The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-12-11
A ROW AT THE HOSPITAL
OVER THE REMAINS OF MRS. DOD-
son. KILLED BY A STREET CAR.
A Son Of the Dead Woman Alleges
that He Was Mistreated by Rob-
ert Bruce, Hospital Clerk.

Relatives Of Mrs. Melinda Dodson, who
was killed Saturday afternoon in a street
car accident at Blackford and New York
streets, were complaining bitterly yester-
day because Of their treatment by clerk
at the City Hospital when they wished to
have the body of the woman cared for by
an undertaken and taken home. J. L.
Dodson, a son, said that as soon as he
heard of the accident he called the hospital
by telephone and was advised that his
mother was dead. He next called Collier
& Murphy undertakers, and asked them to
go for the body.
Collier said he advised the hospital that
he was coming for the body and was told
the woman was yet alive. The son was
told Of this and Immediately went to the
hospital in company with a relative, F. c.
Byers. AS Indiana avenue. They were
told on their arrival that the woman had
died some time before. Dodson says their
conversation was carried on with Robert
Bruce, and he told them the undertaken
could not have the remains until the cor
oner had investigated the case. The cor
oner was notified in a roundabout manner
and told the relatives that they had his
permission to remove the body to their
home, or to an undertaker's and he would
examine it in the morning. Collier was
again advised as to the wishes Of the rel
atives. He again called the hospital and
says he was told he could not get the body
until the coroner had looked into the mat
ter.
In the meantime the son and Byers were
talking with Bruce at the hospital. Both
| claimed Bruce said the woman was drunk
| when injured and they. knowing she was
not in the habit Of drinking liquor, resented
the remark. They say Bruce replied: eff
you say she was not drunk. you're liar"
| They ignored this and insisted he was mis-
| taken. Bruce then left the room and Dod-
son called up the undertaken by telephone.
His conversation referred partly to Bruce
conduct and as he replaced the telephone
| receiver he says Bruce again came into the
| room and repeated the statement that both
| were liars. Dodson and Byers say that
| Bruce then declared he could lick them
| both and asked them to step outside to
| fight. an invitation which was not &C
| cepted.
| Meanwhile, representative OF the I'M
| dertaking firm of Long & Burns arrived
| at the hospital. and after consultation with
| Bruce and others removed the body to their
rooms, under protest from the son and
| Byers.
Dodson and Byers said they thought at
/ first that Bruce was In some way connected
| with the street railway company and was
| trying to favor 1t in the matter. and also
| Long & Burns In the way Of turning bus
| mess over to them.
| Robert Bruce, the young man referred to
| by Dodson and Byers, is a son of George
| W. Bruce. claim agent for he street rail.
| way company who was at the hospital at
/ the time, and has been at the hospital for
about a year as clerk. His time expired
| Dec. l. but he has since remained there 10
coach a new man.
George w. Bruce. when asked about the
matter, denied any knowledge of trouble,
such as described by Dodson and Byers.
Hospital Superintendent Poucher said he
had heard of the trouble, which he consid-
cred lamentable. but had been unable to
verify all details of the story told by the
woman's relatives.
| Coroner Nash heard OF the trouble, but
knew nothing Of the details as he was not
present.
| Dodson and Byers say there were several
| witnesses men and women, present and
| they can prove the charges.
| The remains of the deceased were trans
| ferred Saturday night about O'Clock from
| the rooms of Long q Burns TO those OF
| Collier, according to the wishes OF rela-
| tives.
| Robert Bruce severed his connection with
| the City Hospital Saturday evening.