Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-02-03
WITNESSES TELL
WHAT CUTLERY DID
Inquiry Into Conditions at Norfolk
Hospital Brings Out Alleged
Immoral Conditions.
ANXIOUS TO AVOID SCANDAL

NORFOLK, Neb., Feb. 2.-Ne-
braska State Board of Control today
began public and official investiga-
tion of conditions at the state hos
pital for the insane in Norfolk.
The hearing follows an investiga-
ton conducted by the Norfolk Daily
News several weeks ago. At that
time the state board removed DIR.
w. d. Cutlery, superintendent, from
office and asked for his resignation.
He demanded public hearing.
Mrs. Nina Hickerson, who re-
Gently voluntarily left the employ Of
the Norfolk hospital as nurse, tes-
titled that on one occasion DR. Gut
tery put his-arm around her on the
stairway, and she struck him in the
stomach with her elbow. She named
one woman whom she said bore an
immoral reputation, and declared
DIR. Cutlery told her that he was
warned about this woman by her
own relatives before employing her.
She said that DR.. Cutlery told a
class Of women nurses that "most
men lose their manhood at 40, but
I'm SO and Just as good as ever"
She told of a suggestive story which
she said he told the class.
p. f. Garvey. former deputy county
clerk of Boone county, testified that
when he went to work at the hospital
DR.. Cutlery told him. girls will be
girls" and that he wanted employees TO
have a good time. but IL you pull off
anything. don't let it get to be a scan
dal." He named nurses whose moral
reputation was bad. he said.
Reads story He Told.
Garvey read an obscene story which
he said DR.. Cutlery told mixed class
Of men and women. He ccrroborated
Mrs. Hickerson's story as to DIR. Gut
tery's claims to vitality. adding that DIR.
Cutlery said he kept in condition by eat
ing eggs and drinking milk.
Garvey resigned three weeks ago and
testified Cutlery in trying to persuade
him to sign a statement of recommenda'
ton for the state board, promised inn
mediate promotion, and said: Now will
you sign it," and Garvey said he re
fused.
Miss Lease, head nurse for six years
testified that on one occasion a female
patient threatened 20 harm the nurses
and while DIR. Cutlery looked on, on'
nurse conquered the patient. after which
DIR. Cutlery ''strongarmed" or choket
the patient. She said she thought he wa
too severe. Miss Lease told OF another
female patient who was put on a breat
and water diet for two days by DR.
Cutlery to discipline her. She nameC
five former nurses OF immoral reputation
and said Cutlery had talked 10 her abou
their regulations. but retained them ii
the employ Of the hospital.
Miss Lease said Cutlery told her IN
employed one woman against the wishe
OF his wife on account of her reputation
and stated that she was bright and h
could excuse anything but a lack o
barins." and that he wanted to give he
a chance because he thought II woul'
help her.
Partial to Good Looks.
) She told OF another woman who. ac
cording to Guttery's statement 70 tn
witness. told him OF her past IMMORAL
/ ties. but he said she was large and pleas
J ing in appearance and he thought sh
would make good girl II given a chance
Miss Lease testified she received a r.
port OF the profanity of one woman, br
did not report It 10 Or. Cutlery becaus
S she thought Cutlery partial to tn
woman. which. she said. was the generi
impression. She said she had gone int
nurses rooms when they were I'll an
found DIR. Cutlery there; that she foun
0 him sitting on the edge OF the bed IL II
Q room Of a woman OF immoral reputation
although there was a chair in the room
o She told Of seeing one OF these nurse
9 walking arm In arm In the tunnel with
= male patient.
o Judge Good sought to bring out stat
. ments from witnesses that the patient
3 were well treated, we'll fed. clothed. et
r Miss Lease said she had never seen an
cruelty and considered Dr. Cutlery hin
90 patients generally.