The New York herald., 1879-01-07
DEATH FROM ASPHYXIA.

TWO SISTERS POISONED BY COAL GAs-oNE
DEAD AND THE OTHER NEARLY so.
A sad of death by the inhaling Of carbonic
gas reported yesterday at the Coroncr's Office
Little Jennie Schroeder. six years Of age has been
domiciled for the past three months with respect
able family at No. 3s1 East Fifteenth street. The
childs father died years ago. and her mother,
choral singer inhe Hess opera troupe at presentin
Chicago, married recently Mr.. vandusen. a Phila-
ephia tea and spice merchant. Little Jennies sister.
Lizzie, who is nineteen years Of age, has been en-
gagged as choral singer also by the Kellogg opera
troupe. The latter arrived in this city Sunday
evening from Washington, and at once proceeded
to the house OF Mr.. McCahrey in East Fifteenth
street. where her sister was stopping. During
the evening Lizzie appeared respondent and
pressed her dislike of the wandering life she lead
ing She said she would rather be dead than continue
At her present line Of business Jennie usually slept
down stairs with MIR. McCaffrays IS daughter. Lizzie
however pleaded to have her little sister share her
bed with her for that night. The wish was granted
and the sisters proceeded up stairs to the third floor
back room, whore the bedroom was located 1t was
. spacious room, with two windows looking into the
yard. and containing among other articles OF furn
ture double bed and stove Of the Franklin
riety A Mr.. Davenport, who. with his family,
pied adjoining apartments. during the night heard
the SCHROEDER sisters, but paid no particular
attention to the sound. At nine o'clock
yesterday morning, Miss McCaffrey proceeded to the
to go rehearsal. the latter retiring had left
instruction TO that effect. When the door
opened glance satisfied Miss McCaffrey that there
was something wrong with the occupants. She
gave the alarm, and Mr.. Davenport was III second
by her side. he ran to the bed on which the
animation. The younger child was next the wall
lying on her back, in natural position with her
head buried in the pillow. The elder, Lizzie. was
stretched transverscly across the bed with her
shoulders and head resting upon Jennie breast The
sS r M wss e
street. at No. 322 East Fifteenth street. was at once
summoned. He Smoved the still living but insen-
sible girl into adjoining room and having
satisfied himself that little Jennie was beyond mcdi
cal aid he turned his attention to the survivor.
'.when arrived in the roon," said DIR. McMastor's
the case, "a good deal of frothy mucous had
issued from Jennie's mouth and stained the
bed clothes under her head. She was still
and cold, showing that life had been extinct for
some hours; pressed on her chest and more fluid
ran from her mouths she lying on the right side
and her flesh was partly discolored; there was foul
odor i'll the room; on looking about saw brandy
bottle the side table, but 1t seemed to have been
untouched; the Oldest girl was in semi-comatose
condition, and 1t difcul to restore her to
sciousness, and her lips were blue
How do you account for it, doctors" asked Coro-
ner woltman.
II didn try to account for IL at the time subse
quently made an investigation and discovered that
the danper pulled to. thereby closing of the
draft fresh coal too had evidently been put on the
stove and this. together with the odor of gas in the
room my arrival. has led me to conclude that 1t
is case of asphyxia from coal gas carbonic gas"
The doctor further expressed himself that it would
be highly dangerous TO question the surviving sister,
she still in very precarious condition. When
consciousness restored she inquired about her
little sister. The doctor replied Don't you know
that Jennie is very sickY She IL down stairs,
aud we must not disturb her or might
hasten her DEATH" Lizzie did not ex-
but remained silent DIR. McMasters is hope
ful for her recovery. A postmortem will be
held to-day the body of the deceased child by
Deputy Coroner Godschmidt, and IL Lizzie is SUM-
ciently recovered her statement will be taken. The
mother OF thc children teegraphed to advising
her of the sad occurrence, and she sent
back saying that had started for this city from
Chicago, and to delay burial until her arrival.