The San Francisco call., 1896-05-24
He Refused to Answer Certain
Questions Asked Him
by DR.. Hawkins.
MRS. sONDERUP WAS ABSENT.
Drs. Barrett and Coffey Ridicule the
Death Certificate Furnished by
DR.. Kuhlman.

DR.. Charles G.. Kuhlman was sent to
Jail yesterday because of his refusal to
answer certain questions propounded by
Coroner Hawkins at the inquest held on
the body of Jens w. Sonderup. who died
at his home, 10 Ste ser street, on April
%, under peculiar circumstances.
The physician, who, by the way, is still
in contempt, did not remain in prison any
great length of time, Judge Conlan sign
ing an order for his release as soon as the
facts came to his attention.
The causes leading up to DR.. Kuhlman's
arrest will be best understood in a brief
recapitulation of the Sonderup case, which
is now before the Coroner. On October Is,
1895, Jens w. Sonderup was driving along
Montgomery avenue. and when about to
cross Kearny street was struck by an elec-
trio car, receiving injuries about the head
and spine. 1t seems the motorman sounded
his gong, and that people shouted to
Sonderup to get out of the way but for
some reason he paid no attention to the
warnings On the evening of the accident
and from that time until the day of his
death was under his care. When the end
came the attending physician signed the
death certificate, attributing the cause to
progressive traumatic cerebro spinal
ataxia and paralysis.
The health department refused to accept
the certificate because OF the word "trau-
ma tic" which means caused by violence
The body of Sonderup was accordingly
removed from the undertaker's to the
Morgue, where an autopsy was held.
A certificate was filed with the health
department, naming consumption as the
cause of death. The widow of the dead
Barrett of the Coroner's office for $25, 600
damages, alleging, among other things,
that the autopsy was illegally held, prin-
cipally because DR.. Kuhlman's certificate
differed entirely from that furnished by
the Coroner, or rather his assistant.
The inquest on the body of the deceased
was begun yesterday, but owing to the
peculiar absence of Mrs. Sonderup was not
concluded An effort was made to find
the lady at her home, 10 Steiner street.
but she had not been there for some time
and no one could tell just where she was.
In all some fourteen witnesses were ex-
amined, DR.. Kuhlman being the most i'm
portant.
That gentleman refused to answer GER
tain questions relating to his attendance
on the deceased, and in consequence was
sent to prison for contempt. The
examination of DIR. Kuhlman was in brief
as follows:
Were you called to attend one Jens w.
Sonderup?"
''Now, before answer this question 1 would
like to ask if you question me as physician
or as private citizen?
az ask you the question as a public official,
as Coroner, and want yes or no for an answer
1 am asking you as Coroner. am not sitting
as n private citizen.
"Are you asking me as private citizen or as
a physician?"
'sf am asking you as physician, witness
in this case, TO determine certain facts, W hich
the law compels me as Coroner to find out.
You are witness in this matter"
Kuhlman Cnterrupting)-I am represented
here by counsel. Before l answer the cues.
ton would like to consult my counsel
Coroner-This is not a trial. and your coun-
sci is no more than a spectator. want you 10
answer this question yes or no.
Kuhlman-Well, never appear in court
without counsel.
Coroner-This is not court; this is not a
trial. This is an inquest, and
Kuhlman-I am perfectly aware what this is
! am well aware what is going on here
Coroner-Dr. Kunlmen, will you answer nv
question?
Kuhlman-when you have furnished me the
information.
Coroner-Dr. Kuhlman, will you answer the