The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-03-01
SOMEBODY BLUNDERED.
DEATH OF WILLIAM j. BRO0AN AT
THE STATE ALMSHOUSE.


Public indignation Is aroused all over the
city at the apparent negligence I'm the re-
moval of William j. Brogan from his bar
ber shop on Dexter street to the State
Aimshouse at Howard. Brogan had been
i'll for some days In his barber shop on
Dexter street. where he had lived alone.
Officer Coombs reported the case to Chief
Goldsmith, who notified DIR. Mann, the
city physician, and he visited the patient.
He advised Overseer of the Poor Pender-
grass to have Brogan removed to the State
Institution.
Overseer of the Poor Pendergrass imme-
diately communicated with Mr.. Wright
man, Agent of State Charities, who gave
the necessary permit.
Mr.. Pendergrass then, according to a
statement made to two reporters of local
papers, spent nearly half day looking
for Arthur Sherman to carry the sick man
to the State institutions. Why the over
seer should do this is great mystery tothe
citizens when 1t is known that the city
has the use of one of the most comfortable
ambulances in the State. X. M. Burns,
undertaken, about four years ago fitted up
his undertaking wagon with all the later
appliances for such occasions, and during
that time it has been used by the city on
many occasions.
To make long story short Arthur was
found and commissioned to carry the
sick man to the almshouse. The day was
cold, raw and bitter, and 1t must be said
that judgment akin to madness was dis
played in choosing a Goddard buggy to
carry man, dying possibly, such dis
tance. The man was transferred in the
buggy, however, and that, i'm the minds
OF many of the citizens Is the cause OF the
death of William j. Brogan. A mans
life must be sacrificed in order to show
favoritism. When Brogan arrived at the
almshouse his case was diagnosed by DIR.
Keene of that institution, and he pro-
nounced 1t pneumonia. II Brogan did not
have pneumonia when he left his shop,
then the exposure in the buggy brought
1t on.
Mr.. Pendergrass when interviewed by a
TRIBUNE reporter said: / have been .old
that 1t is more comfortable for sick per-
son to ride in buggy, and the same buggy
was used not long ago to carry down girl,
more sick than was Mr.. Brogan, and she
suffered no harm. Mr.. Sherman, said the
Overseer, wrapped Brogan up warmly In
robes and blankets, and hung a robe In
front of him.
When asked why he did not use hack
or the police ambulance, Mr.. Pendergrass
said he believed he had never used hack
for such cases and that he did not know
there was a police ambulance. He had
heard that Burns, some time ago, was to
fit up his wagon as an ambulance, but did
not know anything about 1t. Mr.. Pen
dergrass, w hen asked II Brogan had the
pneumonia when he was taken to the
asylum, said no. DIR. Mann had told him
he did not have pneumonia, but only a
slight congestion of the lungs.
DR.. Mann says that Brogan had been
suffering with the grip, and the slight
congestion was that consequent in all
cases of grip.
When further questioned he said that
he paid Arthur Sherman 81, and the city
furnished the buggy.
These statements sound rather queer
when it Is taken into consideration that
the city has had first-class ambulance
for over four years, and the announce
ment of it's use on several occasions has
been told i'm all the local papers. Again,
several prominent physicians say that it IL
an outrage to carry sick person any dis
tance in sitting position, particularly in
a carriage exposed to the cold air. The
ambulance or q hack could have been Sc
cured for the same amount of expense as
1t cost for Arthur and the Goddard buggy.
Brogan died yesterday afternoon, and
his death appeals to the citizens OF the
city and to the City Council for thorough
investigation of the facts. Let the blame
fall where 1t will, a life has been sacrificed
and the party responsible for II ought To
pay the penalty. IL the matter is allowed
to lie dormant our poor department will
be but a hollow mockery. IL the Board Of
Aldermen wish to engage I'm a commend
able investigation this case presents one.
Humanity calls for 1t, the citizens wish 1t
and the cold and friendless remains of
William j. Brogan demand It.
Brogan was man, perhaps 30 years OF
age. He lived in his shop on Dexter street
and had no relatives or friends. 1t Is said
his father IL an inmate Of the Home of the
Little Sisters OF the Poor.
The business neighbors of Brogan will
provide for his funeral. The remains VIII
be brought To this city by Undertaken
Phillips today.