Wichita eagle., 1888-05-15
UNKNOWN AND FRIENDLESS.
An Old Man Falls Dead at the Door of Drug
store.

Sunday night about 10 o'clock an old
man of about 20, unknown and trlendless
dropped to the pavement in front of Davis
drug store, corner Seneca street and Chi
cago avenue and shortly afterward expired.
The police were notified and the body
removed to Mr. bearings undertaking
establishment on North Main. Coroner
Percy was informed OF the sudden death
and yesterday afternoon about 230 sum
moned a coroner's jury and held all in
quest.
Upon the person of the deceased was
found a small gold watch and SOB in
money. A letter from Watcher, Iowa,
paper upon which was the name
OF p. T ONeil furnished the only clue to
his identity letter was addressed to
Linsey Wade, Watcher, Iowa, and it is
expected that some light may be thrown
upon the old mans life and history by the
expected reply.
The facts of his sudden death may per-
haps be best told through the coroner's in
quest
Giles Davis, NJ. D., upon being sworn
said:
Sunday night | saw an unknown man at
drug store said he wanted something; did
not know what | went to rear of store;
when came back Old man had fallen to
the ground; he got up and said stick d
knife into me, give me something to
make me vomit," and sank TO the side
walk / fixed him up one drachm of ipe-
cac, saw his tongue was black and gave
him the ipecac | asked him If he had any
friends IN Wichita; he said no Then |
asked him his name and he refused TO give
it but said he was stopping across the
street l then asked parties to take care
of him while went across to see if his
statement was true. Mr.. Howe said ne
knew him but did not know hrs name. As
soon as returned got cot for him and
placed him upon it-he breathed only once
or twice. Think that he died of heart dis
ease.
Abner Stambrook said l did not know
deceased, saw him lying down in front of
the drug store He said his head was too
low and that he would never get up again.
J. p. Howe being next sworn said: l
have known the deceased about one year;
he stopped with me when on the west side.
never heard him speak of having friend
or Of himself Never saw him take any
medicine, saw him die. He made no re
quests after saw him. He came to my
place Thursday, May 10Th; never told his
name nor gave any reason why he would
not Saturday night he paid me 2 dollar,
supposed he had no more Sunday he
seemed we'll until the evening, when he
complained Of pain in MS breast. He said
be was short of breath and would stay up
for while. l have heard him say he Was
tired of life.
L. J. Warner said he never saw the de
ceased until the Sunday evening when be
saw him lying on the sidewalk in front OF
the drug store. He never heard him speak.
A jury composing Of +. B, Rentz, II. d.
!. B. knight, NJ W. Dewing, Chas. T
Guyer, F. D. Riggs and 3. Reed reUuTed
verdict that the deceased came 10 his death
from heart disease.
As win be seen from this examin alton
the deceased has been in and around this
city for over year yet be refused TO give
his name or say anything regarding HIM
self Or his past history.
He was spoken OF az a very p-ofane man
and was said to have spent q great
deal OF the time OF the day aud evening
preceding his death in condemning
churches. preachers and in particular the
Salvation Army Several persons VINO
were present at the hour OF his death &C
count for ms death in tue theory Of suicide;
saying that il was the fact Of his taking
poison of some kind that lead 10 his in,
qu,rins al the drag store for an enetic.
With the money foGnd Ep1a his pe rson
neat colin was furnished Or Mr. Dtering
and the body inferred in the cemetery