Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-03-01
WITNESS RESTLESS
UNDER GR|Ll|NC
Rep. Wilson and Atty. Gibson
Clash at Retreat Hearing
More Evidence Taken.

More Evidence Taken.
Montpelier. Feb. IA brief clash be.
tween Representative Frank A. Wilson
OF Pownal. who introduced the resolution
calling for the legislative Investigation Of
the Brattleboro retreat. because of alleged
lll-treatment OF patients at that institu-
ton, and IT, W. Gibson Of Braitleboro,
attorney for the retreat, eniivcncd Satur-
day mornings sesnion OF the Joint leeis!a-
tive committee. which Is conducting The
investigation. Mr.. Wilson after testiYying
regarding the cruelty Of an attendant
towards a patient, whom. he. CWilson)
had taken to the retreat grew first rest
less. and then angry, under the grilling
crcss-examination Of Mr.. Gibson, and rc-
turned sharp answers to some Of the at
torneys questions Senator Falrchild,
chairman of the investigating committee,
interviewed and Mr. Gibson apologized 10
the committee and to Mr.. Wilson for any
Undue severity which he might have
shown in his questioning. The other wit
nesses at the session were Mrs. Emily
Rarrett of st. Johnsbury. whose hus-
band, William Barrett. died in July. 1918,
while a patient at the retreat, and Judge
G. c. Frye Of st. Johnsbury. The hear
ing was adjourned at noon until two
O'Clock Monday afternoon. The remaining
sessions of the committee will be held
in the city hall
Mrs. Barrett, who was the first wit.
ness testified at great length. but con.
tributed little evidence of Importance
regarding conditions at the retreat.
Her husband. William Barrett Of St
Johusbury. who had for some time
been a patient at the retreat, died on
July II, 1918. A friend, Fred Taylor
Of st. ,Johnsbury. who testified before
the committee on Friday, said that he
had seen Barrett on the afternoon of
the Thursday previous to his death
and that he appeared to be physically
well. When his body arrived at st.
Johnsbury there was a mark extend
ing from his forehead across his nose.
which might have been made by a blow
from club.
Mr.. Gibson put in evidence letters
from DR.. S. E. Lawton, superintendent
of the retreat, to Mrs. Barrett and also
one from Lawton to Charles A. Col
lingwood of St. Johnsbury, friend Of
Barrett. in which the physician
stated that Barrett was suffering
from melancholia and might die at any
time. A letter written by Mrs. Bar
rett to DR.. Lawton on July &c. two
weeks after Mr.. Barrett's death, in
which she thanked the doctor for his
kindness to Mr.. Barrett, was also put
in evidence. Mrs. Barrett stated that
the reason she did not take action
against the retreat was because her
relatives and friends advised her not
to do so. The witness became agitated
during the hearing and wept.
Judge J. c. Frye of St. Johnsbury testi-
fed that both Miss Gertrude Graham and
Mrs. Elizabeth Murray of st. Johnsbury.
witnesses against the retreat at the pre-
vious days hearing bore the regulations
of being morphine adaicts. Miss Graham
had appeared better in the last year or
co. She lived with Mrs. Murray and the
two were always together.
representative Frank A. Wilson of
Pownai stated that on one occasion some
three or four years ago. he. as deputy
sheriff Of Bennington county. had taken
q patient to the Brattleboro retreat, who
had been committed there by the probate
court. When he arrived at the institu-
ton. his patient resisted and chung to the
sides of the carriage. An attendant came
out of the retreat, asked Wilson to ster
aside, saying that he could handle the
patient, and when the former did So
yanked the insane man out OF the car
! rage and hurled him against the stone
steps of the retreat. cutting a cash in
his head. and rendering him unconscious
Wilson said that he demanded to see DR.
Lawton. but was told that he was In
Boston. and he then threw his commit
ment papers on the office table and tolc
! the attendant he would never bring q
tom ga. TO that place again"
On cross-examinaation Mr.. Wilson stat
ed that the patient was able after q few
minutes, to walk. supported by the attend.
ant. He admitted that he had neve,
again complained to the retreat authoH'
| ties or to his superior regarding the Incl.
dent. Tho witness could not recall the
mans name, or the date when he tool
him to the institution. but said that he
would endeavor to Learn these from the
town records He had visited the retreat
on several occasions. but knew little OF
actual conditions there. A colored WON
an. whom he was taking to the retreat
begged piteously. he said, not to be taker
there. Mr. Wilson said that the story told
him by Mrs. II. A. Guilford of her treat
ment while i patient at the retreat. had
been largely instrumental in influencing
him TO introduce the resolution calling
for the investigation.
The committee were given the par,e,
of largo number Of people whs
might have information concerning
conditions at the retreat and were alst
| given letters from some attendants
and patients. Among those may b.
summoned this week as witnesses are
William Quinlan of West Rutland
James FULLY of West Haven. Edwart
Ouinlan Of the Soldiers Home at Ben
ninrtor, f. It. Clement of Burlington
and James r. Hogan of Fair Haven
Mr.. Wilson handed the committee let
ters from Mrs Hattie Stath of Chester
DR.. John w. Cram of Colrain. Mass
Miss Angeline Brooks of Springfield
Mass, and C. w. Bartlett of Benning
ton.
UNCLAIMED LETTERS