Los Angeles herald., 1909-08-01
POLICE ACCUSE
HOSPITAL HEADS
JAMES O'BRlEN, PRISONER, HAS
EASY ESCAPE
Other Men Sent from Workhouse to
Hospital Said to Have Been
"Dlscharged" by the
Doctors

James O'Brien, sentenced May IA to
serve $50 days in the workhouse on a
charge of improper conduct with chill
dren, who was sent from the workhouse
to the county hospital for medical at
tentlon escaped from the latter place
June rs. The fact that the man had
been missing from the hospital for
more than a month was not known 10
the police until yesterday, when the
matter was reported to Chief Dishman
by the workhouse authorities, who Wis
tied the hospital to learn the condition
of O'Brien.
According to Chief Dishman, the
fact that O'Brien escaped from the
county hospital was not mentioned to
the police by the hospital authorities.
"O'Brien was sentenced to serve 1S0
days in the workhouse on technical
charge of vagrancy," said Chief DISH
man. He was sent to the workhouse
May A. Several days after being admit
ted he complained of being ill and was
treated by the police surgeons, who
visit the workhouse once day and ex-
anime the prisoners. O'Brien continued
to grow worse and, June 16, was re-
moved to the county hospital
He was taken there by PatTolman
Vignes, who presented a regulation GER
tificate, stating O'Brien's offense, the
time he had to serve, and brief sum-
mary of the case. According to a re-
port made by Patrolman Vignes, this
certificate was given to the person in
charge of the hospital office and the
prisoner was duly delivered to the hos
pital.
According to the regulations, the
prisoners who are sent to the hospital
are to be returned to us with the GER
tificate that is filed when the prisoner
patient is entered there.
Prisoner Walked Away
"We heard nothing more about the
case until yesterday, when some one
called up the worShouse and inquired
as to the condition and general well
fare of O'Brien. The officers at the
workhouse in turn communicated with
the county hospital and learned that
O'Brien was discharged June rs.
"An officer was detailed to investi
gate, and, according to his report,
O'Brien simply walked away from the
hospital without any difficulty"
Because of the escape of O'Brien and
several other prisoners from the county
hospital recently it is probable that an
investigation will be made in order to
remedy The supposed lax methods said
to be employed by the hospital author
tiles in the care of prisoner patients.
Among those who have escaped from
the county hospital within the last two
months the most important is william
Davis, who was arrested a short time
ago at New Albany, Ind. on charge
of obtaining goods under false pre-
lenses and brought back to Los Angeles
at an expense of $500. Davis left the
hospital about o'clock the morning of
July II and no trace of him has been
found to this date.
Manuel Soto. sentenced to serve 1S0
days in the workhouse, who was taken
TO the county hospital for medical at
tention, was allowed to walk out un-
molested. According to the report of
the policeman who investigated the
case, Soto is said to have been ques-
toned by young physician at the
hospital and the following conversation
occurred:
Easy Escape for Soto
what is the matter with you?"
asked the doctor.
81 am sick; am addicted to the drug
habit and can't get any of the stuff"
replied the prisoner
"Well I'll give you shot Now
roll down your sleeve, take this Is
cents and beat it. in a hurry"