The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-12
EACHER, TEE CONVICTED MURDERER, AZ.
TESIrTS TO COEMsT SUICIDE.

correspondent or the Troy Times, in a letter
dated Fonda, N. y, May TO- says:-This place was
yesterday thrown into excitem ent by the announce.
ment that the prisoner Eacker had again attempted
suicide. II Will be remembered that the last day
OF his trial. when the jury retired he leaped frora
the corridor OF the interior OF the jan, intending 10
Kill himself but was only stunned aud bruised.
Since then the Intention has been cherished In Sc
ciet ana cunning manner. On SABBATH afternoon
religious services were held In has room, ana mum
Der OF clsl4Sps w, were preent Alter me services
visitor attempted conversation OF special charac.
ter with The. prisoner, bu. found HIM IN an
undesirable frame OF mind Eacier was dis
posed TO deny the deed OF murder, wllca
was absurd 10 be almost shocaing
Tue next morning aeout five o,clock M
steen, tue Waterman, discovered that the prisoner
was suffering from nausea 10 a very great degree.
He Immediately suspected the use OF poison, and
aroused The lailor, Mr.. Grouse, VINO called IN Dr..
Smith. The laltcr saw that the prisoner unccr
the effect o. opium and gave an emetic, which
beneah Tue SKIN Oh the arm, and this
proved sufficient antdofe. The paticnt was
being supported by two men. Az first his head
hung down, nls mouth WAS open, and he looked IKE
one In an dIotc cream; but he gradually improved,
AMI now appears quite natural. Quite strangely ne
now denies in tile mostexpilc,t manner any suicidal
attempt. aud says ne has always been subject 10
sucn turns OF sickness. This DENIAL Of course Is
utlerly alIe and absurd but Lac&eg's nature
Is cunning and deccitiul III no small aegrec, and
Truth IN confidential manner, assuring am that
II would not TIE repeated, but siili he rsistcd IN
MS denial. How the opium had becl obtained Is q
nlS srcfy, lndsmch as the prisoner hal been closely
guarded, ard at all interviews The Waterman had
been specially ylghant One explanation IL tns:-
Eackcf has BseJ opium for a number OF years and
MS system now frequently requires small guam it,.
This has been given By order OF the physician ana
Mr.. Grouse, the jalor, has administers Il in care
fnl manner tits low supposed that tae prisoner ma
secretei ~ part OF his allowance from tne To time
nnnl ne mad what ne supposed 10 u a su a,clent
quantity ~ destroy life. II appears tnat IN tlls
estimate he was cofrect but b. happened TO lose
part OF IT. and this VAS found Dexl day on the floor
Hs d lie taken tns u would have Deen fatal case
AsSoon as he got better OF this dose he was re.
moved 10 another Dei searched Carefully and hs feet
ATTACHED by gives 10 the chain III the moor TIE
cores 0ndent Of the Uales yslcu him abort tne
ago, 0.lgd him IN MS usu2l frame aud read, to lalk
orlffiary subjects "x0u seen said me- "tuey
have got ne chaiped.v lie did not seem much I'M.
noyed ut 'lIs dnl went on witH his rambling utter
n nces until The hour came 10 leave. MI Tgouses
Ia nily bas teen mucn distressed by this occurrence
as s,,me pcrscns might unJusuy charge negligence
upon them, ana there VIII be a constant anxiety
felt cob "elnng th!s matter uutiI the execution Is
over. 1.lis wiz take place two weeks froni pext
friday