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Modern Persecution, or Married Woman's Liabilities

From: Modern Persecution
Creator: Elizabeth P. W. Packard (author)
Date: 1873
Source: Available at selected libraries
Figures From This Artifact: Figure 1  Figure 2  Figure 3  Figure 4  Figure 5  Figure 6  Figure 7  Figure 8  Figure 9  Figure 10  Figure 11  Figure 12  Figure 13  Figure 14  Figure 15  Figure 16

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Page 77:

1640  

She also found to her astonishment that her sister's statements of physical abuse she had received from the Doctor were all true -- that she had been the victim of cruel, unreasonable and inhuman treatment, and now that the bandage had been removed from her own eyes, she could see the artful policy and cruel deception and misrepresentation which had been palmed off upon herself and the public, instead of the truth.

1641  

The scenes she this week witnessed behind the curtain, demonstrated to her mind the necessity of a most thorough investigation, and also that the charges of neglect of his patients and his cruelty towards them were all true.

1642  

So satisfied did she become from what she saw, independent of testimony, during this week, that when I met her just about as she was leaving Jacksonville, she gave me her hand as her pledge before God, that she would carry out the vow she had made to expose Dr. McFarland's true character to the world.

1643  

While witnessing this solemn consecration to be the defender of the truth, I could not but believe God had in his Providence raised up a witness to co-operate with me in my own determination to fulfill this same vow which I had many times before made.

1644  

Miss Wilson wrote an indignant reply to this note, as she felt that she could not look at him, accusing him of cruelty to her, informing him he had misjudged her, and saying, if she was compelled to remain on her sister's account she demanded a situation while she did remain. She felt it unsafe for her to express the full extent of her indignation, lest the Doctor might thwart her purpose in regard to her sister's removal.

1645  

But the next day after the insult she wrote to her brother-in-law in Chicago, concerning it, and also informed Mrs. Dr. Grant, of Jacksonville, and others, including the writer, and advised with them concerning her duty.

1646  

Mrs. Grant invited her to stay with them until her sister was ready to leave; but she feared if she left without her sister she could never get her again, and as her sister stayed in the same room with her, she had no fear of being again insulted by the Doctor.

1647  

She adhered to her purpose, and as her reward for her persistent determination she succeeded in seeing her sister safely reach home and enjoy comparative health and happiness.

1648  

When the Doctor returned after she had torn up the note he noticed the pieces and said:

1649  

"What is this?"

1650  

"It is that infamous note!"

1651  

She asked him what it was in her appearance that induced him so to offend her, when he said:

1652  

"Oh, nothing -- I merely took it at a venture!"

1653  

But, alas! What a "venture!" Just at this important crisis of his reputation!

1654  

The Investigating Committee had only left the hospital the day before, while he, whose character was being thus suspended before the public upon his own actions, could "venture" to present to a visitor at this public hospital, such a request, in his own handwriting and over his own initials!

1655  

Such a verbal request would have been hazardous even, but to put it in writing was doubly dangerous as a witness against him.

1656  

Now the natural inference seems to be, if a man under such circumstances, should dare to run such a risk or "venture," we might infer he was no novice in this kind of business; for even common prudence would have deterred any but the most hardened, callous sinner, from committing such a suicidal act.

1657  

This being true, what husband or father could trust his helpless wife or daughter to the care of such a public servant, and then too, cut off from all communication with their natural protectors, except through the censorship of this man.

1658  

If the victims of his lust and power could only write to their relatives and friends without these letters being read by the Superintendent, from whom they need protection, and of whose insults they make complaint, their exposure would be far less, and their appeal for protection would be more likely to be put to the post-office than into the fire, as is the case at present.

1659  

The writer has often sent bills to our legislatures allowing an unrestricted correspondence by the removal of this censorship, as she knows the need of her defenseless sex there, for want of these means of protecting them from insult and outrage.

1660  

But the Superintendent and his party are sure, if possible, to defeat such bills.

1661  

On the 16th and 17th of October, 1867, Dr. McFarland and Mr. Dummer, his attorney, and the chairman of the Committee, took the depositions of Miss Wilson, and her mother, Mrs. Julia A. Wilson, and J. D. H. Chamberlain, Esq., before James S. Gills, Esq., in the City of Buffalo.

1662  

The testimony shows that the character of Miss Wilson was irreproachable at home, and she has challenged investigation of it in Jacksonville.

1663  

In closing up their report of Miss Wilson's case the Committee say:

1664  

"This testimony the Committee fully believe. And in the opinion of the Committee, testimony of the moral character of Dr. McFarland cannot prevail against such unquestionable proof of facts; and however painful and humiliating it may be to us, as citizens, to believe a man who occupies such a position should be guilty of such grave improprieties, it is nevertheless our plain duty to express the opinion of his guilt, which the evidence clearly shows."

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