The San Francisco call., 1908-12-24
LUNCHEON WAITER
KILLED BY BEEF
Bacillus Enteritidis in Meat APP
parently Sound Blamed for
Navy Yard Poisoning
Caterer and Bussher indicated
by Jurors, Who Urge Better
Inspection of Cattle

More rigid inspection of cattle about
to be slaughtered for human consump-
tion was recommended yesterday by
the coroner's jury that investigated the
death of James C. Reynolds, a waiter.
who died from the effects of eating
poisonous meat at the launching of the
United States collier Prometheus at
Mare island December 5. Reynolds was
one of the 1000 victims of the luncheon
that followed the celebration at the
navy yard.
Guided by expert testimony, the jury
found that Reynolds death was caused
by acute castro intestinal infamma-
tion and toxemia due to meat poison
ing produced by the bacillus enteritidis,
an organism that is found in cattle al
f1icted with intestinal trouble or in
cows subsequent to calving. In order
that the carcases of such cattle may
be excluded from the markets Coroner
I. B. w. Leland and the jury recon-
mended a closer inspection of animals
about TO be slaughtered.
CoHN AND TAssI CLEARED
Leon Cohn, 74s Central avenue, the
caterer who supplied the luncheon. and
L. A. Tassi of Tassi & Simi the butcher
who furnished Cohn with the meat
served, were exonerated, as it was
shown that meat affected with the
bacillus enteritidis may have a normal
ana healthy appearance. AT the con-
clusion OF the inquest. Cohn, who had
remained for the verdict, shook hands
with the jurymen and thanked them
for his vindication.
The verdict follows:
no.
came to his death accidentally from acute castro
intestinal Inflammation, and also from toxemia,
que 10 meat poisoning produced bt the bacillus
enteritid1s tGartner). And further find that
SAID death was caused by eating beef sandwiches
at banquet given at Mare island navy yard at
the launching OF the L. s. collier Prometheus
December 5, 1908. 1t having appeared in this
case that the death was evidently due to a
bacillus or its toxin in cooked beef-said bacillus
we, the jury. recommend that a more rigid in
spection be made OF all living animals before
being slaughtered for human consumption.
And, further, it having appeared from the tes-
timony that it would be impossible for either
Leon Cohn. the caterer. the butchers, Tassi
& Slmi. 10 have recognized the presence of this
disease in the meat, said meat appearing to all
intents and purposes being first class, We, the
jury, hereby exonerate said caterer and butchers
and all supplymen connected with the case from
any blame responsibility in the matter, said
responsibility evidently being with the party or
parties who had charge OF the slaughterlng OF
said beef passing of said living animal for the
purpose of slaughter.
TESTIMONY AS TO LUNCHEON
Mrs. Eugenia Reynolds, widow of the
waiter, and DR.. Charles E. Leithead,
the physician who attended him, were
the first witnesses. They testified to
the symptoms of the deceased and de-
veloped the fact that Reynolds had
eaten beef sandwiches. Cohn, the
caterer told of securing the food for
the luncheon and the circumstances at
tending it's preparation. He said every
thing was of the best quality. His
profit. he said, was $500 or $500.
A. Tassi, the butcher, testified that
in his opinion the meat supplied Cohn
was first class. He said that he pur-
chased his meat from wholesale butch
ers, but could not trace the source of
the pieces he sold Cohn. Peter Coyle,
a waiter, and w. w. Toles, chief car
penter, Z. S. N, told of the luncheon.
W. J. Garrick, manager for Young &
SWANS bakery; r. Williams, pork deal
er, and ]. Newman, tongue dealer, testi-
fed to the rare excellence" OF their
several materials.
WITNESSES IDENTIFY BACILLUS
The facts regarding the presence of
the bacillus enteritidis were testified
to by DR.. James J. Hogan of Vallejo.
inspector for the state board of health
for that district who made a thorough
investigation into the epidemic, assist
ed by DR.. Frank Anderson of the United
States navy, stationed at Mare island:
Charles H Triebel, chemist at Mare
island, and Guy Wildasin, hospital
steward. who identified the bacillus.
President Martin Regensburger of the
state board of health, assisted Coroner
Leland in examining the witnesses.
Prof Frank T. Green and DR.. j. r.
~ /,
testimony. The jury deliberated over
the verdict for an hour.