail should be replaced by
a modern institution. His communi-
cation Is as follows:
,Nn's Statement
"Editor Palladium and Sun Telc-
gram:
Through the courtesy of Sheriff
Stecn, ! was permitted to see and
learn something about the conditions
mt the county Jail. Upon the subject of
nm insane ward. beg to humbly pre-
sent the following thoughts. will
mincc no words and speak plainly.
''ln the first place there is no be-
ing more deserving of infinite pity
than one whose mind is disordcrcd
like sweet bells jinglcd out of tune
and harsh and Of all the noble gifts
OF the last humanitarian century, none
IL noblcr than the hospital for the
treatment of the insane: and visits in
various parts of this country and Can
ada have fully convinced me that no
better conducted insane hospital en-
lists anywhere than our Easthaven.
under Dr. Smiths rational and hum
anc management
81 never look upon one of these un-
fortunates but I am saddened by the
knowledge that such persons were
once chained to their cells by chains
around their nccks. burnt as witches,
exhibited as curiosities and tortured
and put to death as possessors Of
demons.
Visited switch House."
Last summer visited the Witch
House" In Salem. Mass. and looked
over the old records of witch trials
and OF the wickedly impious sentences
bestowed upon them. There is no
doubt that hundreds Of these frail
and tender women burnt as witches
were insane and as many men who
were pierced to death and stransled
were in the same mental condition.
Fortunately We are now creating a
common opinion that II is no more
disgrace to be sent 10 a hospital for
treatment OF the mind than TO he sent
to another hospital for the treatment
OF the body,
..The feeling so long nourished that
insanity Is a disgrace was the lcsitim-
ate aftermath OF ages of cruelty and
Continued on Page SiX)