The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1899-08-18
MEDICINE REFUSED
FOR THE DYING CHILD,
MRS. LIDE DECLARED "THE LORD
WAs IN THE GIRLS HEART"
Tho Darlington Tragedy--Two Doctort
Give Testimony Before the
CorOnCr's Jury.
Especial to The State.)

iSPGciai TO Tho state.
Darlington, Aug. 14.-The coro-
ner's inquest in tho case of tho death
Of little Roberta Lide, tho twelve
year-old daughter of Mr.. and Mrs.
James H. Lide, faith curists, recon-
vened today. Only two witnesses
were examined, Dr. A. Il. Baird,
chairman of the city board of health,
and DR.. Robt. L. Edwards who Wis
tied the child once or twice just bo-
fore it died.
The coroner made a lengthy charge
to the jury before the taking Of tes-
timony was begun, giving the mem
bers very clear conception of the
law in such matters and lucidly
explaining to them their jurisdic
ton.
Dr. A. II. Baird, tho first witness
called, said he was chairman Of the
city board of health. This case was
brought to the mayors attention by
the neighbors of Mr.. Lido and the
mayor instructed him to inquire into
it. I went to the Lide home, stated
my business, and was allowed 20 en-
ter the room where tho sick child
lay. The symptoms wero SO patent; !;
the child was i'll with typhoid fever
and it was fully developed. II told
her the nature and the gravity o. tho
case and implored her to have the
child given medical attention. She
refused, saying no treatment was
necessary; that Jesus was in her
heart and Jesus was in the child's
heart and that it could not die. /
insisted npon medical attention, but
she positively and fatty refused.
She said that she had not given the
child any medicine and did not in
tend to-"
He reported the facts to tho may
or, who instructed him to notify Mrs.
Lide that if physician was not
summcnded by the next day the town
authorities would take tho case in
charge. Mr.. Lide said ho would see
his wife, but he approved of her
course. "When I saw the child [
thought that all the physicians in the
United States could not save tit
was too late"
Dr. Robt. l.. Edwards testified in
substance that Mr.. Lide told him he
had case of typhoid fever at his
home and wanted him to SEQ it. He
went and found the little girl in the
third week Of q severe case. "NIrs.
Lido said that she did not care for
me to treat the case. She had quit
giving medicine since 1893; that she
relied on the Lord and prayer to TO-
move affection. [ asked to examine
the child and suggested that maybe
I could mention something that
could be done for the benefit Of the
child and be in accordance with her
views. After an examination I sug-
gested that frequent baths be given
tho child and that only liquid diet
be given; that if the child could di-
gest milk, give it to her diluted with
lime water. Mrs. Lide said nothing.
| went away and returned the next
day. While | was there tho child
was given some milk and | asked if
it was diluted with limo water. Mrs.
Lido Gaid no, that the child had not
required limo water when it was Il
baby and it did not need it now.
The only ono of my suggestions they
acted upon was to keep tho child
quiet. They did that The chll
had absolutely no medical atten
whatever. I did not go to the house
tho next day, but saw Mr.. Lido in
tho afternoon and he told mo the
child was better. The next day
heard the child was dead"
After DR.. Edwards had finished
his testimony, tho coroner adjourned
the inquest till Tuesday afternoon at
5 o'clock when othor witnesses viii
be examined.