The San Francisco call., 1908-11-09
DR.. Walter II. Fearn Threatens
to Sue for Months Attend
ance at "Konoyah"
Bill Represents Charge of $40
an Hour During Detention
at MilliOnaire's Home
Milos Mitrov Gopcevic, Who
Married Heiress When a Mo-
torman, Asked to Pay


nous ."Konoyah" estate in Lake
county, where dwells wealthy Milos
Mitrov Gopcevic, the millionaire, at
one time blue clad, hard working
gripman on the Sacramento street
cable line, there came yesterday the
story of a most unusual happening
an occurrence which may be aired
soon in the courts of San Francisco,
with DR.. Walter H. Fearn, well
known Lake county physician, and
Gopcevic as the central figures. Cop
cevic will be remembered as the grip
man who married Miss Floyd, the
heiress.
For 6o6 hours, or 2o days, DR.. Fearn
alleges he was prisoner in the home
of Gopcevic, where he had gone to
treat the millionaire's brother. For
each of these hours the physician wants
$40 each, which. he claims. is justly
due him as a special fee covering, as
he declares. unusual detention" in the
famous "Konoyah' mansion. For sos
hours DR.. Fearn says he was kept from
his patients, who charged that he for
sock them to become the private at
tendant of rich man. All these things
and minor allegations have been made
in a sensational statement, made by
DR.. Fearn to a legal firm, in whose
hands he has placed his case. The firm
will bring suit for $500 against one
of the most fortunate cable car grip
men who ever breasted the chilling
PATIENTS ALLEGED NEGLECT
The splendor of Konoyah mansion.
held no prize for DIR. Fearn, although
he had servants at his beck and call,
priceless paintings to be studied when
his patient rested easily and countless
modes of recreation. But ever present
in the doctors mind. he says, were suf-
fering patients whom he could not
reach and he was stirred to indigna-
ton. When he attempted to persuade
Gopcevfc to permit him TO leave the
place he says he was confronted by
violent entreaties. You can not go.
You must save the life of my brother
Peter Fearn says that his sugges-
tions were met with emphatic promises.
Il will pay whatever price you say
said Gopcevic, according to the physi-
clan, and Fearn declares that when he
agreed to remain for SO an hour Cop
cevic offered no objection.
You do not doubt that I can pay
your bill?" anXiously quizzed the mil
lionaire. "I am rich man, but to
leave my brother to a horrible death in
these lonely parts would break my
heart"
And so Fearn remained. For whole
month DIR. Fearn treated Peter Cop
cevic and at the expiration of that
time the sick man arose from his bed
and departed for the southern part of
the state.
PHYSICIAN PRESENTS BILL
The sad sequel, sad at least for Dr.
Fearn, came when the physician pre-
sented his claim for services. Upon
regulation billhead, in the Doctors
handwriting the following statement
'Milos NJ. Gopcevic to DR.. Walter H
Fearn.
September 1, 1907.
ITO unusual detention from o. m,
September !, to a. M, September 20,
being continued attendance on p NJ
Gopcevic at the request of NJ M. Cop
cevic, $50 hours, at SO per hour, s6, $50"
According to DIR. Fearn there never
has been any reply to this statement,
other than occasional small checks
Continued silence on the part of Cop
cevic led Fearn to place the matter in
the hands of a legal firm, and now, it
is stated, a lawsuit is to follow
IN. NJ. Gopcevic sent for me and told
me not to inform his brother of my
visit, but to tell him I was called to
see one of the help" said Fearn
When, on the next morning, when
was ready to leave he wanted me to
stay, 1 explained how much damage
it would be to my standing in the COM
munity if 1 did SO. He cared nothing
for that.
II explained that it would be an ex-
pensive proposition, telling him that
detention fees are $40 an hour He
did not care what it would cost, and
If I did not stay he would send for
some one else in San Francisco and
probably his brother would be dead by
that time.
HE agreed to pay the feel stayed
L want you to stay right here said
M. Copcevic, until my brother is we'll
1 don't care what it's going to cost
Are you afraid you won't get your
money? 1 then had to stay right there
until his brother was well, which was
September 80"
BUSINESS Loss CAUSED
Concerning the loss of business sus-
tanned. Fearn said. That enforced ab-
sence from my business has been
great loss and made me many enemies
in this community, who state that left
them at a critical moment to serve a
man with more money, and / have not
vet been able to retrieve the ground I
lost; so for that sacrifice, the forced
detention and loss of business ought
to count for something. as my fee is
in accordance with the regular charges
set by physicians in this state.
AL of this was explained to NJ. Cop
cevic, who insisted on keeping me in
his home. / have as witnesses a nurse
and Copcevic's hired man. who got me,
with strict orders not to return with
out the doctor.
Il had to travel II miles across the