The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-09-22
DR.. FURGUSON'S RECORD.
His Statements Under Oath Are Corroborated
by Other Witnesses.

Halifax, n. c., Sept. 2f.-(Special)-
DR.. Flrgeson, the attendant physician
to the Northampton State farm, felt
that hisl professional reputation had
been called into question by some of the
evidence by certain newspaper charges
in this matter and so he had asked the
committee to be allowed to put in GER
tain evidence in regard to his ability as
a physician and the faithfulness with
which he discharged his duty.
First he took the stand III his own
behalf
Touching the convict Jim Lowe, who
is said to have been beaten to death in
the field by Oyerseer Jim Sears, DIR.
Furgeson said he had reported loves
weak condition to Summerell before the
whipping-as unable to do hard physical
labor.
'He had been in the hospital week
or ten days, working about the yard.
[ told Mr.. Summerell he was unable to
keep up with the other men and not to
force him, as he had heart disease. He
had only a functional trouble of the
heart, though, no organic trouble.
DIR. Furgeson produced the health rec
ord of the farms and said the mortality
on the Caledonia farm prior to his taking
charge as physician was 20 per cent.
During the four years he has been at
tending the sick the death rate has been
decreased to 4 per cent.
ITO what do you attribute this?"
Better medical attention, better nurs-
ing. better hospitals and better water"
This ''better medical attention" coming
from him made everybody smile.
ANY of it due to better sanitary con-
ditions-better drainage and the iike?"
Yes, but / don't think the convicts
had proper medical attention before"
who were your predecessors?
'Dr. Gherkin and DIR. Loftin-both
morphine eaters. They were here under
Colonel Faison's administration Gherk
in was from Elizabeth City and Loftin
from Wilmington. Both were thorough
" incompetent Loftin was an improve
ment on Gherkin, though
In 1896, the year before Furgeson
took charge, he said 6 died out of $50.
During the past three years only have
died, the population being the same as
in '96.
ION the Halifax farm there has not
been a death in the three years. l have
suitable food for the sick provided"
DR.. Furgeson denied that he was ever
called to attend Joe Macon, the negro
so terribly whipped that he was laid
up" for several days.
"He was not in the hospital and |
make it rule to visit only those in the
hospital, unless specially called on to do
so'
Were you called on to attend
Mazon?"
II was not
DIR. Furgeson declared he had always
been attentive to the sick in camp, going
out regularly every day, and he had al
ways treated the convicts kindly.
OvERsEER sATER's TESTIMONY.
In this statement he was borne out by
the other witnesses.
The first of these was w. A. Safer,
overseer ON SummerelPs farm. He
spoke in high terms of Furgeson's pro-
fessional ability, and had never seen
him mistreat convict in his life. He
had always thought him rather lenient,
never sending a man out to work if
there was any doubt about his being
well.
He acknowledged on cross examination
that Macon had been confined for or
days iii the stockade by reason of his
severe whipping.
did the convict Kitchener also have
to be sent to the hospital on account
of whipping?"
''No. He was working with me at the
time-threshng wheat-and he dednft
lose n day, as | recollect IT,
WAS DR. Furgeson called on TO pre-
scribe for Mazony'
II think not"
Never brought to Or. Furgeson's at
tention?"
II think not"
'Furgeson then didn't go around the
camp and look up easesT'
mo. That is not his business. He