New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-09-17
FAITH CURE AND ITS VICTIM.
CARL OLSEN HELD FOR THE GRAND JURY.
MIGHT CALL IN PHYSICIAN FOR BROKEN
LEG. BUT WOULD NOT FOR TYPHOID
FEyER-soME INTERESTING TIES.
TINfONY.

The inquest in the case Of Miss Martha Olsen who
died last week in Brooklyn from typhoid fever after
refusing the attendance Of physician, was heid Oy
Coroner Rooney I'm the Brooklyn Court House last
evening. When taken sick the place where she
worked Miss Olsen went TO the house Of Carl olSsh
a. No. 2O3 Sackctt-st. She had become acquainted
with the family at faith services held at No 100
Ham.lton-ave., but not related to them olsen
called i'm Dr. A. ". Ford when the wOman's con
dillon became serious. but the medicines he prescribed
were not ordered and the doctor made affidavit that
death was due to neglect. TAereupon Olsen was
arrested
william Olsen. a brother OF dead tes'i
fed at the inquest that he visited his sister when she
WAS sick and told her she should have DOCTOR but
she refused. she told him Jesus Christ had made
her sick and would cure her. The last time he
went to see her he thought her I'm dangerous con
dton, but he could not say whether she was at any
time willing to take medicine.
DR. Ford repeated the statements In his affidavit and
told how he found a man and fifteen women around
the sick woman's bed and some of them were pray
Ing lie ordered medicines to check the fever but
did not 80 10 SEQ tho patient again, as he was not
sent for.
Mrs Carl Olsen wife Of the under arrest, testl-
fed that the sick woman absolutely refused to nave
doctor called in and said If came she would not
take his medicines. But her husband sent for DR..
Ford 50 eS not to be blamed shc died. Mrs. Olsen
was asked if she would call in ply ,ican If she her
self suffered from typhoid fever Her answer was
that she would not but would trust I'm the Lord
"Would you call in a physician If you had broken
lcg?s was asked.
ayes. | think l wOuld,' was her reply after a
moments thought
Then you draw the line in depending upon faith
cure at broken limbs ?"
YES said Mrs. Olsen after some hesitation.
Mrs. Edwards and Mrs. Benson, also believers in
faith cure gave substantially the same testimony in
regard TO the dead wOman's Mrs. Olsen. Mrs.
william Olsen gave testimony in regard to calling in
her sistel-inaw and urging her To go to her house
The dead woman had said that the house not
that Christ would cure her If he wanted her 10 get
we'll She said she would not take medicines In order
10 get well.
Osen who is under arrest, I'm his evidence said
that the Only reason physician did not attend the
dead woman her distinct refusal TO have one and
She also refused to have the medicine procured after
he had called I'm DR.. Ford. He himself not Op
Sick ard called a doctor 10 attend his wife. lie
pained that his wife did not understand English well
and made mistake In her testimony. Then he was
asked II he would cali In doctor II he had typhoid
fever. and said he would not. Would he call in a
doctor II be had broken leg? He couldn't tell, but
would have wait until he had broken leg. The
witness also testified that at the religious meetings he
attended there no discussion Of faith cure, but
they all believed the Bible and accepted its teachings
They had ministers, but the services consisted Of
singing. praying and reading tho Bible. The jury
found that the wuman's death was due t. typhoid fever
caused by neglect and the Coroner held Olsen for the
Grand Jury's action.