Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-16
SISTER BEATRICE EXPLAINS.
Her Version of Alleged Attack by
Her Dog Upon Mr.. Kirchner.

Her Dog Upon Mr.. Kirchner.
In conversation with a Star reporter
last evening Sister Beatrice in charge of
Providence Hospital, took occasion to deny
that Benjamin F. Kirchner, the driver of a
delivery wagon, was severely bitten in the
hospital yard Tuesday afternoon by two
dogs belonging to the institution. The Sis
ter explained that about two years ago
one of the former patients of the hospital
puppy, then about six weeks old. The
puppy, descendant of ]. X. Emmett's
famous dog, Fritz. was so handsome and
afectionate an animal that she had not
the lheart to refuse the gift which was
made in remembrance Of treatment the
patient had received at the hospital, and
the sister allowed 1t to remain.
1t soon became a great favorite with
every one about the institution, 1t is ex-
planned the physicians. sisters. nurses and
patients, and ever since 1t has roamed
about the house and yard at will. 1t be-
came devotedly attached to Sister Beatrice
she informs The Star, and she never re-
turned to the hospital that the dog did
not rush out to meet her in the hospital
yard. jumping and barking to show his
pleasure at her return.
When the sister reached the premises
Tuesday afternoon Kirchner was in the
yard. having delivered some goods. From
the statements of those who saw the oc-
currence, 1t appears that when the dog
ran out to meet Sister Beatrice. with the
usual manifestation of pleasure, the man
became frightened and kicked it. Natural
ly, the dog resented that, and snapped at
the driver. inf1icting a scratch on one of
his fingers and tearing his trousers slight
ly. One Of the nurses examined the finger,
and, finding not even that blood was
drawn. poured something healing over it.
There was no battle between the man
and two dogs, or, indeed, between him
and the ST. Bernard. say the witnesses
Of the occurrence and had not the man
unfortunately made the mistake of kicking
at the animal, supposng 1t was about to
attack him, no trouble would have occur
red.
Sister Beatrice called the dog, truly
magnificent specimen, into the reception
room of the hospital last evening at the
time she made the explanation.
Bruno, as we call him. said the sister,
has been carefully raised and trained.
and ! am sure that every one about the
hospital will bear me out when 1 say that
he is the most docile. affectionate and gen
tie of animals. He Is favorite with every
one, and goes wherever he pleases about
the house and grounds. Whenever l re-
turn and drive into the yard, out of which,
by the way he is not allowed to go. he
meets me with every evidence of affection.
jumping and barking furiously. That was
the way he met me Tuesday afternoon,
and no doubt Mr.. Kirchner imagined from
his manner and great size that Bruno was
about to attack him. But the dog never
before attacked or attempted to modest
any one.
IF he were vicious unsafe animal to
have about the place, you may rest as
sured that 1 would never have allowed him
to remain. I am panied to think that Mr.
Kirchner was even so slightly injured. and
did I believe for moment that Bruno
was to blame, that it is not wise to
keep him, l would at once get rid of him.
But i am convinced that the animal is
perfectly harmless, and must believe that
the unfortunate experience of the man
was simply due to his own mistake. This
opinion is shared by Drs. Bayne. Marbury
and Ramsberg of the hospital staff, who
have volunteered to so testify, If need be-
and. indeed. by every one else who knows
the dog. The matter has been misrepre-
scented in the public overwhelmingly
i am sure-and desire that in all fairness
to the institution, and to those responsible
for Its conduct, the real facts should be
known"