The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1875-07-02
from the New York sun.

from the New York SUM-
POUGHKEEFsIE, y. G..June ia case
came VI for trial in the Circuit Court III
this citY to-day. before Judge Tappcn' the
details of which are very remarkable III
showing the calmness and GOODNESS OF
mind of . prominent DutchesS County
physician. who had taken a dose of acOnite
through mistake. and who died in a little
over Two hours afterwards. retaining his
senses to the last. Ii was the case OF
Mary +. Earle against Richard Peck. all
mipistrator. brother of the dead physician.
an action brought on a promiSsOry note
Given By DR.. George Peck. Mr.. Guern-
sev. for tn" plaintiff, opened the case 10
the jury.
On Sunday or Sunday night, Oct. II,
1873. Or. Peck. through accident, took a
poison called a~cOnite. The family was
reused. ana he told them he expected to
die. On his table were a number Of boz
ties of medicine. the one containing poison
being OF the same size as the rest; hence
the mistake. He had attempted to over
come the effects of the poison with an
emetic. and it operated well but the end
was fatal. He had the calmest demeanor,
was in possession of all his faculties,
though he knew death was approaching.
After he went down stairs and had reused
tire family and had done every thing he
could, he sem for a ~neighbOr. In an hour
and a half he came with his wife. DR..
Peck said, Il want paper, pens ana
ink. Z must be doing business" lie
said H. would have no time to make a
will: Nat Ii. wanted to take care OF
plaintiff. who had cared for his
household a number of years. and he had
intended TO make provision tor her. He
said 70 The neighbOr, II wish you to sit
down and draw a note to Mary for $1,000
in consideration of services rendered.
MIR. Lermond. the %neighbOr, wrote the
note for $4,000 for Mary f. Earle, and
DR.. Peck signed il, but he signed it 50
near the end OF the paper that the * ct
his name ran out, and he tore 1t up ana
threw i; on the stove hearth. Then ne
drew a~nnthcrnote and signed it, and trans
ferrcd It to MARY f. Earle. She placed the
sheet q paper containing the note on the
table, and went out to do all she could for
the diving man. DIR. c. 7. Couch Sug-
rested that DIR. Peck might pull through
DR.. Peck said he had but little time to live
and must keep walking, and he did walk
until the fatal effects came on and he died.
He died leaving no children-lett no one
but a brother and sister.
Counsel read the deposition OF DR.
Couch, who Is now in Connecticut:
Il nave known plaintiff since 1913
Knew DR.. George Peck. and attended hin
at his death, between II and ! O'Clock a
night. He was lying on the floor, had lit
tie or no pain. and talked some. He wa
rational in conversation and conduct. am
that condition of mind lasted till within
five minutes of his death. Several OF hi
friends and neighbOrs were present.
didn't hear or see any thing about TIT
note.
''CrOss-examinatiOn-I examined hin
professionally. and examined his pulse
He said. L have done it, or something o
that kind. Showed him the bottle, and h
said, That's it; [ have had it to docto
horses | told him TO get up and lie OF
the lounge. After he lay down he aske'
for water. and a swallow was given him
He spoke Of chillinesS of his feet, an
blankets We're wrapped around them. Ill
was FRUSTRATED and weak, and the weak
ness increased till death. When Ireache'
the house Dr.. Peck was assigned to tn
lounge. DO not recOilect that he 9tO0
alone AZ any time. He was on the lOung
fifteen minutes before his death. Their
wa some perSpiration, but no pal
eXysmS.''
Silas Z. Lennon testified | lived acrO5
the road from Dir. PcCk'S. He left m
house shortly after 0 p. M. on the night
his death. He was in good health an
rational. | was called TO his house aftc1
ward. Ny wife went with me. This Wa
about twenty minutes to twelve. ID
Peck vas standing on the floor. The tr;
words he said Were, Il think I'm gon
in" Mrs. Earle said. THAT old brand
bottle was the matter. She AWAY
thought it would be his death. He ha
made a mistake and taken poison. ID
Peck : i'll he had taken acOnite and take
an emctic. He said he thought nothin
would do him any good, and that
would have to die. L thought him r
markablv calm. His conversation W
rational. He said he wanted me to writ
said he must he doing business, and Gale
for writing materials, and they wei
brought. He said, I'D make a will if
had time, but | don't think [ have time
He said he would write a note. | askt
him in whose favor. He said, oilers