Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, May 7, 1909, Page 1

THE BEMIDJI VOLUME 7. NUMBER 17. BEMIDJI, MINNESOTA, FRIPAY EVENING, MAY 7, 1909. MEDICAL EXPERTS GIVE - TESTIMONY IN KOCH CASE Dr. Patton of Duluth and Dr. Osborn of Blackduck, Called by Plaintiff, Are Closely Que_stioned as to Diphtheria, Administering Anti Toxin, Ete. At the Koch trial yesterday after the plaintiff placed on the stand Delia and Ruth Johnson, sis- ters of Oscar Johnson (whose death was the cause of the suit being started), Dr. Osborn of Blackduck and Dr. Patton of Duluth (the latter being health officer for the city of Duluth), the two doctors noon, being questioned very closely as to ! diphtheria as a disease, how it should be treated to insure success- ful termination of the disease and’ the effects of anti toxin and other medical lore which to the “lay mind” was principally akin to “Greek” and not understood without consulta- tion of medical authorities. Senator Peterson brought out the strongest points possible, through the examination of these witnesses, and Mr. McDonald conducted. a very keen cross-examination, being assisted at times by Dr. Lankester of St. Paul and Dr. Gilmore of _this city. enjoyed by the spectators and showed that both Senator Peterson and Mr. McDonald had gone very deeply into all possible phases of the case. Ruth Johnson was questioned very closely, and her testimony was for the purpose of corroborating that of her sister and her mother. Her testimony was an effort to indi- cate that Dr. Koch had been care- less and did not properly diagnose the case of diphtheria and did not use proper treatment. On cross-ex- amination, she would not admit that she had talked the case over with her sister Delia, as to the manner in which she should testify. The “sparing” was really! Delia Johnson was recalled to the stand and admitted, on cross-ex- amination by Mr. McDonald, that | she had struck Dr. Koch in the face when she visited the latter’s office, after Oscar had died. Dr. Osborn was questioned as to being called to the Johnson resi- dence by Dr. Koch, to see Oscar, and alsoas to conversations which {he had with Dr. Koch relative to the Johnson case. He said that he had advised Mr. Koch to pin his faith to anti toxin if he was not sure of diphtheria symptoms; had not talked of amount to administer. On being asked direct, Dr. Osborn said that if he had a boy as sick it wasclaimed Oscar was, and his throat was as sore and filled with stuff that would choke him, as it did Oscar, he would have been i justified in giving 10,000 units of| anti toxin. Under examination, Dr. Osborne gave a very detailed statement of diphtheria as a disease, how to treat it,and his experience with diphtheria, saying he had several cases. Dr. Osborn told of the need of medicines to stimulate heart action; and he also answered many questions of the defense. He said that he detected the peculiar smell that ac- companies diphtheria cases, at the Johnson house, immediately he entered the room where Oscar was confied. Dr. Osborne was questioned on all phases of diphtheria, and answ- ered readily all questions put to him. Dr. Patton of Duluth, health offi- cer for the city of Duluth, was the Iconclud‘mg witness for the plaintiff before adjournment yesterday after- noon. The doctor was a supposed ‘‘star witness” for the plaintiff, ard his every statement was watched closely by Mr. McDonald, ably assisted by Drs. Lankester and Gil- more. Dr. Patton was asked, many times over, his methods of treating diph- theria, the experience he had had treating the disease, and the number of fatalities from diphtheriain Du- luth. Lastly, prior to adjournment, the “doctor ' was gived a gruelling cross-examination by Mr. McDon- ald as to the medical terms used in connection with diphtheria, blood poisioning(so called), and many professional terms unknown to a common newspaper reporter. This testimony was very interest- ing, especially the portion relating to the treatment of diphtheria by anti toxin. One thing admitted by the doctor was that anti toxin pro- bably had much effect on the action of the heart of the patient. Court was continued until nearly 6:30, in order to allow Dr. Patton to complete his seige on the stand. When court convened this morn- ing Dr. Osborn of Blackduck was recalled to the witness stand for re-cross examination by Mr. Mg- Donald, attorney for the defendant. Dr. Osborn testified that laryngial diphtheria is more dangerous than the nasal kind; that swollen tonsils are symptoms of tonsilitis and that he would not have administered anti-toxin to a patient Saturday afternoon until he had diagnosed the case if the patient had had swollen and painful tonsils Thurs- day, Friday and Saturday, the pulse was at 90, the heart action only fair, and no appearance of membrane in the throat. Upon close cross examinafion, Dr. Osborn admitted that a case of en- larged and painful tonsils, no mem- brane, pulse at 90, and temperature at 103, might be diagnosed by a physician as tonsolitis; that it might (Continued on last page.) Store Will Be Open Tomorrow Night We are taking good care of the patrons of our Closing out sale, but the prospects are that there will be a grand rush tomorrow night. to do their Saturday shopping before 6 o'clock, to give the workingmen a chance during the evening. The Greatest Money Saver Subtract the price on the red ticket from the orig- inal price and see what you save on your Dry Goods, Clothing, Shoes, Hats, Carpets and Notions. ‘ O'LEARY & BOWSER BEMIDJI, MINNESOTA We ask all who can FORTY CENTS PER MONTH ELKS’ MEETING LARGELY ATTENDED; FINE SESSION ““AL” Jester Presided Over Social Ses- sion.—Splendid Vaudeville, Good Stories, Dutch Lunch. " At a combined business and social session of Bemidji Lodge No. 1052, B. P. O. E,, held last night, there was the largest attendance in the history of the lodge during the past year, and the session was one of the most enjovable of the many similar occasions which have been ‘“‘pulled off” since .the birth of the order, locally. The meeting had been well ad- vertised, and many out-of-lown mem- bers of the lodge and visiting Elks were present, as something good was expected. On account of the length of the program which had been prepared, Joe Noel, who isone of the best female impersonaters on the Ameri- can stage, gave two numbers, which were greatly appreciated. Chair- man Jester was mnoticed taking especial cognizance of the charms of “Joe” and when the latter re- moved his wig,. there was some em- barrasment for the chairman. The same was true of Dr. Osborn of Blackduck, to whom ‘“‘Joe” was in- troduced as “Miss,” and the doctor was simply thunderstruck, so clevely did the the impersonator impose on the physician from the “Duck.” Dick Bertram acted as pianist accompanist and sang two songs. He was compelled to respond to enthusi- astic encores, and was evidently well pleased with the warm welcome ac- corded his work. About this time W. E. Neal was observed making a quiet “sneak” from the hall and Chief of Police Denley and his assistant, John C. Parker (appointed for the evening) confiscated the person of Brother “DICK™ BERTRAM, Skilled Pianist and Vocal Soloist. initiations were continued to the} next meeting, and after a regular business session, Al Jester was elected chairman of the social} session, and the fun was “on.” MaDell and Corbley, a musical and comedy team from a local theater, were tke first on the pro- gram. They were original and unique in their acts, and their musi- cal selections and character “turns” were roundly encored. Neal and brought him before the “throne.” Brother Neal denied knowledge of the sun and war dances of the aborigines. and was compelled {o pay a fine. Dr. Palmer, commodore of the Bemidji Boat club, was forced to tell of his acts as sailor-on the waters of Lake Bemidji. Dr. Patton of Duluth, 2 member of the Elk lodge of the “Zenith City,” spoke briefly, stating that he was greatly pleased at the unbounded hospitality shown Lim by Bemidji people, and ended his talk witha spicy story that was very much to the point; and just prior to leaving for the depot to catch the night train for home, the doctor favored the “boys” with another “tale.” Stories and laughable talks were made by all of the following: T. J, Burke, F. S. Lycan, J. P. Pogue, W, L. Broooks, Dr. Brown of Minnea- apolis,(member of the faculty of the Minnesota State U); Mr. Pierson ot “AL.” JESTER, King of Jesters, Who Presided. St. Paul, assistant secretary of the State Board of Health; Dr. Osborn, and as a fitting termination of an evening of jollity, Chairman Jester was called for so insistantly that he gave a laughter-provoking "spcil," and in response for his “telephone story,” told that “‘yarn” in a manner that near provoked a riot. A “Dutch Lunch” was served at 11 o’clock, by William Parker and wife, and after Chairman Jester had finished his “hello story,” everybody left for home, well satisfied with the evening’s entertainment. Among other out-of-town members who were present at the meeting were the following: Skip Knouf and Halvor Hilden of Cass Lake; J. J. Sundet and H. W. Nims of Bagley. E. E. McCarty,a pr;minent lbgger of Farley, transacted business in Bemidji yesterday and returned The Bemidji High Team Will The opening baseball game of the season will be played in Bemidji tomorrow afternoon, at 3 o’clock, when the baseball team representing the Bemidji High school will “stack up” against the Brainerd High school, in what promises to be a strong contest. Not much is known of the visiting players, but it is certain that the | local school nine has been given some strenuous ‘‘stunts” by J. E.| Thornton, their coach, and it is hoped by the “Prof.” that his “colts” will give a good acconnt of them- selves. The tvio teams will line up as fol- lows: Brainerd—Alderman p, Parker (captain) ¢, Mahlun 1b, F. Busch 2b, F. Busch ss, O’Connor If, Osdale cf, Jeffreys rf, Mills and Brent subs. Bemidji—Gill (captain)p, Hilliard ¢, Ryan 1b, Larson 2b, Winebrenner ss, Kruse 3b, Ergels If, Gould cf,[ THE OPENING HIGH SCHOOL GAME OF BALL TOMORROW Play Brainerd High at the Down-Town Park in this City, at 3 p. m.—The Game Promises to Be a Good One. Kreatz rf, Brewer, Boyer, J. Gill and Newman, subs. Gill, who will pitch for Bemidji, is said to be developing into a strong box artist, and is twisting ‘em in a bewildering fashion, cal- culated to decieve the visiting players and lead them to “fan the {ambiant” with freqnency and also sequentially. Speaking more ex- plicity, the local school boys are going on the field tomorrow after- voon with the determination of evening up that game which the Brainered beys took from them on the football gridiron last fall. The game will be called at 3 o’clock temorrow afterroon, and will be played at the down-town ball park. The tickets which were sold for the Fosston game which was not played last Saturday will be good Saturday, May 15th. when the Fosston team will be here and will play the postponed game with the local bigh school team. Joseph Fenton Passed Away. Joseph Fenton, well known in Be- midji, died in this city’ Wednesday, after a lingering illness lasting four years, during most of which time the | invalid was a great sufferer. The deceased was 25 years of age, and han lived in Bemidji for some time past. During his . illness, Joseph had visited in California, in the hope of benefitting his health, but the trip was in vain, and despite a heroic strugele against disease, the young man finally succumbed to the inevitable. The body was shipped to Still- water last night, where interment will be made beside the bodyof a member of the Fenton family who died some years ago. There is feeling of general sorrow at the untimely fate of young Fen- ton, disease having fastened itself upon him at the brightest time of his life. Notice to Contractors and Builders. Sealed bids will be received by the Bemidji Public Library Board up to 7:00 o’clock p. m., May 18, 1909, for the purpose of erecting a public lib- rary at Bemidji, Minn. Each bid must be accompanied by a certified check in the sum of $500, made payable to A. P. Ritchie, secre-! tary, as a guarantee that the success- ful bidder will enter into contract and furnish a surety company bond, in full of the amount of his bid. Plans and specifications may be seen at the office of A. P. Ritchie at Bemidji, or at the office of Haxby & Gillespie, architects, Fargo, N. D. All bids must be made upon blanks furnished by the Library Board. All bids must be for the building com- plete, including general contract, heating and ventilating, plumbing and electric wiring, according to plans and specifications. The board reserves the right to reject any and all bids. A. P. Ritchie, Secretary. Purchased Dray Line. William Rann, who has been assistihg John Streeter as one of his draymen in this city has purchased Mr. Streeter’s dray line and will go into business for himself. Twenty-seveninchembroidered flounces only 63 cents; bands to mateh only 25 cents; one lot laces only 5 cents. At the Ba- zaar Store. Additional Jocal matter on second page. the fact that the vse than the fellow with Your tool business chances, the factory are made for work, your {ool purchases our line. Bemidji home on the evening train. = Short Sermon J. A, LUDINGTON| The Leading Hardware Man to Mechanics If you are now drawing good wages for your labor you will doubtless testify to of good tools has materially aided you t> attain this goal. Good tools require less of your employ- ers time to keep them in running order, no timz wasted, good work possible, of course you are worth more money nferior tools filing and whetting bis time away. is solicited entirely on the merits of the line we handle; every article fully warranted, you take no does that, the tools, not display, and as to the prices, we court eomparisen, and know that when you get started with us will be confined to It is a pleasure to show goods ‘whether you are now in the market or not, come in and look them over. Minnesota MINNESOTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY. g |