Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-02-06
5 OTHER SELF
The Strange Case of Professor
OF Bacteriology at Drake
University
LIVES UNDER ASSUMED NAME
His Identity Lost Because of Mental
Trouble for Which He Was Once In
carcerated = Tragedy in His Life
Which He Has Never Disclosed
Man of Eminent Attainments.

Des Moines. Feb. 6.-Dr Charles
Henry Hoffman has resigned his posi-
| ton as professor of histology and bac-
| teriology in Drake university, and if the
resignation is accepted he will open a
private laboratory in this city. He is
out of town for a few days, but will re-
turn within the week. He was not
asked to resign from the Drake Univer-
sity faculty, among whose members as
we'll as among the physicians of the
city his great scientific attachments
have been fully appreciated. He has
not left the city permanently.
1t came to the ears of Dean Hill NJ.
Bell OF the university last week that
complaint had been lodged with the
state board of medical examiners that
DIR. Hoffman did not possess the diplo-
mas of scholarship and the requisite
certificates to practice medicine, which
it was assumed that he held. Dean Bell
called DR.. Hoffman to his Office a week
ago yesterday, cited his attention to the
rumor and requested him to show his
diplomas and certificates. He did this,
not because he doubted their existence.
but so that he might say to those who
repeated the charge that he, personally,
knew that it was untrue. DR.. Hoffman
offered to do it.
The next day prominent physician
of the city called on Dean Bell and in
formed him that DIR. Hoffman, the day
before, having left the deans office,
FASTENED to that of his friend, to whom
he confided the conversation held with
Dean Bell, and with difficulty was re-
strained from leaving the city immedi-
ately. The physician informed Dean
Bell that DIR. Hoffman was living under
an assumed name, and that the certi-
ficates and diplomas which he held We're
in his real name, which he did not wish
to divulge.
The next day DR.. Hoffman called on
Dean Bell and rendered his resignation.
He told the dean that he had heard that
some of the members of his classes had
stated that their teacher had been in an
insane hospital, that this made his
teaching ineffective. and that he desired
to withdraw from the school and return
to Mt. Pleasant, where he was holding a
position under the board of control
when induced to come to Drake Unfver-
sity.
The shadow of these facts did not
leak out until Thursday. when they be-
gan to be talked In professional and
educational circles. Dean Bell was
much chagrned to find that the story
had r.aocbad tho nawSnapar offices a mr.
objected strenuously. to it's publications,
for which he was in no way responsible
and which he much regretted. 1t hnv-
ing appeared. however, in an unfortu-
nate form, he was willing. last night. TO
make a statement of the facts as given.
DIR. Hoffman's friends regard the
matter in the light Of a tragedy" he
said, and 1t is one. DIR. Hoffman was
one of the most capable and scholarly
men in Des Moines. The physicians of
the city will testify to the remarkable
ability that he possessed as a scien-
fist. His work in the school was of the
highest order. Medical students who
have gone to Columbia and other east
ern universities declare that they pre-
ferred his instruction.
Naturally, his friends are indig-
nant that the apparent malice of some
enemy has effected his undoing. 1 have
no doubt of his qualification to hold
diplomas from the great universities
and do not doubt his possession Of them
and all the certificates that would be
necessary to practice medicine. How
ever a certificate would not be essen
tial for the occupancy of the position
he filled in the university.
There is something very mysterious
about the case and most unfortunate
for DR.. Hoffman. His remark about
losing his effectiveness as teacher
because of the rumor that he had been
in an insane hospital was pathetic in
the extreme. 1t also indicates the ex-
istence of the great mystery to which
/ refer and which is at the bottom
of the whole trouble"
DR.. Lewis Schooler, who is at the
head of the medical department of
Drake university, stated also, that Dr.
Hoffman was not asked to resign but
did SO voluntarily. He said that his
ability was unquestioned and his work
was satisfactory.
Both DR.. Schooler and Dean Bell had
heard the story of DR.. Hoffman's in
generation for a few months in 1898,
being sent from Des Moines. in the
hospital at Mount Pleasant, immediate.
ly after he was employed in the col
lege. His recognition as fully capable
to act as bacteriologist for
the state board of health under an en-
inent scientist such as Dr. Frank C. |
Hoyt, of Mount Pleasant coupled with
the remarkable talent. he displayed in
his work in Des Moines, and which
was recognized by the whole medical
profession here, was quite sufficient
to offset that strange and mysterious
experience, had he been the victim of
it.
That period OF Incarceration has to-
do with the mystery in DR.. Hoffman's
life. There are men who know the
whole history, and they are his most
loyal friends One Of these said last
night: Or. Hoffman never was insane"
1t is said that after his ability as a |
chemist and bacteriologist was dis
covered at Mount Pleasant, and he was
employed by the state board OF control
to do this work, Superintendent Hoyt |
out of his great heart, suggested that
the name of Hoffman be assumed as
the best way to prevent enemies from
running a future which appeared to be |
bright with promise. And DR. Hoff- |