Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 112, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 May 1912 — WANTED OPERATION AS JOKE [ARTICLE]

WANTED OPERATION AS JOKE

Occupant in County Jail Thought It Would Be Much More Comfortable In Hospital. Cleveland. —Jack Obbaum, a county jail prisoner, charged with contributing to the delinquency of minor children, was a very sick man. At least, be told deputy sheriffs he was very sick. He moaned, groaned, tossed and rolled. , "It’s here,*’ and Ohlbaum pointed to his right side. Deputy sheriffs were at first solicitous. When the jail supply of medicines failed to bring any improvement they became alarmed. They sent for the county physician, Dr. A. E. McClure, Dr. McClure came, examined, prescribed and left But Ohlbaum still rolled, tossed, moaned and groaned. He murmured something about' “colic" and “appendicitis,” and deputy sheriffs again sentYor Dr. McClure. Dr. McClure was skeptical on his second visit however. Again be examined. but this time be winked and telephoned for a fellow practitioner who makes a specialty of surgery. The surgeon arrived and was escorted to Ohlbaum’s cell by Dr. McClure. There a dazzling array of sharp-edged knives and operating instruments was laid out I* “What’s those torr anxiously inquired Ohlbaum. i “We are going to operate,” said Dr, McClure; “you said you had appendicitis.”

“Wow!” exclaimed Ohlbaum. “Don’t cut me open. 1 ain’t sick. Honest, I ain’t I was just fooling.”