The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-08-01
INVESTIGATION
Police and Health Board
Clash.
Dr.. Wood Demands Reasons for
Delay in Inquest on Harry
Walcking's Body.

The Board of Health and the Police De-
partment were at loggerheads yesterday
over misunderstanding in regard to the
disposition of the body of Harry Walck-
ing, who died at the Kapolani race track
on Monday. Dr. Wood, president of the
Beard of Health, addressed a commune
ca ton to Attorney General Dole in the
forenoon after a conference with High
Sheriff Brown, in which he scored the
Police Department for neglecting its
duties.
DIR. Woods ire was aroused because he
bad doubts as to the cause of the mans
death, and felt that it was matter that
the coroner should attend to and have an
iIt uest held over the remands.i Dr. Wood
was called out to the race track on Mon
day afternoon to attend to Walcking.
Upon arrival the man was still living but
was quite cold. He died about ten min
utes later.
Inasmuch as Walking had apparently
been perfectly well half hour before his
death. the Doctor felt that it was a case
for the coroner. He reported the death
to the Police Department and said an in
guest should be held promptly.
1t came to DR.. Woods attention yester-
day morning that no inquest had been
held UP to that time, although the body
had been ordered brought to the city
morgue Monday evening. Upon this be-
ing proven by inquiry, DIR. Wood decided
at once that it was matter for complaint
to the Attorney General Even as a pri-
vate physician DIR. Wood considered that
If he saw fit to report a case for inquest
TO the police or the proper authorities, his
request should have been needed. But
when the order was from the president OF
the Board of Health, it became incumbent
upon the coroner to perform that duty
without question or delay
Upon this theory DIR. Wood notified the
Attorney General. The High Sheriff was
sought by DR.. Wood, who told Mr.. Brown
that he intended to make written com.
paint to the Attorney General of the evil
dence of neglect he then had in his pos.
session. Before DR.. Woods letter reach
ed the Attorney General the latter receiv.
ed report from the High Sheriff. stating
that DIR. Emerson had performed a post
mortem on the body and found that death
was caused by acute gastritis superinduc
ed by excessive drinking of alcohol,
liquors.
Attorney General Dole, when questioned
said he would not care to make an e,
parte statement, and did not know wheth
'AiS Aidttei Noulu De brought I'D before
the Board of Health He said he haC
received a formal complaint from tn.
President
! Further questioning of DIR. Wood afte
yesterdays Board of Health meetin,
brought out the fact that he had consid
cred foul play the cause of death, but tn
Ipcst-mortem disposed of that idea
On Monday evening Dr. Wood endeavor
ed 10 nave the Police Department TAX
lch&rge or the remains, and he telenhone,
TO the station house and later came Their
accompanied by Dr. Hoffman,, who wa
10 make the post-mortem examination
captain Parker was in charge of the sta
uon at the time. He said he had M ar
ders to send the patrol wagon on the Jour
ney desired by DIR. Wood and would no
until he had orders from the High Sher
III to that effect. He said he did no
know where the High Sheriff was at tina
hour. Finally DIR. Wood, firing of tn
delay, rang up Undertaken Henry VIII
liams and detailed him to bring tn
body into the morgue. After waiting un
I'll after IL o'clock, DR.. Hoffman, gave u
hope of seeing the body that night an
went home. The body, however. was no
deposited in the morgue, but was take
to the undertaker's establishment
Those who know Dr.. Wood, as presi
dent of the Board of Health, feel certai
that the investigation will be thorough