A Little History In and Around Buffalo, NY

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 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 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: 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...

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 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)

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.