The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-04-24
A VERY SERIOUS CHARGE.
DR.. Daniel III. Fernandes Arrested for Crimi-
nal Practices-The circumstances
of the Case.

Dr. Daniel FL. Fernandes, physician having
his office at room 10 Martindale block, was ar
rested yesterday afternoon by Captains Camp
bell and Lang and Sergeant Travis, on a charge
of criminal malpractice, the warrant being sworn
out by DR. G. A. Barnes, a reputable physician
OF BrightwOod. The causes leading to his ar
rest are briefly as follows: About ten days ago
Martha N. Vestal, young girl aged seventeen,
whose parents live at Oakland, inst northeast of
the city, was delivered of fetus of about four
months growth, as the evident result of mal-
practice. The scandal became pretty gener-
ally known in that vicinity, and as the
girls condition precarious, Coroner Max
well took her sworn statement regarding her
condition. She said that she had been seduced
by Adam Hoffman, young man whose people
Keep clearinghouse at Oakland, and that he
had taken her to DR.. Fernandes, having pre-.
viously arranged for her coming, and that he
had operated on her with instruments four
times, for which she paid him in all $33 The Doc
Tor had taken her to the rooms of Mrs Martha Ann
Grimes, who Gains to be physician, over No
20 south Delaware street, where she remained
some two weeks, during which time she had the
experiences referred to. Her story was given
very infinitely, and that she had undergone the
terrible operation was evident from the details
Acting upon this information, Dr. Barnes, who
helped DR.. Maxwell, swore out warrants
for the arrest of Hoffman (who. how
ever, has skipped) and Fernandes. A
Journal reporter interviewed the latter
at the sstation-nouse shortly after he had
been locked up, and while he acknowledged that
the girl had come to him for consultation and
that at his suggestion she had gone to stay with
Mrs. Grimes, yet he plcitly denied that he had
used any instruments or given any
medicine, and that he had urged
the girl not to make any such attempt.
He said that he had arranged compromise be-
tween her and her seducer, Hoffman, for which
the latter gave him his note for 500 which was
still unpaid at Fletcher & Sharp's Bank. He
says further that an anonymous note was
left under his office door, yesterday.
warning him to Skip" and he attributes his
troubles to professional enemies. Mrs. Grimes
was examined by the coroner, and her state
ments corroborated those given above regarding
the girls stay at her house, but she disclaimed
any knowledge of criminal practice or attempt
atkit.
DR.. Fernandes came here from Edinburg about
three years ago, and graduated at the Indiana
Medical College. Previously he had spent some
time In lecturing on phrenology. He opened an
Office, and has since been in the practice, paying
particular attention to "female diseases" as one
OF his circulars announces. He is a man about
thlrty-hYe years of age, and evidently
or foreign extraction, being probably a
Spaniard. He has good education, and speaks
several languages tiuently, and has wife and
one child living at No 147 Elm street He has
at various times been interested in medical pub
ncatlons, and is now editor of the american
Journal of Physiology" He is not generally
known in his profession here. He will have a
preliminary examination to-day.
The Vestal girl was able to be up on Sunday,
but last night was reported much worse, and her
condition Is regarded as precarlous.