The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1907-07-12
The Presley Inouest.

me FreSity inquest.
Detroit, July 11.-Hypothetical
] questions put to DR.. e. B. Smith by
Attorney Frank It. Lodge in cross
examination soon after the inquisi-
ton into the death of Edith Presley
was begun before Coroner Parker
Wednesday afternoon, strongly init
mated the probable line of defense
to be taken up by DR.. George Fritch,
accused of manslaughter in connec-
ton with the girls demise.
DIR. Smith, If a physician called
| into a case finds a woman suffering
with all symptoms of septic perito-
nitis, from an operation begun some
time before, perhaps by herself, is it
not his part to do all in his power
to prevent fatality resulting?"
To this the witness answered in
the affirmative. Then he was asked by
Mr.. Lodge about natural and instru-
mental operations, and he admitted
that post norton appearances in both
kinds were alike, barring wounds. He
gave it as his opinion, however, that
in the case of Edith Presley there
were plenty of evidences tending to
show beyond doubt that the opera
ton, the effects of which killed her,
was instrumental.
Brother Takes Stand.
Aside from these questions the main
feature of the afternoons session
came in the testimony given by Frank
Presley, brother of the dead girl,
a bookkeeper for the Michigan Uni
ted railway, in Lansing. He said his
sister had not told him when she was
leaving for Detroit what sort of OPP
Grafton she intended to undergo. Yet
her letters to him after she got here
have somewhat contrary tone.
"The last time I saw my sister
alive was at noon on the day she left
for Detroit" said Presley, in low
steady voice. "She called me to her
Office, and told me she had at last
found out the cause of her recent ill
ness, and was going to leave that
night for Detroit, to undergo an OPP
Grafton, She asked me to attend to
her work while she was gone.
For some time she had been COM
planning of indigestion, and had been
treating for it. I thought her refer
ence to recent illness was to the
indigestion. knew DR.. Clara Davis,
of Lansing, had been treating her,
and rather unsuccessfully, she said
l begged her to send me word every
day as to how she was getting along
in Detroit. l had no suspicion of
what was the matter with her. The
next day after she reached Detroit
she wrote me the first letter."
Letters Are Read.
Prosecutor Robinson then read the
following letter:
Bulletin No. 1. Saturday: Dear
Notwithstanding is we'll, so far.
Nothing has been done, as l am not
permanently settled. / am feeling fine
this morning, as l had a good nights
rest, which / needed. E."
The next letter, written on the fol-
lowing day, shows how calmly and
confidently the girl prepared for the
operation from which she was never
to recover.
Bulletin No. 9. Sunday: Dear
Brother have been all day prepar-
ing for it, and it will be performed
tomorrow The long delay has been
wearying me, but the principal thing
that bothers me is that you are wor-
ried am glad no one else knows. Just
as soon as | come out from the chic
reform, I will drop you a line. Adj
dress a letter on the outside envelope
to Hope Sanitarium, 1886 Third Ave-;
on the inside envelope to Mary e.
Hall. The doctor knows my name,
but the nurses know me by the other
name. The doctor is fine and inspires
me with confidence.
Cheerfully,
E."
The girls reference in that to the
fact that mo one else knows" is what
many who heard the testimony can
not reconcile with the brothers state
ment that he had no suspicion what
was really the matter. There is, too,
the girls assumption of a fictitious
name.
Ask About Ward Today.
After these letters were read, Cor
oner Parker granted an adjournment
until o'clock this morning. Evident
ly the prosecutor has reserved ques-
tioning the brother about Edith Pres