St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-03-31
HUGH M'NAIR'S DEATH.
An Overdose of Morphine Taken
to AIIay Pain the Cause.

to AIlay ram the cause.
A little group Of sorrowing relatives
and intimate friends of the late Hugh
w. McNair awaited the arrival of the
Northern Pacific train from the West at
the union depot last evening, and, after
the hustle and uproar incident to the
trains arrival had subsidized, the casket
containing his remains was carefully
lifted from the baggage car and given
into their charge. EX-Ald. Sly, who
had accompanied the body OF his friend
from Tacoma, w. T., briefly explained
the circumstances of his death, and
then the lid was removed and the OPP
portunity given of viewing the immov-
able features, which seemed almost life
like even in death. Shortly afterwards
the caSket was placed Oh an eaSt-bound
express, and accompanied by Isaac Nc
Nair and wife, the latter sister of the
deceased, will be taken to Livingston
county, New York, for interment.
rThere has been some disparity in the
accounts of the manner of Mr.. McNair'S
death, such as might naturally arise
from the meagerneSs of the particulars
that could be learned. EX-Ald. Sly,
who had met the deceased at Tacoma
few days before his death, and who was
stopping at the same hotel, when Ques
toned by GLOBE reporter, said
to learn that there has been any init
nation that his death resulted from any
settled purpose on his part. l met him
Thursday of last week at Tacoma,
where l am just locating in the furniture
business. We we're old friends, and
were very glad to see each other. was
very busy and did not see him again,
but Sunday, when at dinner at the
Tacoma house, l was informed that
he had been found dead in
room Sc. |, of course, did everything
needed under the circumstances, and
made a careful investigation as to the
cause of his death. AS he had told me
himself, and as l knew, he had been
suffering intensely from rheumatism,
and had come to the Pacific slope for re-
lief, but was then on his way home.
Saturday he went to drug store and
up in one-eighth grain pills, and re-
with the clerk that he should
he called at a. III. to take the train for
Minneapolis. When he was called he
said to the boy: I've been suffering
terribly and just got to sleep when you
called me, so [ guess | won't go now,
but will wait until Monday morning.
He went back to bed, and six hours
later was found dead by the chamber
maid. Everything indicated that he ex-
pected to be up and about as usual
when he awoke. His watch, cuff
buttons and pocketbook were under his
pillow, his valise open, etc. A coro-
ner's inquest was held, and after a
searching investigation verdict of ac-
cidental udeath from poisoning was re-
turned. There is no question but that
he took the morphine pills one by one
to induce sleep and allay suffering. Not
understanding the power or nature of
the drug, he took an overdose. If he
had been used to morphine, four
grains would never have killed
him. | have learned since L arrived in
Minneapolis that his physician here
prescribed morphine for him in one
sixteenth grain pills, to be increased if
necessary, and he probably increased
the dose, thinking it necessary in case
of great suffering. His correspondence
indicated that he had conducted bust
ness to within few days of his death,
and that his death was entirely acct
dental is true, am convinced"