The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-02-27
SAMsoNS DID NOT APPEAR.
DIR. MORRISON BEFORE THE SAM
TARY COMMISSION.


The Charges of Criminal Assault
Against the City Physician for the
western District Investigated--Mr.
samson said His Daughter Was
Too Ill to Go Before the Commits
sion and He Declined to Appear.
DR.. Morrison's Statement anh
Those of other witnesses Henrd-A
Report to BE Made to the city
Council To-day.
The sanitary board met yesterday after
noon for the purpose Of investigating the
charges filed with the mayor by Samuel
Samson against DR.. A. A. Morrison, city
physician for the western district charS-
ing the latter with criminal assault upon
his daughter.
The investigation was incomplete, in
that neither Mr.. Samson nor his daush-
ter nor any representative of theirs was
present though every effort was made
to secure their presence.
Mayor Meldrim received a note from
MIR. Samson in the morning, stating that
his daughter was i'll, and as he was una
BILE to leave her, he would be unable to
be present at the hearing. lie stated
that having placed the case in the hands
of the court. he did not care to prosecute
the investigation Mayor Meldrim replied
to this with a note TO Mr. Samson, telling
him that it was necessary for him to be
present and his daughter also, If possible,
at O'Clock, the hour set for the hearing.
The sanitary board assembled at A
o'clock with all the members present eX-
cept Alderman T. S. Wylly, who is ont
of the city. Those present were Mayor
Meidrim, Health officer Drummer, DR..
William Duncan, DR.. w. W. owens, Mr..
w. d. Stillwell and p. j. O'Connor, Esq.
DR.. Morrison was present with his at
torney, Mr.. a. E. Way. AS Mr.. Sam
son did not appear and no word was re-
ceived from him, Sanitary Inspector Mel
win was sent to his home, No 1l0i West
Broad street, with instructions to secure
his presence, if possible. Mr.. Melvin, on
his return, reported that the old man de-
clined TO come. stating that his daughter
was ill, and he had to remain with her.
Mr. Melvin stated mat he found a neigh
Dor, a woman. who agreed to remain with
Miss Samson in her fathers absence, Out
the old man refused to come on any con-
dltion. 1t was evident to the minds of
the members of the board that Mr. Sam
son did not wish 20 appear before them.
1t was decided to proceed with the in
Vestieation. MI O. T. Shaffer, drug
gist at West Broad and Henry streets.
about two blocks from where the Sam
sons live, was sworn and testified. The
story had been told him. by both Miss
g.. F,t Te1Ab haA
talked freely with him, and his advice had
been asked. DR.. Morrison. also has an
office for the treatment of city patients,
in the drug store. Consequently MI Shat
fer was pretty well posted on both sides
of the story, and was able to throw light
on many points that might have remained
in doubt. He was questioned at length by
Mr. Way and by members of the board.
After Mr. Shaffer had given his testl-
mony, Dr.. Morrison made statement,
denying the charges and giving an ac-
count of what occurred, substantially as
given by him to a Morning News reporter
several days ago
MIR. l.. w. Neeson of the Morning News
local staff was placed on the stand, and
gave an account of an interview which he
had with Miss Samson on the day the war
rant was sworn out by her father, when
she talked freely of the matter. Miss
Samson's written statement of the alleged
assault, to the mayor, was the only evil
dence presented from her side of the
case.
All the testimony was taken stenograph-
ically by Mr.. II. l.. Patton, the mayors
stenographer. After concluding the testi-
mony the board remained in session only
a short while. II was announced that 1t
would make it's report at a special meet
ing of council to be called for the purpose
to-day at noon and that previous to that
time no statement of its intention would
be made. The Indications are, however,
that the report will vindicate Dr. Nor
rison, Miss Samson's statement being con-
sidered improbable and the failure of both
her father and herself to be present or
to have any representative present being
decidedly against them. AS has already
been stated, Mr.. Way will waive investiga-
ton Of the charge against his client by the
bench of magistrates. which has been set
by Justice Nathans for Monday, and will
rekuest that DR.. Morrison be bound over 10
the superior court. He will then request
an immediate investigation of the charge
by the grand jury of the superior court
which convenes Monday for the March
term.
..a.....