The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1913-07-25
INSANE HOSPITAL
COMPARED TO
"GRAB BAG"
HINDs COUNTY GRAND JURY RE-
TURNS SENSATIONAL RE-
PORT AND ADJoURNs.
MANY LIVE OFF INSTITUTION
Seems To Be Run More In Interest of
officers and Employees Than the We'll
fare of Unfortunate Inmates-MiIk
Furnished Governors Mansion.
MANY live OFF INSTITUTION

Jackson, Miss, July 25.-After re-
turning a sensational report early last
night to Judge Henry, of the circuit
court, in which the state insane hos
pital was compared to grab bag,
and which charged that the Governors
mansion was furnished with milk from
the institution, the Hinds county
grand jury adjourned.
The report stated that II indict-
ments had been returned, and closed
by saying that many important witnes-
ses could not be found, for the reason,
it was alleged, they were being hid
den out by parties under investigation
Governor BrNwer is in Biloxi, so
could not be seen last night relative to
the reference in the report about the
mansion getting milk
The report in full, is as follows:
Hon. w. A. Henry-We desire to
make our final report and beg to say
that we have examined 109 witnesses
and found II indictments.
"The most important matter that has
come before us is the affairs of the
state insane hospital. This institution
seems to be run more in the interest
of the officers and employees than the
welfare of the unfortunates confined
within its walls. In fact we might
compare it to huge grab bag which
nearly all connected with the institu-
tion seem to consider their especial
property and appropriate the same to
their individual use at liberty. This
is especially true in the case of the
dairy department Milk and butter in
tended, as is supposed, for the inmates,
but which in fact is sent to many
places outside the institution, includ-
ing the Governors mansion. True,
some of these things have been paid
for but we are informed that large
quantities are sent out for which the
state has never received a cent. There
is not enough milk and butter produced
at the institution for the inmates, but
on the contrary there are many pounds
of butter and large quantities of milk
purchased outside daily and these con-
ditions also apply to groceries and to
vegetables berries, ETC., produced on
the hospital farm.
We also find that ice is furnished to
neaay all employees, whether living
on the grounds or in the city, and it
is a known fact that small families in
this city receive so or 100 pounds
daily which is more than they can con-
sumo, and which is sold. We cannot
think the legislature intended such a
4 condition to exist when they appropri- |
sted money for the ice factory at this |
institution.
I'VE find that large number of cat
tie were sold by the steward sor a
small sum per head, and quite a num-
Der of the same cattle were butchered |
and sold back to the institution at
about double what was paid for them.
This, too when there was no apparent
need of the beef as contract was then
in force with a large packing house,
which was furnishing the institution
about 500 pounds per day. /
There are only few of the many
irregularities found to exist, and we
think radical change should be made
in the conduct of affairs in this hu.
name institution.
"ln conclusion will say We have re-
turned indictments where the evidence
justified same, but in many cases we
found it impossible to locate, the wit.
Y nesses and it appeared to Us that they
were being shielded or hidden out by
those under investigation.
I'VE wish to thank the legislative
Investigation committee for assistance
in this matter, and also the officials
Of this court for their many courtessies.
We now ask to be discharged. (Sighed)
IT, OFerrall, foreman"
tn. Turley, steward of the hospital,
was one Of the men indicted by the
grand jury. He is charged with embez-
slement in four indictments. and Isl out
a, 5000 bond.