The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-02-08
DOCTORS DISAGREE.
Sensational Turn to a Long
Feud Between Well
Known Physicians.
DR.. JAMES WILKINSON INDICTED
He Is Accused of LibeIling Police
Surgeon Everett-suit Begun
to Recover Damages.
DR.. JAMES WILKINSON INDICTED

For many years there has existed
bitter feud between DIR. James Wilkin-
son, the well-knewn physician of Bergen
avenue. and DIR. John R. Everett, the
police surgeon. also residing on Bergen
avenue. This animosity had its origin
in certain sensational trial in Bergen
Hall many years ago, in which Or. Ever
EFT figured conspicuously. From that time
on there was no love lost between them.
In August last year Druggist White
of Jackson avenue. received an extraor-
binary letter. This letter was badly
spelled. it is said, and breathed libel in
every line. Il was directed at DR.. Everett
and pointed out to the druggist the ne
his custom and his presence elsewhere. It
alluded to the death OF young. Mr.. Star
rett last year. who died under the in
fuence of cocaine administered by DR..
Everett, ana it referred to the general
habits of the doctor in such violent
manner that even the druggist was
alarmed and thought it only right to
show the epistle to DR.. Everett.
When tk- spoiice surgeon read the let
fer ne said at once:-"That's Wilkinson's
work." and rushed out Of the drugstore
retaining the letter. He sought his law
yers, Messrs Williamson. McCarter and
Williamson. of Newark. and directed
them TO bring suit against Dr. wilkin-
son for malicious libel. Tina, was. done
The si,it is on the present calendar of
ths odson Circuit Court.
DR. Everett didn't stop there, but went
at once before the Grand Jury of which
Mr.. John Headden was foreman and de-
marded that they should indict Dr. VII
k'nson: but they refused. He tried the
succeeding Grand Jury, but they after
listening carefully to the story refused
Not to be deferred from his policy OF
ravenge Dr.. Everett appealed to United
States cornnlissioner Romaine to issue
What for?" demanded the Commits
Fer sending an indecent and Immoral
mails replied the rate doctor. Doctor @'es
But Mr.. Romaine. after reading. the
e enee between ei'ie this IS it letter Which went went
derstocd by the United States statute and
perfectly clear to the lawyer but not TO
the layman. He pointed this out and re-
r Everett raa Skipped fro the Weacn
Building to the Davidson Building OPP
posite and consulted U. S. Commissioner
rnafe.. the same answer was returned,
and the doctor retired discomfted. AS a
last hope he tried the United States
successful. That august body a few DAYS
ego returned an Indictment against DR..
the mails contrary to the provisions Of
Two days ago DR.. Wilkinson presented
and pleaded not guilty. He was repre-
sented by ex-senator William Brinker-
hoff. Mr.. Brinkerhoff drew the attention
CT the Court to the fact that DR.. Everett
had brought a suit against his client in
the Hudson County Court for malicious
libel, to which his client had filed a plea
Of general issues. The Court, on hearing
DR.. Wilkinson his liberty on his own
recognizances in a bond of $500 to appear
for trial.
w Beekman who represented the gov
ernment, would not fix any date for
trial because. he said. that it would re-
main for his successor. Judge Rice, to
try the cause. 1t, however, will prob
ably be heard in few weeks.
So far as this case goes, Senator Brink
erhon, it is generally believed will beat
Uncle Sam on the The arg9gme;nt e; "a as to the
relative to sending. improper matter
through the mails. The case before the
Circuit Court will no doubt produce
some very startling testimony.
DIR. James Wilkinson was one of the
foremost practitioners of the county; but
CT late years he has retired from the
be attended to by his sons. Some years
ago he was obliged to give up work be-
cause of nervous complaints, which at
times completely prostrated him and left
him unfit for his duties. Being of a
highly nervous temperament, it is said
that the letter complained of was writ
ten by him during one. Of the attacks
to which his age and infrmity render
DR. Everett has been police surgeon
for many years and is well known
throughout the county as a skilled prac-
titioner. He owns a large amount of
real estate on the Tiill.