The venerable Judge Lewis Collins,
widely known as the author of Collins' History of Kentucky, died at the
Eastern Lunatic Asylum last Saturday evening. Judge Collins was the oldest
member of the Press, in this State. For many years he was the editor of
the Maysville Eagle. When he abandoned the duties of newspaper life, he
was made judge of the Court Court of Mason, and was President of several
corporations. He had been insane for some years, and was so violent as to
render his confinement in the Asylum a necessity. When in his right mind,
he was actively benevolent and religious. For more than half a century he
was a leading and devoted member of the Presbyterian Church. The good old
man is at rest. Peace to his ashes.
Source: The Observer and Reporter, Lexington, KY, 02 February 1870,
p. 3 col. 4
Theodore Clay. The Cincinnati
"Enquirer" of the 19th inst., comments as follows on the announcement of
the death of Theodore, eldest son of Henry Clay, in the Lexington (Ky.)
Lunatic Asylum, after a long confinement:
At thirty years of age Theodore Clay was a promising lawyer. He was the
image and the hope of the Statesman whose fame was on every tongue. It
is true there were whispers of wild living or indifferent morals, that
somewhat tinged his fair repute, and even darkened his future prospects.
Still it was hoped that these were but the result of youth, and would be
set aside when circumstances called upon the natural man to assert
himself and make his talent felt in the community.
It was at this turning point in his life that Theodore Clay began to
pursue , with an unwearied perseverance that caused his friends great
uneasiness, a young lady of Lexington, whom he had long loved
hopelessly. The object of his attachment, who is at present one of the
brightest ornaments of Kentucky society, repulsed firmly, but kindly,
every attention offered by the infatuated young man, after his meaning
had become manifest. It were useless: he would not be refused, and
followed her in the streets by day, and wandered in the neighborhood of
her home by night, in an annoying manner, until at last it became
evident that he "was not all there." to use the soft phrase by which a
kindly peasantry express insanity. Subsequent violent demonstrations
tended to confirm the impression, it being even related that he went to
the house of Mr. _____ and demanded his daughter at the pistol's point,
until at last the wretched truth could no longer be ignored and
confinement in the Asylum became a necessity. This was accordingly done
(in 1832 we believe), his father providing for his support at that time,
and leaving $10,000 in his will, the income from which was secured to
Theodore for life. That life, after thirty-eight years of imprisonment,
in what in the earlier days of his confinement he was wont to call "a
good boarding house, but having some of the biggest fools he ever saw as
boarders," has just closed. For nearly thirty years he was one of the
most noted of the inmates, not only his proud descent, but his graceful
manners and flow of conversation rendering him an object of interest to
all visitors. He labored under the hallucination that he was George
Washington, and was fond of assuming the traditional attitude of the
Father of his Country. At the occasional balls given to the inmates
(averaging some 500 in number) he was always beau par excellence.—During
all these long years, despite his general gentleness and cheerfulness of
manner, he was restless and discontented, and required close watching,
it never, in fact having been considered prudent to allow him to go out
on the grounds without attendants. About the year 1869, his condition
began to grow worse, and he soon after became demented, continuing in
hopeless idiocy until a few days since, when Death, greater healer than
Time, placed him again upon an equality with the peers of his early
manhood who had gone before him to the God that created him and did with
him according to His inscrutable will. And so ends as sad a story as the
truth of history ever commanded to be written.
Two sons of Henry Clay yet survive him—T.H. Clay, ex-minister to
Honduras, now residing on his place, "Mansfield," near Lexington, and
John M. Clay, the raiser of "Kentucky," and one of the greatest turfmen
living.
Source: The Farmer's Cabinet, Amherst, New Hampshire, 26 May 1870
Maria Green (colored). "Not long
after the death of my wife [in September 1880] my daughter Maria was
stricken very severely, which resulted in her losing her mind and thus
having to be taken to the Lexington Asylum, where she died in a short
time."
Source: Life of the Rev. Elisha W. Green, Maysville KY, The Republican
Printing Office, 1888
Jesse Tyree, sent to asylum from
Rockcastle County, killed by Arthur W. Platt, an attendant.
Source: Lexington [KY] Transcript, 15 December 1885, p. 1 col. 3
More on
Jesse Tyree
The funeral of Samuel Simcox, Jr.,
who died at the Asylum yesterday morning, took place at three o'clock this
afternoon at the residence of his brother, Thomas Simcox, on Lottie
Street. Sermon by Rev. W.S. Fulton, pastor of Second Presbyterian Church.
Source: The Leader, Lexington, KY, 27 November 1888, p. 4 col. 4
W.L. McCampbell, aged sixty-nine
years, died at the Lunatic Asylum last night. His remains were taken to
Versailles by Undertaker Milward at noon to-day, over which funeral
services were held in the Presbyterian Church in that place at three
o'clock this afternoon. His remains were accompanied by relatives from
this city, Louisville, and Portsmouth, Ohio.
Source: The Leader, Lexington, KY, 27
November 1888, p. 4 col. 4
The death of James Nichol, a
native of Scotland and resident of this country only a short while, took
place at the lunatic asylum in this city about dusk last evening. He was
sent from Frankfort here a few days ago, and his remains were shipped to
that place by rail this morning.
Source: The Leader, Lexington, KY, 11 July 1889, p. 5 col. 3
Deaths and Funerals. On the 25th instant,
at the Eastern Kentucky Lunatic Asylum, James Nixon, brother of
Thomas Nixon. The deceased was 57 years of age.
Source: The Leader, Lexington, KY, 27 July 1890, p. 7 col. 4
Thomas A. Nugent, of the grocery
firm of Lindsay & Nugent, whose recent affliction called for many
expressions of sympathy, died at the asylum at 12:10 o'clock this
afternoon.
Arrangements for the funeral have not yet been made.
The deceased was aged 30 years. He leaves a wife, formerly Miss Annie
Kernan, of Frankfort, and a young son and daughter.
Mr. Nugent's death was sudden, though he had long been in bad health.
Consumption and mental prostration were the causes of his death.
Source: The Kentucky Leader, Lexington, KY, 16 December 1892, p. 4
col. 3
"The funeral of Henry Herndon, a late inmate of the Eastern
Kentucky Lunatic Asylum, took place from the cemetery chapel this
afternoon at 2 o'clock."
Source: Monday issue, Kentucky Leader, 2/13/1893, p2, c2.
Contributed by Yvonne Giles
William B. Victor dies at the
Eastern Kentucky Lunatic Asylum.
A once brilliant Lawyer and Father of the late Marie Prescott, the
famous actress-Buried at Millersburg, his birthplace
The death of a once prominent man occurred at the Eastern Kentucky Lunatic
Asylum in this city on the first day of this month, and no report of the
fact has as yet appeared in the local newspapers. In fact numbers of
deaths occur in these State institutions of which nothing is ever heard by
the outside world. A law should be enacted requiring the superintendents
of all asylums, hospitals and other institutions of the kind to report all
deaths that occur within their walls and the cause of such deaths. A
suicide the other day only became known to the newspapers and the outside
world by the merest accident.
The death referred to above was that of Mr. William Victor, aged 73
years, who had been a patient at the asylum for twenty-six years. Although
Col. Victor, as he was usually called, had been in feeble health for
several years, and only last month had a severe attack of bronchitis, his
death was quite sudden and unexpected. His family being in New York were
advised of his death by telegram, and his daughter, Mrs. Bullock, came on
and arranged for his funeral and burial, both of which took place at
Millersburg, Bourbon county, on August 4.
Col. Victor was born near Millersburg and was reared there. He was
widely known in Bourbon and Fayette counties, and was at one time a
brilliant member of the Bourbon County bar. His mind became unbalanced
when a young man, prior to which his knowledge of law and brilliant
conversation endeared him to his friends. He was probably the brightest
lunatic that was ever confined within the walls of an asylum. Even while
there he was a constant reader of the daily papers and was thoroughly
posted on all transpiring events, upon which he at times conversed freely
and most intelligently. He was exclusive, rarely ever conversed with any
of the other patients and passed most of his time in the office of the
superintendent.
Mr. Victor was the father of Marie Prescott, the famous actress who
died about a year ago, her maiden name being Single Victor, and who, at
the time of her death, was the wife of Actor Robert D. McLean. During her
lifetime Miss Prescott was the sole support of her father, whom she often
came here to visit. Col. Victor leaves a widow, a son, Joseph Victor, and
a daughter, Mrs. Bullock, of New York.
Source: The Leader, Lexington, KY, 09 August 1894, p. 4 col. 4
At an early hour this morning Dr.
Edward Jones fell from a second story window of the main building at
the Eastern Kentucky Insane Asylum and was instantly killed. It was
said that he jumped from the window, but no one saw him at the time, and
therefore the suicide theory is one merely of conjecture.
At the asylum Dr. Clark, the Superintendent, did not feel inclined to
talk, and, as usual, only the most meagre details of another unfortunate
occurrence at the asylum can be given.
Dr. Clark said Dr. Jones' body was found this morning about the time the
breakfast bell was sounded. He said Dr. Jones fell out of the window. When
asked for further particulars he said he had nothing more to say.
At 3:30 this afternoon Dr. Jones' death had not been reported to the
Coroner. In fact, Coroner Molloy first heard of Dr. Jones' death through a
Leader reporter. He said he didn't know why it had not been reported.
A telegram was sent to Mr. Joseph M. Jones, a brother of the deceased, in
Paris this morning, notifying him of his brother's death. Mr. Jones is
expected here on the evening train, and the body will likely be shipped to
Paris for burial.
Dr. Edward Jones was a man about 53 years old and was born in Paris. He
came to Lexington some years ago and was assistant superintendent at the
Eastern Kentucky Insane Asylum. He was afterward connected with High Oaks
Sanitarium. Some years ago his health began to fail. He was a patient at
St. Joseph's Hospital for some time, but left there two or three months
ago, and has since been at the insane asylum.
Dr. Jones was unmarried. He was a brother of the Circuit Court Clerk
Joseph M. Jones, of Paris, and the late J. Lawrence Jones, formerly
Commonwealth's Attorney. Mr. Jos. M. Jones was constant in his attentions
to his brother, and came from Paris three or four times every week. The
deceased was well known and popular. His death will be mourned by a large
number of friends.
After the above story had been put in type a second Leader reporter called
again at the asylum and this time Dr. Clark consented to talk. He said it
was always distasteful to him to discuss the tragedies unavoidably
incident to such an institution as an insane asylum.
He said this morning about 6 o'clock the nurse in charge of Dr. Jones went
down to breakfast and when he returned found Dr. Jones out of his room. He
looked out of the window and saw him lying on the ground beneath the
window.
The asylum physicians hurried to his side and found that he was still
alive. He was carried in the building and lived until about 12 o'clock,
when he died. He regained consciousness about half an hour after he was
found. He suffered a fracture of the skull and his left leg and arm were
broken.
Dr. Kinniard was sent for and dressed the unfortunate man's injuries.
The body will be sent to Paris in the morning and the burial will occur at
4 o'clock in the afternoon in that city.
Source: The Leader, Lexington, Kentucky, 11 July 1895, p. 5 col. 6
A similar account is in the Press Transcript, Lexington, KY, 12 July
1895, p. 5 col. 6
Lexington, Ky., - "Oh, I killed the devil
with a gold brick," was the exclamation of W.N. Hurst, an inmate of the
eastern lunatic asylum, when discovered by the attendants this morning
sitting on a bed hugging a brick wrapped in a pillow slip. At his feet was
the lifeless body of Stephen Lelong, another lunatic, with his
head smashed to a pulp. The murder had been committed some time during the
night. Hurst secured a loose brick from the wall behind his head.
Source: The Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, 09 August 1895
Mrs. Henrietta Anderson, widow of
the late Rev. Henry T. Anderson, died at the insane asylum here at 2
o'clock Sunday morning aged 67 years. She was the mother of Mrs. Creed
Cardwell, of Louisville; Mrs. John B. Thompson and Mrs. A.B. Rue, of
Harrodsburg. Her husband, who was a noted Christian minister, died about
six years ago, and soon after his death Mrs. Anderson lost her mind. The
remains were shipped to Harrodsburg last night for burial.
Source: The Daily Leader, Lexington, KY, 18 January 1897, p. 5 col.
4
John H. Wirts, 90 years of age and
for fifty years a clothing merchant in this city, died at the Eastern
Kentucky Lunatic Asylum at this morning at 9 o'clock.
The deceased was at one time a wealthy man, but he died today a pauper,
without friends and will in all probability receive a pauper's burial.
John H. Werts was a man who had a queer life's history. Born in New York
State, he imigrated to Kentucky in 1842 comparatively a poor boy and
established himself in a small store on Main street, where the Odd
Fellows' Temple now stands. By hard work and perseverance in business he
amassed an independent fortune and is reported to have been worth at one
time nearly $200,000.
Misfortune, however, came to him and he gradually lost it all until a few
years ago, when having grown old and feeble, he was forced to make an
assignment at No. 30 East Main, where the Central Clothing store now is.
For a time after this assignment he walked the streets penniless and was
cared for off and on by friends.
His mind becoming impaired he was sent to the asylum last May, and from
that time gradually weakened until death came.
Shortly after being committed to the asylum, Mr. Werts had to be placed in
the hospital ward. He enjoyed a good appetite, however, and, though
feeble, was cheerful until about two weeks ago, when he took on
final illness which resulted in death.
Mr. Werts lost much of his money by letting other people have it. He is
said to have backed a large New York clothing concern at one time and lost
$100,000 in the venture. At another time he is said to have let a nephew
have $20,000 to start a like business in Chicago and lost it. In his local
business Mr. Wert in later years became so conservative that he was
unbusiness-like. He refused to advertise and kept old stock in his store
for years, demanding original prices on it. Thus he failed.
The asylum authorities when seen by a Leader representative today said
that arrangements had not been perfected for the funeral of the deceased,
but he would probably be given a pauper's burial.
Source: The Daily Leader, Lexington, KY, 30 April 1897, p. 5 col. 3
Mr. Virgil Scott, engineer at the
Asylum, died of pneumonia at that institution at 5 o'clock yesterday
afternoon. He had been ill since January 21. He was taken ill on the
afternoon of the visit of the Legislature to the institution on that day.
A few days ago it was thought that he could not live, but later he rallied
and it was thought Monday that he had a chance to recover. A relapse came
yesterday afternoon and he sank rapidly until the end. He was 42 years old
and leaves a wife and four small children.
He was the only brother of Dr. W.F. Scott, former superintendent of the
institution. He came here shortly after his brother was appointed
superintendent and was given the position of engineer, which is the most
lucrative of the subordinate positions at the asylum. He remained in this
position until his brother was removed by Governor Bradley and was then
retained in the same position by the present superintendent, Dr. E.M.
Wiley.
Source: The Daily Leader, Lexington, KY, 09 February 1898, p. 5 col.
2
Frank Coyle, a colored man
aged about 40, sent from this county to the
Lexington Asylum several years ago, died there of epilepsy May 9th.
Buried there.
Source: Owingsville [KY] Outlook, Thu 18 May 1899. Contributed
by Jerry Taylor
T.B. Hiles, an inmate of the E.K.
Asylum for the Insane, died at that institution yesterday morning of
softening of the brain. The deceased was a well known farmer and trader of
Scott County, who was sent to the asylum here about two months ago
suffering from brain trouble. He leaves a widow and three sons.
Source: The Leader, Lexington, KY, 15 July 1900, p. 2 col. 1
Capt. Peter Everett, a widely
known Confederate soldier, and one of the most gallant Kentuckians in the
Civil War, died at the Eastern Kentucky Asylum for the Insane at 1 o'clock
this afternoon.
For some years Capt. Everett had been in ill health and within the past
two weeks he had been gradually succumbing with the dread disease which
finally brought on his death.
About 26 years ago Capt. Everett was ordered sent to the asylum in this
city and he had remained there ever since. Many who visited the
institution will remember seeing him roaming about the premises decked out
in gay attire and willing to talk to any one of the gallant deeds done by
him during the terrible strife between the North and South. All during the
years of his confinement he was remembered by his friends of other days
and frequent visits were made by them to try to bring sunshine back to his
darkened life.
Capt. Everett was a man of wonderful vitality and in his younger days was
fond of fox hunting. He was bitten by a red fox upon one of these hunting
expeditions and it is claimed that this brought on a disease which caused
his mind to fail and resulted in his being sent to the asylum here about
26 years ago.
The asylum officials and all who came in contact with Capt. Everett had
nothing but kindly words to speak of him. He was a most obedient inmate
and rarely caused trouble, although it was necessary to keep a strict
watch upon him to prevent his committing violence to himself. Several
times he left the institution and roamed about the streets of the city,
but was recaptured and returned to the asylum.
Born in Montgomery County, at Mt. Sterling about 65 years ago, of
excellent family, his youth was shaped for his later life. Dashing, of
ability, companionable, Peter Everett was fitted for a soldier. When the
North and South parted he cast his lot with the latter side and strove for
a cause that was lost.
At the outbreak of the war he organized a company of about sixty men. Part
of the time the company [was] with Gen. Morgan; then it would hasten to
Western Virginia, where it sought redress for wrongs inflicted by the
North. Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee were his fighting ground.
In 1862, when the Federals held the Montgomery county court house and had
confined therein those persons who wore the gray, he heard of the shooting
of a prisoner. Without the town of Mt. Sterling were encamped a great body
of Union soldiers, but, fearing nothing, he with his band of sixty swept
into the town and with torch fired the court house, freed the soldiers and
dashed away again without being captured.
Again, later in the war, when Gen. Burbridge held Lexington, Capt. Peter
Everett conceived the plot of capturing the General and carrying him to
Virginia as a hostage. He learned that the General intended taking a
morning train to Cincinnati. He burned a bridge between this city and
Paris and captured the train, but only secured a few prisoners, among them
some Federal Captains. Fortunately for Gen. Burbridge he, through illness,
missed the train.
The funeral services have not yet been arranged, but it is probable that
the Confederate Veterans' Association will take charge of the remains and
give him a fitting burial.
Capt. James Blackburn of Spring Station, who is said to be a
brother-in-law of Capt. Peter Everett, was telegraphed to as soon as Capt.
Everett died and the asylum authorities are awaiting an answer before
deciding what disposition will be made of the body.
Capt. Oliver Redd, Secretary of the Kentucky Confederate Veterans'
Association said this afternoon that if it was agreeable to the family the
Confederate Veterans' Association would take charge of the funeral
arrangements and burial would take place in the Confederate burying ground
at the cemetery.
Source: Lexington [KY] Leader, 20 November 1900, p. 5 cols. 1-2
One of the most desperate and unfortunate
attempts at self-destruction recorded occurred at 2:45 o'clock yesterday
afternoon in front of the Eastern Lunatic Asylum grounds.
On February 10 last there was admitted to the institution Miss Florence
Miner, aged 26, daughter of Judge Miner, a prominent citizen of
Brookville. She was suffering from acute melancholia. The attaches of the institution soon became aware that she had
suicidal tendencies and they have been guarding her carefully, lest she
take advantage of a moment of laxity and destroy herself.
About two o'clock yesterday afternoon Miss Miner, accompanied by two female
attendants, one of whom is her special attendant, left the asylum to take
exercise. They passed out of the grounds to Fourth street, and started
west on that thoroughfare.
Car. No. 37 of the Lexington Railway Company was headed for town and had
just commenced taking on speed after a slow-up in turning from Georgetown
street on to Fourth street. She was between the attendants on the walk which, at
that point, lies near the tracks. The car was approaching at a fair rate
of speed. When it reached within a few feet of the trio Miss Miner stopped
suddenly and threw herself in front of the car.
The attendants and onlookers were horrified. Motorman L.G. Speak instantly
applied the brakes, locking the wheels. The whole affair occurred so
quickly that no warning could be given. The rails where the accident
occurred are prominently above the ground, and this allowed the fender to
miss the woman. Before it could be brought to a stand the car caught her.
A wheel mangled her left leg at the knee, but it did not pass over her.
She was soon extricated and carried to the asylum hospital. En route she
spoke to an attendant and said that she was sorry it had happened only
because of her liking for the attendant. She feared it would reflect on
her vigilance.
Drs. Barrow, Bullock and Lewis, besides the physicians of the institution,
were called in and after a consultation it was decided to amputate the
injured member. This was done. Her body was badly bruised. The sudden stop
of the car saved her from being ground to pieces, credit for which is due
Motorman Speak.
Several months ago, in Georgetown, a sister of Miss Miner's, Mrs.
Thompson, in a moment of insanity killed her child and then suicided. The
night before the tragedy occurred Miss Miner attended a magic lantern
exhibition in the ball room of the asylum, and while returning to her room
slipped away from her attendants. She was soon missed and search was
instituted. She was in hiding behind a tree when the searchers passed near
her, and, watching an opportunity, she hastened toward the porch near the
steward's residence. Here she took off her shoes and jumped into the
water. Her dress caught on rock and she was hanging in this position
when discovered.
She is in critical condition.
Source: The Lexington [KY] Herald, 24 June 1901 , p. 1 col. 6 and p.
8 col. 4
Houghson Clouse, an inmate of the
Eastern Kentucky Lunatic Asylum, is dead from old age. He has been an
inmate of the institution for a number of years, having come from Knox
County. His body was buried in the asylum cemetery.
Source: The Leader, Lexington, Kentucky, 30 July 1901. p. 5 col. 6
Sarah Wagner, a white woman, about
55 years of age, died at the E.K. Asylum yesterday. She had been an inmate
of the institution for some time having been sent from Nicholas county.
Death resulted from a complication of troubles.
Source: Lexington [KY] Leader, 25 January 1902, p. 4 col. 2
Miss Lizzie Porter, one of the
oldest and most valued assistants at the Eastern Kentucky Asylum, died
suddenly today at 1:30 o'clock. Her illness was only of a few moments
duration, her trouble being angina pectoris.
Miss Porter had been supervisor of the sewing room at the asylum for
twenty-seven years and was a lovely elderly woman of noble character,
splendid ability and the admirable qualities, which had endeared her to
officers, physicians, attendants and patients.
In her death the institution suffers a loss almost irreparable. During all
the period of the tenure of her office she had only taken one vacation,
and that was last summer and her life is an example in faithfulness and
lofty purpose to the younger generation and a beautiful memorial to her.
No arrangements will be made for the funeral until a message comes from
Mr. Howard Offutt, of Cynthiana, the only relative of Miss Porter known to
the asylum officials. A Telegram was sent to him after her death, but as
yet he has not been heard from.
Source: Lexington [KY] Leader, 27 August 1902, p. 1 col. 7
The body of Mr. E.J. McSorley, who
died at the Eastern Kentucky Lunatic Asylum Monday morning, will be sent
to Sandusky, Ohio, tomorrow for burial.
Source: The Leader, Lexington, Kentucky, 07 April 1903, p.5 col. 5
Alice Stevenson, of 207 East
Seventh street, wife of Lev Stevenson, a well known colored barber, died
at the asylum Sunday afternoon, aged fifty years. She had been ill with
dropsy and kidney trouble since last January and her mind gradually became
afflicted. A week or ten days ago her condition became so serious that it
was necessary to take her to the asylum. The deceased was formerly Alice
Turner, and was one of the best house servants in Lexington. She had spent
many years with the Snead family, of Louisville, and for a number of
years, preceding her illness has been employed in the family of Mr. J.C.
Berryman at Second and Market streets.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. at First Baptist
Church.
Source: Lexington [KY] Leader, 31 August 1903, p. 7 cols. 6-7
Mrs. Maggie Sorrell, aged 25, died
of typhoid fever at the Eastern Kentucky asylum. She had not been in the
institution a long time and was very delicate. Her body was sent to
relatives at Owingsville for burial.
Source: Lexington [KY] Leader, 21 January 1904, p. 8 col. 6
Silas A. Cliff, an aged inmate of
the E.K.L. Asylum, died Monday. He was 82 years of age. His body was sent
to his old home at Helena, Ky.
Source: Lexington [KY] Leader, 08 March 1904, p. 8 col. 2
Circumstances surround[ing] a mysterious
suicide at the Eastern Kentucky Lunatic Asylum in this city came to light
Saturday, leading to suspicion on the part of relatives of the victim that
the death of Mrs. Lillie Childers, whose lifeless body was found a
few days ago suspended from a transom in her room at that institution, was
due to negligence on the part of some of the asylum attendants.
Every effort, it is alleged, has been made to suppress the facts in the
case from the public and and not until yesterday did it become generally
known that Mrs. Childers took her own life, it being believed by those who saw the
body sent to her former home in Jackson that she had died from natural
causes.
The asylum officials explain their reticence in the matter by saying that
it was at the request of the victim's husband that the facts were kept
from the public.
Mrs. Childers, the unfortunate woman, the wife of Hardin Childers, a well
known citizen of Jackson, Breathitt county, was brought to the asylum
several months ago violently insane. Her hallucination led to suicidal
mania. As is customary with such patients, she was placed in an apartment
in what is known as the violent ward under the constant surveillance of an
attendant. The rooms on this ward contain only necessary articles of
furniture and these are securely fastened so that there is no possibility
of patients doing themselves harm. Investigation discloses the fact,
however, that a chair was left in Mrs. Childers' room and the oversight
enabled her to carry out her rash design. When found by the attendant her
body was hanging by a fragment of her bed clothing from the transom
and life was extinct.
It took only a cursory glance to show that she had torn up the sheet that
covered her bed, climbed up in the chair that had been carelessly left in
the room, adjusted the fatal noose, tied the other end to the transom and
kicked the chair from under her. Death must have resulted from slow
strangulation.
The members of her family are asking the question, where was the
attendant, who is supposed to keep constant watch over these violent
patients all that time? The suicide was discovered shortly after 4 o'clock
in the morning.
When questioned in regard to the matter the woman attendant stated that at
4:05 o'clock she made her usual round of the ward and saw nothing unusual
to attract her attention in the room occupied by Mrs. Childers, who seemed
to be sleeping. Yet fifteen minutes later, at 4:20 o'clock, the same
attendant discovered the body hanging from the transom. Relatives of the
dead woman are asking the question. It is possible for any one to make the
preparations the suicide did, hang herself and be dead in fifteen minutes.
The statement of the attendant seems to have been accepted without
question at the asylum.
The body was prepared by Undertaker J.H. Weihl, of this city, for burial
and sent to Jackson the same day for interment, after it was viewed by
Coroner Molloy. As far as can be learned secrecy was enjoined upon all and
not even the suicide's relatives in this city knew the facts surrounding
her death until several days later.
The action of the asylum officials in endeavoring to cover up or suppress
the circumstances surrounding the case has called forth unfavorable
criticism from the victim's relatives in this city, and they do not
hesitate to say that if the proper supervision had been exercised over the
patient she would have been alive today. Whether there are grounds for
their complaint or not, they say they cannot understand why the asylum
officials refused to make public the facts in regard to her death. It is
argued by the woman's relatives that had the chair not been left in the
room the patient could not have climbed to the transom and had the
attendant exercised the proper supervision over her ward the woman's
suicidal design would have been discovered in time to prevent its
execution.
Mrs. John Combs, of East Fourth street, this city, is a sister of Mrs.
Childers and the mysterious circumstances surrounding her sister's death,
coupled with the effort of the asylum officials to cover up the matter
have served to accentuate her grief over her sister's tragic end.
In this connection it is cited that Frank Mason, a well known local
sporting man, died at the asylum a few days ago also and the facts in
regard to his death have not been made public. A prominent Lexington man
was in Cincinnati Friday and there he learned that the body of Mason had
passed through that city en route North for burial, while the news of his
death was unknown in Lexington. When the intelligence of his death became
known his friends feared that he had suicided also, as it was so sudden,
but investigation disclosed the fact that it was due to paralysis. Mr.
Mason's son, Gynn Mason, is chief chemist of the Heinz Pickling Co. of
Pittsburg, Pa., and was greatly surprised on reaching Lexington to know
that his father was dead.
Source: The Leader, Lexington, Kentucky, 11 September 1904, sec. 2 p. 1
cols. 4-5
Mr. John Bond, aged 68, a resident
of Maysville, died in the Lexington asylum Sunday of apoplexy.
Mr. Bond came to the asylum about a month ago. Friday he suffered a severe
stroke of apoplexy and Sunday the attack was repeated with fatal results.
Mrs. Bond and relatives came Monday to arrange for his funeral.
Mr. Bond was a chemist of ability, was president of the Bond Herb Co., of
Maysville, and had been a distiller for several companies throughout the
state. He was in business here about twenty years ago at the stand where
the Navarre saloon at Water and Limestone now is and had a lucrative
trade. He was a man of good standing and the misfortune which led to his
presence in the asylum was deeply regretted.
Source: Lexington [KY] Leader, 24 October 1904, p. 5 col. 1
William H. Hogan, who died at the
local asylum Sunday, was buried Tuesday afternoon. It was learned
Tuesday that only a few days ago he fell heir to about $3,000, left to
him by his aunt, Mr. Margaret Price, who recently died at Richmond, Ky.
Hogan was a courier to Gen. John H. Morgan and came originally from
Jessamine county. A former wife, Mrs. Mattie Hogan, living at 629 North
Upper street, this city, survives him, and she it is said will institute
proceedings to procure the property left her husband.
The brothers and sisters of the deceased living in Jessamine and Madison
counties were much surprised to hear of his death when apprised of it
this morning by telephone. They say they had no intimation even that he
was ill and are at a loss to know why they were not notified of his
death until only a few hours before his burial, some of them not having
sufficient notice to get here in time for the interment.
Mrs. John Duncan, of Richmond, a sister of the deceased, telephoned
during the morning that she would reach Lexington in the afternoon and
would make an investigation of the circumstances surrounding the death
of her brother.
The asylum officials say the man died Sunday and that his ex-wife gave
directions as to the funeral arrangements.
Source: Lexington [KY] Leader, 31 January 1905, p. 8 col. 2
William Ross, an escaped Negro
lunatic, died at St. Joseph's Hospital early Wednesday morning as the
result of injuries received near Brannon by being run over by a Q. & C.
train.
Ross was sent to the asylum from Scott county. He escaped Saturday with
Ernest Trumbell, another Negro. Trumbell was caught at Danville and was
returned to the institution Tuesday afternoon, one of the attendants
being sent for him when notice of his capture was received. Trumbell was
sent here from Jessamine county.
Just how the accident happened to Ross is not known. He was run over by
Q. & C. train No. 5, southbound, at Brannon, a station near
Nicholasville. One of his legs was cut off by the train, and the other
was so badly mutilated that amputation was necessary. It was cut off
below the knee. The sufferer was brought here Tuesday and placed in the
colored ward of the hospital.
Source: Lexington [KY] Leader, 29 March 1905, p. 3 col. 1
H.C. Hazelrigg, aged 29, a cousin
of ex-Chief Justice J.H. Hazelrigg, died Tuesday at the asylum of
tuberculosis. He had been an inmate of the institution since 1899.
Undertaker W.A. Sutton came after the body and took it to Mt. Sterling
Wednesday on the 11:10 C. & O. train for burial.
Source: Lexington [KY] Leader, 26 April 1905, p. 8 col. 7
Mrs. Elizabeth Northcutt, aged 35,
died at the Eastern Kentucky Lunatic Asylum in this city after a
lingering illness. The body will be sent to Sherman, Ky., her former
home, Sunday morning for interment.
Source: Lexington [KY] Leader, 24 September 1905, sec. 2 p. 8 col. 4
Mrs. Eliza Cooper, of Mason
county, died at the Asylum Friday. Her body was sent to Maysville
Saturday morning and was taken to her home at Rectorville, where the
interment will take place Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m.
Source: Lexington [KY] Leader, 15 October 1905, sec. 2 p. 5 col. 5
Robert Hamilton, 67, died at
Eastern Kentucky Lunatic Asylum November 17; burial November 18 in
Lexington cemetery. Cause of death, pneumonia.
Source: The Lexington [KY] Leader, 19 November 1905, sec. 1 p. 8
col. 4
John Pennington, 67 (?), died at
Eastern Kentucky Asylum November 28, of exhaustion. Burial in cemetery
at Stanford, Ky., November 29
Source: Lexington [KY] Leader, 29 November 1905, p. 6 col. 3
Jennie Vance, 40, died at Eastern
Kentucky Asylum November 27, of consumption of bowels. Burial at
Bristol, Tenn., November 29
Source: Lexington [KY] Leader, 29 November 1905, p. 6 col. 3
Sophronia Dean, 57, died at
Eastern Kentucky Asylum December 26, from exhaustion following chronic
mania. Burial at Frankfort, December 28.
Source: Lexington [KY] Leader, 29 December 1905, p. 4 col. 6
Harriet Young, 62, colored, died
January 18 at Eastern Kentucky Asylum of exhaustion following acute
mania. Burial in No. 2 cemetery January 19.
Source: Lexington [KY] Leader, 19 January 1906, p. 6 col. 2
Harriet Patterson, 46, colored,
died January 16 at Eastern Kentucky Asylum of paralysis. Burial in
Danville, January 17.
Source: Lexington [KY] Leader, 19 January 1906, p. 6 col. 2
Lewis Morgan, 70, died February 14
at Eastern Kentucky Asylum of exhaustion from senile dementia. Burial in
Lexington cemetery February 15.
Source: Lexington [KY] Leader, 19 February 1906, p. 8 col. 2
Rebecca Richardson, colored, 30,
died February 13 at Eastern Kentucky Asylum of exhaustion following
acute mania. Burial in No. 2 cemetery February 15.
Source: Lexington [KY] Leader, 19 February 1906, p. 8 col. 2
Louisa Hood, 82, died March 7 at
Eastern Kentucky Asylum, of exhaustion from acute mania. Burial at
Winchester March 8.
Source: Lexington [KY] Leader, 11 March 1906, p. 7 col. 5
R.R. McCracken, 67, died April 27,
at Eastern Kentucky Asylum of exhaustion following senile dementia.
Burial at Mt. Olivet, Ky., April 28.
Source: Lexington [KY] Leader, 30 April 1906, p. 4 col. 7
Martha Harrison, 70, colored, died
April 28 at Eastern Kentucky Asylum of paralysis. Burial in No. 2
cemetery April 30.
Source: Lexington [KY] Leader, 30 April 1906, p. 4 col. 7
Mary Preston, 36, colored, died
April 27 at Eastern Kentucky Asylum, of exhaustion. Burial in No. 2
cemetery April 29.
Source: Lexington [KY] Leader, 30 April 1906, p. 4 col. 7
Colored. Notes. The body of James
Tucks, who died at the Asylum, Friday evening, will be sent to
Moreland, Ky., Sunday morning at 9:30. Friends of the family may call at
the undertaking rooms of Williams & Gibson and view the body.
Source: Lexington [KY] Leader, 28 October 1906, p. 2 col. 6
Henry Reed, well known young
bookmaker, died Wednesday night at 7:45 at the home of his brother,
James H. Reed, steward of the Eastern Kentucky Asylum here. Mr. Reed's
death was caused by a stroke of paralysis which he suffered Tuesday
night.
Two years ago Mr. Reed suffered a previous similar stroke and at that
time his life was despaired of, but he recovered partially and had been
able to get around the city for some time.
It was thought that he was recovering when he suffered the stroke
Tuesday, but it was then seen that it was almost an impossibility to
save his life.
His father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Reed, and his sister, Mrs.
George Carey, of Philadelphia, were notified of Mr. Reed's illness. Mrs.
Reed and Mrs. Carey arrived Wednesday afternoon and were at his bedside
at the time of his death. His father has been in New York but will
arrive during the day.
Few more popular or widely known men ever stood in a betting shed than
Henry Reed. During the years that he was employed by W.H. and Harry
Laudman, bookmakers, as a clerk, he made many friends.
He was spoken of as being one of the most liberal of turfmen, and many a
horseman has been helped over the shoals in his career by Mr. Reed.
Telegrams from all over the country were received by his family
yesterday, which were only a few testimonials of his great popularity.
Mr. Reed was 35 years of age and is survived by his father and mother,
Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Reed, his brother, J.H. Reed, Jr., and Mrs. George
Carey of Philadelphia.
The funeral services will be held at the residence of his brother, J.H.
Reed, Jr., on the Newtown pike, Friday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, the
Rev. Mark Collis officiating. The interment will take place in the
Lexington Cemetery.
Source: Lexington [KY] Leader, 06 December 1906, p. 10 col. 5
Mrs. Etta Griffith, aged eighteen,
who died at the asylum Saturday, was buried in the family burying ground
at Jack's Creek at 3 o'clock Sunday afternoon.
Source: Lexington [KY] Leader, 10 December 1906. p. 6 col. 5
More
on Etta Griffith
The body of Roy Turner, colored,
who died at the Eastern Kentucky Asylum for the Insane Tuesday of acute
mania, was taken to his former home at Richmond Wednesday in charge of
Thomas Turner, his brother.
Source: Lexington [KY] Leader, 19 December 1906, p. 5 col. 7
Brought to the Eastern Kentucky Lunatic
Asylum in this city three days ago a raving maniac, Mrs. Jennie Centers,
aged 23, died at that institution Thursday night of exhaustion from acute
mania.
The unfortunate woman was the wife of J.W. Carter, of Jackson, and a
daughter-in-law of Hiram Centers, formerly Jailer of Breathitt County. The
body was prepared for burial at Wiehl's undertaking establishment and
shipped to Jackson Friday for burial.
Source: The Leader, Lexington, Kentucky, 12 January 1907 p. 2 col. 7
John P. Martin died Wednesday at
the Eastern Kentucky Asylum for the insane and the body was taken to Mt.
Sterling Thursday for burial. Mr. Martin had been in the asylum only
about two months. He was eighty-six years old and was a native of
Belgium. He came to the United States in 1842, landing with other
immigrants at New Orleans. He had lived near Sharpsburg, Bath county,
for nearly sixty years and was well known throughout that section. His
first wife, who came from Belgium with him, died many years ago. He
married again, and is survived by his second wife and four sons and two
daughters. The burial took place in the Catholic cemetery at Mt.
Sterling.
Source: Lexington [KY] Leader, 01 February 1907, p. 1 col. 7
John Griffith died at the Eastern
Kentucky Asylum for the Insane yesterday afternoon. The remains were
sent to Ford, Madison county, Kentucky, his home, Monday morning.
Source: Lexington [KY] Leader, 25 February 1907, p. 8 col. 5
Maysville, Ky., Dec. 6John C. Mackley,
died in the Lexington Asylum this morning. He was an Odd Fellow, Elk,
and a resident of this city, where he had many relatives. He was
unmarried.
Source: Lexington [KY] Leader, 06 December 1907, p. 6 col. 3
David Crowder, a clerk for Rhodes
Downing, the Vine street baker, died Sunday night at the Eastern Kentucky
Lunatic Asylum Hospital, where he had been under treatment for a nervous
disorder for several weeks. He had been sick and unable to attend to
business since last July.
Mr. Crowder was aged thirty-six years and was unmarried. He was a son of
Barlow Crowder, of Brand avenue, and a brother of Henry Crowder,
patrolman, and Edward Crowder, with the Williams foundry. The funeral will
take place Wednesday from the residence of his brother on Brand Avenue.
The pall bearers will be M.T. Coons, Al. W. Davis, Lewis Hambrick, Harry
Lewis, Rhodes Downing and J.W. Williams.
Source: The Leader, Lexington, KY, 09 December 1907, p. 7 col. 6
W.C. Jackson, aged 58 years, who
has been a patient at the Eastern Kentucky Asylum for the Insane since
June 27, 1900, died Tuesday afternoon of heart failure while in his
ward. Interment was made in the Asylum cemetery. The patient was brought
to the asylum from Barbourville, his case being pronounced acute mania.
Source:
The Lexington [KY] Leader, 02 January 1908, p. 6 col. 2
Mrs. Lou R. Kanatzar died at the
hospital of the Eastern Kentucky Asylum Wednesday morning. She had been
an employee of that institution for some time. She leaves two sons and
two daughters to mourn their loss. The remains will be sent to Madison
county, four miles from Valley View, Thursday morning at 9:50 over the
Q. & C. railway for interment. The body was taken to the home of her
children, Misses Mamie and Maggie and Messrs. Joseph and Gibson Kanatzar,
407 West Sixth street.
The Lexington [KY] Leader, 22 January 1908, p. 10 col. 2
The body of Larden C. Lyons, 28
[?] years of age, who died at the Eastern Kentucky Lunatic Asylum Tuesday
night was shipped to his late residence near Lawrenceburg, Wednesday.
Source: The Leader, Lexington, KY, 27 February 1908, p. 10 col. 5
Rice Cochran, who had been an
inmate of the Eastern Kentucky Asylum for fifty years died Tuesday. No
trace can be found of any of his relatives, and he will be buried at the
Asylum.
The Lexington [KY] Leader, 18 March 1908, p. 2 col. 7
Mrs. Amelia Demaree died at the
Eastern Kentucky Asylum for the Insane at 2:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon.
The body was shipped to Pleasureville, Ky., via the Louisville and
Nashville railroad at 8:10 o'clock Monday morning. Mr. A. Alexander, of
Pleasureville, will accompany the body. Mrs. Demaree came from one of
the leading families of Henry county. She is a sister of H.C. Hall and
Mrs. John Wills, of Pleasureville, Ky.
The Lexington [KY] Leader, 06 April 1908, p. 7 col. 4
Miss Nora Sea, aged 40 years,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Sea, of Versailles, died Sunday at the
Asylum where she had been for many years, having been an invalid since
early childhood. Death was due to an attack of typhoid fever. Her body
was taken to the home in Versailles, where the funeral took place at
3:30 p.m. Monday. The Rev. R.J. Bamber conducted the services and
interment followed in Versailles cemetery.
The Lexington [KY] Leader, 03 August 1908, p. 2 col. 2
Miss Katherine P. Hermes, aged
18, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Herman J. Hermes, died Sunday night at 6
o'clock at the residence of her parents on the E.K.L. Asylum grounds
after a protracted illness. Besides her father and mother, she is
survived by four sisters and three brothers. The funeral services will
take place at St. Paul's Catholic Church Tuesday morning at 9 o'clock.
The pall bearers will be Harry Wisman, George B. Fotsch, Willie Fister,
Murphy Fitzpatrick, John Ginocchio, Roger McGurk.
The Lexington [KY] Leader, 17 August 1908, p. 8 col. 5
James Bliss, aged 74 years, a
former Confederate soldier whose home was in Boyd county, was taken from
the Asylum, where he died Wednesday, and was buried in the Lexington
Cemetery Thursday afternoon. The wife of Mr. Bliss was Mrs. Julia
Jackson, also deceased. Mr. Bliss had several kinspeople in Lexington,
among whom were two nephews, H.W. Jackson, with the Transylvania
Printing Co; C.J . Allen, with March's furniture store, Miss Elmer
Allen, a former teacher in Dudley school, and Len Allen who is
superintendent of the Ashland division of the C. & O.
Source: The Leader, Lexington, KY, 30 July 1909, p. 7 col. 4
Mrs. Polly Anderson, aged 62,
mother of Lee Anderson of this city, died Monday night at the Eastern
Kentucky Asylum of which she had been an inmate for the last seventeen
years. The funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon at 3
o'clock, Rev. I.J. Spencer officiating.
Source: The Leader, Lexington, KY, 07 December 1909, p. 7 col. 2
Mr. Samuel B. Simrall died
Sunday morning at the Asylum aged 60 years. Funeral services conducted
by the Rev. Edwin Muller were held at the cemetery chapel Monday
afternoon at 2:30 o'clock after which burial took place in the family
lot in the cemetery.
Source: The Leader, Lexington, KY, 28 February 1910, p. 2 col. 4
Through the death of Norman Baylous
of Catlettsburg, who died at the Eastern Kentucky Asylum here Saturday,
a pathetic story of simultaneous death of husband and wife has come to
light.
At the same hour that her husband's life was ebbing away at the Asylum
here, Mrs. Martha Baylous was dying at her home in Catlettsburg. Both
were buried Sunday afternoon.
Baylous went violently insane several weeks ago on the subject of
religion. It was evident when he was brought here that he would not live
long. His wife brooded so over his ailment that she practically died of
a broken heart. They are survived by eight children ranging from a
marriageable age to about six or seven years.
Source: The Leader, Lexington, KY, 29 March 1910, p. 1 col. 7
William Worth Goodpaster died at
the Eastern Kentucky Asylum, Lexington, Sunday, July 17. His health
broke down about two and a half years ago, and he had been in the asylum
since last January a year ago. Owing to failure to reach his family by
telephone it was not notified until Monday. The body was brought to his
home, at Kendall's Spring, Monday night. The funeral was held at the
home at two o'clock p.m. Tuesday, July 19, services being conducted by
Elder G. W. Mills. The interment was made on the home farm.
Deceased was 59 years of age. He was the second oldest child of Perry
Goodpaster and wife, both deceased, and was born and reared a few miles
west of town. He was reared a farmer and followed that occupation. He
was an industrious, thrift man and a good citizen, having many friends
who esteemed him for his generous, social qualities.
He married Miss Nannie Jones daughter of James M. and Martha J. Jones,
both deceased. She and the following children survive: Mary, wife of Ely
Craycraft, of Kendall's Spring; Bertie, wife of Albert Holder, of
Roslyn, Powell county; Minnie, wife of B. Albert Shrout, of Pleasant
Valley; Nora, of Mt. Sterling; Martha, at home; James, of Forge Mill;
Oscar, of Oak Grove, Missouri; Laura Ella, wife of William Carpenter, of
Kendall's Spring; and Carl, at home.
Of deceased's father's family the brothers and sisters are, Bettie, wife
of G. Wash McKinivan, of White Oak; Mary, deceased; Charles, deceased;
Belle, who married Charles Chastain and died in the west; Ella, widow of
Harrison Hamilton, of near Stoops; Nannie, wife of Lee Young, of
Montgomery county; Tibbs, of Rogersville, Missouri.
The bereaved family have the sympathy of a host of friends in their
sorrow.
Source: Owingsville Outlook, Thursday, July 28, 1910
Contributed by Mary Bishop
Sanford B. Forman, a young
colored inventor and soldier, died at the Eastern Kentucky Asylum Monday
morning at 12 o'clock. Many are familiar with the sad history of this
young man, who became mentally unbalanced last summer from nervousness
and overwork. He married Miss Anna Harden, the eldest daughter of E.J.
Harden, who was a graduate of Chandler Normal School, and who in
addition to proficiency in literary and musical matters, is one of the
most proficient professional cooks in the city. Forman came to Lexington
five years ago after an honorable discharge from the army. He saw
service in the Philippines and far west, He was a genius, a bright witty
conversationalist and greatly liked by all who knew him. He leaves a
host of friend who extend their sympathy to his bereaved wife and
relatives. Funeral services were held at the Christian Church Wednesday
afternoon at 3 o'clock.
Source: The Leader, Lexington, KY, 10 August 1910, p. 11 col. 4
J.H. Kuttner, a Confederate
Veteran, 70 years old, died here in the Asylum Thursday after having
been in the institution twelve years. His home was formerly at
Georgetown and while living there about twenty years ago he won $30,000
in the Louisiana Lottery. This he divided with two partners Columbus
Barbee and "Doc" Lawes and invested the remainder in the Edge Hill farm,
one of the best in Scott county. Later he lost his fortune and engaged
in the real estate business. At one time he was engaged in the dry goods
business in Shelbyville. Afterwards he lost his mind and was sent here
to the Asylum.
He is survived by one son, Eugene Kuttner, who has lived in Louisville
for the past twenty years. The funeral services were conducted at the
Lexington cemetery Friday afternoon.
Source: The Leader, Lexington, KY, 16 September 1910, p. 2 col. 3
Joseph Boston, of Bellepoint,
KY., died at the Asylum Tuesday. His body was taken to his home Tuesday
afternoon and the funeral services were held Wednesday, the Rev. C.R.
Hudson officiating.
Source: The Leader, Lexington, KY, 14 September 1910, p. 12 col. 6
Late Colored Notes. Mrs. Lou Ellen
Holmes died Thursday morning at the asylum. Her funeral will be held
Saturday at 2 o'clock from her aunt Josephine Faulkner's residence at
303 Lock Street.
Source: The Leader, Lexington, KY, 06 October 1910, p. 7 col. 7
Colored Notes. Mrs. Victoria Arnold,
died Saturday afternoon at the Eastern Kentucky Asylum, The body was
moved to the residence of her daughter, Miss Henrietta Reed, 406
Chestnut street. The funeral services will probably be held Monday
afternoon at 2 o'clock at the residence.
Source: The Leader, Lexington, KY, 05 March 1911, p. 13 col. 4
Mr. James H. Gaitskill, 78 years
old, of Winchester, who had been an inmate of the Eastern Kentucky
Asylum for a number of years, died at that institution Wednesday
afternoon, The body was taken to Winchester this morning on the 11:40 C.
& O. train for burial in the Winchester cemetery in the afternoon.
Source: The Leader, Lexington, KY, 04 May 1911, p. 10 col. 3
The body of Mrs. Stanley Rogers,
who died Tuesday at the Eastern Kentucky Asylum, where she had been an
inmate for two weeks, was taken to her home in Estill county. The
funeral services were held there Thursday morning and burial followed in
the family cemetery.
Source: The Leader, Lexington, KY,
04 May 1911, p. 10 col. 3
Entertaining suspicions that their
brother, Rowland Tate, aged 50, who had died at the Eastern
Kentucky Asylum in this city about ten days ago and was sent to his
former home at Spears, Ky., for burial, had met a violent death while an
inmate of that institution [Jessamine County coroner ordered exhumation]
... About one month ago Rowland Tate was sent to the asylum here
suffering from mental aberration, and less than three weeks afterwards
died. ... The asylum officials were entirely exonerated of any
blame or odium attached to them as a result of the patient's death by
the investigation.
Source: The Leader, Lexington, KY, 19 May 1911, p. 1 col. 5
Two deaths within thirty minutes
occurred at the Eastern Kentucky Asylum Sunday morning. Mrs.
Nanni Avent, 28 years of age, of Middlesboro, died at 5:30 o'clock
of pellagra, and Mr. Richard D. Yates, 51 years of age, who had
for twelve years been a highly valued member of the staff of attendants,
dying at 6 o'clock of pneumonia, after an illness of only two days.
Mrs. Avent's husband will arrive here Monday to make arrangements for
the funeral services. Mrs. Avent was sent to the asylum on June 5, 1911,
from Bell county, and on September 23 was released. On December 21,
1911, she was again brought here and it was believed that she was
afflicted with the disease in a mild form at the time. The body will
probably be buried at Middlesboro.
Mr. Yates is survived by his wife, and one daughter, Mrs. F.X. Erd. His
burial will take place under the auspices of the Improved Order of Red
Men, of which he was a charter member. The funeral services will take
place at the residence, 572 Woodland avenue, Tuesday afternoon at 3
o'clock.
Source: The Leader, Lexington, KY, 05 February 1912, p. 3 col. 2
Colored Notes. Joseph Gleason
died at the Eastern Kentucky Asylum Wednesday morning. His body was sent
to Frankfort for burial on the C. & O. afternoon train.
Source: The Leader, Lexington, KY, 05 June 1912, p. 11 col. 5
A bad bruise over the heart may have been
the cause of the death of Richard S. Haskill, who died under
strange circumstances an hour after he had arrived at the Eastern State
Hospital Monday afternoon. According to Coroner Leigh R. Gordon, Haskill
had been serving a sentence at the workhouse for being drunk. Coroner
Gordon will hold an inquest into the mystery this afternoon at 2 o'clock.
Among the witnesses summoned are C.R. Jordan, city workhouse keeper; some
of the prisoners at the jail, who were near Haskill in the last few days
of his life; Dr. E.J. Brashear, one of the city physicians who attended
the sick man at the jail; attendants and physicians at the Eastern State
Hospital, and Patrolmen Eades and Woodward, who arrested Haskill last
week.
The body of the dead man has been removed to the undertaking establishment
of J.H. Wiehl & Son, where it awaits the arrival of his father, Dr. R.C.
Haskill, a dentist of Washington, D.C., who is expected to be in Lexington
this morning on the 8:20 o'clock Chesapeake & Ohio train. Dr. Haskill was
notified Monday afternoon in a telegram from Coroner Gordon and replied
Tuesday morning that he would arrive here today.
Coroner Gordon examined the body yesterday and tabulated the wounds. The
bruise that attracted the most attention was a discoloration directly over
the heart. The bruise is about the size of a man's hand, light colored
around the edges and blacker in the center with an abrasion of the skin
about the size of a dime. Located as it is over the heart of a man who is
believed to have been drinking heavily, this is deemed a possible cause of
death and the matter will be given the fullest investigation by Coroner
Gordon.
Patrolmen Eades and Woodward arrested Haskill last Thursday night in a
room in the boarding house of Mrs. J.T. Bohannon, 501 West Main street,
the same house in which Fred and Annie Berry were found dead under
mysterious circumstances some time ago. The officers stated that they
found him in a stupor and that there were three partially emptied half
pint whisky bottles. Mrs. Bohannon said Haskill had come there three days
before and had never left his room for meals.
After a trial in police court, Haskill was sentenced to eight days in the
workhouse, but his condition was such that he never left the cell,
according to Mr. Jordan. At times he muttered about the loss of his wife.
Efforts to locate Mrs. Haskill at Cox Creek, R.F.D. No. 1, yesterday failed
and the reply was that there was no such person who lived in that
vicinity.
Dr. Brashear stated that he visited the man while at the workhouse, but he
did not examine his body. The man is a splendid specimen, weighing about
175 pounds and evidently in perfect health except for the effects of a
drinking spree.
Source: The Lexington [KY] Herald, 23 February 1916, p. 5 col. 5
The body of Anderson Ison, 53 years old,
formerly of the Blackey section, died in the Eastern State hospital,
Lexington, Ky., was brought to the Johnson Funeral home here to be
prepared for burial.
The body was then sent to his former home on the river near Blackey, for
burial. Ison had been in the hospital for more than 18 years.
Source: Middlesboro Daily News, Middlesboro, KY, 27 October 1936, p.
1
Sam Shrout, 65 years old,
died at the Eastern State Hospital at Lexington Tuesday after a brief
illness on pneumonia.
A native of this county and a life long resident here, he had suffered a
paralytic stroke some years ago and had been in poor health since that
time. He was committed to the hospital just a year ago.
Besides his wife, Mrs. Rhoda Shrout, he is survived by three daughters,
Mrs. Nealie Rakes, Mrs. George Parks, and Mrs. Ed Ginter, and four sons,
Clay, Raymond, Clell and Joe Shrout.
Funeral services were held Wednesday at the Mormon Chapel followed by
burial in the Owingsville cemetery.
Source: Bath County News-Outlook Thursday, February 10, 1938
Contributed by Mary Bishop
Lewis C. Yost died at the State
Hospital at Lexington Friday morning (07 Sep 1945) where he had been a
patient the past two months. He was a son of the late Lewis Yost, Sr.,
and was aged 79 years and 26 days. His wife died March 24, 1939. He is
survived by five daughters and two sons, namely, Mrs. C. E. Ferguson of
Cincinnati, Mrs. Sam Wagoner of Maysville, Mrs. David Cane of Sunrise,
Mrs. Walter Bryant of Mt. Olivet, Mrs. C. D. Wright of Mt. Olivet,
William Yost of Cynthiana and Herman Yost of Hinton. He is also survived
by 32 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren and three nephews.
Funeral services were held at the Piqua Christian Church Sunday
afternoon. Interment in the Piqua Cemetery.
Taken from: TRIBUNE DEMOCRAT September 13, 1945 (contributed by Mary
Bishop)
Lucas Collins Age 74 died
Fayette Co. (8-20-1943), was a resident of Robertson Co. Lucas Collins
died at Eastern State Hospital last Friday morning of heart trouble and
other ailments. he was the son of George & Charlotte Collins and was
born in Mason County near Abigal. he was 73 years old, 6 months and 1
day. He was a quiet and upright citizen and had many friends. He is
survived by his wife, four sons and two daughters, namely Odey, and Boyd
Collins of this county, Slater, with the Armed Forces in Africa, and
Clifford, in the Navy; Mrs. W. B. Wood, and Miss Elizabeth Collins at
home, and six grandsons and seven granddaughters, he is also survived by
one sister, Mrs. Joseph Merril, and three brothers, William, Jesse, and
Alonzo Collins. Funeral services were held at the Mt. Olivet Christian
Church Sunday afternoon, conducted by the Rev. D. C. Insko, with
interment following in the Mt Olivet Cemetery in charge of Bratton &
Insko.
Taken from: TRIBUNE DEMOCRAT August 26, 1943 (contributed by Mary
Bishop)
Obituary Mrs. George Doyle from the “The
Winchester Sun” Monday November 7, 1949
Death Comes to Mrs. George Doyle
Mrs. Ann Laura Doyle, wife of Dr. George F. Doyle, died at a 5:45 a.m.
today at a Lexington hospital following a long illness.
Mrs. Doyle was born in Montgomery County, and was a daughter of the late
Dr. Roger Q. and Sarah Brown Drake. She was a member of the First
Baptist Church.
In addition to her husband, survivors include two sons, Roger Drake
Doyle, Great Lakes, Ill. and Dr. George F. Doyle, Perry Point, Md.; two
brothers Ben P. and Roger Q. Drake, Mt. Sterling, and four
grandchildren.
Private funeral services will be conducted at 2:45 p.m. Wednesday at the
grave in the Lexington Cemetery by the Rev. Dalton Leath, pastor of the
First Baptist Church.
The body is at the Edgington Funeral Home. Contributed by Mary Hatton
A hearing on a charge of murder was
scheduled in police court today for Raymond Thomas Jr., 38, of 526
Blackburn Avenue, a patient at Eastern State Hospital, in connection with
the death of another patient.
Police said Walter Deaton, 25, of Letcher county, died of a broken
neck after being struck by Thomas about 4:30 p.m. Monday.
Deaton had escaped from the institution recently and had been returned a
short time before he was struck.
Francis Marsalas, Newport, another patient, said Deaton was sitting on a
chair beside his bed trying to explain where he had been during his escape
when Thomas walked up and struck him on the side of the neck.
Dr. Charles D. Feuss Jr., hospital superintendent, said today that Thomas
"still doesn't realize anything has happened and probably never will."
He described the men as both being "very sick."
"It would be hard to say which was the sicker," he said.
"There was no murderous intent on his (Thomas') part," Fuess explained.
"Patients with his type of illness are liable to strike a wall, somebody
near them or even themselves."
Fuess said that arrangements have been made to transfer Thomas to Central
State hospital at Lakeland, an institution which has facilities to care
for the criminally insane, if the court orders or prefers it.
Source: The Lexington [KY] Leader, 05 May 1953, p. 1 col. 1
MAN APPARENTLY HANGS SELF FROM TREE AT
HOSPITAL
A 26-year-old patient at Eastern State Hospital was found dead yesterday
after he apparently hanged himself from a tree on the hospital grounds,
Fayette County Coroner Chester Hager said.
Bryan Alan Winkler of Route 6, Richmond apparently hanged himself
with a heavy construction rope, Hager said.
He said Winkler's body was discovered about 10:30 a.m. yesterday in a tree
near the north side of the hospital's Wendell Building by "a hospital food
service employee who was walking in back of the grounds on his way to
work."
Although Winkler was not allowed to leave the grounds, he was permitted to
walk outside, Hager said.
Hager said that he did not know where Winkler got the rope, but that a
construction crew recently had been remodeling hospital dormitories.
Winkler had been at the hospital since March 14, Hager said.
Winkler is survived by his parents, Bryan and Jean Hendren Winkler of
Richmond; two brothers, Cliff Winkler of Richmond, and Brad Winkler of
Greensboro, N.C.; and one sister, Marsha Wagner of Somerset.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Turpin Funeral Home, Richmond.
Visitation will be from 4 to 9 p.m. today.
Source: NewsBank.com, Lexington Herald-Leader (KY), June 11, 1984, page
B8; contributed by MH
Lebanon Ky - James Clelland "Clell"
Gunn, 91, a retired farmer and a former Farmers National Bank
caretaker, died Tuesday at Eastern State Hospital, Lexington. Services
will be at 1:30 p.m. today at Bosley Funeral Home.
Source: NewsBank.com, Lexington Herald-Leader (KY), February 2, 1985,
page: D8; contributed by MH
Danville Ky - Mary Florence Leavell,
66, of Lexington Road, widow of William Leavell, died Saturday at Eastern
State Hospital, Lexington. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at
Stoney Point Predestinarian Baptist Church. Visitation will be from 6 to 8
p.m. today at Smith-Jackson Funeral Home.
Source: NewsBank.com, Lexington Herald-Leader (KY), November 26, 1985,
page: A9; contributed by MH
Lawrenceburg, KY - Mae Sutherland
Buntain, 73, of 321 Woodford Street, widow of
Delbert Buntain, died yesterday at Eastern State Hospital, Lexington. Gash
Memorial Chapel is in charge of the arrangements, which were incomplete
last night.
Source: NewsBank.com, Lexington Herald-Leader (KY), March 20, 1986, page:
C10; contributed by MH
Virgie, Ky - Rebecca Lynn Adams,
39, of Lexington, formerly of Long Fork, a former employee of Michigan
Bell Telephone Co. in Wyandotte, Mich., daughter of George Frank Adams,
died of cancer Tuesday at Eastern State Hospital, Lexington. Services 1
p.m. today at R.S. Jones & Son Funeral Home. Visitation after 8 a.m.
today.
Source: NewsBank.com, Lexington Herald-Leader (KY), December 11, 1986,
page: D11; contributed by MH
FAYETTE CORONER SEEKING RELATIVES OF
THREE MEN
The Fayette County coroner's office is trying to find relatives of three
men who have died during the past several days in Lexington. [.....]
Charles Miller, 75, who also last lived at Harrison's [Sanitarium &
Rehabilitation Center], also died Sunday at the UK medical center,
apparently of congestive heart failure, the deputy coroner said. Miller,
who was white, thin, about 6 feet tall and gray-haired, was born May 28,
1911, and was single. He was discharged from
Eastern State Hospital on Aug. 8, Taylor said. [.....]
Source: NewsBank.com, Lexington Herald-Leader (KY),January 7, 1987, Page:
B7; contributed by MH
Martin, Ky -- Mose Rogers, 65, of
Weeksbury, brother of Buck Rogers of Weeksbury, died Wednesday at Eastern
State Hospital, Lexington. An autopsy was to be performed. Services noon
Saturday at Bypro Freewill Baptist Church. Visitation after 10 a.m. today
at the church. Nelson-Frazier Funeral Home here in charge of arrangements.
Source: NewsBank.com, Lexington Herald-Leader (KY), April 17, 1987, page:
D9; contributed by MH
Frenchburg, KY -- Larry Dean Jones,
30, husband of Mae Whitt Jones, was found dead Sunday in his bed at
Eastern State Hospital, Lexington. Fayette County Deputy Coroner Norman
Webster said autopsy results were not available. Services 10 a.m. Friday
at Menifee Home for Funerals. Visitation after 7 p.m. Thursday.
Source: NewsBank,com, Lexington Herald-Leader (KY), May 31, 1989; Page:
B4; contributed by MH
Carlisle, KY -- Ronnie Wayne Fryman,
30, son of Leo and Cora McLean, died yesterday at Eastern State Hospital
in Lexington. Services 10 a.m. Wednesday, Carlisle Cemetery. No
visitation. Mathers-Gaunce Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Source: NewsBank.com, Lexington Herald-Leader (KY), July 10, 1990, Page:
B8; contributed by MH
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