Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-02-17
Report toCoroner Nichols, From
st. Anthony, Not Based
on Fact
OFFICIALS AND DOCTOR TALK
Charles Mayne, of Minerva Township
Dies of inflammation of Bowels, and
Rumor Said Cold and Starvation
Were the causes-MarstaII and
Story Counties Interested.

Coroner II. II. Nichols received from
ST. Anthony Thursday afternoon re-
port of an alleged case of death from
cold and starvation, with an addition
al statement to the effect that Charles
Mayne had died While Marshall and
Story county officials We're clubbing
over who should care for the family,
which was in destitute circumstances.
Upon Investigation by the T.-R, 1t is
found that the statements furnished
the coroner are far from the facts, as
given bv both the county officials and
DR.. C. G. Turner, of Clemens, who was
in charge of the case.
Charles Mayne, man about SO years
of age, lived with his family, composed
of a wife and seven children, on a
small place two and one-half miles
southwest of ST. Anthony, in Minerva
township The family had not lived in
the county long enough to gain a legal
residence. having come from Story
county, The family was in very des-
titute circumstances, and applied for
aid, which has been furnished. Mr..
Mayne took sick, a few weeks ago, and
this placed the family in even more
destitute circumstances. Mayne died
last Sunday. his trouble being inf1am-
nation of the bowels.
In order to verify the cause Of the
DEATH which was stated in the report
to the coroner as due to starvation
and cold, DR.. c. G. Turner, of Glenn
ons, county physician, was telephoned.
DR.. Turner gave as the cause of the
mans death Inflammation Of the bow
els. "The family lived in howell" the
doctor added, land of course they could
not be cared for to as good advantage
especially in the event of illness, as
would have been possible had they had
better surroundings AS far as good
and heat was concerned, however,
there is no truth in the story that the
family suffered for want of either.
They had plenty to eat, at all times,
and were furnished fuel whenever they
made request for it. have no doubt
but what the patient needed more
nourishing food than he received, but
had the family known how to fix it.
the patient could have been furnished
with everything he needed. When Mr..
Mayne first took sick the authorities
offered to take the family to the poor
farm, where they could be better cared
for, and receive hospital treatment.
They refused point blank to go, and
said they would all die first
Auditor McLeIand's Statement.
County Auditor w. E. McLeland, who
hasT handled the correspondence with
Auditor o. b. Peterson, of Story coun-
ty, regarding the family, when asked
of the case, said: 1--WE have had very
little correspondence The family APP
piled to the county for aid, and found
long enough to gain a legal residence.
notified Auditor Peterson, of Story,
that we were caring for the family,
and would look to Story county for the
cost. Auditor Peterson referred the
matter to Supervisor e. r. Silliman, of
Colo, who wrote me that upon ;nvesti-
cation he, found that the family were
no longer residents of Story. referred
this letter to Chairman Whitehill and
he is of the opinion that we can hold
Story county. Mayne broke his leg
several weeks ago, and we offered at
that time to take the family to the
county farm, where they could be bet
ter cared for. They absolutely refused
to go, so l gave orders to Theodore
Helmke, clerk of Minerva township, to
care for the family and not allow them
to suffer- The bills for the care have
not been sent in as yet, so we don't
know how much has been expended.
I am sure, however. that the family
has wanted for nothing"
Taken to County Farm.
Dr. Turner, of Clemons says that
the members of the Mayne family
We're finally removed to the county
farm Thursday. after much difficulty.
1t required sixteen men to get the
wife and seven children to the farm
and fight had to be made to secure
them. One of the boys ran away, and
was followed and secured. Mrs. Mayne
threatened to use a corn knife on those
who were delegated to move the
family. The oldest of the children is
a boy is years of age. and the youngest
is a babe of Ia months.