The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1911-02-09
j. H, TILLMAN'S NURSE.
She Was Dismissed Because of Let
ter to the Senator.

Asheville, Jan. 27.-Anent the
several newspaper stories relative to
Col. James H. Tillman, who has
been visitor and health-seeker in
Asheville for the past several months
and who is declared to be rapidly
improving, Mrs. Mary Dortch Sco-
field, who came here with Col.
Tillman as his nurse and who re-
mained with Col. Tillman until, as
she says, she was fired because she
wrote letter to Senator Benjamin
Tillman asking that he assist his
nephew" has handed in for publi-
cation a communication giving her
side of the matter and also letter
from former Governor Charles B.
Aycock, of North Carolina, as to her
standing, refinement and culture.
Mrs. Scofeld's communication fol-
lows:
81 have paid no attention to the
stories lately printed, but the at
tack by Mrs. NJ. T. Bunch, a sister
of Col. Tillman, as she signed herself
when in Asheville, cannot go un-
noticed. (She refers to an article
in the Spartanburg Journal few
days ago. They are not true. l
was with Col. Tillman from the
hour he arrived in Asheville until
he became angry about my writing
to Senator Tillman to assist him.
Then he dismissed me, saying that
was the best nurse he had ever
seen but he would never have an
other nurse, but would get a mig
GER who would not tell everything.
have nothing to say against my
patient. 1 did my duty by him.
When he went to Larkspur cottage.
in Albermarle park, it was l who
advanced the money for three
months rent; also the SIS which
paid for the bed he now occupies. 1
expected his sister, Mrs. Bunch, to
repay that money. She left here
November 2, promising to send me
a check November Is. l have not
received one penny yet. She left
without leaving one penny in the
house, and the rest of my money,
over $50, went for what would call
very necessary expenses; milk, eggs,
etc. Mrs. Bunch was not in Lark
spur cottage after November 2 un-
til January II, although wrote her
in December 1 would be compelled
to 20 where I could make expenses,
then only remained three nights.
Certain patients are allowed to eat
all they can get. I did not know
Col. Tillman had been forbidden that
privilege. I never nursed in Balti-
more. I told Col. Tillman when /
went to him of my dismissal from
the out patient department con-
nected with Bellevue. I am not
ashamed but rather proud Of the
fact. Miss Goodrich offered to let
me resign, but I preferred dismis-
sal because I was dismissed for re-
porting unjust treatment of helpless
patients. The matter was placed be-
fore Mayor Gaynor, but he did not
give me a fair investigation. Miss
Goodrich and DR.. Brannon misrep-
resented the case to him and he let
it drop. I intend to have it up
later.
'I have been noted for giving my
time and money to patients. This
is the first time I have been accused
of trying to steal. AS letter from
the governor of South Carolina has
been given, no doubt I will be par
doned for producing one from
former governor of North Carolina,
Hon. Charles B. Aycock.
Respectfully,
Mrs. Mary D. Scofeld."
The letter from former Governor
Aycock, which Mrs. Scofeld handed
in as an exhibit, follows:
81 have known Mrs. Mary Dortch
Scofeld for more than 25 years.
She is a member of one of the very
best families in North Carolina, and
she is a woman of culture, high and
noble purpose. Her life has been
devoted to the service of others. She
is absolutely and unqualifiedly truth
full about all matters and can be i'm
plicitly relied upon. 1 wish to make
this testimonial as strong as langu-
age permits, because in truth she is
entitled to it,