Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-09-25
MRS. BINGHAM BODY
EXHUMED BY PERMIT
OF COUNTY OFFICER
NeS0itt at Wilmington Issues
Statement Telling Why He
Gave Leave to Enter Grave
of Wealthy Woman

WILMINGTON. Y. C.. Sept; DIR.
Charles r Nesbitt. county health officer.
announced today that ne had issued a
permit Tor tine elimination OF the body
o. Mrs. Robert Worth Bingham. lie told
Mayor T. - Moore that he would issue
a statement 10 the newspapers later ana
explained that the reason he had with
held information was that he had been
they thought a crime had been COM
mttteG
Graham kenan. first cousin and broth
eI-in-iaw o. Mrs Bingham who IS
Wilmington attorney. issued a state
TH2: today declarinA that members
Of he family had had an autopsy per-
ior-Dcu ~ the usual and regular way
OF advice OF leading physicians. lie
said they were justified in this acton
ny the facts and circumstances relating
10 Mrs. Biuzham's illness and death as
disclosed TO them" The results of the
autopsy had not Yet been made known to
them. he added
KENAN'S STATEMENT.
Mr. Renal's statement says:
The facts and circumstances relating
Ia Mrs Bingham's illness and death and
as disclosed 20 members of her family
justified them in. and made ii their
dvty 20 consult lending physicians who
advised that an autopsy be performed.
This has ben done in the usual and
regular way in the broad open daylight
by the best experts obtainable. but the
results OF their investigation have not
vet been made known to the family.
"AE interested may be assured that
any. investigation which has been or may
he made. has been and will be conduct
ed n q proper and legitimate manner,
and with absolute fairness TO all parties
concerned.
The feelings OF the family naturally
made them desire TO have as little pub
liCity rs possible given the matter.
II hope tie public will be fair enough
not 10 jump at any conclusions based on
the facts Tow in their possession"
County Health Officer Nesbitt also
issued a statement later. I'm which he
said he had issued a permit last Tues
6ay for the disinterment OF Mrs. Bling
hams body at the request of Graham
Kenan. who. told him that the family
was anxious to ascertain II possible The
cause OF death. "the matter not having
been settled TO their satisfaction"
Mr.. Nesbitts statement says:
with reference to the issuance of a
permit for the disinterment OF the body
OF Mrs Bingham. I desire to say that
Issued such q permit on Tuesday morn
ing, September Is. at the request OF Mr..
Graham Kenan- This kind OF permit Is
issued for the sole purpose OF protecting
the public health against possible dan
ger that might arise from the disinter-
ment OF a body which would dissent
nate disease. II had no other status.
The reason for this disinterment, as
stated BY AR Kenan. was that the fam
lily Of the deceased were anxious to dis
cover. IL possible. the cause OF death.
the matter not having been settled to
their satisfaction. The statements made
~ NJ. Kenan were supported by his
family physician. who was present at
he interview. and they requested that I
refrain from giving any newspaper pub
Iscity to the matter.
Nc person other than a newspaper
man has asked me for any Information
concerning the disinterment OF Mrs.
8inFham's body. excepting Mr.. Shepard
Bryan the legal representative Of Judge
bingham. to whom 7 unhesitatingly told
al the facts pertaining TO the disinter-
n1ent # the body that were in my pos
session
- was not present a the disinter-
ruent and autopsy Of Mrs. Bingham's
body and have no personal knowledge
~ that occurrence. and had no other
connection with the matter