Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1889-08-08
THE HORRORS OF OPIUM.

Voluntary imprisonment of a MAN
and Wife as Refuge From the
Drug.
lsan Francisco Special to to the Portland oregoni-
Two unfortunates who have been brought
into public notes by their efforts to save
themselves from the deadly morphine habit
are known on the House Of Correction regis
ter as Dillon Preston and Maud Morgan, re-
spectively, although this is not correct en-.
try, as they are really Mr.. and Mrs. Preston
Meyer.
About five years ago Mrs. Meyer, or Maud
Morgan, as she is ''of6cially" known, was
lister, who ofioiated as the pastor of church
In Roseburg, Oregon. She was one of a
family of eight daughters, and at the age of
fifteen fell In love with Meyer, who was the
proprietor of saloon In Portland.
The parents of the young lady, although
opposed to the union, finally decided TO al
low Meyers to marry their daughter. Shortly
after their marriage the young couple moved
to East Portland, where the husband opened
a saloon known as the st. James.
1t was while living in East Portland that
the two, who are now voluntary serving SEN
tences In the House of Correction in order to
break themselves of the morphine habit, be-
came victims of the deadly drug.
A reporter visited the House of Correction
yesterday for the purpose of interviewing
the two "fends" who had cast themselves
into prison. Mrs. Meyer, with the excep-
ton of rather nervous manner, did not
diligence in morphine. She is a good-look-
ing girl, of medium height, and has large
blue eyes and auburn hair.
In relating her experience with the mor-
phine habit she said: "I had myself COM
mitted here because did not want to die the
death of morphine fend, and knew that
I would surely do 80 if had my own way.
contracted the habit in Portland, Oregon,
where was first given morphine as a medi-
cine by physician. 1t was continually pre-
scribed for me until lost all control Of my
self, and when no longer received 1t a.
medicine injected 1t. I do not show the
effects of it as much as most fiends proba.
bly,, but that is because used to get up ear
ly in the morning and take considerable ex-
ercise. My husband tried to break me of
the habit, but could not"
The victim, who is about twenty years of
age, appeared to be suffering, and stated that
she was unable to sleep at night and that
"cold ohills were chasing each other up and
down her back"
Her husband, Preston Meyer, presented
much more cheerful appearance than his
wife, but it was plain to see that he was
fend. He talked through his teeth and all
most snlve!eo Whlie ne was taking. He
stated that he opened saloon with another
party in East Portland.
"My partner" said Meyer, twas a NOR
phine fiend, and SO was his wife, and, as I
afterwards learned, she used to give my wife
shot very frequently. I Iemployed doctors
to cure her, but she paid them we'll and they
fooled me by saying that she was getting ell
right, when at the same time they were FILL
ing her full of morphine. I finally despaired
of curing my wife, and being victim to
neuralgia myself, finally tried few shots
at the solicitation of my partner, and kept
trying it until was completely at the mercy
of the drug. We finally moved to this city,
and myself were rapidly going to the dogs, I
decided to put stop to It. We talked the