Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1879-03-23
PROFEsslONAL co 4 RTEsY
kcRndaIous Scene Ia a Sick ChaEabeT--
UnseemIY WraDEIe between Rel
atiYes and a Physician at
the Bedside of Dy-
ing Girl,

Shelbyville, Indiana, special to the Circin-
natl ENQUIRER: The village OF Lewis Creek,
twelve miles south of here, is much agitated
by a scandal OF an unusual and peculiarly
shocking nature, growing cut ct occurrences
connected with the death of young lady
who was buried there yesterday. The story
illustrates most forcibiy the MAXIM that In a
multitude of counselors there Is distraction,
and that the patient often dies white the
doctors are staring at each other. The de-
tails, as gathered by your reporter, are as
fellows: Three weeks ago Miss Laura Sulh
van, an attractive young lady, aged twenty
one years, and daughter of Mr.. Noah SullI-
van, a wealthy citizen of Lewis Creek, took
sick with ppeui onia. DIR. ID. A. Pettigrew, a
physician Of the town, was called to attend the
patient, and waited On her regularly for two
weeks. Miss Sullivan grew worse day by day,
until Friday last, when the attending physl-
clan announced that the case was hopeless,
and that she could not live longer than the
next day. The patient, however, fingered
until Monday without any percephble change
for the worse, though the d-ctor continually
repeated during the time that she could only
survive few hours. On Monday evening
the relatives determined to call in another
physician. Miss Sullvan's father consented
to this, but remarked that he thought it un-
necessary. Accordingly DR.. Samuel A. Ken
nedy, of this city, was summoned and ar
rived at the patients bedside about ten
O'Clock on Monday night. Then an extra
ordinary scene occurred. he recently ar
nved physician was very coldly received 10y
DR.. Pettigrew, and CURLY informed by the
latter that he had not yet gwen up the case.
At this Juncture numerous friends and rela-
uves crowded into the sick chamber, among
the number being Frank Spurlin and John
w. Sullivan, cousins of the sick lady. These
young men fatty contradlcted DIR. 2, til
grew g statement, declaring that he had
abandoned the case and authorized the EN-
ployment Of another physician. Pethgrew
al Rrily denied this, and a regular quarrel
ensued during which charges of talsehood
and double dealing were mutually exchanged.
The controversy ragged with great fury
for several minutes, and came near culmI-
mating In a savage fight between the psrties,
but, fortunately, the cooler persons present
succeeded in preventing SO scandalous a re-
snlt. All this squabbling and recrimlnation,
1t Is SAID, occurred right over the PROSTATE
form Of the dying girl, whose eyes, already
fixed in the stare that presages early dIssolu-
lion, muteiy appealed to the C0mbatants for
peace ard quiet during her few remaining
hours. DR.. Kennedy finally Withdrew from
the house, being unwilling to have anything
to do with the case under the circumstances,
and his departure caused temporary cessa-
tion of the trouble. Miss Sullivan died the
next morning at ten o'clock, and it Is the I
general opinion Of the citizens of Lewis |
Greek that her death was hastened by the |
wripgle III Der room the night |
previous. Excitement runs high over the |
affair, and further trouble Is expected to arise,
but whether it will take the shape OF personal
difficulties or q suit against the attending
physician remains to be seen. The doctors
strange conduct has caused much surprise, |
and great Indignation prevails In the COM
chiefly directed against PetticreW
and the father of the dead girl. "