Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-07-12
INTO THE UNKNOWN.
IN INTEMPE1eATE CONSUHPTIYR
TERMINATES HIS CAREER.

IA
TERMINATES HIS CAREER.
Discovered in Dying Condition-Copies of
Two Farewell Letters-The Coroner's In
quest-An Empty Laudanum Phial Tells
the Story-The Verdict
About $50 Thursday evening the residents
at Mr.. M. E. Gales, 1872 Pleasant avenue
were thrown into an alarming state of excite
ment by the announcement that q young
Englishman boarding at the house was in an
unconscious state upon the bed in his room
having just been discovered by Mr.. Nc.
Gregor, who occupied an adjoining room.
Medical aid was at once summoned, but
upon arrival it was evident that the deadly
poison had performed we'll its work and as
sistance was of no avail. The suicide lin.
gered until about A. NJ, yesterday, then
dropped off to find that s'better home'' he
speaks of in subjoined letter.
The name of the unfortunate was Joshua
King Harrison, an Englishman by birth, and
so far as Is known having no relatives
this side of the Atlantic, save perhaps
the cousin of whom he speaks in his letter to
Mr.. Holdridge. But little is known of him
He came here in May last, bearing letters OF
introduction, among them one to the above
named gentleman. He did not appear to be
in want of any of the necessities of life
but was in poor health, consumption having
laid its deathly grip upon him, SO that his
llfewould have been of short duration had he
not fastened his death by opiates; as the
attending physicians testify.
He appears to have been somewhat addict.
ed to drink, caused perhaps by the disease
that claimed him for his own, and in his
last letters warns others from it's use, seem
ing to lay his own taking off to that one
particular.
Following is the substance of the inquest
The remains have been properly cared fol
as requested by deceased:
Coroner @. A. Stein decided to hold an in.
quest at his Office at 81 West Third street
at P. M. Messrs. L. B. Witt, G. G. Reisner
L. d. Miller, John 0. Donnell, Jacob Meile
and E. w. Lehman being summoned as
jurors.
Mr.. E. A. Holdridge stated that he knew
the deceased, whose name was Joshua King
Harrison. He came to the city, last May
with letter of introduction addressed to
him, Holdridge. He last saw deceased the
29th of June.
A letter was found addressed to Mr.. Hold
ridge, written in pencil, addressed to .sE. A.
Holdridge, Esq, Secretary of Y. M. G. A.,
st. Paul" 1t was written upon deep
mourning paper, enclosed in similar en-
velope, both bearing the monogram 81. X.
H." encircled with band representing a
strap, buckle and loops The letter, as will be
seen, was dated the day before the suicide,
showing it was premeditated.
1922 Pleasant ave.,
EST. PAUL, 9th July, 1879.
"ED. HOLDRIDGE, ESQ.
DIR. SR-Please stamp tho enclosed letter
and send to my cousin also telegraph him
for instructions for my interment. My wish
is to be buried respectable, but all instruc-
tons you will get from Jefferson. All trou-
bic and expense will be paid for by my dear
Respected Father. God be with YOU and
your good work at the Association. and may
my rash act, which has been brought on by
drink, be an example for others to be kept
from the disgrace and sin.
Remember me to Mr.. Cochrane. God
bless you ALL.
Mr.. Z. J. McGregor, who occupied room
adjoining that of the deceased, states that
folding doors opened between the two rooms.
Upon going home about half past six last
evening he looked in and saw him living on
the bed. Calling him and receiving no
response he approached the bedside, took
hold to shake and awaken him, when he dis
covered the deathlike look upon his face,
and leaving fastened for assistance. The
day before the deceased was somewhat in
toxicated and he was addicted to the use of
liquor. Often while drinking Harrison
wanted to wager that upon certain day
named, he would die, but never conversed
In that manner when sober. The past few
days he had confined himself to his room
more than usual and seemed low spirited.
After the undertakes were there some one
brought to me an empty two ounce phial
found in deceased's room labelled laudanum-
poison, and bearing the trade mark of
Wilkes drug store.
A letter to Mr.. McGregor was also found,
the word important being written in a
bold hand across the face in different hand
writing from the address, as follows:
"wednesday aft.
After you are aware of my death please
deliver my letter to Mr.. Holdridge at the Y.
M. @. A. at once. Any information you can
give them do so respecting my affairs.
Take warning by me, the way of the trans
gressor is hard. Hope to meet you in bet
ter home. God forgive me in my rash act
of drunkenness. Yours to die.
JOSHUA KING HARRISON,
July 9, 1879"
DR.. E. j. Abbott saw deceased about 7:3O
last evening; DR.. Hutchinson was there when
1 arrived; upon arrival found deceased suf-
ferlng from poison by opiates; made no at
tempt to remove the poison, considering il
too late; all symptoms were of opiate poison
ing.
DR.. d. Hutchinson was called between 6:3O
and P. NJ. found deceased in bed with
symptoms of poisoning from opiates; feeble
pulse, slow breathing, ETC., ETC., all indicating
such case; should say four or five hours
had elapsed from time of taking the poison
until arrived; applied the usual restora
tives, but he rallied only to open his eyes; all
evidence pointed strongly that death ensued
from opiates, though the dose taken might not
produced death had the deceased not been
nearly dead with consumption and could not
have lasted much longer.
The above is the substance of all testi
mony taken before Coroner Stein and the
following verdict was rendered.:
State Of Minnesota, county of Ramsey.-ss.
An inquisition taken at city of st.-Paul, in the
county of Ramsey, on the 18th day of July,
A. D. 1879, before DR.. q. A. Stein, coroner Of
the county of Ramsey. upon view Of the body
of ]. King Harrison, lying there dead, by the
oaths of the jurors whose names are hereunto
subscribed, who being sworn to inquire on be
half of the State of Minnesota, when, how and
by what means the said J. King Harrison came
to his death, upon their oath do say: That
the deceased came to his death by taking OPT
ates by his own hands.
In testimony whereof, the said coroner and
jurors Of this inquest have hereunto set their
h~nl Dc kha1 10, o&o