Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-08-07
CITY BUYS CORK LEG
FOR PATRICK SHERIDAN
Artificial Heel Also Included in
the Purchase, Which, It Is
Confidently Hoped, Will Put
Unfortunate Man on His Feet
Again

Authority given by the board Of aldermen
at their meeting Monday night for the
Burlington board of charities to expend
between SIS and 500 for the purchase Of
cork leg and an artificial heel the
most unique motion ever entertained and
passed by the city fathers, proved to be
the easiest way out Of very complicated
affair for which the city could have been
made the defendant in a suit to recover
large sum of money at the instigation
of the Mary Fletcher hospital board of
management, had they so chosen, the
money being for the medical care, treat
ment and board of one Patrick Sheridan,
a delinquent parsonage, who is minus his
right leg at the knee and a good portion
of his left heel.
The city fathers were addressed by
Thomas a. Delany, overseer of the poor
on the queer case, and according to the
information given them by Mr.. Delsny
the situation began late one afternoon
during the middle of September, 1917. at
Alhurg when Sheridan was run over by
a Rutland railroad train as he was at
tempting to ride the blnd-basgage from
the islands to the metropolis He slipped
off the bumpers and rolled under the
wheels, one Of which passed over his right
leg, severing it just below the knee and
slicing off a large portion of the heel
of his right foot.
After being given first aid by the train
men. one of the surgeons employed by
the Rutland railroad ordered Sheridan's
removal to the Mary Fletcher hospital
which was done. Here he was given care
full treatment and has since been we'll
happy and anxious to work Several weeks
after he landed at the hospital the rail-
nj hot he, N
message to the hospital that they would
not pay his bill at the hospital any longer,
but the authorities at the hospital deny
ever receiving such a message.
The patient was being treated al the
hospital daily and in April of this year
nearly % months after the accident the
hospital received a written notice from
the railroad officials that after that date
they would not pay any more of the bills
accruing from the accident. Attorney
Charles Fl. Darling, for the hospital
wrote a letter to Overseer Delany and
told him that the charity department
would be held responsible for $500 per
week for Sheridan's board. but Overseer
Delany, on the advice of City Attorney
Theodore T. Hopkins. refused to recognize
the demands Of the hospitals counsel
After the law was looked up ii was de-
cided that the city could be held liable
for Sherdan's care from the time the
railroad gave written notice and then
the matter was put up TO the board of
aldermen. IT was the desire of the hos
pital authorities to avoid a possible suit
over the matter with the city and they
offered to release the man at once and
call matters square if Sheridan was taken
off their hands. but if not they would
sue for his maintenance. etc.
Now it happened that the only things
that Sheridan needed to equip himself
for life outside and work again was a
cork leg. to stump around with and a
new heel to complete his equilibrium.
Careful consideration into the cost Of
repairing the pedal eXtremities of the
man was given and it was found to be
the cheapest way out of the tangle and
so the board ordered the charity DEPART
ment to take him to the poor farm. secure
the new artificial walking arrangements.
and then see that he got Job which
would enable him to support himself
The city fathers. however, wish it TO
be distinctly understood that this is the
first and last case of its kind that will
he taken care of, as the city is not in
the cork leg and artificial heel business,
and never will be.