The Washington times., 1901-09-13
PROBING A WOMAN'S DEATH.
Christian Science Alleged to BE Re-
spOnsibIe for Her Demise.

AT an inquest to be held tomorrow
morning at the Sixth precinct station,
| Coroner hewitt and a jury will enquire
| into the death of Leila Belle Walker, col
| ored, aged twenty-eight years, which oc-
| CURED Wednesday night at her home, 62
Fenton Street northeast. Prior to her
| death the woman was attended by a mem
| Der of the First Church of Christ. bet
| ter known a Christian Scientist, and
not until few hours before her demise
| was regular physician summoned to her
| bedside. An autopsy performed last night
| at the morgue showed death resulted
| from complications. and it now remains
to be shown whether proper treatment
was accorded the woman while she was
| yet alive.
| No certificate ef death was forthcom-
| ing, as required by law in the case, and
| the death of the woman was reported to
the Coroner yesterday morning by the po-
| lice. DIR. hewitt was apprised that the
woman had been i'll two or three days. yet
| she had not been under medical care as
is usual in such cases. The Coroner at
| once took steps to ascertain the facts and
notified Captain Boardman, who set De-
tectives Browne and Lacy to work on
the matter. 1t was learned that the
dead woman, according to her mother.
Mrs. Lucinda Robinson, was believer in
the faith of Christian Science, although
not actually q member of that Church
1t was stated, also that a young woman.
who the police say is Miss Emma Min
kie, of Ills Ninth Street northwest, and
who is said to be student of the Chris
tian Science faith, as well as a member OF
the First Church of Christ, at the Scot
tish Rite Hall. 1G0I G Street northwest,
had attended Mrs. Walker on two oc-
casions, especially on the day of her
death. All reports seem to agree that
Miss Minkie was summoned TO the bedside
of the dead woman. solely in the capacity
of "A believer or healer, according to the
precepts of the faith she upholds. As
student of Christian Science. then, the po-
lice believe Miss Minkie visited the
Walker woman. to give whatever AID,
material otherwise, she might be apie
to imDart.
The first visit of Miss Minkie in the
present case seems to have been made
Tuesday when she called at the home Oh
Mrs Walker, and remained some time. 1t
is represented that the patient was tnen
ill, but grew somewhat better, apparent
ly toward evening. Wednesday morning,
it is said. Miss Minkie called again at the
home of the woman, whose condition is
said to have been very serious On the
occasion of this second visit Mrs Robin
son. mother of Mrs. Walker, herself
believer in the faith of science, was told
by Miss Minkie that she had best follow
her own inclinations and call physician
if she wished to do so. Miss Minkie said,
moreover, tnat her time was limited and
accordingly she would have to give up
the case. Before noon Miss Minkie LETT the
house, il is said, and several hours later
William II. Walker. husband of the dead
woman. went for Dr. Frank Johnson. in
Northeast Washington. DR.. Johnson
visited the sick woman. but could do
little for her, and she died about o'clock |
that night BY order of the Coroner the !
remains were removed TO the morgue.
After the autopsy last night the body |
was taken back TO the home OF the wo-
man to be prepared for burial.
Detectives Browne and Lacy worked all |
day yesterday on the case to have evil |
dence brought before the Coroner's jury. |
A summons was served on everyone con- |
nected with the case in any way to appear |
at the inquest tomorrow. Mr. Walker. |
when seen at his home by a reporter, |
said he was n man who had allowed his |
wife to do much she wished to in the |
ma tier of Christian Science, as in other |
things. He said his wife seemed to be- |
lieve in the faith as set forth by the |
Scientists. and he did not interfere with |
her until shortly before her death Then
he called in a physician to attend her.
Miss Mary Minkie, sister of Miss Emma
Minkie. told a reporter at her home last |
night that she. together with Miss Emma.
had been students of Christian Science
for about eight years. Last winter, said
Miss Mintie, her sister, Miss Emma. was
called upon to visit Mrs. Walker during
A temporary illness, from which the lat
ter seemed to entirely recover Miss |
Mary Minkie said her sister never went
to persons unless sent for. and then only |
In the line of her religious duty.