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Story
August 28, 1894
The Topeka State Journal
Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas
What is this article about?
Scandal at state asylum: Mismanagement by new housekeeper Miss Jackman allowed insane patient Hannah Kenzie to become pregnant by patient William Scanlon, leading to a child's birth; blamed on Populist administration's board changes.
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TWENTY-SECOND YEAR.
THAT ASYLUM BABY.
The State Board Removed a Trusted Employee, Which Made the Trouble.
The defenders of the Populist administration are now trying to make it appear that the administration is not responsible for the birth of a child to Hannah Kenzie, the insane woman at the asylum. The task is too great, however, and they have already fallen down in their effort to uphold the present state board of charities and the administration. These defenders say these insane people were allowed to get together under the administration of Dr. Eastman who was afterwards succeeded by Dr. McCarty. Dr. Eastman was superintendent of the asylum when these insane creatures met each other, but the "reform" board of charities had virtually taken the management of the institution out of his hands and had already appointed Miss Mattie Jackman of Kingman as housekeeper.
It appears to be directly due to Miss Jackman's lack of knowledge or carelessness that the unfortunate affair occurred. Several years ago Dr. Eastman had some trouble in keeping the men and women who worked in the kitchen out of mischief and he appointed Miss Laura Wooden, an elderly woman of sharp eyes and great executive ability, as housekeeper to straighten out matters in the kitchen. Miss Wooden did her work well and as one of the employees expressed it, "There was no monkeying under her administration."
One of the first acts of the "reform" state board of charities was to depose Miss Wooden from her position as housekeeper and appoint to that position Miss Mattie Jackman of Kingman, a friend of W. L. Brown, secretary of the state senate, who secured her appointment. She took charge of the kitchen June 1, 1893.
Miss Jackman doubtless meant all right, but she did not understand how to manage an institution of the kind, and the employees in the kitchen did about as they pleased. One of the employees in the kitchen was Hannah Kenzie, the unfortunate woman who is now the mother of the child born last week. Miss Jackman undoubtedly did not know the woman was getting into trouble, but Hannah and William Scanlon a patient who works in the engineer's department and who is perfectly sane most of the time became intimate with the result already known.
Miss Jackman resigned her position as housekeeper this spring and was married to Dr. Cloud one of the physicians in the institution.
THAT ASYLUM BABY.
The State Board Removed a Trusted Employee, Which Made the Trouble.
The defenders of the Populist administration are now trying to make it appear that the administration is not responsible for the birth of a child to Hannah Kenzie, the insane woman at the asylum. The task is too great, however, and they have already fallen down in their effort to uphold the present state board of charities and the administration. These defenders say these insane people were allowed to get together under the administration of Dr. Eastman who was afterwards succeeded by Dr. McCarty. Dr. Eastman was superintendent of the asylum when these insane creatures met each other, but the "reform" board of charities had virtually taken the management of the institution out of his hands and had already appointed Miss Mattie Jackman of Kingman as housekeeper.
It appears to be directly due to Miss Jackman's lack of knowledge or carelessness that the unfortunate affair occurred. Several years ago Dr. Eastman had some trouble in keeping the men and women who worked in the kitchen out of mischief and he appointed Miss Laura Wooden, an elderly woman of sharp eyes and great executive ability, as housekeeper to straighten out matters in the kitchen. Miss Wooden did her work well and as one of the employees expressed it, "There was no monkeying under her administration."
One of the first acts of the "reform" state board of charities was to depose Miss Wooden from her position as housekeeper and appoint to that position Miss Mattie Jackman of Kingman, a friend of W. L. Brown, secretary of the state senate, who secured her appointment. She took charge of the kitchen June 1, 1893.
Miss Jackman doubtless meant all right, but she did not understand how to manage an institution of the kind, and the employees in the kitchen did about as they pleased. One of the employees in the kitchen was Hannah Kenzie, the unfortunate woman who is now the mother of the child born last week. Miss Jackman undoubtedly did not know the woman was getting into trouble, but Hannah and William Scanlon a patient who works in the engineer's department and who is perfectly sane most of the time became intimate with the result already known.
Miss Jackman resigned her position as housekeeper this spring and was married to Dr. Cloud one of the physicians in the institution.
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Misfortune
Social Manners
What keywords are associated?
Asylum Scandal
Insane Patient Pregnancy
Administrative Mismanagement
Housekeeper Appointment
Kitchen Supervision
What entities or persons were involved?
Hannah Kenzie
Dr. Eastman
Dr. Mccarty
Miss Mattie Jackman
Miss Laura Wooden
W. L. Brown
William Scanlon
Dr. Cloud
Where did it happen?
State Asylum
Story Details
Key Persons
Hannah Kenzie
Dr. Eastman
Dr. Mccarty
Miss Mattie Jackman
Miss Laura Wooden
W. L. Brown
William Scanlon
Dr. Cloud
Location
State Asylum
Event Date
June 1, 1893
Story Details
The state board of charities removed trusted housekeeper Miss Laura Wooden and appointed inexperienced Miss Mattie Jackman, leading to lax supervision in the kitchen where insane patient Hannah Kenzie became intimate with sane patient William Scanlon, resulting in the birth of a child. Jackman later resigned and married Dr. Cloud.