The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1877-04-27

SAD DEATH.-From Sundays Issue of
the Altoona Globe we copy the following
particulars Of The shocking death of Mr..
Alex. Mills, son of Capt. David Mills, a
former much esteemed citizen of this place.
but now anu for tnany years past a resident
of Gaili,Eip, where he has long filled the
office of postmaster
The many friends of Alex, Mills were startled
and panied to learn yesterday morning tn at he
had died very suddenly about six O'Clock. He
was in excellent health the day previous and
exhibited no symptoms Of the near approach
OF the dread hour of death, The circumstance
OF his decease seemed to demaud an investiga-
consisting of Messrs. }. NJ. Stonebraker, John
! Hickey, Capt. Robert johnson, Major X. J;
Charles hotel at ten O'Clock, adjourning at
vestigations at half-past four. The result was
a verdict as follows; The deceased came TO
laudanum Administered by his own hands. and
the jury is also of the opinion that the life of
the negligence of the persons i'm whose charge
he was found" The verdict was signed by all
refused because he claimed that there was no
negligence On the part OF any person, as shown
by the evidence. From the best information
obtainabie the following are the facts of the
case; Mr. Mills was. until within the past ten
days, employed as Il bartender at the ST. Cha res
hotel. During the ten days mentioned he in :
duiged TO perhaps too great extent in the use
nervous system and producing a melancholy
state of mind. Some time during Friday he
I ut TO the drug store Of MIR. George A. Beck.
! ley, on the corner Of Eleventh avenue and
Fourteenth street, and purchased one and a
bali ounces of laudHnnm and a small vial of
perfumery. Ac he ~ee apparently perfectly
sober at the time he entered the rug store,
Mr. Beckley, of course, sold him the fatal drug
without any hesitation, as he had no reason to
suspect that it would tie put To any improper
use. Besides, it is further stated that Alex.
had used the drug many times before purely
as a means OF relief from a condition TO which
he was at intervals subject. About mid day
he called at the Brant House and requested
Mr.. Will Schenk to write two letters for him,
one to his father and another to lady friend.
Will replied ty saying that his bi other John
had better do the writing. as he and Alex. were
more intimately acquainted, but John not be-
ing present Alex. commenced to W rite himself,
but nade only one or two letters the paper
aud then abandoned the idea or writing saying
! he guessed he had 'ton much on, aud he would
put il of until Tomorrow; that it would be the
last time ither OF them would hear from him.
Subsequently. il seems, Alex. crossed 10 the
Fast side and wandered up Ninth avenue, stop
ping at house kept by Mrs. Speakman. He
to sleep. Permission was granted him and he
at once retired. requesting the person who
call him at eight o'clock in the evening. At
that hour the room was entered and effort
maue 10 AWAKEN MN, put without success
From that time until after midnight the room
was visited 10y different persons. both inmates
of The houseand Others, but al efforts to arouse
him from the deep sleep into which he had
fallen proved Of no avail. Between velvc a nd
one O'Clock physician was sent for, but did
not come. Some tine after one O'Clock word
wa. sent to TIE St. Charles and advice of
| MIR. Fiizharrs he messenger started on the hunt
p u
A bali hour later persons Intimately acQuaint-
| ed with decca sed succeeded in removing him
/ to his room at the ST. Charles hotel. After w.
! ing down again he appeared to be all right. n p-
parently resting easily and having pain.
His room WAS visited from time to time during
! the morning hours aud he seemed to be sleep
ing. Between the hours Of five and six o'clock
J his room was again entered aud it found
that life was extinct. The bottle which con-
tained the audanum was found behind a trunk
in the room which he occupied at Mrs. Speak
mans and the vial of pt rfumery mentioned
/ before was found in his coat pock t. These
! facts, together with the testimony of Drs Ross,
! Row and Christy, settled the conviction in the
minds of the jurymen as TO the cause of his
| sudden taking Off There can be no doubt that
! If prompt action had been taken eight o.
clock, when his critical condition was first dis
covered his life could have been saved. Dur
ing yesterday the face OF the dece;ised was
! gazcd upon toy many who knew him well while
/ living aud who sincerely rcgr cited the sudden
/ death of generous hearted, noble minded 4 lex
/ Mills. In the evening. on the Mail train. his
remains were taken to Gnliitzin, where his pa
rents reside for interment. The funeral will
/ take place TOMORROW morning.