The summer of 1891 was a summer of death for the Weston State Hospital, formerly known as the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum. When four patients died from either suicide or violent accidents within a short amount of time, authorities finally decided to look into matters. Although the hospital was not found to be at fault, one can't help but to notice that if properly supervised, at least a few of these deaths would never have happened. In addition to William 'Frank' Cook, who scalded himself to death in a bathtub (see William Cook, Cooked Alive), Guenther Schnelle, who hanged himself from a bar in his room (blog upcoming), and an unnamed man who committed suicide, there is Abraham Haines.
72-year-old Abraham Haines was originally from Wood County but made Ward 9 on the fourth floor of the asylum home, along with other patients deemed demented, but generally harmless. On the evening of July 14th, the ward attendant took a group of patients out for some fresh air. Abraham declined to join them, claiming he was feeling unwell. But, instead of taking to his bed to rest, Abraham used this time alone to attempt an escape.
He used a piece of flooring to break a window, and then tied together his bedclothes into a rope, which he had tied to a pipe. Unfortunately, Abraham had just started his descent when the makeshift rope broke. He fell to his death on the pavement below. Originally, no inquest was held. According to his entry in the Lewis County death archives, he "jumped or fell from roof of building."
On that summer day, Abraham Haines did 'escape' asylum life, but he wouldn't be able to escape Weston State Hospital for good. He was buried two days later in the hospital cemetery.
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| The News Journal Lancaster, PA 7 September 1891 |
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| West Virginia Argus 29 October 1891 |
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