Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-09-28
Aged Sire Of DR.. W. T, Beer an
Object Of Charity aud a
Public Charge
SON SUED FOR MAINTENANCE,
County Commissioners Bring Action
To Recover Sum Of $500 Alleged
Due for Board

Reputed to be worth $4,000 In addi-
ton TO an Income from an extensive
medical practice, and permitting his
aged father to remain in the county
lnhrmary OF this county as public
charge since Jan l6. 1903, without pay
ing for his maintenance, are some Of
the allegations IN a complaint filed In
the district court today against Dr. w.
T. Beer BY Salt Lake county, The
complaint alleges that Benjamin J.
Beer is the father OF defendant and is
% years OF age, and Is unable to sup
port himself. and was admitted TO the
county inhrmary on the above date
upon the promise Of the defendant to
pay for his care at that institution.
Although the commissioners have on
several occasions requested Dr. Beer
TO pay for the maintenance Of his ia
Their. he has failed 10 do so, and there
is now due from him the sum Of 500,
being al the rate OF $50 per month for
the care and support OF the old gentle
man, Tor which amount plaintiff asks
Judgment.
Mr.. Beer Is a man OF refinement and
education, aud, Il Is said feels keenly
the position IN which he is placed on
account OF the conduct OF his only son.
The complaint also alleges that defend
ant is the only relative the old gentle
man has who is able TO support him.
The action Is brought In compliance
with section 2As9 Of the Revised stat
utes OF Utah, 1895, which reads In part
as follows;
Every poor person who shall be un-
able TO earn a livelihood In conse-
quence Of any bodily inhrmity idlocy,
or other unavoidable cause, shall be
supported by the father. grandfather,
mother, grandmother. child, grand
child, brother. or sister OF such poor
person, II they or any OF them be Of
sufficient ability; and IN any person
shall fan or refuse TO support his or
her father, grandfather, mother. grand
mother. child, gTandchld. sister or
brother, having the ability 10 do so, and
the burden Of supporting such poor per-
son shall fall upon the county, such rel
alive shall forfeit and pay TO the board
| Of county commissioners, for the use
Cf the poor Of the county, such sums
as may be by the board deemed AIDE.
| Quate and proper 10 be paid, not ex-
| ceeding $50 a month for each and every
month during which the county may be
| charged with The support OF such poor
| person 10 be recovered IN the name OF
the county, In an action before any
court having jurisdiction"
THE COMPLAINT.
The complaint was drawn by County
Attorney J. j. Whitaker. and was
sworn TO By Chairman James II. An
! dersou Of the board Of county commits
sioners A copy OF the same follows;
In the District Court Of the Third Ju.
dicial District In and for Salt Lake
| County State OF Utah. Salt Lake
county municipal corporation. plain.
tin, W. William r. Beer, defendant.
| COMPLAINT.
| The plaintiff complains and alleges as
| follows, 10 wit;
Flrst-That the plaintiff II a munlcl.
| pal corporation organized and existing
under the general laws OF the state OF
| Utah.
Second-That the defendant. VIM. r.
Beer. is a practising physician In Salt
Lake City and county, State Of Utah,
and owns property In said county 10 the
value OF so, 900, more or less and has
a considerable income from his practise
as a physician. and Is we'll able 10 sup
port and properly care for his aged and
inhrm father2
Third-That the said defendant Is the
son ~ Benjamin j. Beer an old and
decreplt gentleman, % years OF age.
Nho Ia unable 70 earn livelihood in
consequence OF his bodily ln6rmity. and
who Ia and has been county charge
since the 18th day OF January, 1908.
Fourth-That the said defendant has
refused and still does refuse to support
and maintain his said father, although
as aforesaid he Is well able 20 10 do,
and the said defendant has thrown his
said father upon the plaintiff county "a
be supported from the funds provided
for the poor and needy Of said county
Fifth-Tlat the said defendant. by
reason Of said refusal TO support said
father, has thereby caused an addition.
al county charge upon the plaln,lf
county from the said 18th day OF Janu-