The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-02-03
AUTOPSY IS FOR
HIS POPS BENEFIT
Thinking Doctors Would Pay for the
&" Privilege, Dying Lad Urges
Parent To Consent.

NEW YORK, Feb. with the
autopsy on the body OF James Me
Neil, aged 20. son of John Mcneil,
of No. PHI East Eiehtieth-st.. in the
Presbyterian huspftai. a remarkable
and pathetic story OF youthful self.
sacrifice became known
Realizing several days ago that
death was near, the boy eXacted a
promise. from his father that the ply
Eicians be allowed TO perform an
autopsy. He believed that they would
pay for the privilege and that the
.''old man" would receive so much
needed financial aid, or at least be
saved the expense OF buyiug his
son.
James McNeirs health failed about
fiye years ago and he was sent 10 a
farm in Virginia by the Childrens
(. Aid society of this city After work
ing a few months In the fields he be
came much stronger. and az the end
of year was about TO start for home.
when he was kicked in the ribs by
mule. He was laid Up for a long time
and then he went 20 San Antonio
Tex. He worked there foI four years
Became M After Return.
The bracing air OF the prairie cOuu-
try seemed to put new life into him.
and he soon developed into strong
stalwart youth. But he grew home
sick and year ago began TO save his
money so that he might visit his
pop"
He had read of the preparations for
, the Hudson-Fulton celebration and de-
cided to come on for a visit Last
July he started north and celebrated
his twentieth birthday between Cal
weston and this city. His father met
him at the pier and the two held
reunion by themselves. as the mother
was dead and the other boys were
away.
Soon after his arrival here he corn !
planned of illness and said his heart
hurt him. He seemed 10 suffer from
palpitation and lost weight rapidly. /
In a short time no was unable 70 go
around, and in October he was admit +
ted to the Presbyterian hospital. The Z
physicians at once diagnosed his all Z
ment as articular rheumatism The .
beatings Of his heart were easily dis
cernible through his chest
The Hudson-Fulton celebration
came and went, and all the boy ever
saw OF II was from pictures in the
papers his father brought him from
day to day. The lad never complain
ed and took his confinement cheer
fully. He said he probably would be
well enough by the winter 10 get some
skating in Central park. anyway He
knew, though. that he was doomed,
but he withheld this from his father
until last Tuesday.
Wins Fathers Consent.
When Mr. Mcneil called that day
the lad took his parents hand and
said
Pop, know / am going to die
soon; in a few hours perhaps, or at
most a couple OF days. Or. James
has been awfUlly good to me and has
done all he can, but I'm beyond NOR
tai aid. You are out of work and
haven't much money left from your
savings. Now, I'll tell YOU what I
want you TO do:
after I'm gone let the doctors
perform an autopsy on NE They say
my case IS n remarkable one, and
maybe they will give You some mon
ey to let them perform IL At least
they out TO bury me for nothing and
save you the expense. Please PROM
Use.
Mr.. McNeiTs eyes were filled with 4
tears and at frs he would not but
finally when his son insisted he con /
scented. but he never said anything 10 I
the doctors about it. Young Mcneil I
died Friday, with his hand in his ,
fathers.
AS Dr Mcneil was leaving the hos
pital Or c. Irving Fisher the super 4
intendent. asked Mr. McNeils permits.
sion to perform the autopsy on his
son for the benefit of science, and the /