The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-04
THE DEATH or MR. PETRIE.
a Case OF Fracture OF the skull that IL TO be
TheronahIY InNestIRnIed.

The remains Of the late James l.. Petrie,
who died from fracture Of the skull In Bellevue
Hospital on Thursday evening. were buried In
the Lutheran Cemetery yesterday II was as-
serted at Bellevue Hospital that Mr.. Petrio
soon after being admitted. informed one Of the
attendants that he had been dubbed by police
man.
Tho singular circumstances attending Mr..
Petrie's death have excited much comment. and
his friends have determined to give the matter
a thorough investigation. Mr.. Pctrie was last
in his rooms ut I5l East Thirticth street be-
tween and p. NJ. on Sunday. He lighted the
gas and went out. or his subsequent move
ments nothing more is known than is told in
the following police report. made yesterday 10y
Capt Murphy Of tho Thirty-i fifth street police To
Inspector Murray:
Al abou, 4 " Monday Dec ~ 1874 while sersean,
Cosrovc was psiruiins aons Thiiueth street he Was
ss S s ae H. sea % Ta s,dsse. o. TO s wSsc
he was and found James retric lying on his back The
Thirtcth street aud Third avenue, and there handed
caan 81 aS S 6s saoa 5a aS' rs s@a t Gn
no doubt IL rcsAd % rs ing intoxicated his retgrc
ses1l John ha,hoIn lie was nsen 70 court b, ON.
committed tor examination ~ Justice BNty wouh
ais s,sts mat ne brother 81 VI reire was an he sta
cas- and he said that he was iuy sausncd to their
The police say that Mr.. Petrie was under the
influence Of liquor when they found him. and
be WAS locked In n cell all night. When Ofiicor
Lawler went TO call him to go 20 court he found
him in a Rtupor. and walked him about for n
time IN the open air which partially aroused
him. In the court room his half comatose con-
ditlon was so noticeable that he was sent to
Bellevue Hospital. where he was treated for
! alcoholism. He complained feehly ut times Of
pain in his head. aud on Tuesday he was at
| tackled by paralysis. and died.
Drs. Dixon ana Frankli made the usual post
mortem examination, and were greatly sur
| prised 10 find fracture Of the skull extending
across the left side OF the head from the base Of
| the brain 10 the left eye. There was no abra-
sion Of the scalp and no outward sign OF the
| fraHurs.
The body was sent to the Morgue and there
| remained until Wednesday. when Mr.. Petrie's
| brother claimed 1t. The brother reported the
case Mt the Coroner's office on Thursday and
Deputy Coroner Cioldsch m idt made a partial in
vestigation Of it, After hearing the result OF
| the autopsy by Drs. Dixon and Franklin no
| gave a certificate Of death from alcoholism. and
| permitted the removal Of the body.
DIR. Goldschmidt said last evening: Il shall
hold an inquest In a few DAYS. 10 ascertain how
| the skull came 10 DO fractured. There have
for intoxication were found 10 be suffering from
fractured skull instead, The mistake is n
natural one 'or an unskilled person to make.
| man suffering from a fracture has almost eX-
actly the same symptoms as person stupehed
| BY liquor"
| Mr. Petrie was the son Of James Petrie, who
| was prominent merchant here several years
| ~. He was very respectfully connected. II IL
| wife and daughter are living in Norwich. Conn.
| For several months Mr.. Petrlc had occupied an
| apartment at 81 East Thirtieth street.
| His brother IL indignant at the police report
OF his intoxicatlon when arrested.