New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-09-16
R. II. BUSH'S FATAL ERROR.
THE WELLrKNOWN YAClITSMAN TAKES
POISON.
az Arrr,rp-rs TO rsE pAREC ORIG NoE INSOMNIA
AND SWALLOWS AcoNlTE INSTEAD
HIS SUCCESSFUL CAREER.

dose of poison, taken by mistake for medicine,
ended the life of Rufus I. Bush, the wcl-inOwn
Yacht owner and oil merchant. at his homo. No.
oo2 Columbia Heights. lhopklyn yesterday morn
ing. Mr. Bush had suffered from insomnia for
| months and had travelled abroad last summer
with the hope OF getting relief. After his re-
turn from his European trip he went West. But
when he reached homc early last week he had
found little relief, although he had consulted
nlany physicians. .iitcr his return lie called IN
Dr. John 4. McCorkle. Of No. Ill Clinton-st who
gave him prescription and advised rest and
ouct as the best remedies Mr.. Bush found
himself unable TO follow this advice. owing t'
tho condition of some Of lis Investments. ard
was NJ his ofhce a: No. 1870 Pcarl-st. and at the
| Petroleum Exchange every day. lie depended
larrely upon drugs TO tGrce the slerp Whieh lie
could not induce naturally.
Study of melicinc in early life had famillarized
him with drugs, and he kept well-stocked
medicine chest in the house. The remedy ne was
using for insomnia was parceOrlc in "h!skcE' ana
before he retired on Sunday night he put hottie
of this on the nlantc in his bedroom alongside
a bottle containing tinctnrc OF aconlt" IL Is
supposed that he got up to take dose of parcgor'
and whskcy OF which he was in the hah' OF
taking four tcaspoonfuls. and took the aeoni'e
~ mistake.
Shortly after A. III. some mcinOcrs ol inc
family heard peculiar sounds issuing from MT
Hush's chamber, and went to his assistance lie
appeared TO he suffering intense pain. and when
questioned by his wife was dnatle 70 say any
fling. but pointed TO his throat. Or. McCorklc
was speedily sent for. but Mr.. Bush had sunk into
q stupor hy the time he arrived. and the erne'ics
promptly administered had no effect. Death cit
sued shortly after the arrival Of medical assistance
Mr. Bush was horn in TompkinS County, New
York in 1870 His father was farmer. when q
boy he went to Buffalo and then to Detroit. Al
the ace of seventeen he began to teach school, and
nftcrward studied in tie State Normal School
and the Agricultural College, paying his own
way. When he Of age hc married MISS Sarai
/ NJ Hall. of Ridceng, Mich, and IN 1862 he went
to Chicago with $500 capital and embarked In
business lie was successful, and four years la'ci
c,me to Ncw.York. With Walter Dcnsow, OF
Toushkeepsie, he entered upon the manufacture
of lubricating oils in South Brooklyn. and later
embarked in petroleum refining. The Bush x
Der slow Manufacturing Company has extensive
oil works between Thirty ninth and Forty-'i'h
Sis on Gowanus Bay. and a large business IS done
by IT, 4 large number of tenemcn,-houses neai
tie factory were owned hy Mr.. Bush. lie lived
with his family in handsome house on BrcokN u
Heights.
His relaxation from business nc louho III S"'hc
ing and he leading member %, the New
York Yacht Club. His ownership OF the Nacht
Coronet, which lcat the Dauntlc>s in race across
tie ocean in les7, brought his name promlnfertuiy u
before the public. He afterward sailed WITH niS
family in The t'orGl,ct around the world: Mr.
Bush supplied he money for the founding of Of
THE American Magazine few years age: ana =.
was much interested in il for n time After u
.assa into other hands publication was stopp"d as
= did uot prove profitable, lie was an active
o,emhrr of the society of Plymouth Church and
a erca, admircr OF Mr. Beccher's. lie and :, v
White and IT, B Clahin used 10 rival each other
i, bidding for choice of Iews. and MI i>ush IRE
uuen,ly paid over $500 premium for his choi'e'
lie left a wife and two s'n>. =, g..
Coroner Rooney was informed OF me dca'n, ni. 'io
,..- ascnrtsnng that acOnlta had hrCn IN 'he
Lass from which Mr. Bash took his medicine, dc;
,;Ird that No autopsy WAS necessary ANA VIII h"iu
, io,maI INQUEST to-day He said Yesterday thai
tncr, WAS nothing To lead hin! 20 suspect Shlrdr
,3i ,hat he thought mistake in the remedy had
Leon made The funeral will rroblblN tax" pace
an Thursday, and Dr.. Lyman Abbott will coIduct
tho services.