River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1883-11-08
a MODERN EDWIN BROOD.
The Pathetic Story ola Man Brought
to an UntimeIy Wreck 10y the tx
cqssive Use Of Opiates.

The Pathetic Story OF Il Man Brought
to an Un,imeIy Wreck 10y the EX'
cqssive Use OF Opiates.
From the Louisville Courier-Journal.
81 wish that | knew some way of
breaking myself &c taking opiatcs.
would be willing TO go to jail-to do
anything, in short, SO that | could be
placed in confinement until | had
chance 10 cure myself Of this terrible
habit. never will be able to do SO, II
am left to myself"
These words were addressed to re-
porter last evening by man giving his
name as George Johnson, who acGnowl-
edged that he was a confirmed opium
eater. His appearance WIS Il startling
one His face had the aspect of a bag
gard corpse; his eyes were hollow AMI
and sunken, but gltteIed with a half
manlacal fire, while ragged growth OF
short black beard and long tangled hair
added to his wretched appearance. His
clothing was old and dilapidated; rag
ged coat was butt5ned UP to his chin to
hide coarse, dirty shirt, and straw
hat, with pair of brogan shoes, COM
pleted a costume that would answer
equally well for tramp or footpad.
Yet there was an air of refinement that
chung to him, with all his rags, and his
hands though soiled and hardened,
were slender and delicate.
81 am n perfect slave &c opium" he
continued, 4" and ] woul Il hesitate ut
nothing to procure the drug when the
desire tor it Is on me. Will lie or
steal. | heard a friend cay once
4 4 -. l. - .s.., ~
at the reporter--''tbat he would Kill a
man, If necessary to get morphine, and
| wouldn't blame him. | have fallen
from respectable station down to what
you see me, and there is no telling how
much lower | will get unless / have
help.
The amount of morphine I can take
has not | suppose, ever been equalled.
One time took 80 grains, and it did not
iniure me. think by gradually in
creasing the dose | could take twice as
much without danger. When 1 can't get
enough morphine to do me any good
take crude opium or chloroiOrm, |
know you will hardly believe me when
say that in one night used pound
Of chemical choroform by inhalation,
yet it is fact. have gone for three or
four days at a time without eating in or
der 10 buy some morphine or opium
with the little money ! had. am only
81, but began using ii when / was %.
At that time | was a deacon i'm
Christian church; / never drank,
swore or gambled. / was
the owner of retail drug store in IIick-
man, where | remained all through the
yellow fever epidemic, Out of a popula-
ton of 200, 2H0 died, among them eight
doctors, but came out Of il healt. bier
4B. habit tAals m Eer
hold on me | commenced going down
hill. / lost my propertv-lost my health,
my friends and my self-respect j
believe the knowledge Of it hastened my
fathers death; it has heggared me, es-
tranged the girl 10 whom / was to be
married, and it will prove my death. II
hangs over me like the blacklist ofnight-
mares; it has taken possession Of my eV-
cry waxing thought, and usLrDcd every
dream Of night The horror OF my siiua-
ton has bennmbed every faculty bat that
of dread. and every day ] grow more
keenly alive TO my awful condition. |
would part with anything, even my
mind. and be content to live the remain
der og my life in a maniIc's cell, if ]
could only be cured.
Ny object in telling you this IS the
hope that It's publication may open some
avenue for my reformation. am will
ing to be locked up in Jail if my friends
will only prefer a charge against me. !
will 90 to any place where | can be
confined and receive medical at
tentioo ] am not begging, and when
| am cured ] will pledge myself to
work for years to repay the expense
my care will incur / can never be re-
moved without help; have tried it too
often. There is strong room in the
city hospital where ] would like to be
placed. and as last resor. | will apply
to Gen. Taylor or Mayor Jacob for per-
NIT to lie taken there. Whatever Is done
/ am conscious must be done quickly,
for | am breaking fast in mind aud body.
| have lived here for years, and old
friends whom ] have gnown all my life
pass me without recognition, / am so
broken and changed"
The mans story was certainly a touch
ing one and there appears every ground
for believing its truth. His statement as
to the enormous quantity OF morphine
lie had taken was corrobOrated by the
druggist who had sold it TO him. lie
stated that he did not want money or
any relief except that which would aid
in his reformation. He believes that he
cannot be cured without confinement He
did not give his address--it is doubtful
if the poor fellow had any-but said that
( any way was devised for helping him
ne would call at Crecelius' drug store at
Twelfth and Market streets in a few days
wnere any communication might be lett.
His real name the reporter ascertalned
% be Bergman.