The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-12-04
TWO VERDICTS
ON ONE DEATH
TRAP YELLING
Widows Insurance Right
PeriIed by Action of
C0r0ner'S Aid.
JURY SHOWN RECORDS
Heat First Given as Cause
of Fatality; Alcoholism
Then Blamed.
BY DICK MILLER

Glaring discrepancies in two YER
diets returned within thirteen days
by Coroner Fred w. Vehling in the
death case of Jesse O. Cant, So, of
427 kaufman place, were revealed
today in further investigation of
Vehling's activities.
In verdict returned by Vehling
July 81, after Cant had died at the
city hospital July 2, it was record
ed that Cant was a victim of heat
prostration.
But on Aug. 10 Vehling issued
another sworn verdict that heat
prostration and alcoholism caused
Giants death.
No explanation is offered by the
coroner for the change in verdicts,
although city health board and hos
pital records state heat prostration
caused death. Tt was pointed out
that under the alcoholism verdict,
Mrs. Eva Cant, widow, will be I'M
able to collect insurance.
NNAhlCb OudhSC O1AOWh
Cant, an employe of the Marion
Poultry Company, 1922 South Me-
ridian street, was stricken late the
afternoon of July 2, when the tenn
perature stood at SO.
Change in the verdict in the case
was revealed as Mrs. Cant prepared
to go before the state industrial
board to demand compensation in
surance payment from the poultry
firm.
AT the hearing Robert Dalton, at
torney for Mrs. Cant, will air the
verdict change and point to the
prostration records on file with the
city board and hospital.
Dalton also charges that an au-
topsy was performed on Giants body
after insurance company represent
tatives had impressed Mrs. Cant
with the necessity of the operation
as a legal move. The autopsy was
performed by DR.. Henry Alburger,
who, although he is not deputy
coroner, often performs post-mor-
TENS for Yelling.
PrOstratiOn Verdict Given
Dalton said he did not know I'M
til recently that the autopsy was
not on record in Vehling's office and
that Alburger had forwarded his
findings to the insurance company.
Circumstances surrounding Giants
death were told at an inquest. The
inquest was followed by the first
verdict of prostration.
According to Harris Cohn, son of
Sol Cohn, proprietor of the poultry
firm, Cant, mumbling and burning
with fever, came into the company
Office late in the afternoon.
He said he was i'll and was taken
in an automobile by Harris Cohn in
search of his home. Unable to give
proper directions, Cohn testified he
took Cant to police headquarters.
When the city hospital ambulance
arrived, DR.. G.. L. Sandy, ambulance
physician, said Cant was in serious
condition and in coma. At city
hospital, Cant was treated for heat
proStration, but never regained con-
seriousness.
Temperature at 1OS
Sandy reported Giants fever had
reached 108, temperature common
in heat prostration cases.
Dalton said medical testimony
will be introduced at the industrial
board hearing, to show that if Cant
was suffering from alcoholism, his
temperature would have been sub
normal, probably about 70.
Harris Cohn said before Cant died
he continued to humble, I'm not
drunk: I'm not drunk. I'll be all
right tomorrow" None of the per-
sons who cared for Cant after he
was stricken have stated he was
drinking
Worked in Terrific Heat
Cohn repeated Giants assertion
that he had not been drinking, but
said he did not know of his own
knowledge whether Cant had liquor
on his breath
Dalton said it will be charged at
the board hearing that Cant was
forced to work under terrific heat
and there was no ventilation in the
room.
Delton said he will introduce
testimony that employees asked fans
be installed, but this was refused
by the COINS.