Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2021
                           All Rights Reserved
                        USGenNet Data Repository

        Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page:
                <http://www.us-data.org/fineprint.html>

Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott
for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/
===========================================================================
Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded.
===========================================================================
Sheboygan Daily Press
July 2, 1909

              DEATH DUE TO ILL TREATMENT
              
              Green Bay, Wis., July 1 - A sweeping verdict of guilty
           was returned Thursday afternoon by the coroner's jury
           which has been investigating the death of JOHN SMITH,
           found dead in bed recently at the state reformatory here,
           resulting in charges that brutal treatment had been his
           death.  "Cruel and inhuman treatment" is the cause of
           death flatly assigned by the coroner's jury, Assistant
           Supt. O. E. BICKFORD and guard FRANK BOYD are specifically
           named in the verdict. Supt. C. W. BOWRON is also held at
           blame for not thoroughly investigating the methods of
           punishment when complaint was made. Inadaquate medical
           treatment is also charged. Finally the state board of
           control is asked to investigate the system of punish-
           ment in vogue at the reformatory.
           
              Text of the Verdict
              
              The text of the verdict, which was reached after an
           hour's deliberation and submitted by CARL HERMANN,
           foreman of the jury, is as follows:
              "The death of JOHN SMITH was caused by acute
           nephritis, brought on by cruel and inhuman treatment,
           ordered by Assistant Supt. O. E. BICKFORD and executed
           by Guard FRANK BOYD in the most cruel and inhuman way.
           
              "We further find that the medical attention and
           examination were inadaquate in every way, for had he
           been given proper medical care, which the testimony
           shows he had not received, he would not have been
           put to such punishment and work which he was re-
           quired to do while he was at the state reformatory.
           
              "We further find that had Supt. C. W. BOWRON made
           more careful investigation at the mode of the punish-
           ment received by JOHN SMITH, this jury is satisfied
           that the above would not have happened.
           
              "We recommend that the Wisconsin board of control
           investigate the system of punishment at the Wisconsin
           state reformatory."
           
==========================================================================