Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-05-15
LOCAL NEWS


CoRoNER's ISaUBsr. Yesterday friday
morning, at the instigatiOn of District Attorney
Aldrich, Coroner Day of this city summoned a
jury Of inquest, to investigate the cause of the
death of DR.. A. W. Van Alstin, who was found
dead in his room in Union Block, on Thursday
morning.
The Jury was composed of the following gen
tlemen, viz Alexander Marsh, foreman; Alvan
Allen, Stephen Bartlett. Ralph Earle. Frederick
A. Clapp, and Asa Walker. The jury viewed the
body of the deceased about noon, and then Drs.
Martin and Sargent proceeded with post NOR
TEN examination.
At o'clock, P. M, the examination of wit
nesses commenced at the office OF Coroner Day,
which report in substance
Charles Van Altin, sworn.-Am Is years old,
and son of DR.. Van Alstini was with father the
evening before his death left the room in Union
Block about O'Clock, and went home to my
mother on Mechanic street deceased had been
taking liquor; was some intoxicated, which /
noticed by his walk and language; Mr.. A. L.
Doane was there with us; deceased wanted some
gin, and sent me to the York Saloon to get
some; got it of William DodI, carried it to the
room, aud then went home; in the morning |
went to the room in Union Block about
CLOCK went IN ana saw ldtneF on the SOFA. one
arm and one leg extended TO the floor; spoke to
him and found him dead saw some blood about
his mouth; then ran down the stairs and told
boy nv father was dead have heard father say
be never should die a natural death
4. L. Doane, sworn.-Knew deceased; was in
the rooms MIST OF the day on Wednesday was
there in the evening of Wednesday, and until
five minutes after on Thursday mornings lett
William Dodd with him in the morning; he stay
ed until half past 8 we were both with the de-
ceased all night; deceased was some excited in
the evening of Wednesday; said the Grand Jury
would ruin him; Wednesday night he sent for me
to hear conversation between himself and
another person; l heard the conversation;
| was in one room, and Dr. Van Alstin and the
other person were III nextToom. 1t was woman
he talked with. Her name was Carrie. The
convers ation was concerning what she had sworn
to before the Grand Jury. Did not see Van AL
stin drink anything. Do not know that he was
drunk. The witness explained why he was at
Van Alstin's rooms all day. He said he ex-
pected Marshal Warren would summon him be-
fore the Grand jury and he didn't want to testi-
fy, therefore he hid himself in Van Alsiin's
rooms.
William Dodd testified that he went into Van
Alstin's rooms on Wednesday evening, and re
manned there, at Van Alstin's request, all night.
Left the rooms at half past Ave o'clock on Thurs
day morning. Heard deceased say he did not
feel well. but noticed nothing " hen | left. he
appeared WE'LL Did not think he was intoxicated.
Did not see him drink any gin. Let mis- son have
some gin, by direction Of my employer.
DR.. 0. Martin, s,oorn With Dr. Sargent made
the post norton examination OF the body Of DR..
4. W. Van Alstin. Found every part of the body
in perfect state OF health. dis heart per
fectly healthy, so were his lungs, liver, and kid
neys. Both physicians agreed that the budy of
deceased presented the appearance of perfect
health in every particular. 1.-The had died Of DIS
ease of the heart or of spoplexy, there would be
found some local indication of the disease. They
could find nothing which could cause death The
contents of his stomach and bowels were in the
hands Of skilful chemist, Prof Bushee, who
would apply chemical tests to the same. a
Other witnesses were TO be examined, but the
coroner thought best to adjourn the examination
to Saturday, May ga at two o'clock in the after
noon, when Prof Bushee will be enabled to give
the result of his examination. The examination
of Witnesses was conducted by P, E. Aldrich'
Esq, District Attorney.