The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-08-29
& FAITH CURE ENQUIRY.
Philadelphia Widow Asks the Coro-
ner to Investigate.

ner to Investigate.
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 29--Mrs. Giles
Jay Burgess, whose husband died under
the treatment Of Christian Scientists. ap-
pealed to Coroner Dugan yesterday to
make an investigation of the circumstances
of her husbands death, and an inquest
will be held in the case.
Tie woman made an affidavit, in which
she stated that she was not allowed TO
sea her husband while he was on his
de athbed; nor was she allowed to view
the body, though she was reluctantly FER
nitted to attend the funeral service that
was conducted by the Christian Scientists.
The woman does not believe that her
husbands death was due to other than
natural causes, but she declares that prop
CT medical attention was not given him,
and that death was fastened through
criminal neglect Mrs. Burgess was deep
~ affected during her interview with the
coroner, and her story was often broken
by weeping.
She said that soon after the marriage
her husband was taken i'll with cold,
which FINALLY developed into consumption.
A dispute arose between the wife and the
mother-in-lav regarding the treatment
that should be given the sick man. The
mans mother insisted that her son should
be treated by Christian Scientists. while
the wife declared in favor of regular
physician. The mother won, and the quar-
rel was waged with SO much bitterness
that the wife was finally barred from the
house and was told to support herself.
In her affidavit the woman says: After
we were married my husband took cod
l wanted to get doctor. His mother OBJ
jeCted. saying it was not necessary, and
that she would try her behef-Christian
Science. He at first did not believe in the
treatment. but was finally persuaded. His
mother is one of the. principal members
OF the Church of Christian Science on
Twenty-frst Street. below Paramount Ave-
nue.. / believe his death was due to g
lect and want of medical treatment My
mother-in-law refuses me the privilege of
seeing his body am too poor to bury the
body, but / desire 10 look at It,
DR.. E. F. Biscoe, of 1888 North Thirty
third Street. also called upon Coroner Du-
gan yesterday. Later he wrote letter
in which he stated he was called to pro-
fessionaliy treat Burgess on August 1S-
He found the patient in the last stages of
phthisis. ''Of course, the advanced state
Of the disease precluded the possibility OF
doing anything for him." the doctor
wrote. DR.. Biscoe saw Giles for the last
time on Thursday On Sunday he was
notified OF the young mans death, and
wGs asked to issue certificate, which he
refused to do. The necessary certificate
was issued by the coroner.
Armed with an order from the coroner.
Mrs. Burgess attended the funeral sery-
ices held over her husbands body at the
home OF his mother 1926 Columbia Ave-
nue.. She did not, however. have any inter-
/ course with his family, and IN fact was not
in he in T7a sFlrfGf
burial service was conducted 1t included
a brief sermon by Mrs. Browneli. OF the
society that meets at Twenty-first Street
and Columbia Avenue.
The young wife was supported by two
girl friends, who famed her constantly.
At times she seemed on the verge of coll
lapsa, and when the carriages left for
West Laurel Hill Cemetery she had to be
almost carried to the street. She did not
go to the cemetery.