Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-12-18
Conflicting Stories Told by the
Landlady Guests and the
Health Commissioner.
DOCTOR STEWARDS VERSION.
SAYS He Was Not Notified Until
Tuesday When He Did All in
His Power.

Eight guests at the Halls last night
volunteered the statement that the
story published In the News anent
the actions Of Health Commissioner
Stewart and his assistant In relation TO
the case Of Miss Sadie Wilson, n young
woman who was taken seriously III at
the hotel on Saturday last, was correct
in every detail, despite the denials to
the contrary Of others interested, Tho
story last night was the result OF an
interview had between a reporter OF
this Paper and Mrs. Riddle, the land
lady, in the presence Of two witnesses,
who stand ready 10 vouch for the cor
recmess Of the report in every respect
DIR. STEWART DENIES.
This story Is denied by Or. Stewart
in every detail, lie denies that he
threatened 10 quarantine the house IL
anything were said about the matter
and says that the lady had agreed to
pay for the carriage to convey the un-
fortunate young woman to the hospi-
tai He also denies that he and the
county physician had any controversy
over the affair.
MRS, RIDDLES STATEMENT.
Mrs. Riddle takes an entirely differ
ent view of tor rather she did yes
terday She declared yesterday to the
News" and two witnesses, that DR.,
Stewart and his assistant said she
would have to pay for the vehicle. and
further added that II she "ruftled them
the wrong way" or gave the facts TO
the newspapers, they would quarantine
the house. Mrs. Riddle declared she
was afraid the threat would be carried
out II she gave the reporter the facts in
the case, but she was induced to do
so by guests who were highly indig-
nant over the alleged threat.
GUESTS URGED HER TO TELL.
Several guests Of the Halls told Mrs.
Riddle that the actions OF the physi-
clan and his assistant were outrageous
and advised her TO give the facts TO
the newspapers. They told her that
the threat to quarantine the house
could not be carried cut, but Mrs, Rid
die admitted she was afraid to say
anything. Two attempts we're made
to get an interview from her before
she made the statements that appeared
In last evenings paper, Her state
ments were corroboratcd by promiu-
cnt gentleman, a guest Of the house.
IL IL true that DR. Mayo was the
first OF the physicians to be notified OF
the case. According TO Mrs. Riddle he
called at the hotel but stated that the
case belonged 70 the city, Then Il was,
according to the lnndlady and guests
OF the house, that Or. Stewart and his
assistant called, ana after saying that
Il was not a city case, informed Mrs,
Riddle that II she said anything to tho
papers or "ruilied them the wrong
way" the place would be quarantincd,
DAUGHTER NOT PRESENT.
Mrs. Riddles daughter may have
been surprised" (ag quoted IN q morn
Ing paper when she read the account,
for the reason that she was not present
when the interview with Mrs. Riddle
was had The latter declared over aud
over again that the physicians did
wrange over who should take the case.
and further, that they even told her
they had looked up the law on the mat
ter and insisted that she (Nlrs. Ridlle)
should care for the girl
From Saturday until Wednesday
evening the girl laid on her bed and
coughed, keeping the guests awake"
said Mrs, Riddle" and the physicians
would do nothing for her until Wed.
nesday evening when a carriage drove
up TO the state street entrance and she
was placed inside Then the driver re.
fused TO move until ! gave him s.. /
had previously said that | was not able
10 pay for II. | only had $3.50, but |
had to borrow the balance and pay the
hackman before he would move,'
DIR. STEWARDS STORY.
When asked for hls side OF the story
DR.. Stewart stated that there was moth
ing to say beyond what was included
in the following letter, which was writ
ten by Miss Riddle to him and received
through the mail this morning:
Dear Dr. Stewart--Mother aud | were
piqued beyond measure tonight when
our attention was called TO that article
in the News" and hasten to sey we
were In no way responsible for It's pub
lication. We never said one word.
They must have gotten their lnforma-
tlOn from some guest, for no one was
more surprised than we were when We
read t.
we appreciate all you did, for we fully
understand the gravity Of the case, and
that YOU We're handicapped beyond
measure We nov IullA understand, Inc
delay seemed very annoying, but since
we have learned there Ia absolutely no
place IN the city for such cases we can
sec In what helpless position you
were.
II is an outrage that IN n city Of this
size such conditions exist.
Mother Joins me I'm thanking You for
all YOU have done and again expressing
our sorrow that such undue notoriety
should have been given IT,,
l emain, very truly yours
EFFIE DEAN RIDDLE.
DR. Stewards statement 10 the
"News" today was to the effect that he
had nothing 20 do with Mrs. Riddle
I'm the case for the reason that all
business was contracted with her
daughter. He nfilrms that he was not
notified OF the suspected case of diph-
iberia until o'clock on Tuesday when
he at once investigated ana proceeded
to make arrangements for the removal
Of the woman The only place avail
able, he said, was a private institution
on the north bench which Is operated
by a Mrs, Walker Mrs. Walker was
out nursing at the time 80 he sent n
nurse UP there and had fire built.
This was after consulting with the
chairman OF the sanitary committee.
The above are both sides Of the case
The fact Temaiua the sama that tho girl
was allowed 10 remain IN in her room