The San Francisco call., 1896-04-29
SIGNED AWAY A
RIGHT TO SUE,
Physically Wrecked by an
Accident, John Stymel
Has No Redress.
TOOK A FEW DOLLARS.
When Told of His Condition the
Company Donated Him
Fifty Dollars.
FAMILY AN OBJECT OF CHARITY
The Children Have Been Placed in
Homes and the Father in
Hospital.
FAMILY AN OBJECT OF CHARITY
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN Francisco CALI J

OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALL,)
9OS Broadway, April %.
John Stymel, who was injured last Janu-
ary by an electric car on Sixteenth street,
is greatly regretting that he signed re-
ceipt in full for damages for $25 immedi-
ately after the accident. At this time it
was thought the only injury caused by the
smash-up was to the dilapidated wagon
and injured horse, by which the junkman
managed to earn respectable living for
himself, wife and six children, the oldest
less than IA years OF age.
Immediately after the accident a mes
senger from the railroad hastened to the
injured mans home to learn the extent of
the damage. Stymel, not being of a spec
ulatlve or grasping turn of mind, and sup
posing himself to be only bruised and
shaken up by the accident permitted the
messenger to reckon the damage at $25,
which he accepted, giving receipt to the
man for the sum. The messenger evi-
IDENTIFY knew his business, for the receipt
was so shrewdly worded as to cover all dam
ages that would likely develop later on.
Now the Stymel family weep bitterly as
they think of this mistake.
Since the day of the accident Mr..
Stymel has never been able to earn dol
lar, and is now helpless cripple tor life.
The slight injuries to his body turned out
to be an injured hip and knee.
But the worst OF all was to his skull,
where a portion presses on the brain,
causing at times mental alteration and
epileptic fits.
Mrs. Prescott of the Society for the Pre-
ventlon OF Cruelty to Children heard of
the case and upon investigation found it
TO be lar more sad than even represented.
Medical aid was provided, but the case of
the tather was one that required trepan-
ming the skull, and Stymel had no means
to pay Groceries were provided for the
destitute family by Supervisor Church.
Mrs. Stymel, in desperation at the situa-
alton, consulted Attorney Foote to learn
If a suit could be brought against the rail-
road for the purpose of getting money to
partly repay for the terrible calamity and
make the crippled father and her little
ones as comfortable at least as circum-
stances would permit.
Mr.. Foote read the document signed by
Stymel after the accident and candidly
acknowledged that with such a receipt
there was no chance to win suit against
the railroad.
Mr.. Foote, however, promised. to place
the matter before the directors, and Mrs.
Stymel, with hopeful spirits and lightened
heart, returned to Oakland. The result of
Foote'S appeal of the distressed case was
donation OF $50.
Tomorrow will be the last day Mr..
Stymel will spend with his family. After
hearing the pathetic situation of Mr.
StymePs case DR.. A. Miles Taylor has
generously offered, in response to Mrs.
Prescott's appeal, to take the sufferer into
his new sanitarium, on Telegraph avenue
free OF all charge, and to treat him to the
best Of his ability, hoping to restore his
mind to its normal condition, as his poor
crippled body is past human aid.
Or the family of little ones two have
been placed in the Temescal Home, one in
the Beulah Orphanage, one in a San Fran
cisco asylum. leaving the mother with the
two eldest.
Not many years ago Stymel was pros
porous merchant. He met loss after loss
until he was compelled to keep a junkstore
to support his family, which he did until
the fatal day OF last January, when he met
with the accident that has ruined his fam
lily and home.