Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-09-01
MORPHINE FOR QUININE.
A FATAL MISTAKE IN HIGH
LIFE IN HOBOKEN.

AAfE IN hObOhENs
One of Two sIsters Dead and the
Others Life Despairod Of-Ths Pre-
seriptl0n written by an Accepted
SuitOr and Filled by "a Prominent
Drugglst-The Latter Haunted by Re-
morse Takes Poison.
JERSEY CITY, n. j., Aug. 3l.-An
error by druggist resulted in the fatal
poisoning of two we'll known young
ladies in Hoboken this morning. q. f.
Holtz, millionaire wine merchant, re-
turned with his family to their home, No.
210 Hudson street, from the Catskills, on
| Wednesday last. Two OF his daughters,
Gretchen Margaret, aged 10 years, and
Ella, aged Is, were indisposed, and DIR.
August Lowenthal, a young physician to
whom Gretchen was berrOthed, was sum-
moned to attend them aud found them
suffering from malaria. He wrote pre-
scription for four powders of ten grains of
quinine each, and had them filled himself
at the drug store Of G. Amende, re-
puted to be one of the best ggists in the
country, at the corner OF Washington and
Seventh streets. Each OF the girls took
one OF the powders at 10 o'clock last
night.
Roth GIRLS POISONED.
When DR.. Lowentbal lett for his home
about l O'clock this morning Elias pecu-
liar breathing alarmed her family, and
they aroused her with difficulty. She be-
gan vomiting, and Dr. Lowenthal was
summoned He pronounced her syptoms
those Of poison, and DR.. Coward, OF New
York, was telegraphed Tor. Gretchen ex-
hibited no unusual symptoms and assisted
in working over her sister, making the
case more mysterious. She soon, how
ever, began to exhibit identical symp-
toms. The powder was examined and
found to be morphine, there being enough
to kill several men in each dose.
AMENDE FLEEs.
The druggist was sent for and admitted
that he had made mistake. He then
rushed from the house and has not since
been found, and it is feared that be has
committed suicide. BY this time six
physicians had gathered at the bedsides,
doing all possible to revive the victims
but without avail, Gretchen dying at
about 8 o'clock. At noon Elias condition
was very critical, and physiciansahad lit
tie hope of saving her. DR.. Low6nthal is
prostrated with grief Mr.. Holtz is a
member of the firm OF Holtz a. kOen-
necke, of No. $40 Broadway, New York.
AMENDE FRUSTRATED.
HoBOKEN, N. j., Aug. I.-County
Police Edmcndson held consultation
this afternoon, at which II was decided to
arrest Mr.. Amende. Previous to this
search had been made, but the druggist
could not be found. Rumor5 prevailed to
the effect that he had committed
suicide, aud his most intimate
friends expressed themselves satisfied
that he would not survive the disgrace.
Later Detective Gallagher proceeded to
AunonHpsC GfdnpnD " hare lg found
him in his private apartment with his
arms on table and his head resting in
his hands. 81 have been expecting you"
he said land suppose you want to take
me to the station house. "Well go and
call carriage. | am ready"
APPREHENsIvE or VIOLENCE.
The detective suggested that they would
excite less attention by taking a horse
car, and the druggist retired to procure
his hat and coat. When he returned 10
the room he abruptly asked Officer
Gallagher: ''What is the feeling down
townp'
The officer tried to cheer him by stating
that the public sympathized with him,
knowing that 1t was an accident on his
part. Mr.. Amende moaned deeply and
exclaimed, ''Oh. God, my heart is broken.
Poor LOwenthall How can l ever look at
him or Mr.. Holtz again?" A minute or
two later he hurriedly added: 81 may as
well tell you now. | took one OF those
powders TO see what its effect would be-"
Thoroughly alarmed Officer Gallagher
hurried TO the store to summon the clerk.
THE POISON TAKING EFFECT.
As he went down stairs he met Helm
rich Sternberg, of the Stats Zeltung
editorial staff, an intimate friend of the
druggist going up. While in the hallway
Officer Gallagher heard Mr. sternberg
call for help, and running back was told |
that Amende had taken poison. lie CON
fessed that he had swallowed dose Of |
atropia, the alkaloid obtained from Bella |
donna. Physicians were hastily sum-
moned, but before their arrival Amende |
had become unconsclous. ne hsu eaken
five grains Of the drug, the usual dose OF
which ranges from 0ne.tenth TO one |
sixty-tourth Of grain.
AMENDE CONSCIOUS.
This evening he was conscious but very |
low, and hisn recovery was considered /
extremely doubtful. The house Is in /
charge OF police, aud should he recover, |
his removal to the station house will fol 1
low Crowds of sympathizing friends have |
called at the HOltZ mansion, with the |
exception of that OF the Stevens |
family, the finest in the city. Six |
physicians are bringing to bear all their |
bklll upon hatSS LlA13 NHpso Sohui isAVh ~ I
considered almost hopeless. The body OF /
the eldest daughter, Gretchen Margaret, /
has been prepared for burial. The parents /
are heartbrolIen over the sad affair, and /
have the sympathy Of the entire /
community. Young DR.. LowenthaI, who /
unwittingly administered the fatal drug, /
is completely prostrated, and his friends +
have grave fears as TO the ultimate result +
OF the shock he has received. Mr. T
Amende Is about 40 years old, unmarried, (
and a prosperous citizen. lie ~ Well
known In medical circles and is fre-
quently quoted as authority in German
text books, Of which he has written /
several.