The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-08
DR.. Eastman Defends Himself.

To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal:
Since my name has been so freely used in the
Wishard -Ridpath controversy, desire to say
few words Last January, while DR.. Wlshard
was nursing his sickly charges against me OF
professional discourtesy. before the Council com
mittee, with five trained nurses, asked each and
every one of them this question: did you ever
hear one word or see one act Of mine derogatory
to the character of a gentlemanP And each
and every one of them answered: mo, sir"
The committee exonorated me from the charges
of intentional discourtesy. This was satisfactory
to me, and supposed it was to DR.. Wishard
Soon after 1 learned that inuendoes, which /
had offered to spend all the money / could
get to find the origin of, had materialized and
that Councilman Smither had been shown
statements by a lady of the Flower Mission
while he (Wishard) had shown similar ones to
Drs. Bryan and Maxwell and Councilman
Haugh. The secrecy of this attack on me l took
exceptions to. At the time these vile statements
rejecting on my honor and chastity were shown
Mr.. Smither 1 was consulting physician of his
sick sister, Mrs. Captain Clinton, and her two
daughters, and the attending physician of Mr.
Smither's own wife. These papers were as
am informed. rendered Alderman Rorison, Also
He declined to them. With the aid of an at
torney found these affidavts. They reflected
not only on me, but also on orphan CIR, be-
longing to the training school.
AT DR.. Wishards request las 1 supposed, at all
events by no suggestion of mine Drs. New
conner, Wooden, Bryan, Maxwell and Todd and
two ladies high in Office in the Flower Mission,
met at the hospital on or about the evening of
Feb. 9, 1885 My attorney ard myself consent
ed to meet with them. All the evidence against
me was brought out. / urged, if they had any
more, they should bring it on then. DR.. Wish
ard said that was all. This committee of seven
voted unanimously that l be exonorated from
all charges preferred against me, and their sig
natures to the paper pow in DIR. Woolen's Office,
or copy of the sane1n my possession, will at
test this fact. challenge DR.. Wishard to bring
from this committee of seven any material
contradiction of this statement l even
| shook hands with him in spirit of forgiveness
| This was to me- another satisfactory settlement
| of my difficulties. delivered my lectures be-
| fore the training school, and sent two pay-pa-
| tients to the hospital Subsequently l learned
| that his persecution of me was not at an end,
| and l abandoned the hospital and for months
| have had nothing to do with it. l have not
aided, nor have promised to aid this present
|. controversy, as DR.. Wishard alleges AS for his
| vifcations of me, l care nothing. They were
| got off behind my back. where towards often
assume to be brave. never saw Miss McCor-
mick or Miss Marian Moore that know of, and
knew nothing of what they were to testify to-
what they were, until l saw them in the
| daily papers. The statement That
offered to pay for printing to be done by Ralph
| Perry is untrue, and | so notified Ralph Perry s
| father. That have had strong feeling in this
| matter, don't deny; and it would be unnatural
| for me to feel otherwise toward the man who
| plotted to defame my character. Those who
know me will not be disposed to believe that l
| have consplred against any man, or that, like
| Ralph Perry. the other Ralph, L have acted in
bad faith with either side in this disgusting and
tedious investigation. JOSEPH EASTMAN.
No. 1877 N. DELAWARE STREET, Nov. 5.