The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-09-29
OPIUM tut HIM TO SLEEP.
Fatal Curiosity Of Railroad Builder
Matthews. at Butte.
Butte STeciaf

In a miserable Chinese cabin or opium
joint, near the Parrot smeiter Law cold in
death the body fer the eoroner's inquest.
and +. Nj. Matthews senior member of the
firm OF Matthews Bros. & kerrick, railroad
contractors, who have the contract for all
bridge construction and track-laying on the
Homestake route OF the Northern Pacific,
was the victim. Matthews met his death
from opium smoking. The circumstances
leading TO his sad end. As related by c.
kreck, OF Minneapolis. bookxeeper for the
firm, at the inquest are substantially as
follows: Mr.. Matthews had never smoked
the drug, but had desire purely out of
curiosity 10 experience it effects. The
railroad camp is located n short
distance from the Silver Bow mill.
The washing for the camp is
done by a Chinsman named All Chung.
To this celestial Matthews made known his
desire 10 hi, the pipe" The Chinaman
readily agreed 10 accommodate the con-
tractor il he would pay a visit TO his ''ioint"
near the Parrot smelter Last night was
appointed as the time for the experiment.
About O'Clock last evening Mr.. Matthews
visited the Chinaman. accompanied by Mr.
kreek, for the purpose OF smoking opium.
AAst tsAA&obtafs Nokt HksfEfA kHAA the drug
was not fresh and asked his visitors To come
some other time. but Matthews deInurred
saying he had taken the trouble 10 come
there and be would take whatever stuff the
Chinaman had. Accordingly All Chung
set To work To prepare the opium and In a
shors time the smoke from the seductive
drug began 10 Whit from the unwary We
tins mouth and nosirils and ascend 10 the
low, dingy ceiling Of the dive
latter smoking three or four pipestull
Mr.. Matthews expressed himself IN com
plete optimism oi delightful Ianguor, 50
delicious, in fact. that he wanted M.
kreck Ia try the blissiul sensation. Five.
six, seven. eight. nine, ten pipes OF the stun
were consumed in succession. the smoker
continuing in a glib and happy humor un.
al ii O'Clock, when he ceased 30 smoke.
In about fifteen minutes thereafter he be.
came stupid and feh asleep Mr.. kreck
and the Chinaman tried to arouse him. the
latter giving him drink 81 Chinese gin.
and after this drsught the Chinaman told
kreck 30 allow him TO go 10 sleep, As he
would soon wake up all right. Waigin. till
midnight with no evidence OF the awaken.
inc ii the heavily drugged sleeper kreek
too, fell asleep, and slept until O'Clock
when he was aroused by the Chinaman
with the alarming information that he
could not hear M Matthews breathe.
kreck iumpcd up and stepped over TO the
hunk where lay his employer. only 10 find
that life had fed
6 ". u. Matthews testified that his brother
MAS IL perfect health last evening An
Chung ard ms wife. Jennie. keepers az the
~ash-house AMI joint. are under arrest.
The jury retained verdict of death from
op.uni smoking. Deceased was ~ years oi
age he had eife ard children living in
Minneapolis His oldest son il grown ami
was engaged with his father on the Home
stake Pass raj, The remains viii he for
wsriesi t. Minneapolis for iaferment. Mr..
Mr.. Matthews Is reported so have been
wealthy, leaving his family well provided