February 7th, 1881 - Brutes in an Insane Asylum
As printed in the New York Times on 02/07/1881: (my notes are in bold)
BRUTES IN AN INSANE ASYLUM
A Story of Cruelty From the State Asylum of Buffalo
Buffalo, NY - Feb 6
A story of terrible cruelties practiced upon patients at the new State Insane Asylum here has been mad public today, for which Frank P Churchhill, of this city, formerly a keeper, is responsible. (The hospital open for patients in December of 1880, at the time of this article, the hospital has only been open a few months.)
He claims to have resigned on account of these practices, and says they were carried on by two men named Jones and McMichael, whom Dr. Andrews, Medical Superintendent, brought with him from Utica. (Dr. Andrews transferred from the Utica psych hospital). He says that John Turney, a monomaniac, was choked with towels so severly that they had to blow in his mouth to restore consciousness. (How fucked up is that?) Being noisy one day while bathing, McMichael held his head under water until he was almost drowned, and pounded him on the stomach until a bunch raised as large as a hen's egg. (Seriously, what the fuck) They would go into his room at night and pound and kick him for the slightest disturbance. (What douchebags!) At one time Jones pressed both thumbs against his windpipe and jammed him into a chair with such violence that the back of the chair made two large holes in the wall. (Insert angry face here)
Another object of cruelty was Abraham Vedder, who was apt to be fractious at times. As a result of their attentions, he appeared one day with one eye blackened, the skin peeled off his throat (how the fuck did that happen? And why?) and the pit of his stomach black and blue. A railroad conductor named White, who was harmless, but so nervouse as to be unable to keep quiet, was pounded by McMichael until he cried out, "My God, my God, don't kill me." (Insert angry face here) If a man was slow in entering the dining-room, he would be knocked down, kicked, and cursed in the vilest manner. A man named Vedder, from Alden, went to Jones and threatened to report if the abuse did not cease, and Jones frightened him from telling, by threatening to pound him to death. (Douchebag!!) None of these things were done when Dr. Andrews was about, (Why would they do anything like that in front of the boss?) but Churchill claims to have frequently reported these things to him, and that the Doctor said he must be mistaken, as he had the fullest confidence in Jones and McMichael. (Seriously, Andrews...what the bloody hell is wrong with you? These people are sent to the hospital to get better, not to get mistreated. And here's your sorry ass not looking into because these guys are your buddies?)
I'm going to be doing this with the next few articles I've found over the years. The story of these patients of the Buffalo State Asylum NEED to be heard!!!! I should have done this earlier.
BRUTES IN AN INSANE ASYLUM
A Story of Cruelty From the State Asylum of Buffalo
Buffalo, NY - Feb 6
A story of terrible cruelties practiced upon patients at the new State Insane Asylum here has been mad public today, for which Frank P Churchhill, of this city, formerly a keeper, is responsible. (The hospital open for patients in December of 1880, at the time of this article, the hospital has only been open a few months.)
He claims to have resigned on account of these practices, and says they were carried on by two men named Jones and McMichael, whom Dr. Andrews, Medical Superintendent, brought with him from Utica. (Dr. Andrews transferred from the Utica psych hospital). He says that John Turney, a monomaniac, was choked with towels so severly that they had to blow in his mouth to restore consciousness. (How fucked up is that?) Being noisy one day while bathing, McMichael held his head under water until he was almost drowned, and pounded him on the stomach until a bunch raised as large as a hen's egg. (Seriously, what the fuck) They would go into his room at night and pound and kick him for the slightest disturbance. (What douchebags!) At one time Jones pressed both thumbs against his windpipe and jammed him into a chair with such violence that the back of the chair made two large holes in the wall. (Insert angry face here)
Another object of cruelty was Abraham Vedder, who was apt to be fractious at times. As a result of their attentions, he appeared one day with one eye blackened, the skin peeled off his throat (how the fuck did that happen? And why?) and the pit of his stomach black and blue. A railroad conductor named White, who was harmless, but so nervouse as to be unable to keep quiet, was pounded by McMichael until he cried out, "My God, my God, don't kill me." (Insert angry face here) If a man was slow in entering the dining-room, he would be knocked down, kicked, and cursed in the vilest manner. A man named Vedder, from Alden, went to Jones and threatened to report if the abuse did not cease, and Jones frightened him from telling, by threatening to pound him to death. (Douchebag!!) None of these things were done when Dr. Andrews was about, (Why would they do anything like that in front of the boss?) but Churchill claims to have frequently reported these things to him, and that the Doctor said he must be mistaken, as he had the fullest confidence in Jones and McMichael. (Seriously, Andrews...what the bloody hell is wrong with you? These people are sent to the hospital to get better, not to get mistreated. And here's your sorry ass not looking into because these guys are your buddies?)
I'm going to be doing this with the next few articles I've found over the years. The story of these patients of the Buffalo State Asylum NEED to be heard!!!! I should have done this earlier.
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