The Washington times., 1902-03-13
PHYSICIAN HELD
ON GRAVE CHARGE
Alleged to Have Thrown In
fant in Refuse Can.
THOUGHT BABE WAS DEAD
Its Cries Attracted Attention and 1t Was
Removed to Hospital, Where Death En-
sued-Physician's Statement-Releas-
ed On Heavy Bail.

age, one of the city's best known pnysi-
clans, and a member of an old and influ-
entail family was taken into custody yes
terday afternoon by Detective Sergeants
Helan and O'Brien and Precinct Detective
Charles Evans and Bicycle Policeman
Forteney, on a charge of having thrown
the newly born infant of Mrs Clara L.
Blair into a refuse can in Goat Alley
a short by-way between Fifth and Sixth,
L and Streets northwest.
Child Alive When Found.
Although alive when found, the child
breathed its last in the Homeopathic
Hospital shortly before 9 o'clock, where
it was taken by the police. The baby's
mother, Mrs. Blair, lies in a precarious
condition in her apartments in the Chris
tiani Flats, Seventh and NJ Streets north
west.
DR.. Hagner, the police assert, admitted
having thrown the infant into the garbage
can, but says he did so at the solicita-
ticn OF the infants grandmother and an
other relative, both of whom were under
the impression that it was dead. When
the death of the infant was reported
Captain Boardman preferred charge of
manslaughter against the physician.
Immediately upon being arrested DR..
Hagner was escorted to Police Headquar-
ters. where he had a conference with
Captain Boardn.an, who decided to hold
the physician. Word was sent to the lat
ter's home. and Attorney Randall Webb,
cousin of DR.. Hagper. called at Head
quarters. Every effort was made to Sc
cure the physicians release.
Released on $4,000 Bail.
Some little difficulty was experienced in
ascertaining the amount of bond needed,
Joseph Y. Potts, the clerk of the Police
Court, refusing to accept bail until the
amount had been fixed by Mr.. Taggart,
the Assistant District Attorney. Captain
Boardman went over tie case thoroughly
with Mr.. Taggart, who reached the con-
clusion that $4,000 would be acceptable
to the Government. Mr.. Randall Webb
qualified in the sum stated and DR.. Hag-
ner was thereupon released. Before
leaving Headquarters Captain Boardman
informed him that he would be required
to appear in court this morning.
The first intimation the police had of
the case was at noon yesterday, when the
Second precinct police authorities were
notified that the body of a white baby.
enclosed in a small shoebox, was lying in
one of the garbage cans in Goat Alley.
The patrol wagon was despatched to the
scene and the little one was found alive.
1t was hurried to the Homeopathic Hos
pitaI where it died soon after. Lieuten-
ant Byrnes put several men upon the
IL
by Detective Sergeants Helan and O'Brien
and Precinct Detective Evans. From
Alice Winder, a young colored woman
who resides in the alley, the police Sc
cured a description of the man who had
been seen to throw the box containing
the baby into the barrel. The woman
said she had been attracted by the mans
peculiar actions. She told her mother
who advised her to go out and look for
the bundle.
Recognized by Description.
AS the box was lifted from the garbage
can Mr.. William Downing arrived on the
scene, and he apprised the police.
The description given them caused tho
police to visit the home of DR.. Hagner,
but he was not at home. A watch was
kept Of the premises.
Shortly after o'clock he was observed
to enter the fats and Bicycle Policeman
Forteney was despatched to Goat Alley
for the two colored women. The latter
were placed directly in front of the door
in order that they might be able to secure
a good look at the stranger when he
emerged
Identified by Colored Women.
DR.. Hagner, whom it afterward proved to
be. came out of the house within ten
minutes. At the sight OF him both women
nodded to the detectives, which signified
that they recognized in him the man
whom they had seen in the alley with the
bundle. Detective Sergeant O'Brien then
stepped up and asked him why he had
placed the baby in the garbage can. He
denied doing so. The colored women were
again called up. and both positively iden-
titled him.
DR.. Hagner called Detective O'Brien
aside and admitted the charge. He said
the baby was dead at the time. When in
formed to the contrary he appeared
incredulous. He was taken to Headquar-
ters.
On the way there the accused physician
did not seem to realize the seriousness of
his action. He said that he was attending
a party in the flats and that he had only
returned to the house in order to enquire
into his patients condition.
Mother Critically Ill.
Mrs. Clara l.. Blair, the mother of the
child. was located last night by Precinct
Detective Evans and Bicycle Policeman
Forteney in the flats. but owing to the
woman's critical condition it was not
deemed best to question her regarding
the matter. Her husband, Mr. Peter
Blair, was at home, and gave the police
all the information asked. He said that
Mrs. Blair was taken suddenly i'll at II
o'clock yesterday morning. and that at
the time Dr. Hagner, who was attending
her sister, Mrs. Ella Kieso. was in the
house. 1t was the opinion of everyone in
the house that the child was dead, and
il was then, 1t is said, that Mrs. Legge,
the mother of Mrs. Blair. asked the doc
tor to take the child away, believing it
dead.
Inquest This Morning.
Coroner Nevitt will at 10 O'Clock this
morning hold an inquest over the remains
of the baby in the Sixth precinct police
..,,;on Tboso calactad n serve uDOn the