New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-31
Patient Free TO Rely
on Faith Cure, Ver-
dict of Coroner.
HEALER ADMITS
CALLING DOCTOR
Received Authority from
Bible for Treatment, She
Testifes at Inquest.

II a person dies under the ministra-
tions of Christian Science, after hav-
ing, of his own free will, chosen q
healer instead OF doctor TO care for
him, no one can be held responsible for
his death.
This was the substance of the ver-
dict returned last night BY the cor
oner's jury which inquired into the
death Of Alexander H. Schubert, Of 473
First Street, Brooklyn. Pneumonia
carried off Schubert on Christmas Eve.
Until he was past medical aid he was
attended by Mrs. Martha Fletcher, a
healer. Of 1O2 Lincoln Place. Brooklyn.
Inquest into his death was held last
night before Coroner Ernest c. Wagner
in the Coroner's Court. The jury de-
bated for more than an hour before
they brought in their verdict
Own Fault If Cure Kills.
"The opinion Of the coroners jury
is that the deceased did not receive
proper medical treatment, but nobody
was responsible for his death, because
he chose Christian Science treatment
Of his own free will"
Schubert was taken i'll on Tuesday,
December 21. On Wednesday he was
so much worse that he sent for Mrs.
Fletcher, his healer. She treated him
until Thursday night, when DR.. Robert
Carr, jr, of 2si Kingston Avenue, was
called in at her suggestion. The dis
case, which the doctor diagnosed as
bronchial pneumonia, had progressed
so FAR that nothing could be done to
save him.
When questioned by Assistant Dis
trict Attorney Reuben H. Wilson last
night DR.. Carr admitted that he had
never lost q similar case when called
in in the early stages Of the trouble.
Mrs. Clara Schubert. the dead mans
wife, who is also an ardent Christian
Scientist was first called TO the stand.
Wrapped in the deepest OF mourning.
she defended the action Of her husband
in calling in a practitioner to heal him,
saying that since he had become con-
yerted to Christian Science he had
never been i'll, except for slight cold,
which Mrs. Fletcher cured.
This is the only Christian Science
case you have ever had she an
noUnced violently, at the close of her
testimony, TO Coroner Wagner, "and
think of the thousands Of cases the
doctors make for you every day"
Healer Testifies.
Pale and thin Mrs. Martha Fletcher
followed Mrs. Schubert to the stand.
She said that her two brothers, her
father and three uncles were all doc
tors, but that she had been Christian
Scientist ever since Faith cured her Of
pneumonia years ago.
81 receive authority from the Bible
for my treatment" she told the As
sistant District Attorney.
~ don't remember which chapter" ."
she admitted IN answer TO second
question.
She then admitted tnat she had sent
for a physician 10 care for the dying
man. Blu; ! couldn't turn him from
Cod" she added triumphantly.
Following the brief testimony o. DR..
Carr, the dead mans brother also was
heard
81 most certainly am not" he re-
sponded emphRticsily to the question
as TO whether he was a scientist or not.
He told of going to see his brother on
the day he died and of being turned
away from the house with the excuse
that the healer was giving treatment
Coroner Wagner then started to
charge the jury, basing his remarks on
the statement that the law insisted that
it was mandatory OF any person 10 re-
ceive medical treatment. He was in
terrupted by William Donahue. Mrs.
Schubert's lawyer, who pointed out
that the law provided that medical
treatment should be given all minors,
but that with adults il was optional.
The Coroner then altered his charge
accordingly.