The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1905-11-15

be exposed
Wanted investigation.
Coroner Landrum asked for an in
vestigation in justice to himself, say
ing that be would like to question DR.
Bickerstan and show him up as a man
VINO had violated both city and state
laws.
Was Exonerated.
The commissioner. however, decid-
ed, in view of the retractiOn, TO exon
crate Judge Landrum and TO pay the
bin. The coroner thanked them, and
it was expected that the case would
end there. but a discussion arose about
the cost to the county for Witnesses,
and it was decided to call upon Dr.
Bickerstaf for the sum, as he had
made the charges.
He was called in and told Of the cir
cumstances. He did not agree with
the commissioner, and said that he
stood ready to prove his charges.
Action Reseinded.
The former action was then rescind-
ed and the examination of witnesses
begun, Dr. Thigpen being the first call
ed and, replying to questions said he
saw DR.. Bickerstan write the letter
asking that his charges be withdrawn.
Or. Bickerstaff
was then called. When questioned by
Attorney Reese, who acted on behalf
Of the county, the doctor stated that
he had attended William Barry. upon
whose body an autopsy was held and
that he died of pneumonia and that he
was ready to give a certificate Of death
at the time and, that he had done
so later He said he had been called
up by Constable BObe and told to come
to the undertaking parlors Of Frank
R. POu, that an autopsy was to be held
upon the body of Barry, and that he
had replied to Mr. Bobe and told him
it was unnecessary as ne could give a
certificate Of death and therefore even
an inquest was unnecessary.
The witness was cross examined at
length by Judge Landrum and explain
ed the procedure in reporting cases.
Frank r. Pou
testified that he had handled the body
and protested upon the autopsy. He
T aalAA ne AAtAA UGH AAA1AA AAANA W AulAN
charge of the body by friends of the
/ deceased. He had been told that Barry
had a doctor, and so informed the
Board Of Health Office that night His
assistant. sam Clifford, Jr., testified
practically the same
The next witness to be called was
/ DR.. Mcmillan. He had examined Barry
I before his death and found he had
pneumonia He had, however. found
I DR.. Bickerstaff attending and did not
visit him again.
H. o. Arson who knew Barry well,
said he was surprised when he found
an autopsy or coroner's inquest held.
as he knew DR.. Bickerstaf was at
tending him.
Or. W. &. Anderson
was then examined. He said it was
/ reported to him on the night of Octo-
I Der 16 that Barry had died, and that
after investigation no one could be
found who knew the cause, or wh1
bad attended him. He then went Ia
search of the coroner and told him thai
unless a coroner's certificate of death
was issued the body could not be in
! TERED, and also that it was very prob
able that an autopsy would be held.
He did not know at that time thar DR..
/ Bickerstaff had attended him. He
then explained the forms to be filled
out by physicians in case of sickness.
Dr. ). W. Hsrgis
said that he had been called to con
duct the autopsy by Judge Landrum.
+ In reply TO a question he said that it
was necessary to hold this autopsy in
order to ascertain the cause of death.
He found he had died Of pneumonia.
State Health oncer.
State Health Officer Porter was ten
called. He said he remembered the
time that the matter was discussed
and the efforts made to find some one
+ who knew the cause Of death. He
I was asked at the cine if he had anv
objection to an autopsy and he replied
he did not, as it might have been vel
low fever which was then prevalent.
Herman PinRey, one of the mem.
+ bers of the coroners jury was next
called, and testified that the jury asked
for an autopsy
u r. NJ, ihigpsn.
The most interesting witness was
Dr. Thigpen He had not been call
ed, but upon the conclusion Of the ex
animation of Pinney ali witnesses
were excused. The doctor. however
I requested that he be examined. AT
ter some talk he was sworn. He said
he desired TO explain his position
which was that of a peace maker: that
during the afternoon he had talked
with Bickerstam in an effort TO Settle
lthe matter amicably. and that DR.
i Bickerstam had consulted him as tt
the best MODE of procedure.
Or. Thigpen then picked up the let
ter Of DIT. Bickerstaf and said that hC
thought the matter had been settled
when this was presented. But. D.,
said. il seemed from the fuss thar wa.