John Humpel
John Humpel, 34, was admitted to the Dunning asylum in Cook County, Illinois, about four months before he died in October 1897, having previously been in good health. His wife, Louise, visited him in late October and described him as a robust man, but she saw that he appeared bruised and cut and was not allowed near him. Asylum officials said he died of consumption, and the family's request for a post-mortem was not met before his body was taken from the asylum morgue. A doctor who later examined the body is reported to have said it showed signs of rough treatment and disputed the consumption finding.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (disputed). Dunning asylum officials said he died of consumption, but a doctor who later examined the body said it showed signs of hard treatment and disputed the consumption finding, and his family wanted a post-mortem.
Reported by: Dunning asylum officials (the agency that held him); the doctor who later examined the body; his family.