The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1909-05-06
MUCH EVIDENCE GIVEN IN
THE KOCH DAMAGE SUIT
Examination of Witnesses for Plaintiff and
nation Of Defendant Had Occupied Time Of Court
Up to Noon Today

Yesterday afternoon, the ex.
animation of witnesses for the plain.
tiff was continued in the damage
case against DR.. Koch of Blackjack,
Miss Della Johnson( sister of the
deceased Oscar Johnson resuming
the stand.
Miss Johnson, being questioned
by Senator Peterson, said that the
doctor had examined her brothers.
throat and assured the family that
Oscar was not suffering with diph-
iberia, and claimed that the doctor
gave what he acknowledged was
morphine to Oscar to induce sleep,
which had no immediate effect, but
later patient went to sleep, but had
to be awakened, because of fear OF
choking.
The witness testified that DR..
Koch answered Oscar, in response
to an inquiry, that he did not have
diphtheria, but said something about
administering anti toxin, and accord
ing to the witness, the doctor re-
fused a request from the patient to
inject anti toxin, asa preventative
for possible diDhtheria.
The doctor stated positively all
of Saturday that patient did not
have diphtheria; throat was sore
from lancing, and tonsils were
swollen; witness had been present
at all of doctors examinations,
except that made Saturday morning.
Oscar choked a great deal that night;
had been dressed and sat in the
kitchen until about 10 O'Clock, when
the doctor had sent him to bed; the
doctor had administered tablets
with syringe, at noon Saturday, and
stated they were strychnine, stimu-
liant.
Continuing the examination, Miss
Johnson asserted that from Saturday
night until Sunday morning no anti
toxin was administered by the doc
tor; and did not say before Monday
that patient had diphtheria; at $50
Sunday morning, the doctor injected
same thing he had used before in
Oscars arm. Witness was positive
in her own mind that the doctor had
not put up the diphtheria card Sun.
day morning; that morning the doc.
tor administered anti toxin and
stated that the patient did not have
diptheria, but was giving the injec-
ton to prevent that disease; also
gave anti toxin to Della and told her
that Oscar did not have diphtheria.
Witness stated that Oscar was
conscious and rational until Sunday
evening. The doctor was accom-.
panied by DR.. Osborn, Sunday
evening. The doctor STAYED all that
night. The doctor had said that
Oscars pulse was normal and that
the crisis had passed and Oscar was
improving.
Witness told of going to bed and
getting up at 6 Monday morning,
when Oscar was lying on the pillows,
with blood coming to his mou tn:
Oscar died between and $50 that
morning.
Witness said her mother asked the
doctor what Oscar had died of anc
the doctor had pronounced a long
name which physicians used tol
diphtheria.
The witness asserted that DR..
Koch did not put up the diphtheris
card until Monday afternoon, after
Oscar had died.
The witness told of trip to DR.
Koch's Office a few days afte1
Oscars death, and there was a con
troversy over the death and as t.
whether the doctor knew that Osca
had diphtheria on Friday before hi
death.
Cross-examined by Mr.. Mcdonald
Miss Johnson denied that she hat
ever stated that she did not care hoy
this case turned out so long as sh
caused DR.. Koch to lose his diploma
She had taken notes of DR.. Koch
testimony while the case was bein,
tried.
Witness said she had diphtheria il