The Evening critic., 1882-06-15
WAS HE POISONED
The Suspicious Death of Jacob Hess
Still q Subject of Inquiry.

of Mr.. Jacob Hess deepens under the light Of
Investigation. The police have declined to
take any steps In the matter, as they consider
the Coroner the proper authority to inyesti-
gate. DR.. Hartigan, who is oficiatlng In the
absence of the Coroner, has not been oflcially
notified, and, having the certificate Of Dr..
Harrington that the man died Of apople5y,
has not investigated.
Detective Coomes, who has been investi-
eating the facts, states that he learned the fol-
lowing
Suspicious Details:
on Sunday week an unknown messenger
came to: DR.. Tarkington's office with
the message that Jacob Hess, living at 229 d
street, needed a physician, and the messenger
believed he had been poisoned. The doctor
proceeded to the house and found the sick
man under the care OF a man named Beard,
who came here from Texas some time ago for
an appointment as Marshal, and who repro
sented himself to be a practicing physician.
DR.. Harrington examined the patient, and,
finding symptoms which might Indicate pol
soning, inquired what he had eaten. Mr. Hess
replied that he had eaten his breakfast and
drank some coffee, and was shortly afterward
taken very sick with pains in the stomach
Dr.. Beard stated to Dr.. Harrington that he
would attend 10 the case, and Dr.. Tarkington's
services would not be required, but he would
like to have an order on druggist. for some
morphine. Dr.. Harrington gave the order and
returned TO his office.
DR.. Beard and Colonel Dickson,
both from Texas, and some other men, were
III tho mouse WIN Hess up 10 tlo time OF MS
death, which occurred at about 4 p. m. DR..
| Harrington was informed or the death, and
| after a consultation with DR.. b card, gave a
| Ger tificate of death from apoplexy on the lat
ter's representations.
| Persons who were in Mr. Hess room prior TO
| his death are reported TO have said that the
| deceased vomited constantly and had convul-
sions and
| Every Symptom Of Arsenical Poi
sOuing.
Shortly after Mr.. Hess death 1t was ascer-
| tanned that Colonel Dickson, Dr.. Beard, and
| others, had overhaulded the deceased's effects
| and that Colonel Dickson was believed to have
taken his watch. The opinion of a great mum
| ber of people Is that the deceased was deliber-
| ately poisoned and robbed by persons repre-
senting themselves as his friends, and this
impression, although 1t may be erroneous,
can never be dispelled until the case has been
Thoroughly Investigated.
Tho failure to institute an investigation in the
face Of these circumstances Will be no less
than criminal negligence, and neither coroner
nor police can afford to let the matter rest
| Ten days have elapsed since Mr.. Hess death
and 1t is incumbent upon DR.. Beard to put IL
an appearance and explain, If he can,
The Suspicious Position
in which he is placed; but the impression
seems to be that the Texan doctor has disap
peared; at least he has not been seen by the
authorities since Sunday before last. DR.
Harrington has promised Mr. Coomes to throw
all possible light upon the matter, and there
is no doubt that he acted in good faith in what
he did.
The Coroner Decides an Inquest I'm
| necessary.
This afternoon the Coroner thoroughly in
| vestigated the numerous suspicious circum
stances surrounding this case, and after pro
tracted inquiries, concluded that there was NJ
| grounds for the belief that the unfortunat,
| man was poisoned. He says the symptoms al
| indicated apoploxy and congestion of thu
brain, and that an analysis of the stomach
would not be justified under the circum
stances. Detective Coomes reported to Ma1o
Brock this afternoon that he understands tina
| DR.. Beard has not left the city, as he was lee
TO believe, and that he and Colonel Dickson
| acter.