The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1880-08-10
A MiSapprehensi0n

The following appeared in lsIt
evenings Netos:
Editors DeSeret NeUs:
The solution of prussic acid" referred
TO by Sundays HERALD as having been
found in the cham Der of Major Talbert,
was In all probability used as an external
application for the cure Of piles, one Of
the troubles with which the deceased had
been afflicted for som time. The rumor
l(predicatrd upon the HsRALD's state
ment,) that ha committed suicide, is
without foundation. After diligent ex-
animation of the premises and witnesses,
nothing whatever wss disclosed indica-
tirg suicide.
Very respectfully,
GEORGE j. TAYLOR,
Coroner.
Mr.. Coroner Taylor seems to think
it not only his duty to sit upon the
bodies OF dead persons, but also to sit
upon the columns OF the HERALD as
it censor. Wien Mr.. Coroner lay
lor has performed the functions of
his Office as coroner, or when
his jury has rendered q verdict
on case, his duties are at an end.
He is not responsible for what view
the HERALD or any other Newspaper
msy take OF q case, and as he appears
to be OF the opinion that be really is
responsible to the peopls tor what 6e
may choose to state, once for all, and
to the general public, we absolve him
from any aud every liability for the
-uttersnees OF the HERALD; and we
also relieve Mr.. Coroner Taylor from
the misrepresentation that We desire
him TO rush into print on opinions OF
the HERALD, and set himself right on
matters. We are perfectly viii
linz TO hold ourselvss responsible for
what is contained in the HERALD, and
while Mr. C0roner Taylor is no doubt
learned man, his zeal is liable to
rush him into error; it did so in the
case OF the suicide of George Wilson
Drake, when Mr.. Coroner Taylor
took the HERALD to task for its state
men,s, yet which proved to be
correct, Notwithstanding the fact that
they differed from Mr. Coroner Tay lor's
opinion. 1t has al4o led him into
an error in the present case. The
HERALD made no use OF the words q
solution of prussic acid" il did not
refer to chamber of any charao-
ter; and it did not cay anything about
"rumor," though Mr.. Coroner
Taylor assumes that it did. We gave
Mr.. Coroner Taylor the credit OF
not having wiliully mi.quoted Us. but
will admit, for his sake, that he did
not read the article published ID the
HERALD and therefore did net know
what be was writing about; and for
his benefit we republish what the
HERALD said under the heading
"Was it a SuicideP
1t is now stated that the death Of james
Talbot, on Friday, was not nstural, but
was case of suicide. At the time of the
discovery Of the body on Friday it was
also lesrLed thSt the deceased had
vomited up q great deal OF green matter.
This green matter was analyzed by DR..
Taggart, and that gentleman states as
the result OF his examination that he dis
covered thirteen grains Of Prussic acid in
it. In view of this fact, be looks upon 1t
IS case Of suicide, and as the analysis
throws new light OF the affair, there
should be made further investigation
which viii set at re.t any question as to
the occasion Of the demise Of the deceased.
Again. and once snd for all, We
sbsolve Mr. Coroner Taylor of any
responsibility for what mag be pub
lished in these columns.