The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-07-12
DR.. MEFFERT, EXIT
State Medical Board Rev0keS
His Certificate.
Emporia Physician Makes Hard
Fight.
~,r1,wp-p arr H1TNUUm
NEARLY ALL NIGHT.
Decision Announced at 2 O'clock
in the Morning.
The Doctor Takes Stand In Own
Defense.

decided TO revoke the license of Dr. VIII
liam E. Meffert to practice medicine IN
the state of Kansas.
This is the end sought by the people
of Emporia who have been seeking 10
compel DR.. Meffert to leave the town.
1t is said that DR.. Meffert has large
practice among the families OF the ran
road employees and in the country
around Emporia, and from the af1daVlts
introduced in his behalf yesterday 1t
would appear that he has a consider
able number of warm friends among
his patients as well as bitter enemies
among the prominent people OF Emporia.
By having his license to practice medl-
cine revoked the people of Empor1a be-
lieve he will be compelled to leave the
state.
DIR. Meffert put up a vigorous de-
Tense and succeeded in casting doubt on
some of the charges brought against
him, as he secured counter affidavlts
from two of the principal witnesses for
the state. which would lay them open
to the charge of perjury and d1screols
them entirely in any court.
The affidavit of Probate Judge Mason
relative to the proposed marriage of DIR.
Meffert and Alice Traylor and the fact
that the doctor backed out for fear his
divorced wife, with whom he has been
living for several years, would Kill the
girl which both the doctor and Mrs
Meffert practically Admitted, cast con-
siderable doubt on their statements
concerning their various relatio in the
Meffert home, and the board held that
the charges of gross immortality were
substantiated.
The vote of the board was unanimous
and covered the general charge of gross
immortality. The board reached this
conclusion on an informal ballot with
out discussion.
1t is said that Alice Traylor came up
from Kansas City one day recently and
told parties interested in the hearing
that she is really married to Dr. Meffert,
notwithstanding the affidavit to the
contrary, and 1t is also said that DIR.
Meffert has made the same statement
to the same parties, although yester-
day he swore that he is not married to
the girl. This was because of the threat
of the former Mrs. Meffert to shoot
Miss Traylor in case she married DR..
Meffert.
The law provides for no appeal from
the decisions of the board, so that its
action seems final, although DR.. Mef-
ferts attorneys may try some new tao
tics.
DIR. MEFFERT ON THE STAND.
DR.. Meffert testified that he has been
practicing medicine in Emporia for
nine years; that he knew Charles
Harris and Nit White, two of the COM
mittee which was appointed to press
the charges against him, and knew by
sight Jerry Evans, the third member of
the committee.
With reference to the girl who ac-
cuSed him of performing a criminal Op-
Grafton, DR.. Meffert said he was sum-
mOned to attend the girl by his janitor
on request of outside parties, because
he did not wish to have anything to do
with that sort of people. She had come
to him for examination a few weeks
before and he knew she was suffering
from a disease, but did not know as to
her further condition. He refused four
times to attend her, but at length went.
In the stairway leading to her room he
found four young men. and inside was
another woman waiting on the girl. He
found she was suffering from a fever
but did not know there was anything
eles the matter and did not make an eX-
animation. He gave her prescription
to reduce her fever. and did not attend
her again, as she had friends around
her and he supposed she would be all
right in the morning.
DR.. Meffert further testified that he
had boarded with his divorced wife
since few months after their divorce
in 1895, but that there had never been
anything improper between them in
language or actions, or between himself
and Alice Traylor or any boarders.
On cross-examination DR.. Meffert was
asked:
did you ever have any conversation
with Judge Mason about marriage with
Alice Traylor?"
mo, SIR" answered the doctor.
WAS not there a marriage license is
sued and delivered to Miss Traylor?"
mot to my knowledge"
Did Judge Mason come to your Of
fee for the purpose of marrying you?"
No"
Did you tell Judge Mason that your
former wife would shoot you or the
girl if you, married her?''
Then you did have conversation
with Judge Mason about marrying Alice
Traylor?"
Not in the way your first question
implied
Judge Mason did come to your office
to marry you and Miss Traylor. die
HE came on Alice Traylor's represen-
tations, and not on mine"
Il suppose you have been living there
with your divorced wife in spotless IN
nocence?"
Question was objected to by Judge
Redden.
How do you account for these Sian.
derous reports that have been making
you SO much trouble?"
What reports?" asked DIR. Meffert.
You mean then that you never hearc
such reports?"
This question was objected to b,
Judge Redden and not answered, as DR.
Packer did a little questioning here.
DIR. Meffert." he said, you presented
q certificate of good moral character t,
this board when we granted you you
license, did you not?"
Il did,
WHO signed that certifcate?"
Or. George Haley and DIR. Grove
Burnett, both of Kansas City,
Why did you not get any Empori;
physician to sign that certifcate?"
Because my relations with Empori
physicians are not such that I woul
ask them to sign such a certificate
What have been your relations wit
the other medical men of Emporia?"
Not very friendly"
is there such a thing as the Lyol
County Medical association"
There is"
Are you a member of it?"
was at one time, but not now"
why not ,now?"
did not think was treated fair
ly and withdrew"
Were you treated fairly in you
medical consultations with other ply
stctans2"