New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-06-04
DOCTORS ROUTED BY NEGROES.
A MOB PREVENTS A SURGICAL OPERATION
SUPERSTITION CAUSES THE SACRIFICE OF MANS
LIFE.
IDY TELEGRAPH TO TnK TRIBUNE.l


LIFE.
IDY TELEGRAPH TO TnE TRIBUNE.l
WASHINGTON, June 3.-There live around
Washington negroes whose superstition ana ignorance
fully equal to that of those of their race VINO never
left the plantation on which they were reared. 1he
Critic tonight tells q story OF negro suPcis'''i"
which I'm consideration of the fact that 1t happened
almost within stones throw OF the Captol OF inc Ma
tion seems incredible 1t appears that William Harris
negro about twentyone years old, died last night III
what is known as ONeill s-aey quarter almost eXciu-
sively inhabited by negroes. He lived In small Two
story frame house. He might have been allVe thls
morning had 1t not been for the superstition ana Ied
among the ignorant coorei people of the city about
might doctors" This fear has permanent lodging III
their minds To evct it is impossible. Harris mas re-
Gently been great sufferer and Dr. R.T Holden has been
unremittng his attention to him. the Doctors services
being rendered gratuitousy. few days ago IL was
found necessary that Harris should be subjected 10
very delicate surgical operation. TO which he ana MS
family consented Yesterday afternoon was hAeu 10 INC
time for the operation.
Dr. Holden invited few other physicians TO be pres
ent to and witness the operation which IA one tha
is seldom performed, and DIS Crook, Leach hazeh anu
Harvey were hand. The appearance OF inc uocIois
the alley had, however attracted the attenuoh Oh '
coored people living Harriss house They began
to gather in knots his door The knots grew larger
every minute. They became crowds. The
doctors inside tho house wiped their knives
and scissors, got ready their spohGes
and appliances and 20 work, the therm0meterh inc
room marking ZOO. They were using the knife ana
getting along well, in ignorance Of what was going OH
outside Colored people were coming to Harriss hon
through the six entrances ONeils alley They tAkeu
excitedy about might doctors" and the tax was
threatening The perspiring doctors were deeply IN
terested in their work, when the crowd that had no"
become mob burst uto the room demanding that the
might doctors should let Harris alone.
The medical forced them out The cries became
louder however. The mob shouted: Keep ont de
night doctors. Dey only wants dc body; the cries
coming from all along the al ey, which had
become blocked up. Another crowd broke into the room
and were forced out only TO como in again
The doctors were not comfortable IL was very Sc
rous affair. The crowd became more and more threat
enng anu finally the medical expedition Thought II 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 physi'
clans were driven away The operation required great
medical skill but doctors think that in this case 1t
would been successful and that Hafrss lie wouh
have saved had they been permitted 10 cOmpe'e
their work.
Demonstrations against physicians as "night doctors
are made this city by ignorant coiorcd people
before have they been As emphatic or hS he
we're That OF yesterday afternoon.