A Little History In and Around Buffalo, NY

As published in the Olean Times Herald: At Ski Wing Questing Continues in Killings ALLEGANY - Awaiting reports on items sent to the New York State Police laboratories in Albany, investigators checking into the deaths of two employees of Ski Wing Hollow are continuing the slow, routine questioning of numerous persons. Ground which already may have been covered is recovered as possible new information is turned up. Funeral services were conducted this morning for Stephen Bender, 29, and Michael Forness, 29, killed Sunday night by burglars who carried off a safe containing more than $15,000 from the ski resort chalet. Both men were shot three times apiece when they apparently surprised the burglars. Their bodies were discovered an estimated three hours later when a young janitor reported for work. The two men had worked as ski slope groomers, working between 10 pm and 10 am. Time cards show they had reported at the normal time on Sunday. Time of deaths has been set about midnig...

As published in the Salamanca Press:  Ski Wing homicide investigation: Drug, burglary arrests stem from murder probe. ALLEGHANY - State police continuing their "intense investigation" into the brutal murder Monday of two employees at the Ski Wing Hollow resort have made two arrests, but cautioned that the two charged are "not yet connected" with the double homicide. Troopers said that the arrests were made as the result of their investigation and over 100 interviews being conducted in effort to solve the murder of Stephen Bender, 30, of Olean and Michael Forness, 29, of Cuba. The combined investigation by New York State Police and the Olean Police Department resulted in the arrest of the two subjects on drug and burglary charges. Cattaraugus County District Attorney Michael Nevins, working closely with state and local police, prepared a search warrant which was signed by Cattaraugus County Judge James Crowley and authorized the search of the premises at ...

As published in the Buffalo News: How Insane Patient Felton Received the Injuries of Which He Died.  ------- WHAT DR. ANDREWS SAYS. ------- Felton Attacked the Attendant, David Killan, and the Light Went Out---The Struggle in the Hallway---How Felton Died the Next Day. ----- The name of the State Hospital attendant who was in charge of patient George Felton during the latter's last day of life is David Killeen and his duties are mainly performed after dark, as he is what is known as a night nurse. Supt. Andrews, the head physician of the hospital, says Felton was a dangerous lunatic and came to the institution duly certificated as possessed of homicidal mania. "He was 48 years of age and a muscular man," the doctor, telling of the case to a reporter. "Since he has been in our asylum, he had had a number of fits of violence and had been kept in the ward where the violent cases are confined. "On Monday morning about 5 o'clock the attracted Atten...

As published in the Tonawanda News: Deadly fumes drop 8 fireman at Lucidol Plant by Tom Ernst NEWS Staff Writer Lucidol officials are still uncertain today as to exactly what caused some 150-200 pounds of organic peroxide to begin to decompose and emit choking fumes that felled eight Town of Tonawanda fire fighters yesterday afternoon. One fireman was still in Kenmore Mercy Hospital today. The other seven were released after treatment yesterday. Listed as "fair" condition was Joseph Spath, 29, of 196 Oakridge Ave., a Sheridan Park Fire Co. volunteer. All eight were stricken when the "inhaled a toxic substance" hospital officials reported. Some 100 fireman from throughout the town responded when the alarm was turned in about 12:45 p.m. from the Lucidol Division plant at 1740 Military Road, near Sheridan Drive. A chemical reaction, possible caused when a faulty cooling unit allowed the compounds temperature to rise, causing billowing smoke to rise fro...

As published in The Evening News of the Tonawandas: FINAL TOLL OF DEAD IN BLAST MAY BE 11 Efforts were being made today at the Erie County Morgue to identify two bodies which were recoved from debris of the Lucidol plant. More gruesome, however, was the task of morgue attendants who were trying to piece together what appear to be parts of several bodies of men killed in Wednesday's tragic explosion. Seven of the blast victims have been identified. There are four men still unaccounted for. The final death toll is expected to be 11. While emergency workers continued to probe the Town of Tonawanda plant rubble, the Erie County Medical Examiner's office was trying every known means of identifying the two bodies so badly charred as to be nearly unrecognizable. Parts of bodies in the morgue defied easy identification. \ Last body identified was that of Thomas Williams Jr., 426 High St., Buffalo. The NEWS yesterday was the first Niagara Frontier newspaper to list MR. Wlli...

As published in The New York Times: HEIR WAS PENNILESS AND STARVING Small Fortune Now Awaits Waiter Crosby Truman in Buffalo BUFFALO, NY, Aug 30. - An heir has been found for considerable money which has been held in trust here by order of the Surrogate. Otis Truman of Tracy Street committed suicide some time ago, leaving an estate valued at $35,000, which he bequeathed entirely to his mother. Shortly after Otis took his own life, his mother, who possessed a considerable amount of money in her own right, became insane, and had to confined in the Buffalo State Hospital. Strangers were appointed as a committee to take charge of the money and to execute the will. Otis had a brother who had not been heard of for years. That brother has now been found, penniless and starving. He is Walter Crosby Truman of Sunderland, England. He was so poor that he had to borrow money to pay the postage on his letter announcing that he was the missing her. He asked that enough money be forwarded ...

As published in the Daily Colonist:  Lunatic Burns Herself BUFFALO, Sept 27 - Mrs. Lydia Snyder, 26 years old, an inmate of the Buffalo State Hospital for the insane, died this afternoon from self-inflicted burns. Early today, while Miss Cooley, a nurse, was making out a report by the light of a lamp, Mrs. Snyder crept up and grabbing the lamp, poured the oil over her clothing and set fire to it. Miss Cooley and Miss Cott, another nurse, were badly burned about the face and hands in trying to smother the flames.

As published in Buffalo Courier-Express: State Hospital Patient's Body Found in Creek The body of a 64-year-old patient at Buffalo State Hospital was recovered shortly after 9 o'clock yesterday morning from Scajaquada Creek at the foot of Rees St. Medical Examiner John P. Hylant issued a certificate of accidental death by drowning.  The victim, Vincent Niemczyk, a patient at the hospital since 1934, was discovered missing about 9 p.m, Friday, Detectives Joseph T McCarthy and Frederick J Platek of the homicide squad reported. He was allowed freedom of the institution's grounds, they said. Using a pike pole, Patrolman Joseph F Thompson and Joseph Schihl of the Austin Station recovered the body after Peter Zmyslo of 118 Peter St. sighted it from a railroad bridge spanning the creek. Dr. Hylant said Niemczyk evidently fell into the water from the bridge sometime Friday night. There were no marks on the body, he said. 

As published in Courier Express (Buffalo, NY): Two Patients Force Heavy Window Bars  Erie, Niagara Counties Combed by Police for Men Found Missing During Routine Check  by JERRY EVARTS Two Buffalo State Hospital patients, one described as "very dangerous," were objects of an area police search after they escaped about 10:30 o'clock last night by prying apart bars on a window. The break was discovered by a nurse on a routine bed check. Missing are Mariano Lubesti, 51, who lived with his wife, Louisa, on South Transit Rd., Lockport, and Seymour Gagydowski, 29, who resided with his mother, Rose, at 1003 Erie St., Lancaster. Hospital authorities called Sheriff Arthur D. Britt of Erie County; Sheriff Henry E. Becker of Niagara County and Richard H. Mack, assistant detective chief, and provided  descriptions of the escapees. Mack ordered a radio broadcast to city and suburban cars in an effort to pick up the men. Police did not know if the men were armed....

As published in the Buffalo Courier-Express: Negligence Charged $100,000 SOUGHT IN HOSPITAL DEATH A $100,000 negligence suit against New York State involving a woman who claims her son was beaten to death while a mental patient at Buffalo State Hospital was heard in the Buffalo District Court of Claims Monday. Judge Ronald E Coleman reserved decision in the case, after attorneys for Mrs. Magdalena Frischholz, 81, of 45 Weber Ave., presented testimony charging that Howard Heusinger, her son by an earlier marriage, was murdered by another inmate Aug 28, 1964. The claim against the state alleges negligence on the part of hospital authorities for allowing Heusinger to be placed near the other patient, and "permitting" him to be "assauted, beaten and murderer." Patient Escaped Hospital authorities reported Monday that the patient with Heusinger at the time of his death, escaped from the hospital Nov. 11, 1966. They said his records showed no cases of assaul...

As published in the New York Times: BAILEY CLUE ENDS IN DEATH Buffalo Woman, Who Confessed Murder, a Poison Victim.  Special to The New York Times FREEPORT, L.I., - Aug. 24 -  According to a verified report received here today, Mr.s Helen Hanley, sometimes known as Mrs. Mary Cohen, who said in Buffalo three weeks ago that she killed Mrs. Louise Bailey in the office of Dr. Edwin Carman here on June 30, died this morning in the Buffalo State Hospital. Death was due to bichloride of mercury poisoning. The woman took the poison about the time she made her confession of murder, but said nothing of it, and cause of her illness was not discovered until some time after she had been sent to the Sate Hospital for the Insane at Niagara Falls. She was Stella Hodge, who three years ago confessed to the murder of a citizen of Warren, Penn. John M Andrews was tried twice for that crime, and was acquitted. Newton said that the woman's story was not credited generally, but it proved v...

As published in The Buffalo Courier: George Felton of Bemus Point, aged 50 years, will be examined as to his mental condition as he is acting very strangely and assulted his wife August 28 . He was murdered on October 9th, 1893. Not even 2 months later. :-(

As published in The Chicago Daily Tribune: INHUMANITY TO LUNATICS More Stories of Abuse in the New York State Asylum. Buffalo, NY, April 30 - [Special] - Interest in the grand jury's investigation of alleged abuses of patients in the State Asylum for the Insane continues. Charles Brandt, a former inmate, who told among other things of cruelty to ex-Assemblyman Frank Sipp, was approached on the steet today by a man, who, with an oath and a bike epithet, said if he didn't shut his mouth about that asylum case they'd shut it for him. One of the most interesting stories told the grand jury is that of Mrs. Ella Cummings of Fredonia, NY, who had been an innate of the asylum. Mrs. Cummings alleged form of insanity was a belief in Spiritualism, which the doctors there consider to be a form of insanity. She says that cruelties were perpetrated at the asylum and cites the case of one patient who was jumped upon by a woman attendant and her hip broken so that she is now a cripple. ...

As published in The New York Times: OBITUARY NOTICE --George T. Quinby, ex-District Attorney of Erie County, does yesterday at the Buffalo State Hospital. Mr. Quinby was born in Menden village, Monroe County,  in 1849, and was admitted to the bar in 1875. He was appointed Assistant District Attorney of Erie County in 1881, and in 1888 was elected District Attorney. This office he held until attacked by his fatal illness, in the Spring of 1894. Mr. Quinby was one of Buffalo's most noted lawyers. Gifted with rare eloquence and persuasive powers, he seldom lost a case. He was very small of stature, but his ability and popularity win him the sobriquest of "The Little Giant."

As published in The New York Times: BUFFALO ASYLUM ABUSES. COMMISSIONER ORDRONAUX RECOMMENDS THE DISCHARGE OF THE ACCUSED ATTENDANTS. Buffalo, March 2. - The State Commissioner in Lunacy has rendered the following decision in regard to alleged abuses in the Buffalo State Insane Asylum: To the Managers of the Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane: Gentleman having been requested by your board to make inquiry into the truth of certain allegations of Frank P. Churchill, late an attendant at your asylum, charging that two fellow-attendants, named Robert H Jones and J F McMichael, had, to his personal knowledge, habitually maltreated patients confused to their care, the Commissioner submits herewith the findings and conclusions to which he has arrived after a careful consideration of the same. The organic act of the Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane lodges in its Board of Managers the original power of control over all the property and concerns of the institution not otherwise provided...

Imagine if Donald Trump takes a tour of Area 51. This is what he'll tweet while there. @realDonaldTrump : I'm heading over to Area 51 today for a speech. Making America Great Again #Maga   (August 1, 2017, 02:14 am) @realDonaldTrump #FNN is totally jealous I'm going there before they are. Tweeting this IS presidential. #MAGA (August 1, 2017, 2:30 am) @realDonaldTrump I think I have family living here. I see the family resemblance. #OrangeFamilyValues #TinyHandClub (August 1, 2017, 8:02 am) @realDonaldTrump : I may have to build a wall around the earth now. Mars is going to pay for it. #Wall #MakeThemPay #MAGA (August 1, 2017, 9:35am) @realDonaldTrump : this, by far, has been the BIGEST crowd set to date for any presidential speech. #IAmTheGreatest #Bigley (August 1, 2017, 9:45am) @realDonaldTrump : Making America Great Again!! My new friends, the king and queen from Pluto, love what I'm doing. #MAGA (August 1, 2017, 10:45am) @realDonaldTrump : Thanks fo...

Hello to all the great people out there. I've been unemployed since February of this year and my unemployment is about to run out. :-( I do NOT, I repeat, DO NOT want to resort in applying for welfare. It's a slap in the face when I have years of experience.      I had over 10 years worth of experience with Data Entry, accounts receivable, administrative support, faxing, filing..all the fun stuff in the office world. I even have a few years worth of customer service experience under my belt. The one thing I'm missing is the "educational" degree. All I have is my GED.  Shouldn't my years of experience mean something?     It's tough being almost 40 years old and losing out on opportunities due to not having a degree. I was out of work from 2009 to 2013 due to a work related injury. Do employers look at that and judge me about that gap? Ever since I've been release back into the working world, I've only done temp jobs. Please, I'm b...

As published in the Courier Express: Architect Says Stairway Was Unsafe An architect, called as an expert witness in a $30,000 negligence claim against the state of New York, testified Monday that a stairway in Buffalo State Hospital was unsafe when a 73-year-old woman fell on it May 30, 1965. The claimant, Mrs. Anne Vanderbush, 1586 Amherst St., suffered a broken right wrist which doctors testified was permanently damaged, and injuries to her right ankle and shoulder. She and her husband, Edward, brought the suit in the Court of Claims, Buffalo. The architect, Trevor Rogers, testified that the absence of a handrail in the stairwell constituted an unsafe condition. Attorney Benjamin Galperin representing the couple, brought out that the hospital has since installed a handrail. Visiting Relatives Mrs. Vanderbush was visiting a relative in the hospital when the accident occured. Veneard Neri, assistant state attorney, brought out from witness that the stairway was lighted a...

As published in the Buffalo Evening News: INVESTIGATION ENDED State Hospital Patient Not Ill-Treated, Newcomb Finds There is no foundation in fact for charges that Mrs. Catherine A Hayes, a patient in the Buffalo State Hospital, was beaten by attendants and otherwise ill-treated, according to an opinion announced Wednesday by District Attorney Walter C Newcomb. The complaints were made by Henry C Hayes, 1349 Main Street, the woman's husband, and Mrs. Harriet Rossenbach, 1700 Hertel Avenue, an aunt. Mr. Newcomb interviewed Dr. John A Pritchard, superintendent of the hospital. Wednesday morning. The district attorney said he based his conclusion upon this conversation and a six-page typewritten report by Dr. I. Murray Rossman, physician in charge of the women's continued treatment service at the institution. "It appears from my investigation that the patient is subject to maniacal attacks during which she became extremely violent," Newcomb said. "The i...

As Published in the Buffalo Courier: JOHN P. QUINN THE EX-GAMBLER GOES INSANE Prisoner At The Penitentiary For Civil Offense, His Mind Clouds-Known the Country Over. John P Quinn, ex-gambler, and known throughout the length and breadth of the land as a showman and exposer of gambling methods, has been adjudge insane. He was found to be mentally unbalanced by Police Surgeon Fowler of the Erie County Penitentiary yesterday, and in the course of a few days will be sent to the Buffalo State Hospital. Quinn was sent to the Penitentiary on October 1st on an order of arrest in a civil action. Soon after his arrival he began to show symptoms of mental decline, and several days ago it was decided to subject him to an examination by Dr. Fowler. During the Pam-American Exposition Quinn conducted a show in Main Street above Chippewa, where the methods used by gamblers to trick the unwary were exposed.

As published in the Buffalo Courier: SERVICES, INTERMENT AND COFFIN, ALL FOR HALF A CENT A BODY Remarkably Low Price at Which Undertaker Eckhert Is Under Contract With the City to Bury the Pauper Dead-Investigation An Investigation if the morgue may be soon under way. The alleged traffic in dead bodies, which has been hinted at and implied in a dozen different ways ever since the arrest of Coroner Boller, will, it is said, call for a continued and through investigation. The fact that County Undertaker Eckhert has a contract to care for all the bodies at a rate of one-half cent per body, furnishing coffins and burying them also for t his insignificant sum, is believed to call for some more plausible reason than the statement that he does it because he descures a portion of the orders fro funerals of those bodies that are claimed. There is a decided movement among the members of the Board of Supervisors to prevent any traffic in cadavers. It is hoped ti abolish the abuses of the...

As published in the Wheeling Daily Intelligenrer , West Virginia: A TERRIBLE STORY Told by a Former Patient of the Buffalo State Asylum  Buffalo, Oct 21 - George C Allen, a former patient in the Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane, has made a statement that during his six months' confinement there he was twice beaten and abused, once so severely that he prayed for death. Further than this, he made the following startling assertions regarding the treatment which three other patients received: "A gentleman named Shepard was a patient there in 1883, and was on the road to recovery when he received his death blow. He was a hearty eater, and craved more food than the asylum people would give. So he frequently asked other patients who were sick and didn't want all their food for what was left. An attendant caught him at this one day, and I heard a loud scrimmage. Rushing up, I saw the keeper grasp Shepard by the beard and jam him up against the door post, at the same time swe...

As published in the York Daily (York, PA): A BRADFORD SCANDAL. Liberation of a Sane Woman Who Had Been Confined in a Mad House. By Telegraph to the Daily. BUFFALO, NY - December 11. - Mrs. Collins, wife of a prominent Bradford man, who has been for some months confined in the Buffalo State Insane Asylum, has been released on a writ of habeas corpus, and it was stated by her counsel and friends that she has never been insane. There is a scandal in connection with the case. A short time before her arrest she was told her husband was unfaithful, and she openly accused two Bradford ladies of undue familiarity with him. She then came to Buffalo with a view to obtaining a divorce, and was soon afterward committed to the asylum. (Thank god times have changed. How fucked up is that?) Is is alleged that there was crookedness in the manner of her commitment. (It certainly looks that way)

He's alive!!! This was taken in the Alleghany State Park here in NY State. I'm soooooo amazed at the quality of this picture. ;-) I just..can't! And look at this ghost here.... wait..its not in this one. I found a pic where there was a "ghostly" looking figure in the top door. I'll have to go searching for that one. I know I have it on Facebook somewhere. 

As published in the Olean Democrat: Mrs. Helen Whittaker, an inmate of the Buffalo State asylum from Hornellsville, committed suicide in the institution on Saturday afternoon by throwing herself from the chapel window in the fourth story.

As published in the Courier Express: Affidavit Says Giambra Once Mental Patient An affidavit was filed in Federal Court yesterday in support of a motion for psychiatric examination of Carmelo J Giambra of 240 Rosemont Ave, Town of Tonawanda. Giambra is under indictment with four others for major bank robberies here last year. Giambra was admitted to Buffalo State Hospital in 1949 and he received a disability discharge from the Navy in 1944, the affidavit states.  The motion, to be heard at 10 Monday morning before Federal Judge Justin C Morgan, was filed by Giambra's attorney, Thomas Lippes. Lippes said he was able to "realize the nature and quality of his acts" and whether he now is able "to understand the proceedings against him or properly assist in his out defense." Giambra was indicted Feb 4 by the federal grand jury on charges stemming from the $23,775 holdup last Oct 2 of the Liberty Bank Linwood Brand, Linwood and North. He also is accu...

As published in the Courier Express" For Mental Illness Buthy Hospitalized 3 Times On three occasions within the last 18 months, Dennis Buthy, accused of being the elevator attacker of a young coed, walked out of the psychiatric ward at Buffalo State Hospital with "complete discharges." Prior to two of the hospital confinements, he was booked for assault involving incidents with two other girls. And three or four times since his last release, on June 20, Buthy attempted to be readmitted voluntarily, but was refused. Hospital officials explained that Buthy "did not avail himself of treatments" during his previous detainments. Nine times since December 1964, the 23-year-old Buthy, son of a minster appeared in court on charges ranging from assault to drunkenness.  Fifty-one days ago, Buthy received his third unconditional release from Buffalo State after a five-day stay. His confinement now is in County Jail, where he awaits a Sept 6 hearing on his ...

As Published in the Jamestown News: CRUELTY IN ASYLUMS "The fate of George Felton," says the Jamestown News, "the cruel murder of which he was the victim, while an inmate of the Buffalo Insane Asylum, demands that there should be a thorough and searching investigation into the conduct, not along of that institution, but of all the Insane asylums in the State." It is merely an assumption of the News that the case of Felton, whose death occurred at the Buffalo hospital on October 9th last, was a "cruel murder," for the inquiry into the demise of the patient has not yet been conducted, but it will be (cant read this word)  nobody of if to found finally that Felton was filled. (It's very hard to read this paper)  Insaquestionable (no idea)  there is brutality practiced in most of the so called hospitals for the insane, and the News suggestion of a searching investigation is timely.

As published in the Press:  A MADMAN'S SKULL IN COURT Evidence That George Felton Was Abused Before His Death. BUFFALO, Jan 26 - The State Commission in Lunacy resumed its investigations into the death of George Felton at the State Insane Hospital this morning. Felton, it is alleged, died from brutal treatment at the hands of hospital attendants last October. The sensation of the trail was the production in court of the deceased man's skull, which has been exhumed in order that the jaws might be examined to settle a discrepancy in evidence. The hospital doctors had sword that Felton's teeth were pulled out by himself. (How does one do that? Without proper equipment?) Coroner Bowers and other witnesses were positive that the teeth had been broken off and the roots still adhered in the sockets, justifying their charges of maltreatment. Felton's aged father, on the stand today, reiterated this statement, adding, with flashing eye: "I'm trying to find out ...

As published in the Courier Express:  Admitted Several Times Father says Hospital Wouldn't Keep Buthy By DOMINICK MERLE The Rev. Denes Buthy told of weekend binges, emotional outbursts, a broken home and a near-fatal overdone of pills in tracing the past troubled years in the life of his son, Dennis, 23. But the Hungarian-born cleric, speaking haltingly in broken English, always returned to a single, belated plea: "If only he would have been kept (at the hospital), then this girl, who I pray will recover." On three or four occasions since Feb. 12, Dennis, now being held for first-degree assault in the brutal attack of a college coed aboard a downtown elevator, attempted unsuccessfully to be admitted to Buffalo State Hospital for psychiatric treatment. "My son wanted help," the cleric said, "They (hospital officials) admitted that he was a psycopath, and admitted that he was dangerous, but refused to take him. This is what hurts me." Dr....

As published in the Buffalo Evening News:  FIRST EDITION  WITH A HATCHET. Robert N McKee's Reason Left Him Last Bight and He Threatened His Wife's Life. WAS LOCKED IN HER ROOM Mrs. McKee Told Capt. Martin She Was Afraid of Her Life Wile Her Husband Had A Bad Spell, and He Was Committed to the Buffalo State Hospital Robert N McKee of 399 Plymouth Avenue was committed to the Buffalo State Hospital late last night on the certificate of Drs. Dwyer and Constantine, who have decided that he is crazy and unsafe to be at large. Mr. Robert N McKee was at one time quite wealthy and he and his family are well connected socially. McKee has been ill for several months. He has met with financial reverses and his troubles have shattered his reason. He attempted to strike his wife the day before yesterday. Mrs McKee visited the Police Court Tuesday afternoon and swore out a warrant for the arrest of her husband for assaulting her. Judge King issued the warrant and...

As published in the Buffalo Evening News: CONFINED 18 YEARS; NOW ASKS $200,000 North Tonawanda Man Alleges He Was Detained "Unlawfully, Maliciously, Wrongly."  Suit to recover $200,00 for damages which he says he suffered by reason of 18 years confinement in the Buffalo State Hospital for the Insane, was begun Saturday by Owen J. Doudy of 354 Schenk Street, North Tonawanda. Complaints in the action have been served. The Complaint alleges that the defendants "willfully, maliciously and wrongfully caused the plaintiff's detention in the Buffalo State Hospital for many years, to the plaintiff's damages in the sum of $200,000." The defendants named in the action are not all living. Two of them, Michael Collins and George Fisher, have been dead for more than a year. The others are A.F. Premus, a former city attorney; John F. Ryan, a former police chief; William J. Nellis, commissioner of charities; the International Railway and the New York Central Railw...

As Published in the Buffalo Courier-Express:  Negligence Charged $1000,000 Sought In Hospital Death A $100,000 negligence suit against New York State involving a woman who claims her son was beaten to death while a mental patient at Buffalo State Hospital was heard in the Buffalo District Court of Claims Money. Judge Ronald E Coleman reserved decision in the case, after attorneys for Mrs. Magdalena Frischolz, 81, of 45 Webster Ave., presented testimony charging that Howard Heusinger, her son by an earlier marriage, was murdered by another inmate Aug 28, 1964. (Before the Strozzi building was even thought over) The claim against the state alleges negligence on the part of hospital authorities for allowing Heusinger to be placed near the other patient and "permitting" him to be "assauted, beaten and murdered." Patient Escaped Hospital authorities reported Monday that the patient with Heusinger at the time of his death, escaped from the hospital Nov 11, 196...

As published in the New York Times: BAILEY CLUE ENDS IN DEATH. Buffalo Woman, Who Confessed Murder, A Poison Victim. Special to The New York Times. FREEPORT, L. I., - According to a verified report, received here today, Mrs. Helen Hanley, sometimes known as Mrs. Mary Cohen, who said in Buffalo three weeks ago that she killed Mrs. Louise Bailey in the office of Dr. Edwin Carman here on June 30, died this morning in the Buffalo State Hospital. Death was due to bichloride of mercury poisoning. The woman took the poison about the time she made her confession of the murder, but said nothing of it, and the cause of her illness was not discovered until some time after she had been sent to the State Hospital for the Insane at Niagara Falls. She was Stella Hodge, who three years ago confessed to the murder of a citizen of Warren, Penn. John M Andrews was tried twice for that crime, and was acquitted. Newton said that the woman's story was not credited generally, but it proved valua...

As published in the Oswego Daily Palladium: Saturday, March 17, 1894 Resumed Their Investigation BUFFALO, March 17 - The state commissioners in lunacy resumed their protracted inquiry into the cause of death of George Felton, an inmate at the state hospital. At the proceeding session testimony had been reduced to show that attendant Clifford knew something about the affair. Between that day and this an affidavit was received by Dr. McDonald from Clifford, in which he swore to entire ignorance of the affair. On the stand Clifford admitted that he had made the affidavit at the instigation of Keeper Killen, who went with him to the notary public. Under the searching cease examination of Judge McMahon the witness became very nervous, twisting his hands and shifting in his seat incessantly.

As published in the Evening Journal;  Jamestown, NY,  Saturday, January 6, 1894. FELTON'S MURDER. INVESTIGATION AT THE BUFFALO STATE HOSPITAL By the Commission on Lunacy - The Case Reviewed- Testimony Given Corroborates That Obtained at the Coroner's Inquest. BUFFALO, Jan. 6. - The state commission appointed to further inquire into the circumstances attending the death of George Felton, late of Poland, Chautauqua County, convened Friday at the Buffalo state hospital. Deputy Attorney General McMahon conducted the investigation and on behalf of the state lunacy commissioners, which was represented by Dr. C. E. F. McDonald. George Felton died at the state hospital Oct 9, 1893, and it was alleged that his death was due to injuries inflicted by a brutal attendant at the hospital. An autopsy was performed by Post Mortem Examiner Hewitt, assisted by Drs Mafinger (sp?) and Kidder. Dr. Hewitt's certificate, it is claimed, did not show the true exte...

I imagine it's safe to say no one I know reads my blog, shit, I'm not even sure anyone reads this. And you know what,  that's ok. With that being said, I'm going all honest and upfront about the haunting of the Richardson and why I didn't pressure the RCC into having an investigation. Now, do I think the place is haunted?  Given the history of the place, being an old psych hospital with patients living and dying there for just under 100 years. Add in the abuse that happened there (trust me, it happened), the lobotomies,  the unwanted electroshock  (although it does happen today, back when it first came out, it was pretty horrific for the patients) and add the emotional trials the patients went threw...It's the perfect place for a haunting. I've had a  few personal experiences in the buildings. From a door shutting in front of me (there was no airflow in that section of the building) to hearing phantom footsteps when I was the only person in the buildin...

This was published  in the Buffalo Courier on Tuesday, August 29, 1893.  If unable to read:  George Felton of Bemus Point, aged 50 years, will be examined as to his mental condition as he is acting very strangely and assaulted his wife August 28. Here's a link to his grave site on  George's Grave on Find A Grave . If you're unable to click on link (or you just don't feel like it) 

I'm really excited!! YAY! I may have found where the unwanted patients at the Buffalo State Hospital for the Insane may have been buried. At first I thought they were under the Buffalo State College's football field, but its not. It's not to far from there, though. I think it's best I wait to published where it is until I make sure that it's where it is. Due to it being on City owned property and it's surround by fence. Be sure to check back for updates. (For whoever reads this and who is interested.) All I can say is....I'm totally excited!!! They will be found!! You wont be forgotten!! Woo Hoo!!!

From 1916  These pics and screen shots were taken from the 1910 thru 1916 Annual Reports for the Buffalo State hospital

This is the building that had the morgue in it. Not sure as to where in the building. The morgue use to be in building 45 (the towers building), in the basement.

I'm a little bored here, so I figured I would go through the annual reports that I have saved on my computer. I'm still on the hunt as to where they put the "unwanted" patients. Hopefully it'll give some clues. I'm going to add some spinets of it here. :-) From annual report from September 1909 to September 1910:                                                  "Autopsies were performed in all cases where permission could be obtained and                                                 on the cases dying without friends or relatives. The whole number for the year was                                               62 or 43.6 pe...

As published in the New York Times:  A Prominent Warsaw Man Insane.  Warsaw, NY, Nov. 16 - Fred F Bartlett, who inherited property of considerable value and which has gradually slipped out of his hands, was sent to the Buffalo State Hospital this morning, having been pronounced insane. On Monday last he sent a letter to the Rev. Joseph E Nassau of the Presbyterian Church in the village demanding $15,000 forthwith as compensation for the damage he had done him for defamation of character, and in case of refusal he threatened to shoot the minister. (what?) The letter was intercepted by Bartlett's friends, and the Sheriff took him into custody. An examination by physicians resulted in pronouncing him insane.

I don't know why didn't think about this years ago, but I requested the transcripts for the court proceeding for his case. I know it came out as a "No Bill", but there should more info as to why. It's like, he was basically beaten to death by someone's hands, and no one got in trouble. As far as I could see, no one did jail time for his death. They claimed he fell off a chair, but how in hell can someone break a few ribs and fracture their breastbone by falling off a chair. Hopefully there will more info in the paperwork at the court office.  And hopefully I can access to it. The poor guy suffered by someone douchebags hand. I will get to the bottom of it!! I can do this!!

As published in the New York Times:  Dr. Judson B Andrews.  Dr. Judson B Andrews, Superintendent of the Buffalo State Hospital for the Insane, died last evening, as a result of a gradual decline in health extending over a period of two years. He has been in charge of the asylum since it was opened, in 1880, and was a pioneer in instituting new and enlightened methods of treatment for the insane. (Sure he did) He was ex-President of the Erie County Medical Society, a founder (I imagine its suppose to founding)  member and ex-President of the New-York State Medical Association , and President of the section of psychological medicine and nervous disease of the ninth International Medical Congress held in Washington in 1887. In 1892 he was elected President of the American Medico-Psychological Association. He was a frequent contributor of papers to medical societies and journals. For many years he was Assistant Superintendent of the State Insane Asylum at Utica, and f...

As published in the New York Times:  "DEAD" SISTER APPEARS. Another Surprise in Middletown Triple Murder Case.   Special to The New York Times.  MIDDLETOWN, NY, Dec. 18 - A surprise was sprung today in Orange County Surrogate's Court in proceedings involving the estate of Frederick Olney, who, with his brother and Alice Ingerick, was murdered on Oct 6 last. When Frederick Olney was murdered the only known living relative was a nephew, Frederick Olney, Jr., living on an adjoining farm. (Weird how he's a junior )   The latter was appointed administrator of the estate of his uncle. Shortly after George Olney, claiming to be another nephew, came on the scene, and brought an action to remove Frederick Olney as administrator. Each nephew avers that the other has no legal claim to the property, which is valued at $6,000. At the Surrogate's hearing today the surprise lay in the fact that attorneys were present representing Mrs Mary O Noble, a sister of the murdere...

As published in the Warren Times Mirror (Warren, PA) Thanks to Mark Saglian for sharing this with me. :-) WAS PUT INTO BATH OF SCALDING WATER Inmate of Buffalo State Insane Asylum Was Killed by Another Inmate BUFFALO, June 25 - Albert Davis, 70, residence unknown, is dead at the State Insane Asylum here from the affects of a bath in scalding water administered by another inmate of the institution. In his report Medical Examiner Dansai says another crazy (well)  patient ushered the old man up to the new attendant who did not know the rules (great training, smh) and told him the old man needed a bath. The attendant took it for granted that all was right and told the patient whom, he supposed to be in the meid interval, to go ahead with the old man's bath. The crazy fellow gleefully led the old man to the bathroom and sprayed him with scalding hot water. The body was scalding all over. What the bloody hell? Who the hell trained that attendant? Or did that attendant do the deed ...