San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-08-09

in Twenty Minutes After Taking
the Fatal Draught.
Just as the LIGHT was going to press
on Saturday, it learned that a man had
been accidentally poisoned near the
Sunset depot. On euquiring into the
matter it was found that at o'clock on
Saturday L. J. Sullivan, brakeman on
the Sunset railroad, went to Bode-
mann's drug store, on Austin street.
Mr.. Bodemann was then at dinner, and
his assistant, Henry Schumann, was in
charge of the store. Sullivan asked for
a dose Of salts, and added: "Hurry up,
I've got to get out at Z o'clock" SChu-
mann took down the bottle he thought
contained solution of the sulph ate OF
magnesia (epsOm salts), poured two
ounce dose into wine glass, favored II
with raspberry syrup, and handed 1t to
Sullivan, who swallowed il down quick
iy. As Sullivan laid down the empty
glass, he said: THAT don't taste fami-
liar" and walked out Of the store. This
remark occasiOned Schumann some mis-
giving, and looking again at the bottle,
he found to his horror that instead OF
giving the unfortunate man two ounces
OF that solution, he had given him
two ounces OF the solution OF hydro
chloral, which contained one ounce or
$50 grains OF the drug. Realizing the
seriousness OF his error, Schumann
rushed after Sullivan and overlook him
before he had got many yards from the
store, and he said, Excuse me, sir, I've
made mistake. I've given you the
wrong mixture" What shall | do
then?" answered the man. "Come
back with me-" said SChumann. III
get doctor, and he'll soon fix you"
DR.. Tyler resides next door to the
drug store. He was Immediately called
in, and at once came and attended Sulli-
van. Schumann told DIR. Tyner what
the deceased had taken. He at once
sent for DIR. G. Graham Watts and ad-
ministered an emetlc of 20 grains of ipe-
Gao. Sullivan soon showed signs that
the choral was acting upon the. system,
and said: 81 feel drowsy; l would like
to lay down" Schumann tried to lead
him to the lounge, but Sullivan's body
assumed a dead weight, and he laid him
gently on the floor. Twenty more grains
OF ipecsc was administered, but neither
had palpable effect, the choral being
too much absorbed. BY this time DR..
had developed, and within 20 minutes
after taking the ohlOral poor Sullivan
was corpse.
These facts have been obtained from
direct conversation with Henry Schu-
mann and-Dr. Watts, and there is no
reason to doubt their accuracy.
As soon as Sullivan died, Justice
Crawford was notified. He empannelled
Jury, and held the initial proceedings
In the inquest; then adjourned it until
Monday morning, placing Henry Schu-
mann under a $500 bond, which
was given, Mr.. Dreiss being his security.
Choral, or properly speaking hydrate
chloral, Is not strictly a poison, and
is medical compound that is much
used as nerve sedative, and for induc-
ing sleep. The dose is from 10 to 30
grains Sullivan took 4S0 grains). 1t re.
quires care in administration, as 1t eff
fects the centres of the brain, weakens
the action Of the heart, and in excessive
doses it causes a paralytic arrest OF
respiration and arrest the cardiac action
as 1t did in Sullivan's case, Thirty
grains have been known to cause death
where the patient had q weak heart, but
in one case, similar to that of Sullivans,
the patient recovered, but larger doses
than that prescribed are generally at
tended with danger and frequently end
fatally.
Sullivan came from Waco some time
ago, and his parents reside there now.
He was unmarried. He was tall, well
built man, having light hair, mOustache
and blue eyes. He was very popular
with the employees at the Sunset depot,
and his death was the source of much
regret. His remains were buried yes
terday and we're followed to their last
resting place by many of his fellow
workmen.
Henry Sohumann is young man well
known In this city. He came from New
Braunfels nearly four years ago, and
was apprenticed to A. Dreiss. After
serving in that drug store three years.
he was engaged by Mr.. Bohemian, and
has been in his employment about three
months. He is Is years of age, though
he looks younger, is a very Intelligent
boy and bears good character.
Schumsnn is amenable for negligent
homocide, which is misdemeanor, and,
upon conviction, is liable to be mulct
into heavy fine, or to be imprisoned in
the county Jail for one year.