The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-06-22

was Being drunk and attempting to c0ths.
init suicide. Witness: J. H. Harris.n
Mr. Harris was the only witness. He
testified that he was under the impression
that, Parsons had been drinking very hard
OF late; that he had reason to believe that
ne had attempted or would attempt to kill
himself. / questioned Harris as to his
knowledge Of the accused having taken poi
Son or attempting to do SO. Harris pro-
duced an envelope; which has been pre-.
viously described and shown to the Jury:
Harris did not know whether the unfor.
tunate man had taken the poison or not.
He seemed to be in doubt as to that fact, and
expressed that doubt. He remarked SUBJ
stantially that Parsons was indebted to him,
and had not been able to meet that indebt-
edness. He rather thought that Parsons
was mortified at his inability to pay, and
thought that he (Parsons), to stop proceed
ings against him, would "fox1 him (Harris).
Harris also stated his driver thought Par.
sons had taken poison, and that he had been
taken to DR.. Taylor and one or two other
physicians. Parsons showed signs Of ex-
cessive drinking, and seemed to be perfectly
conscious and sensible-that Is, his mind
was strong and his body frail. There were
no indications whatever, as far as l could
see, that he was under the influence OF poi
son.
I told him that he had been drinking
heavily, and that there was evidence before
me of a mania for sef-destrlction.
/ told him that would commit him for q
short time for two reasons First, that he
might become sober: and secondly, that he
might be prevented from carryiiig out his
suicidal intentions.
He remarked that he was all right, and
wanted to 60 home. I replied that what l
had told him to do was best for him for the
time. After that he took his seat and re-
NAMED an hour. or SO, when he was carried
to Jail. During all this time he showed no
signs of poisoning. ] committed him for
thirty days, or Until he became sober. My
officer was told to inform the iailor that the
accused had some disposition to kill himself,
and requested that he be so guarded as to
prevent all attempts of that character.
do not remember that he told me ne had
taken poison. -
DR.. W. H. TAYLOR,
city coroner and analytical chemist; sworn:
I understand that deceased was sent to me
under impression that had all the appli-
ances for treating cases Of poisoning. That
not being the case, referred them to prac-
ticing physicians very near at hand.
'---'' ~. DIR. Il. CABELL TABB
in his testimony (Which was partly covered
bv evidence of previous witnesses) said he
told the men he thought Parsons was sham
ming. Told them could see no signs OF
poisoning about him, and advised that he
be given an emetic and as much sweet oil
as Ire could drink, and il he would not take
that, to get him to drink very freely OF but
ternilk; but that did not think really that
he had taken poison.
.. '..s. DIR. L. A. wOODSON .... .".
deposed that Parsons, upon affirming that
he had taken the arsenic, was given twenty
grains slllphate OF zinc. He drank it un-
der protest. asked Mr., Lloyd to see THAT
Parsons took large quantities Of salt water,
Parsons stated that along with the arsenic
he had taken large dose OF laudanum,
which think prevented the medicine from
vomiting him. He presented every appear
ance Of having just recovered from spree.
saw him again the same day between 10
and IL O'Clock at the Police Court, when his
condition seemed unchanged. q"
...''. LOUIS ANTELoTTI,
Police Court janitor, did not hear the eYi-
dence, but thought Parsons had been on q
spree. When / took him down to jail he
acted like drunken man. a:
EDWARD cUMMINs, ,..t
deputy sergeant, testified to the want OF
hospital accommodations at the jail. Far
sons was treated as a sick man. [The me-
terial portion OF this witnesses testimony IS
covered by DR.. Welford's as to the accom-
modations for the sick at the iail.]
,.+' g. ROBERT F. CARTER,
guard at the Jail, thought Parsons had come
off spree. Visited prisoner several times
during the day. Finding the water he fire.
uuently drank caused him to vomit I gave
him some. essence OF ginger. About or
2:3O O'Clock, finding him getting worse,
reported the fact to Mr. Cummins, who got
cracked ice and gave it to him.
( ,@' - DIR. J. s. wELLFORD
stated in evidence received card from
Mr.. Cummins while / was at dinner re-
uuesting me to come to Jail. / inquired OF
the messenger if anything special was the
matter, and he told me he thought not, and
I said that would be down presently. AS
soon as | could attend to some patients ID
nv Office and get my buggy / went down to
the Jail and met Mr.. Cummins, who in
formed NE that the man had been sent up
to the Church Institute. :.a.
When came up to the Church Institute
I learned that he was dead, and never saw
him. Mr.. Cummins said that DR.. Ross had
called on the patient and advised that ne De
sent to Church Institute.
/ would say that~if the city jail is to be
regarded as "a hospital it is utterly made
ouate. Neither do think it has been or IS
now adequately equipped for the treatment
of such cases as would probably occur
amongst its inmates. Under the present ar
rangements similar eases Ito thlsl are liable
to occur at any time, ,.,
T DR.. Dove is the regular physician to the
CITY iail. He is old and frequently sick,
and under these circumstances frequently
attend the Jail as ] would the private prac-
flee of any uhysician under similar circum-
Stances. Fl. .,.a2e - f.raat
Question by Deputy Coroner: Are the
disDensors of drugs at the city Jail in your
opinion. competent to perform the duties
which devolve upon them in that respect?
Answer: | would say they are fully equal
TO the average nurses in private families.
do not think the Jail is or has been proper
" equipped to treat aseriously sick person.
When the prisoners of the Jail are taken
seriously sick the law requires them to be
kept. and they can be only removed by due
course OF law, as Is provided in other cases,
ignoring their illness. m
. = The deputy sergeants are the nurses. The
officers OF the jail, as far as ! know, have
been remarkably attentive and efficient III
their duties to the sick. s,.v.. -s:r
OTHER WITNESSES. =
DIR. Ross and Sergeant Z. B. Cook were
examined without throwing any new light
on the subject.
.t - y . THE VERDICT.