The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-25
INTERSTATE HOTEL co. :: PrOprietOrs
ARREST OF A PHYSICIAN
Grows Out of the Death of Miss Laura
Mcdaniel.

DR.. Calvin I. Fletcher called on Coroner
Nash and asked him to investigate the death
OF Laura Mcdaniel, a young woman living
with Thomas Coyle, an attorney, at the
Marquette building, which occurred Satur-
day evening. The body had been taken to
the home of the young woman's family, at
Clayton, Hendricks county, by one of her
brothers. Coroner Nash asked the coroner of
Hendricks county to hold an autopsy on the
body, which was done by Drs. W. T. Law
son and Seaton, of Danville The Hendricks
county coroner then called UP Coroner Nash
over the telephone and gave him informa-
lion which, coupled with a confession Coyle
was SAID TO have made to the young wom-
an family, decided Coroner Nash to make
q thorough investigation and in IT'S course
he caused the arrest of DR.. Fletcher DIR
Fletcher gave bond i'm 5000 with Henry
SEVERN, jr., Harry S. New and Dr. Theodore
wagner as sureties, to secure his appear
ance in Police Court this morning to answer
70 the charge OF criminal malpractice. After
the FUNERAL OF the young woman at CLAYTON
yesterday afternoon Coyle came to this civ
with one of her brothers and gave himself
up 70 the police. He was also released or
bond furnished by Charles b. Clark. Patrick
Ryan, Charles Harrington and Patrick A.
Mrs. Sarah StillweH proprietress of the
Marquette, says she rented a room to Mr.
and Mrs. Hicks''-Coyle and Miss Mcdaniel
Jan. ~. On Wednesday of last week the
young woman became Ill. Mrs May Rigsbee
a professional nurse, was EMPLOYED To at.
tend her. On the same day Coyle went TO
Dr. Fletcher, according to the PHYSICIANS
own statement TO Coroner Nash and fold
him his name was Hicks that his wife was
~, and asked him to call and see her DR.
Fletcher called and found the woman SUI
fertng from what he thought was a common
attack Of grip. This developed into another
malady and the result was a congestive chill
which caused the young woman's death DR.
Fletcher made the death return peritonitis
He explained 10 the coroner when he asked
for an investigation of the case that the
girl denied her real condition to him and he
did not discover ii until after he had begun
10 treat her for the other malady.
DR.. Fletcher has an extensive pracfice as,d
a wide circle OF friends who have the llfn1oef
confidence in MIN as an honorable man ana
physician They all defend him and point out
that he set the investigation on foot himself
ana there is absolutely no reason to believe
that he would not have called the alien
ton Or the authorities 10 the ease had n
seemed 70 him, before he learned Of tho
true relations between the man and the won
an, that there was something wrong. II is
peiieVed universally that DR. Fletcher will
have no difficulty In clearing himself ana
coroner Nash had him arrested merely a 4 a
step IN an official investigation.
Coyie has a law office in the Stevenson
building and was at one time auditor az
Johnson county. lie came to this city from
traahlln. Inc young woman came from 4
good FAMILY. She was a clerk m an Past
Washington~street store and had l<novyn
Coyle for several years.