The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-10-24
THE WISHARD INVESTIGATION.
The Testimony ELECTED in the Examination
Of Witnesses Last Evening

The Wishard investigation was continued last
evening before the hospitals board, Councilman
Doyle appearing after an absence from several
meetings account of sickness. A eommuniea-
ton from Dr. Todd was presented by Chairman
Newcomb as the first feature of the nights work.
It's material points were, that there had been no
meetings held at his office for the purpose of ad-
vancng the charges against DR.. Wishard, at
least with his knowledge consent, and that the
meeting there of the several gentlemen named
in the newspaper reports of the investigation no
doubt took place. but it was accidental, and not
an unusual occurrence as his Office is place of
common resort, especially for the younger ply
scians. Relating to a conspiracy against the
superintendent of the hospital, DIR. Todd wrote:
II have no knowledge of any such thing, other
than the case which was being
got up by Drs Morrow and Ridpath and this
has been matter of common news among the
physicians of the city for several months past.
The only expression remember to have made
was that if the charges were well grounded they
should be investigated, which seems to have
been the general judgment l have taken no
part in the matter. also advised DIR. Eastman
to keep out of the difficulty That L was in
Duncan 81 Smiths Office at the meeting of the
conspiracy, as stated by the superintendent last
night tat least reported so in the Journal), just
lacks this of being correct [ knew of no such
meeting, and further, have not been in said
Office in this two years"
Dr. Wishard remarked that if he used the
name Of Dr. Todd in connection with the meet
ing referred to, it was done unintentlonallv, but
before the investigation is through the Doctor
will have chance to explain on the witness
stand
Miss Carrie S. Bell, nurse at the hospital
was the first witness called for the defense. Her
testimony introduced no phases of novel charac-
ter. it being contradictory of the evidence of the
prosecution relating to crowded wards and the
attention to patients especially referred to as
having beel neglected. She regarded the nurses
who have appeared, as witnesses or otherwise
friendly to the Ridpath side of the difficulty as
dlsagreeable and the constant cause of trouble
DR.. Ridpath was offended at her because she
would not go out, with him contrary to the
wishes of the head nurse. On cross-examination
she said she knew of no instance of neglecting
patients on the part of DR.. Ridpath. She had no
feelings OF prejudice regarding any one interest
ed In the investigation
Miss IneZ Lockwood, recalled for the defense
and who testified for the prosecution in relation
to the confinement of Jennie Mullen, said that
Dr. Ridpath intimated to her it would be more
pleasant to make her statement in writing and
that his request for her to do only in her
interest The next morning she told him that
she did not wish to be mixed up in the matter
He said the statement he desired was not in his
own behalf, but that ''the physicians of the city
intended to see this thing through"
John Dotson came on again, and said that
since Helen Mccormack left the hospital he had
frequently answered the telephone when she
called for Dr. Ridpath. He had seen them to-
gether very often since she went away from the
institution, and met her once on the street, when
she told him that she wanted to see Dr. Rid
path, if Dr. Wshs-.d was not at home His
DISCRIMINATION referred TO the alleged irregu-
larity of pay day. He got his money when the
other employees were paid. but did not know
when regular payday occurred Every day
might be payday far he knew said Dot
son. When Miss Mccormack told him on the
street she wanted to see DR.. Rdpath she re-
marked CDR. Ridpath is the only one 1 care
about"
Miss Wheeler's testimony was in substance
the same as that of o Their nurses summoned by
the defense. She knew Helen Mccormack as
great goss ip and that if she got bit eff scandal
she could not keep it for twenty-four hours
She said Doctor Ridpath had never given the
superintendent honorable support in the ad-
ministration of the hospital. A phase in her
testimony represented Ridpath ssurrepti.iousy
taking notes in the wards, and when on one &C.
casion detected by the witness. exhibiting great
embarrassment Drs Morrow and Ridpath
were Extensively egotstcal, and had a liking for
interfering with the conduct of the nurses train
ing-school Cross-examined, she knew of no
neglect Of patients by DR.. Ridpath, and nothing
in regard to his drinking liquors. but in redi-
rect evidence she said that all Of the outrageous
treatment of patients applied to Drs Morrow and
Ridpath. She mad heard of Ridpath drinking
patients wine. The investigation adjourned
until this evening.