San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-02-18
NSANE WOMAN
PTARVES SELF
! IN JAIL HERE
Egress Resists Foreible
/ Feeding and Dies in
\ Nine Days.
TATE is DERELICT
hirteen Insane in County
Jail for Lack Of Asylum
| Room.

lack Of adequate facilities at state
titutions to care for the violently
ane has led to a crowded condi-
b and unwarranted suffering at the
tar county Jail. This condition
affairs was disclosed Saturday
sn it was learned that a negress
% has been confined in the county
titution for three months had died.
nourishment, either liquid or
{id had been taken by the woman
nine days prior to her death. This
spite attempts at forcible feeding
Jail attendants.
According to Jailer John Wiatrek,
negress was confined in the Bexar
Unity Jail three months ago, hav-
been brought to San Antonio from
eville. She was placed in confine-
Int here temporarily, awaiting an
portunity to transfer her. to one Of
state institutions for the insane.
the Bexar county Jail is not
|lipped for the care of insane per-
|ns, they ordinarily are only kept
Ere until they can be moved else
here. r.'.
This woman, the jailer said, was
|blent at all times and because OF
/ r immense size, was difficult to
ndle. Everything possible was done
L her comfort, but she suffered con-
|derably during the three months
e was confined in the Jail. Her
ief obsession, the jailer said, seem
to be a desire to tear up every
ling that came within her reach.
he tore her clothing TO shreds and
Though new clothing was provided,
lis suffered the same fate. Bed
Ing was placed in her cell and this
lie also tore up during her worst at
lexis. When she did allow the mat
less and blanket to remain in her
|ll, the jailer said, she would not
eep on it, but would lie on the bare
|ment floor. 8. ! &
Frothed at the Mouth.
Because of her violent condition,
|eding proved difficult task. This
|hs accomplished, however, up until
me days ago, when she refused to
Ee any food whatsoever. She day
|ost of the time moaning and fr0th-
X at the mouth and would eat moth
p. Forcible feeding was attempted,
hi IL was impossible to force open
Pr mouth so that the food might
! given her. The county physician
as called, the jailer said, but he was
hable to do anything for her and
lii attendants had to watch her
5wly die. 1t was shortly after 5
clock Saturday morning that the
oman died.
Despite the fact that there are
late Institutions for the insane, the.
liler declared, there are at pres
1t thirteen insane prisoners in the
exar county Jail. Some of these
.e negroes and some are Mexicans,
large number of them being women.
hey are CHARTERED on the first floor
the Jail and make the nights
deous with their cries. Other pris-
lers are unable to sleep, the jailer
i'd. \
Will Deport Some.
Although letters have been written
,peatedly to the authorities at the
irious state institutions, requesting
at they relieve Bexsr county of its
lota Of insane prisoners, Jailer
'iatrek said, Ifsthing has been done,
plies being received to the effect
at the state institutions already are
DIVIDED. Every attempt was made,
said, to get the woman who just
ed into a state institution, but
ere was no room for her. 1t is
,ssible, he said, that several Mexi-
II prisoners who are insane may be
ported to Mexico as they are not
merican citizens.
Jailer Wiatrek made it clear that
sponsibility for the conditions at
e Jail cannot be placed upon any
dividuars shoulders, as the insane
isoners have been transferred from
e Bexar county Jail whenever there
room at the asylums. The fault
IS, he pointed out, in inadequate
cilities provided by the state for
e violently insane.