National Republican., 1875-08-02
SUICIDE.

An Overdose Of Laudanum While Intoxi-
cated-Death Of Department Messenger.
An enlisted man in the United States service
named Jas. NJ. Lyons, and detailed as messenger
in the Surgeon Generals office, on Tenth street
northwest, committed suicide last Saturday after.
noon, at his residence, on !, between Thirteenth
and Fourteenth streets northwest, by taking 0
large dose Of laudanum. He lived q little more
than an hour after taking the fatal drug. The
deceased thirty-two years Of age, and steady
drinker but for three four days previous to his
death INDUCED more freely than usual in fact,
was constantly under the influence OF alcoholic
spirits. Last Friday he made q sudden resolu-
tfon TO visit Baltimore, for what purpose is un-
known, as he had neither relatives nor business
in that place. While there he purchased the NOR
phine, but as the vial in which It was contai led
would hold three ounces, and the bottle was al
most full It is thought that he made purchases in
several places in small quantities and then poured
them into the one vial. He returned home about
O'Clock Saturday afternoon intoxicated, and, ar
irving at the front yard, seemed bothered in get
ting the gate open. His wife went to his assist
ance, but being too impatient to wait until she
succeeded in opening the gate he proceeded round
to the rear Of the premises and climbed over tho
fence. On entering the house he asked for food,
and was told by his wife that there was nothing
to eat, and she had no money with which she
could purchase 1t.
He ransscked his pockets and produced seventy
csnts, which he gave her and told her to send out
and buy something. He then took off his coat,
and after hanging 1t up sat down on the sofa. AS
the wife was about leaving the room he reached
to pocket in his coat and took out bottle; then
turning to her said that he was in debt and had
no money; that he would either kill himself or
leave the city, and asked her which she preferred
that he should do. She replied that II matters
were so bad as that, then he had better leave the
city. He meditated for q few moments,i and
broke the silence by saying he be d-d if he
in this world, and he might we'll be out Of It as
in it. Immediately after uttering these words,
and telling her that he was going to take lauda-
mum, he drew the cork out of the bottle, and,
placing the vial 70 his lips, proceeded to swallow
the contents. About TWO thirds Of II had passed
down his throat when she knocked the bottle
drug on the bosom Of his shirt, and leaving little
remaining in the vial. She would have been more
thought that he was not in earnest, but fooIing
her.s Several times previously he had threatened
to cut his throat and deceived her by telling her
that he was taking laudanum, but which proved
to frighten her.
This time be was in earnest and actually swal-
lowed the poison, but She thinking it another OF
his tricks, apprehended no danger, and did not
hasten TO prevent him taking the colored water,
discovered that he had taken the fatal drug she
became alarmed and hastened to the neIghbors
for relief Medical attendance was Immediately
summoned, but on the arrival Of the physician he
decided that his help was Of no avail, and the |
man tied shortly after his arrival. The doctor |
stated that he had taken very large dose Of the
morphine, and If taken in hand Immediately after
swallowing II there would have been chances OF |
restoring life. He leaves wife and three chill
dren in very destitute circumstances the wife also
cripple and with no prospect as 70 how she will /
obtain support for her little ones When sober he
was kind husband and indulgent parent, but |
when under the influence Of liquor he would be-
come morose, worrying about debts and expenses |
and betng unable TO meet his Indebtedness. At |
such times he would repeat the threat Of destroy
tng himself, which he has now accomplished, and |
left unprovtded his family, who are helpless and
in need. The coroner was notified and yesterday
morning proceeded TO the house where Oficer |
Amiss had jury In waiting. Itwas not thought |
requisite to make post. .morfem examination and |
after hearing the evidence, which was substan- |
tally the same as the statement above given the
jury rendered o verdict that the deceased came 10
ms death from an overdose Of lsudanum taken