Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-06-06
DOCTORS ROUTED BY NEGROES.
A MODS Superstition Causes the Sacri-
fee of a Mans Life.

WASHINGTON, June 3.-There live
around Washington negroes whose super
stitlon and ignorance are fully equal to
that of those of their race who never left
the plantation on which they were reared.
The Crltic tonight tells story of negro
superstition which, in consideration of
the fact that it happened almost within
stones throw of the capitol of the nation,
seems incredible. 1t appears that
William Harris, a negro about
twenty-one years old, died last night i'll
what is known as O'NeilPs alley, quar-
ter almost exclusively inhabited by ne
groes. He lived in a small two-story
frame house. He might have been alive
this morning had it not been for the super
sttion and fear among the ignorant col
ored people of the city about might doc
tors" This fear has permanent lodging
in their minds. To evicU it is impossible.
Harris has recently been a great sufferer,
and DR.. R. T. Holden has been unremit-
ting in his attention to him, the doctors
services being rendered gratuitously. A
few days ago it was found necessary that
Harris should be subjected TO a very deli
cate surgical operation, to which he and
his family consented. Yesterday after
noon was fixed as the time for the opera
tlOn.
DR.. Holden invited a few other physi-
clans to be present to assist and witness
the operation, which is one that is seldom
performed, and Drs. Crook, Leach, Hazen
and Harvey were on hand. Toe appear
ance Of the doctors in the alley had, how
ever, attracted the attention of the colored
people living near Harris house. They
began to gather in knots near his door.
The knots grew larger every minute.
They became crowds. The doctors in
side the house wiped their knives
and scissors, got ready their spOnges and
appliances and went to work, the Their
mometer in the room marking 100 degrees.
They were using the knife and getting
along well, in ignorance of what was
going on outside. Colored people were
coming to Harris house through the six
entrances to ONeilFs alley. They talked
excitedly about might doctors,' and the
talk was threatening. The perspiring
doctors were deeply interested in their
work, when the crowd that had now be-
come mob, burst into the room, demand
ing that the might doctors" should let
Harris alone.
The medical men forced them out. The
cries became louder, however. The mob
shouted: "Keep out de night doctors.
Dey only wants de body the cries COM
ing from all along the alley, which mad
become blocked up. Another crowd broke
into the room, and were forced out only to
come in again.
The doctors were not comfortable. 1t
was a very serious affair. The crowd be-
came more and more threatening, and
finally the medical expedition thought it
time to retire. This they did in good
order, followed by the derisive boots and
yells OF the mob.
The case of Harris became hopeless
after the physicians were driven away.
The operation required great medical
skill, but the doctors think that in this
case it would have been successful, and
that Harris life would have been saved
had they been permitted to complete their
work.
Demonstrations against physicians as
might doctors" are often made in this
city by ignorant colored people, but never
before have they been as emphatic or as
severe as that of yesterday afternoon.