The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-12-07
TOOK POISON TO DIE
HARMON PRIEGNITz SWALLOWS
AN OUNCE OF LAUDANUM.

A Young German Grocery Clerk
Makes Desperate Attempt to XIII
Himself - Crazad by the Drug, He
Attacks His Employer and is Ar
rested by the Police-The Fickleness
of His Sweetheart Said to be the
Cause of His Rash Act.
Harmon Priegnitz, a young German
attempted suicide yesterday morning by
taking laudanum Priegnitz has been in
the employ of George Derst, a grocer at
Jefferson and Charlton streets, for month,
and MIR. Derst says that he never had a
better man.
Within the last day or two, however, he
became disrespect full to his employer and
snubbed his customers. Mr.. Derst noticed
the change and thinking that possibly it
might have been the result OF i'll health, he
advised him to consult a physician and 10
Quit work for day or two.
PriegnitZ became indignant and threatened
hts EN- ployer Mr. Derst demonstrated
with him and after trying to get him to 90
to physician without any success, he told
him that he must leave his place. Prieg-
nitz did so Tuesday night and did not re-
turn until late yesterday.
ASKED FOR LAUDANUM.
He entered the store hurriedly and asked
for some laudanum. Mr.. Derst told him
that he had none, and Priegnitz asked for
money enough to buy some. He said that
he was going to take some medicine. Before
giving him the money, Mr.. Derst asked
Priegnitz if he was taking the lauda-
mum on a physicians order. He told
him that it was d ngerous
medicine, and that a small dose might kill
him. Priegnitz replied that ne was taking
the laudanum upon the order of his physi-
clan, and asked how much it took to kill a
person. Upon being told that 10 cents
worth would kill him, he said: well, l
want that much" and he hurried out.
Soon afterward he returned and went to
his place behind the counter. He was very
restless and moved uneasily.
CRAZED BY THE DRUG.
Mr.. Derst asked him where the medicine
was, and Priegnitz replied ''it's none of
your business" and made an effort to get
at his employer. The latter got out of his
way, and going around behind the counter
where Priegnitz had been be found two
asked Priegnitz if he had taken
the contents of the bottle, and
Priegnitz replied that he had. Mr.
Derst sent at once for physician, and Dr.
Sheftall arrived shortly afterward.
During this time Priegnitz had grown
desperate, and was HOurlShlng a dirk, and
defying anybody to enter the store. DR..
Sheftall ordered his arrest, and Officer
Duggaa attempted to arrest him, but
was unable to do so wi bout assistance.
A telephone message was sent to the
barracks, and the sergeant on duty sent an
offic and the ambulance to bring him in
Before the ambulance arrived Priegnitz
ran out of the store, and across the street to
his boarding house and locked himself in
his room.
LOCKED IN HIS ROOM
When the ambulance arrived the officers
accompanied bv Mr. Derst forced an en-
trance into the room, and found the young
man lying across the bed in stupor
They tried to al, use him, and placing him
in the ambulance drove to the barracks
From there he was taken to the City hos
pital. 1t was three hours before Prlegnitz
showed any signs of life. Two men walked
him about the room for several
hours. Emctics were freely given
and at late hour last night Dr.. Colding
said that he had hopes Of Priegnitz's recov-
cry.
Priegnitz came to Savannah about six
months ago as a sailor. He ran away from
the vessel shortly after its arrival, ard vas
for several months employed by J. d. Foun-
tain, a truck farmer few miles west of the
city.
Those who know Priegnitz here say that
he became attached to young lady living
in the reighborhood where he was working,
and that her fondpesS for another man
drove him to the suicidal step.