Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-02-27
DEATH BY CHLOROFORM
A. G. N. Howard FOund Dead In His
Bed at the Walker House.
An Overdose of Chloroform Carries an
Accomplished Young Man
Into Eternity.
Conflicting Opinions as to Whether
His Death was Accidental
or Premeditated.


The guests oil the Walker House were
shocked and astounded this morning by
one Of the bell boys announcing that a.
G.. n. Howard was dead in his room.
! The word was communicated to Mr.. Erb,
the proprietor, and he at once sum-
moncd DIR. Potter, and the two gentle
men went to the room together. They
found Howard in bed in his night clothes,
cold and stiff, with
| f.l AN ENTITY VIAL OF CIILoRoFoRM
And a sponge tightly clasped in his hand.
This was about II o'clock, and according
TO the opinion OF DR.. Potter the young
man had been dead ten hours or more.
Everything in his room appeared as usual
| in excellent order, and in his bureau
| drawer two empty chloroforin walls
and one which had contained opium
were discovered Until this discovery
was made the general impression had
been that the young gentleman had COM
mittcd suicide, but this development,
taken in connection with the fact, which
was afterwards attested by his acquaint-
ances, that he was in the habit OF regu-
larly taking opiates, dispelled the suspi-
cion in the minds of most of those who
knew him.
Howard had been living at the Walker
House for a considerable time, and this
morning he failed to come down to
breakfast rs usual, and at 10 80, suppos-
ing he was ill, the bell boy was sent to
his room. He was seen around at his
place of business yesterday and attended
the performance fr
AT THE THEATRE LAST NIGHT,
And those who met him are unanimous
in the opinion that there was nothing UNI
usual or strange in his appearance or de-
meanor, and such also is the statement
of Major Erb, who saw him about IL 80
last night, Just before he retired.
Sexton Taylor was notified OF the fact,
and made an early disposition of the
body, with the purpose OF keeping it in
good condition pending instructions from
the family in Philadelphia.
DIR. Potter was firmly OF the opinion
that it was
\ CASE OF pREMEDrrATED SUICIDE,
And cited as proof of this the peculiar
presence OF the string which was attached
to the sponge and vial in such way as
to keep up constant supply until the
chloroform should be all exhausted. This
opinion is not shared, however, by any
OF the young mans acquaintance, and
his past record rs well as his reputation
here would tend strongly to oppose the
assumption. ..-.. --..t.s.
He is the writer OF the article OH "Elec-
trical Phenomena which appeared in
Thursdays issue of the DEMOCRAT, and
but last evening handed in another con-
tribution on the same subject, which will
be found in to-day's issue. 1t is impossi-
BILE to learn his exact age, but it is gem
eral impression among his acquaintance
that he was little ii any over %. He
came here from the East last summer,
and manifested an industrious and am
bilious disposition, as is evidenced in his
having ...-s
WALKED FROM DENVER
TO pay his fare. He did very little work
for time, and finally, through the in
fuence OF letters and testimonials he en-
listed the sympathies of the Rev. Mr..
Putnam, Bishop futile, Geo. Y. Wallace
and other. prominent citizens. While
idle last Autumn he addressed letter to
General McCook, at Fort Douglas, asking
10 be permitted to enlist in the army.
letter, requesting the young man 10
no further word was heard OF him there.
He obtained some two months ago,
through the excellent letters he carried
and the influence OF Mr.. Wallce and
other acquaintance, the position OF sec
rotary OF the Rocky Mountain Electric
Light Company, which position he was
holding at the time OF his death, having
given excellent satisfaction, according to
the statement OF Major Erb He has
taken part in several OF the local opera
| choruses, and was generally regarded as
Il bright, l,-.
AMBITIOUS, CAPABLE YOUNG GENTLEMAN.
For four or five years he held position
| with the prominent house OF Drexel K
Co., Philadelphia, and just prior to his
| coming here he was for two years hook
keeper in the Commercial National Bank
OF Kansas City, and brought with him
from both OF these houses the best Of
recommendations and evidences of good
character. He is said to have suffered
for some time with II nervous affection
which kept him awake at night, and on
this account became addicted to the use
OF opiates. There were times wien he
would become very Respondent, but these
/ spells were short-lived, and he ordinaril,
was bright and vivacious.
Bishop futile, who is now in IPhiladel.
phia, was tclegraphed to by Major Fri
and requested to convey the sad intelli
gence to the young mans family
WHAT pity that the Bell telephon,
folks have no gall They have advanced
! IL in tnln