The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-08-23
POISONED BY MISTAKE.


Little Willie Epstein, the threeyear
old child ofDr. L. M. Epstein, Of Twelfth
street, died yesterday from poison admin
istered by the owing hands Of his father.
1t was not murder, but terrible mistake
which almost drives his father crazy with
remorse. Monday evening about six
O'Clock DR.. Epstein drove up in front of
NJ M. Yorston's drug store, corner Central
avenue and Twelfth street, and. without
leaving his buggy, called Mr., Yorston out
to the curb. After passing the compli'
ments of the evening the Doctor asked
for six grains of morphine. SO at least
says Yorston, though Epstein says he
meant quinine and has no recollection of
making the mistake. However, Yorston
carefully weighed out the morphine,
wrapped it in paper, and wrote on the
package, "Six grains of morphine" Then
he delivered it to DR., Epstein, who, with
out looking at it, placed it in his pocket
and drove away. A few hours later a la
dy of DR.. Epstein's houshold came hur-
riedly into the drugstore with terror de-
piCted on her face and asked Mr.. Yorston
whether that was the package he had
done up for DR.. Epstein few hours pre-.
vious, holding up the fatal package. Yors.
ton took it. examined it. saw the "six
grains of morphine" written on it, and
answered in the Affirmative. The lady
Immediately broke down with the con.
irmation of her fears, and informed the
druggist that DR.. Epstein had administ-
tered half the contents of the package to
his child by mistake, The druggist hast.
ened to DR.. Epstein's house, and found
that the lady spoke ouly the truth. Little
Willie was rapidly sinking under the ef
fects of the deadly drug, while the father
was nearly demented with terroraud grief
He said he had called at the Office to get
quiniue for The child and thought he had
asked Tor It. 1t was only after the effects
of the drug began to show itself on the
child that he realized something WAS
wrong, and, examining the package Tor
the first time, saw that II was marked NOR
paine. Antidotes were administered
promptly, but too late to have any effect,
except to prolong Wilie's life TO yester-
day noon, when lie died, Drs. Mckenzie
aud Kearney gave all the aid in their
power to save their brothers child, but to
no use. The last words the little fellow
spoke on earth were Come, Lord Jesus,
be our guest" part of the prayer he had
been taught to say before each meal. The
unfortunate calamity has spread an unu.
sua cloud Of sorrow over the hou7hold
and neighborhood, on account of the pc
cuiar position in which it places the tath.
er aud Mr.. Yorson, the druggist. No one
will ever know whether DR.. Fps elm made
mistake and asked for morphine when
he meant qninine,or whether the mistake
was Dr. YOrston's, in understanding him
to say morphine instead, Of quinine. One
thing is evident on the face Of things,and
that is that neither one or the other are
Griminally culpable. The hesympathy of his
friends and neighbors go out to DR.. Ep-
stein and his family in their dire hour of
afillction. Coroner Stch last night had
not yet made up his mind as to whether
he would hold an inquest in the Case.-
Enquirer. 17th.