The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-04-30
Mrs. Helen Konechi, Of Moline, Caused
the Sensation ON the p. & r. 1.
Railroad Yesterday.
She is Taken to Davenport, Where
$3.50 in Gold Is Found ON Her
Person.
Oscar Berlin. Of Rock Island, Takes
Morphine with Deadly Effect.

terday morning, was brought to Rock
Island at p. m. and taken over to Dav-
export. While the train was passing over
the bridge she attempted to leave the car,
stating she wanted to Jump into the riv,
er, but the passengers controlled and
prevented her from injuring herself.
Upon arriving at the depot policeman
met the woman, who upon being guess
toned stated she was acquainted with the
family of Mr.. Thos Hayeck,a shoemaker
residing at No. s2t West Second street,
and that she would like to be taken
there. She was very sick and weak and
at the station fell to the floor. Upon ex-
animation of her person $3.50 in gold and
about SIS in greenbacks was found Sc =
creted in her clothes about the waist,
which was taken care of by the officers.
Mr.. Hayeck, whose place of business is
No. 219 Harrison street, was then notified
and the woman was removed to his home
on West Second, when medical aid was
sought, DIS. Crawford and Kulp being
sought.
When a reporter for the Gazette called
Mrs. Konechi was lying on the bed, sur,
rounded by several attendants, apparent,
ly half asleep. Her flowing dark hair was
thrown back on the pillow, her face was
pale and care>worn, and her arms were
extended on either side at full
length. She responded to ques-
tons asked, but at times with great
incoherency and then again did not see m
to realize that she had been addressed.
She refused to answer where she procured
| the poison or what it was, or where or
why she took it. About the only reason
she assigned for having attempted self
destruction was that her sister living in
Moline had talked about her and abused
her for carrying her money where she
did" about her person. From members
of the household the following was
learned of Mrs. Konechi: For the past
six or seven months she has been living
with sister, Mrs Katie Altz, in Moline.
Previous to that tine she resided in
Cedar Rapids. and although she has
three daughters and a mother living
there, she earned livelihood by working
in laundry and sustained herself alone.
About fifteen years ago she left her hus>
band, or he deserted her, who is now
employed On farm in the vicinity of
Cedar Rapids. For a number of years
past Mrs. Konechi has been frequent
visitor at the house of Mr.. Hayeck. Mon
day evening she arrived for a short visit
and during her stay did not appear irra>
tional. nor talk of suicide, though trace
of dependency was detected in her
utterarces concerning her future, she
stating she did not know where she
would go or what she would do" She
left Mr.. Hayecks home at o'clock yes
terday morning, informing the household
she intended taking boat south and
when she was settled she would write
and advise them of her whereabouts
The supposition is she crossed on the
ferry boat and took passenger train,
without any definite destination and be-
coming melancholy decided to take her
life. Although Mrs. Koncchi refused to
state where she purchased the poison she
said she event into drug store. asked
for poison and got it."
The attending physicians express a
doubt as to her recovery, though it is not
impossible. As acute symptoms are
wanting, so many hours having elapsed
from the time the deadly drug was ad-
ministered to the time the physicians here
were summoned, they are unable to ex>
actly determine the character Of the poi
son taken. 1t was evidently not strych-
nine, for there were no muscular convul>
sions, it was no form of morphia, for
there is no narcotism, and it was not bell
ladonna, for there is no dilation of the
eye. 1t is supposed to be either arsenic
or chloral, DR.. Crawford inclining to the
belief that it was the latter, judging from
the symptoms manifested last night. She
is receiving very careful treatment and
food in the shape of milk was administer
ed. Mrs. Konechis dependency presum-
ably was superinduced by protracted ill>
ness and domestic relations may possibly
have been a potential factor in driving
the unfortunate to attempt the desperate
act, the consummation of which may yet
be obtained by death resulting from the
self administered poisonous drug.