The Washington times., 1903-12-22
DETENTION CHARGED
BY HOSPITAL PATIENT
Veteran Complains of Off
cials at Emergency.
EN0cH HURST'S ALLEGATION
G. A. R. Comrades Send Him to Provi-
dence Hospital-Some Vary
ing Statements.

Did or did not the authorities of the
Emergency Hospital bring undue pres
sure TO bear to obtain the signature OF
Enoeh Hurst to a statement releasing
the hospital from responsibility for in
juries for which he is now a patient at
Providence Hospital. is a question which
receives diverse answers from the in
terested parties.
Enoch Hurst, native of England.
fifty-fiYe years old. a civil war veteran,
deaf asld semi blind, was crossing Penn
sylvania Avenue, opposite the Center
Market, on the night of November q.
The Emergency Hospital ambulance, in
charge OF DR.. Robert Perkins, and
driven by Robert Warren. a negro. was
making run TO the relief of L. r.
Smallwood, negro, of 1l26 Sixth Street
southeast, who had fallen from a car
There seems TO be no doubt the ambu-
lance gong was repeatedly rung. but
the deaf old soldier did not hear the
alarm and was run down
Realizing that an emergency existed.
DIR. Perkins abandoned the original call.
placed Hurst in the ambulance. and
took him TO the hospital There il was
ascertained that several OF his ribs were
broken. his head was injured, and there
was reason to believe that he was in
jured internally
The records of the hospital show that
Hurst was discharged therefrom at mis-
own request on December T. On thar
date he signed a paper releasing the hos
pital from all responsibility for the ac-
cident. This formality Is customary
when patient leaves the hospital be-
fore the physicians think ne should do
So These statements are fled en- a
hook. and are open 10 inspection.
Statement Locked Up.
The statement signed by Hurst, how
ever. is kept locked in a safe. and
1t was with great difhculty a reporter
for The Times was able TO get a glimpse
of it, He saw the statement long
enough, however, to read the clause re-
leasing the hospital from responsibility
for the accident and its consequences,
and to see that the statement was
formally witnessed by DR.. Charles S
White, resident physician: St George
Smith and Policeman George W Os-
burn. both patients in the same ward
where Hurst lay. and DR.. John Hussey.
assistant resident physician.
Friends Of Hurst claim this statement
was signed under duress. This allega-
mediately after leaving the Emergency
Hospital 10 Sigmund Block, a lawyer. at
Geo F Street northwest, past commander
Of John A Rawlins Post. c. A r.. of
which Hurst is a member. and Mrs. ".
Mann. whose home is at 652 West Twen-
ty-third Street. Baltimore, a SIS erin
law Of John Goebel. with whom Hurst
lives. in the Webster Law building To
them Hurst stated that ne was detained
in the hospital for three days ;ainsr
his will, and was even refused h.s cloth,
ing until he signed the statement Ie,
peatedly brought 70 his bedside.
When Hurst had signed the paper he
was allowed TO go. but his condition
was such that Attorney Block. acting
for the relief committee of the John ~
Rawlins Post again placed him in "a
hospital Calling on DR.. White, he was
told. says Block. that Hurst was not
desired as patient because Of his
cranky disposition. Block then called
upon the Secretary of War and obtained
a general admission ticket TO any hos
pital Tor Hurst. Hurst expressing a
preference for the Emergency HOspital
Flock induced Mrs. Mann 10 go there
and ask for Hurst's readmission. Dr.
White refused TO admit Hurst at Mrs.
Mann's request. Arrangements were
them made whereby Hurst was yesterday
sent to the Providence Hospital.
DR.. Whites Statement.
When a Times repJrter called at the
Emergency Hospital. Dr. White. the res
ident physician. said:
Hurst left The hospital on his own
nd rf Z 1an rfuT,a