St. Louis Post-Dispatch
February 13, 1902

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"Set tp ae g « Cdil = Theweta Aid ha - JANUAR “28, g~-i-X WANT ADS LAST WONTH (THE POST-DISPATCA 4098 Pigger Than One Year Ago. THE ONLY ST. LOUIS NEWSPAPER WITH SIXTEEN PAGES. SHE ASSOCIATED PRESS DAY DISPATCHES. VOL. 54, NO. 176. ST. LOMIs, THURSDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 13, 1992. PRICE } mn St. Logie, One Cent. Nutside St Louis, Two Cents -ANOLD OUSTED , BY HEALTH BOARD Tetanus Deaths Held Due to His Negligence. RESULT OF OFFICIAL INQUIRY STARKLOFF TO REQUEST HIS AND TAYLOR’S RESIGNATIONS. Mayor Declared to Post-Dispatch That Finding of Commission Is Final ~—Ravold Refuses to Discuss the Decision. DR. AMAND RAVOLD. Responsibility for the deaths of 13 chil- dren from tetanus, following the use of diphtheria antitoxin furnished by the city, has béen offic'ally placed on Dr. Amand Ravoid, city i vacteriologist. After reviewing the evidence at the recent inquiry by a commission from the Council d Board of Health, the board Wednesday prnoon voted to dismiss from its service Dr. Ravold and Henry R. Tavior, the Jatter the negro janitor of the bacteriological of- fice. At 2 p. m. Health Commissioner Starkloff dismissed both Dr. Ravold and Janitor Taylor. The board was in session five hours, and members of the Council who had served on the commission which inquired into’ the tetanus deaths were also present. The members of the Council will report the action of the board to the Council at its meeting Friday afternoon. As _inde- pendent verdicts are to be rendered by the Council and board, the Council will have an opportunity to approve or disapprove the board's act. ) When seen by the Post-Dispatch Thurs- day morring Dr. Ravold said he had not geen the findings of the tetanus court and that he did not care to discuss them. He said that he had no public statement to make whatever. Finding of the Board of Inquiry. The finding of the board of inquiry was as follows: Pursuant to the resolution adopted by the board of health on Nov. 25, 1901, in reference to investi- gating the responsibility of the health department as charged in the coroner's verdict in regard to the deaths from the use of diphtheria ant‘toxin, pre- pared and distributed gratuitously by the city, the | board, after having mede, jointly with a commit- tee of the City Counet!, a searching and complete investigation of the matter, does find: 1. That the diphtheria antitox:n heretofore ie- sued by the city was prepared, bottled and dis- tributed by and under the supervis'on of Dr, Amand Ravold, who was employed by the bealth commis- sioner, with the approval of the board of health, in 1804, as consulting bacteriologist, and to have charge of the preparation and distribution of d ph- theria antitexin, and that he was responsible for the quality of material so prepared and distributed. 2. That a horse kept by the city under the sn- pervision of Lr. Ravold, as a producer of diph- ¢ theria uantitoxin serum, was bied by him Sept. 28, 1901, and on Oct. 2 was found to have tetanus and was killed. 3. From Dr. Amand Ravold's testimony, the poisonous character of the scrum from this bleed- tug of Sept. 29 was known to him, but he failed t® cause the serum to be destroyed. 4. That ,owing to this ivexcnsable negligence, the poisonous seftm was, in part, botiled and issued to physicians between Oct. 10 dnd Oct. 28, with the deplorable results wh ch instigated the coroner's investigation. 6. That the bottling of the serum proven to be poisonous was cone by Henry Taylor, who was Janitor of the city chemist’s office and assistant. at the time, t© Dr. Ravold in the work of prepar- ing the serum for issuance. 6, That it docs not appear that Ienry Taylor Was aware of tho poleonous character of the serum at the. time, but that his course is reprehena|b'e fm that be olscured and retarded the ituvestigation | by conflicting statements under oath. Ia view of the foregoing finding, the board ree- emmends that Dr. Aupand Ravold and Heury Tay- lor be diseniesed from the bahia: of the health department. And the board forther sensmainends that the city do not hereafter manufacture diphtheria antitoxin. ROLLA WBRLIB, ‘ N, N, OHAPMAN, M. D. ALBERT MERRELL M. D., MAX C. STARKLOFY?, ANDREW F. BLONG, J. L. HORNSBY. testimony, which was before form of an official transcript, of the board decided that the w was found on Oct. 2 to tetanus, was bled by Dr. Ravold on 2, and the poisonous nature of the destroyed am % 5 - ar af Wit, Bos sae “ res. he oF of QUARREL WITH NVANT FATAL - = — Mrs. E, A. Warren, 72, Died After Attack on Sister. MRS. BRADY'S ARM BROKEN HOUSEWOMAN STRUCK HER WITH SHOVEL, SHE SAYS. She Fell Against Invalid Sister, Who Witnessed Attack, and Mrs. War- ren Toppled to Floor and Expired Later. The death of Mrs. E. A. Warren, whose funeral occurred Thursday afternoon from her late residence, 3418 Washington avenue, resulted from an attack made upon her sis- ter, Mrs. Susan E. Brady, by a discharged housewoman. Mrs. Brady's right arm is broken. With Mrs. Warren and Mrs. Brady lived another sister, Mrs. Julia B. Edgar. The sisters have been alone in the world for a number of years. Mrs. Warren, the eldest, was 72 years old. She had been an invalid for some time and was extremely feeble. The management of the household de- volved upon Mrs. Brady. It was she who hired the help and looked after the comfort of her ‘ess able-bodied sisters. Three weeks ago Wednesday, on Jan. Mrs. Brady hired as housemaid Mary Alex- ander, colored, who proffered her services in answer to an advertisement. ‘“T soon found the woman incompetent, a's said Mrs. Brady Thursday, ‘and deter- mined to discharge her. In the dining room with me was my sister, Mrs. Warren. I called Mary in and told her that her con- nection with the household would end that evening. Struck at Her Employer With a Coal Shovel. “She grew very impudent, and when I! remonstrated with her for this she flew into a violent rage. Then her language became frightful, and in the heat of her passion she grabbed a heavy coal shovel and struck at my head. “She was a powerful woman. I threw my right arm up and across my head and face and caught the blow full upon it. The force was such as to snap the bone. “TI staggered back and in doing so brushed against Mrs. Warren, and in her ‘weakened state she was toppled over. A tendon was snapped in her leg. ‘The axtending physician assured us that while the accident might not have caused serious results in a younger or more vigor- ous person, it was the cause of my sister's death Tuesday. ‘We have done nothing toward prosecut- ing the Alexander wdman, and I cannot say that we will do anything. I don’t even know where she can be found.’’ Mrs. Warren was an active member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and the funeral services Thursday afternoon are in charge of members of that congregation. The interment is in Bellefontaine Ceme- tery. 99 = ee tel the poisonous quality of the serum, but for conflicting statements under oath, by which he hindered the progress of the inquiry. The board discussed the probable effect of its verdict on the Chicago drainage canal litigation, in which Dr. Ravold is a prom- inent witness for the city. lt was decided that no unfavorable effect was to be feared in the case. The discharge of Dr. Ravold from the health department will not pre- vent his continued employment by the city in the Chicago canal case, in which he has worked as an expert assistant of the city counselor. Dr. Ravold says that he sent in his resig- nation Feb. 3 because of a conflict between the hours of his work for the city and the time for his lectures. He says that the resignation was not accepted, but that he anticipated his discharge. “A scapegoat was needed,”’ said Dr. Ravold, ‘and I supposed I would be the man chosen. I regret Taylor’s discharge, as he was a faithful man and as loss of employ- ment will be a hardship to him.” MAYOR DECLARES THE DECISION IS FINAL. Mayor Wells said to the Post-Dispatch Thursday morning that the finding of the board of health in the tetanus investigation was final. “We deliberated over the matter very carefully, and went into the subject thor- oughly, and the report we agreed on Wednesday evening represents our con- clusions in the matter. “Il sat aS a@ member of the board of health. The special committee of the Council is a sepacate body and will make a report to the Council. Possibly is may present a different report, or a report dif- fering in some respects from ours. Ot course, I cannot say as to that. “We found that D. Ravold was inex- cusably negligent and recommended his dis- charge. “We used the ’ advisedly. words ‘inexcusably negli- ent We did not find him crim- oe negligent. I do not believe that Dr. Ravold was criminally negligent, that he deliberately allowed the infected anti-toxin to be issued, knowing that it wouid cause the death, and I havent heard anybody else savy he believed so. “As far as the board of health is con- cerned, there will be no criminal prosecu- tion of Dr. Ravold or his assistants.’ FAST TRAIN LEAVES TRACK Toledo Twelve Passengers on the Flyer Injured in a Wreck in Ohio. FREMONT, O., Feb. 13.—Westbound pas- senger train No, 405, the Pittsburg and Toledo flyer on the Pennsylvania rca‘, Struck a broken rail this morning near Millersville and left the track. The tra.n. composed of engine, baggage car, smokcr, passenger coach and two s.eepers Was ditched and several eed wrecked. About ‘** . a arte 2 omy a ij a EE ei 1150 per cent, BANKS TRY TO SAVE DEPOSITS Will Pay Interest on All Daily Balances. TRUST COMPANY COMPETITION WAS GETTING ALL THE BIG DE- POSITORS’ ACCOUNTS. Under Supreme Court Decision Trust Company Business on Banking Lines Had to Be Accompanied by Interest Payment. Three St. Louis banks will pay interest on daily deposits hereafter. The Franklin Bank and the German Sav- ings Institute will pay 2 per cent. The State Bank will ‘“‘pay interest on daily balances Non certain kinds of accounts to be deter- mined by the officers of the bank.”” The trust company is responsible for these an- nouncements. Depositors have been attracted to the trust companies by 2 to 4 per cent. interest paid on current accounts. The president of a St. Louis bank told the Post-Dispatch Thursday morning that the deposits of the St. Louis trust companies have increased while the bank deposits have inc reased only 10 per cent. ‘We simply wish to afford our depositors the same advantages that the trust com- panies do,"’ President G. W. Garrells of the Franklin Bank said to the Post-Dispatch. “The trust companies have invaded the banking field and are doing a large quantity of business that was formerly done by the banks. We wish to secure deposits now go- ing to trust compahies, and so we come out openly and offer to pay interest on daily deposits the same as they do. “The trust companies now sell foreign ex- change, issue letters of credit, in fact, do almost everything a bank does, except loan money on personal notes, and that is the least desirable feature of the banking busi- ness, Supreme Court Opened Trust Company Doors. “There is one thing, however, that the trust companies do not do. That is, they do not keep cash reserves for their bank de- posits, but rely on the banks with which they deposit to hold the reserve for the com- bined deposit of the bank and trust com- pany. “The trust companies have invaded the banking field under a decision of the Su- preme Court reported in the 144th Missouri, page 662. This decision says: “*A trust company under the laws of Missouri can not receive money by way of general deposits and pay them out on de- mand ‘on the check of depositor in such a way as to establigh the relation of debtor and creditor between the trust company and the depositor. Nor can a trust company receive money in exchange for its credit in the way a bank does. But it can receive money on deposit by paying interest there- on, and such deposits may be payable on demand, on checks, written orders or by any other convenient method.’ “By this decision if a trust company pays interest on deposits, it may enter the bank- ing buisness. “The combined capital,of the trust com- panies in St. Louis is now double the com- bined capital of the St. Louis banks.” Cashier Hospes of the German Savings Institute said the trust companies are re- sponsible for the action of his bank in ref- erence to daily deposits. Other banks are expected to follow in the footsteps of the Franklin, German Savings and State Banks. id FOUGHT OVER MISS STONE Report Is That Rival Bands of Ban- dits Had Battle for Possession of the Missionary. Special Cable to the Post-Dispatch. (Copyright, 1902, by the Press Publishing Co.) VIENNA, Feb. 13.—Die Information (a newspaper) reports that two bands of brigands are at war for the possession of Miss Stone, one being that which originally captured her, the othher desiring to seize her now so as to claim the ransom. In an engagement which is said to have taken place Sunday between the two bands on the border between Turkey and Bulgaria the total casualties were 20 killed and 20 wounded. Miss Stone remained in the hands of her first captors. MANILA VETERAN ROBBED. Face of Robert ‘McIntyre Supports His Story of Assault. Robert McIntyre, aged 45 years, reported at Union Station Wednesday night that he had been assaulted and robbed on Chest- nut street, between Eighteenth and Nin- teenth streets. His face and head were badly lacerated and he claims to have lost $11 and his dis- papers from the Nineteenth in- now in the Philippines. charge fantry, THE WEATHER INDICATIONS. PROBABLY SNOW FLURRIES. The weather indications for St. with probable Iriday; unsettled, night or einity are Thursday nigh?. Missouri—Snow or rain Thursday night warmer in north portion toniguoi; warmer Thureday and Fri- das: brisk east erly winds, Lilineis and Indiana—Snagx Thureday Friday, except rain in warmer in south and central portions tonight; creasing easterly winds, Kentucky avd Tennessee—Ipcreased Thursday night with snow in early morning; day, snow; east wind. Arkansas—Thursday night and Friday threaten- ing and probably showers; colder Friday. ‘ Oklaboma and Indian Territory—Tuursday night and Friday generally fair: colder. Texas—Thureday n'ght prebably showers; er; Friday, general colder: light to fresh south- ery winds on ccast. lowa—Snow Thureday night and Friday: er in east portion tonight; | increasing winds, Seuth Dakotse—Toreatening with snow Thursday night and probably in sontheast portion Friday; co dor yi vidas; southerly, shifting to northerly, winds Frid«y. Nebraska—Threatening with snow Thursday night and in cast portion Friday; colder in west portion Friday; southerly, shifting to northerly winds Friday. night and possibly south portions; cloudiness Fri : eold- warh- easterly Ronsae—-Teveatening with rain of anow Thaurs- ee ate et, ©". Se Lee .% -*¢ a, SSE LTRS aves HEMMED IN. BY HAE AND STEEL Louis and vi-j the snow flucr'es | bs ' } ' in- | Desperate Boers Break the Cordon Drawn by Kitch- ener, DE WET’S DARING PREVAILED CIRCLE OF BRITISH GUNS FIFTY MILES IN LENGTH. The Plucky Boers Caught as in a Net Exposed to a Merciless Fire, but Finally Found a Way to Es- cape From the Trap. , LONDON, Feb. 13.—The detailed accounts which have just reached here of Lord Kitchener's combined movement to drive out the Boers from the enclosure of b!lock- house lines show that the conflict was very picturesque and the most exciting incident (of the whole campaign. Although appar- ently surounded by an impenetrable ring of fire and steel, the Boers’ dauntless brav- ery and dashing charges ultimately result- ed in the gnajority’s escape from the meshes of Lord Kitchener's close-drawn net. The British commander's scheme was the most extensive ever carried out during the present war. It consisted of a continuous line over 50 miles in length. Lord Kitch- ener, who personally directed operations, was in close touch day and night with ey- ery detail of the movement. Armored Trains Guarded Railway. The Boers, though hard pressed, from attempting to cross. the shrank railroad, / which was patrolled throughout the night armored trains equipped with powerful The train lights were sup- by searchlights. i plemented by stationary searchlights, and effect as witnessed from the trains was most striking. By the side of the railroad were the dak forms of men lying in trenches or standing doing sentry duty. The gloom of the moonless night was intermittently relieved y the sweep of the searchlights. The battle at Heilbron raged from 98% Friday night until 2 o'clock Saturday morn- ing. Throughout the five hours a fearful ring of fire from rifles, cannon and pcom- poms swept along the British lines, in hold- ing De Wet's Boers, who made repeated attempts to break out of the cire'e of troops From various positions, behind rocks and dongas, the Boers kept up a vig- orous fusilade, hoping to find a weak s ot in the line. Simultaneously others charged but again and again were the Boers re- pulsed, leaving dead, wounded and pris- oners in the hands of the British. Boers Divided Into Three Columns. At the outset of the preparations the Boers realized that the operations were not merely an ordinary “drive,” but a movement threatening them with total an- nihilation. and Gen. De Wet assemb).d his whole force and discussed the sift uatl. n with hie commanders, with the resu't that the Boers were ao up into ree fo-ces. On Thursday n Boe head d by Vancoliers, rushe tmp ciel) t spectacular rs, ae orce of the bu GRANDJURY ae 2 oe Is Believed to Be One Targets SAAS Pry, 2 RY KY The grandjury adjourned at 1:30 o’clcck Thursday afternoon until 10 o'clock Friday morning. All witnesses were excused un- til that hour. Where is Edgar A. Mepham? The grand- jury, the circuit attorney and the sheriff's office would like very much to know. Mr. Mepham’s presence is greatly desired in the grandjury room. For ten days deputy sheriffs have been Sheriff Dickman took up the search, but lup to noon Thursday Mr. Mepham has not | been served with a subpena. | | He is at present employed by Dun’s and | Bradstreet’s commercial | after their interests in the office of the re- | nue, | MEPHAM OUT OF TOWN. | Dispatch that he had not seen his employer looking for Mr. Mepham and Wednesday Edgar A. Mepham was a member of the House of Delegates when the Central Trac. tion bill was passed. He is supposed to know much inside history connected there- ~with. agencies looking corder of deeds. He lives at 3925 lowa ave- | Mr. Mepham employs a clerk to look after | his affairs in the recorder’s office. Thurs- | day morning this clerk stated to the Post- for 10 days, and that when he telephoned | Mepham’s brother, A. L. Mepham, last Sat- urday to inquire whether Edgar A. Mepham was ill, he was told that he was out of town. A. L. Mepham is a clerk in the office of the commissioner of supplies, who is Fred- , erick C. Meier, the recalcitrant witness whom the grandjury was compelled to A. L. Mepham was asked if he knew whereabouts of his brother. Mr. 'Mepham’s memory deserted him at the mention of his brother's name. > > “ ¢ ¢ “Is he out of town?” “Yes—no, I don’t know whether he is or not. I think probably he is in town. I don’t know.” They were discussing the mysterious dis- appearance of Mr. Mepham in the witness room. “Why, the ‘sheriff knows where he is,” ing a bit of stale news. “Sheriff Dickman — fleld, Itl.”’ ' asked. “Since last Saturday.” “because Mepham and I took luncheon to- “Then perhaps you know where he is. now ?’’ “Well, I don’t,” replied Mr. Meler. a It was rumored about the Four Coudle = early Tuesday that the sheriff had found ¥ Mepham, but this proved a ty the gras From t fontadtion.. it ae Inted ‘that that which would ‘result in the service of several bench warrants. Thursday morning an entirely new and unexpected feature was introduced into the Inquiry by the appearance of a party of witnesses. It developed that they were from the First ward and the ge of Edmund Bersch, who was grandjury. They are. Augustin J. Farrell, a contractor, John avenue. > contractors, 4306A Linton avenue. Arthur Bersch, 2118 East John avenue, brother of the former delegate. deeds’ office, 6279 Famous avenue. Frank E. Miller. clerk in the Wabash Railroad, 4337 Linton avenue. office of R. G. Dun Co. James Robinson, tailor, Florissant ané@ John avenues. gether at MeTagues’ Monday.” haven't seen him since Monday.” jury to have . ~s e 4 a BERSCH A TARGET? ycung men who had been subpenaed as — constant witness before the cae Philip, John and Peter Schwiete, ston® W. H. Miller, clerk in the recorder of Charlies Curtman, foreman of the printing — It is one of the legends of the thousand~ ceived several $1000 bills went a ward shortly after the measure, displaying these boasted to close friends of to punishment, and that In sev in his ward he tendered a $1000 erry Kehler. About noon C. C. Crecelius of the inton Trust Co., and former! vite National Bank, t summons. There is a ow Cinaren "that growing poltet avout, the Four some of the wi See am cree e, n room Th <7 e arrived at li o'clock He glanced the youths itn the north witness without hesitation cast his tot wit in the south room. In here were E. F. W. Meter. the resident of the Council: Fred C nis son. the commissioner , the House of tes. r. Sweeney back and neem for a moment was he seated. His am front was cov by able colors. inerary.’ “I did as I was bid, ad for two. de ee et, St remarked Louis Deickman, as one impart- — mos said this morning that he was in Spring- ne S “How long has he been there?” someones a “That cannot be so," said Fred sede a