New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-03-14
MAHEAWAN'S CAR IS
H. K. TRAW, SAYS FLINT
AIieniSt Declares States CrllnI-
nal Insane Asylum Is Run
as He Dictates.
COULD ESCAPE ANY TIME
Last Two superintendent Were
Selected by Stanford Whites
Slayer from Bottom Of
Eligible List.

1T would oe the easiest thing in the
world for Harry Thaw to escape from
Matteawan. should he desire 10 do go y
said Dr.. Austin Flint yesterday. DIT.
Flint is the alienist who played prom
Stanford White. Thaw he added. was
the actual head of the hospital. but would
not take advantage of the opportunities
TO run away. being determined 10 get out
Of Matteawan by legal means or not
at all!
"rhaw had sufficient influence with
Colonel Scott. Superintendent OF STATE
Prisons. to obtain the appointment OF RS
own men as heads OF the asylum, Df'
Flint declared His authority In the state
has been supreme since DR.. James v.
Nav became Superintendent of the nos
pital. and ii continued throughout 'he
administration OF Or. John Russell. who
recently resigned.
lie does not want 10 escape. althoush
he has taken every privilege except 'hat
of freedom. When his counsel Dan
O'Rcilly. once called Thaw's attention 10
the laxness OF his guard while NE was
on the way 10 Matteawan and sugges'eu
that he aid him in getting away nc
rejected the proposition. ina" anlo'-
ton since he has been in Mattes"ah mas
been to become a lawyer. lie mas salu
he will never leave the asylum unless II
can he done legally.
Wouldn't Escape Il He Gould.
lie refused to be a party to any plot
10 escape and would not do so now IL
the doors were thrown open for nm
believe | know Thaw better than ne
knows himself.
"Thaw. however. has been the real nead
Of Matteawan. Under Colonel Sou ,
administration ne Influenced the appoint
ment OF Or. May. who had the lowest J ct %
ccntage on the list OF those VINO hau
taken civil se.yice examinations TOT tlc
position Or. Russell also was taken from
the bottom OF the civil service list "heh
he was appointed 20 succeed III. May
Thaw has had the liberty OF the Whoie
institution
Conditions az Matteawan were jepi pr-
able. Or. Flint said. and would not ne
romedied until Colonel Scott was super
seeded. The discipline was lax. and the
AsnPlHi NUDllltpl4 VI 'A'' R'+''''N'
If seemed a shame. Dr.. Flint said. that a
hospital which had been erected AT Cost
Of about $4,000 and which had been Kept
in almost perfect condition until colonel
Scott assumed its charge. should nave
fallen into so deplorable a state. lie sus-
gested committee be appointed TO IN
vestjeate the charges that MatteaWdn
was incompetently managed.
Walked Out by Dozens.
AS instances Of the mismanagement ot
Matteawan since 1911" Or. Flint stated,
Il can mention several cases. Agnes
Wallace. who killed her father. attempted
10 escape and was captured many yards
from the hospital william Han escaped
and was never caught. James Chrlih 4
demented patient, escaped but returned
Voluntarily. as did George H. Robinson.
who got as far as Flshkll-on-the- Hud
son. and came back because he was cold
and hungry William Brown ana John
White lunatics. got away and returned
by themselves John Fitzpatrick escaped
and got ss far as Beacon Hill. mile
from the prison, before he was 'altured'
while Otilla Snyder. who murdered her
child. was not caught until she got as iai
as New jersey
d.. Flint mentioned the names OF
others who had escaped, and referred 10
James Courtney who murdered three per
sons and was considered one of the most
dangerous patients in Mattea"an. lie
received a certificate OF release trom
Colonel Scott in November. 1911.