Evening star., 1901-09-14
CHRISTIAN SCIENTISTS
CORONER's JURY RECOMMENDS IN.
vESTIGATION OF METHODS.
Result of Inquest Over q Woman who
Died Of Perftonitis Under Their
Alleged Treatment.

AS result of an Investigation held to-
day by a coroners jury at the sixth pre-
cfnct station house into the death of Mrs
Lila Belle Walker, colored woman, who
lives at 50 Fenton place northeast. and
who recently died under Christian Science
treatment. recommendation was made
that the grand jury make a thorough ex-
animation Of the facts and take suitable
action. 1t appeared from the Testimony
that the Walker woman died Wednesday
night from peritonitis. She had been Ill
Tor about two days and had received the
ministrations Of Christian Science. It was
stated today that she did not believe In
medical practices.
Miss Emma Minke of his 9th street
northwest. who calls herself a healer un-
DER the doctrine of Christian science teati-
NED that she had treated Mrs. Walker by
praying for her recovery. She explained.
upon being questioned. that God was the
real healer and that she considered herself
merely an intermediary. She was closely
examined by the jury. and Coroner hewitt
AS result OF the inquiry the jury rendered
a verdict holding that Mrs Walker came
TO her death through lack Of medical treat
ment' that no one person could be held but
snat the grand jury ought to investigate
DR.: Frank c. Johnson OF e41 I'd street
northeast. the first witness before the fury.
said that he had been called in to attend
h,'. hue Maiker woman Wednesday evening,
put that she was then beyond reach Of
medlcai attention. He said the woman told
MN tnat she had received the attention OF
Shristian Scientists at her own instance.
Widower's Testimony.
"hiam H. Walker. husband Of the dead
woman. stated that his wife when Ill did
not want physician to treat her. The
scientists. he said, had treated her unsuc-
cessfully. but she finally decided to allow a
regular physician to prescribe for her. He
stated that his wife had great faith in the
also had her mother
he said, when questioned, that all he
knew about the practice of the Christian
scientists was that they repaired to the
the patient. His wife he testified had AL
ways claimed that the Christian Scientisfa
could cure human ailments and was posi-
1--WE 1--WE dhat they could aid her. He could not
recall that his wife had ever paid any
money to those who had ministered to her.
Evidence of the Scientfsts.
William A. Post. a young white man.
who lives at the Driscoll Hotel, testified
that he, Christian Scientist, had at
tended Mrs. Walker for about two months.
am healer" he said, land have been
practicing for three years" He said he
had often received fees for his work. He
nad been paid 81 by Mrs. Walker for hts
treatment He said he had no license 20
pIactice. but that he could see no neces-
sity for 1t, as Christian Science was hasaa
entirely upon . religious principle.
Mrs Lucinda Robinson mother OF the
deceased. stated that her daughter desired
the Christian Science treatment
Carey Robinson, Mrs. Walkers brother
stated that he had secured the services of
q Christian Scientist for his sister
MISS Menkie stated that she treated the
Walker woman by praying for her This
she said. she had done at the Walker wo-
mans request. She said she urged the Ill
woman to send for physician, but that
Mrs Walker had refused to do SO.
Deputy Coroner Glazebrook stated that
ne had performed an autopsy upon the
body OF the Walker woman and had FOUND
evidences OF peritonitis and also tumor
near the stomach, the former having caused
ner death. He said that medical treat
ment would have saved her life He stated
that her case was one which would readily
ment