Evening journal., 1889-10-08
NEWSPAPER FAKE
THE FERTILE FANCY OF A PHlLA-
DELPHlA TIMES REPORTER.

Bringing Man who Cut His Throat
to Life TO startle His Friends-Two
Patrick Brogans Compllcate Matters.
The Mytery Explained.
This mornings Philadelphia Times
publishes startling cock and bull story
about one Patrick Brogan who committed
suicide at the county almshouse on July
0, by cutting his throat. The story,
which is well written, stated that Patrick
"Grogan. the engineer at the almshouse
at New Castle, Del, was killed by an
explosion. 1t goes on to say that the dead
mans nephews living in Philadelphia
came to this city, took possession Of the
body and held an old fashioned Irish
wake. Mass was said at ST. Mary's
church by Father Kelley and he was duly
buried
His Philadelphia nephews secured the
service of a lawyer TO properly divide the
estate, which amounted to about $40 600.
Heald & Co had control Of the same Tn
property was sold and the
money divided. Shortly afterwards,
the Times story states, Patrick
came into Heald & Co.'S Office ana fright
ened Mr. Heald and others nearly out Of
their wits tie went from the real estate
Office TO visit various friends soaring
them all into fits Finally he went to the
almshouse and Baralyzed the new engi
neer with fright. The superintendent
Of the almshouse, however not being
superstitious, heard the mans story.
Patrick said he had taken notion to
have a holiday and putting an inmate at
the boilers and putting his working
clothes on him, he left "unbeknownst'
for hunting trip to Virginia. His sub
stitute was killed by the explosion
and his face being mutila.
ted he was buried as Patrick
Grogan The Philadelphia relatives were
sent for and reconciliation took place on
all sides.
The facile writer Of fiction which the
Philadelphia Times employs, founded his
story on two or three facts Then he
gave his fertile fancy full play, and a
good story but flake" resulted There
were two Patrick Brogans mot Crogan or
Grogan) and the reporters ignorance of
this fact led him into deep water.
The Mr. Heald mentioned is probably
intended for the late Joshua T. Heald
who has been dead for three years.
The story is easily explained. The
|
house. was an inmate employed as a
fireman He had formerly lived in New
Castle and kept livery stable
in connection with the Jefferson
House. In this business he amassed
considerable property. but love fol
whisky got the better Of him and finally
brought him down to the almshouse.
On July 6, last he committed
suicide in the boiler room OF
that institution by cutting his throat
while laboring under fit of melancholia
The coroner held an inquest and he wai
buried in the Potters field, and has
never been resurrected.
When d. w. Taylor and E. II. Gayle,
Of Heald & Co.. read the account Of his
suicide, they supposed the man was
. Patrick Brogan, for whose property the,
were agents. The latter had put
house on Sixth street, into their hand
in February last and disappeared. Tn
latter was also drinking man and
= blacksmith by trade, resident O
this city. He had been at the almshous
/ on several occasions as an inebriate.
A few weeks after Patrick Brogan O
= New Castle committed suicide Heald
| Company received a communicated
from firm Of lawyers in LaPorte
Ind, who represented an allege
sister Of the deceased and her children
asking for information regarding th
a dead man. Shortly after, 4. NJ DAILY,
Philadelphia lawyer called o.
, Heald & Company and claime
! to represent a niece or nephew Of the de
ceased. He authorized Heald & Co., &
. sell the house on Sixth street. This wa
i not done because no purchaser appeare'
. The house is worth about 81 500
About month ago Patrick Brogai
! | Of Wilmington walked into the Office an
!. asked for some money. Mr. Taylor AM
4 Mr. Gayley were much SUI
prised but recognized the man at once
a It is said that Mr. Gayley expressed hi
surprise in several exclamations, and a
crowded about the man who had come {
life, to hear his story. Thoma
McCorkle startled the Irishman b
! telling him that there was monumer
1 in the New Cathedral Cemetery to hi
! memory
Brogan had been wandering about as
tramp and wanted some money that wa
Y due him. This he received an
Il since has made several visit
= to the Office for the sam
/. purpose. He has probably startle
many Of his old friends and cronies l
his unlocked for appearance but has n'
been at the almshouse for several month