The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1890-03-13
DEAD AMONG STRANGERS.
But In the Hands of Friends-An
Overdose of Morphine the Cause.

Tuesday night of last week John. A.
Adams, d machinist by trade, whose
home was Greenville, Pitt county, came
in on the 10 O'Clock train and stopped at
the Bowden House. 1t was evident that
he had been drinking and was apparently
just recovering from the effects of spree.
Next morning he did not get up to break
fast but later in the day went to drug
store in town to purchase some morphine.
He had been here before and had obtained
the drug at the same place. He said he
had been in the habit OF taking it, that
he was addicted to strong drink and
victim to the morphine habit, and that
he knew how to handle it. So when he
asked for the morphine last Wednesday
he got it, buying 10 grains. He did not
appear to be under the influence OF liquor
at the time but went Immediately to
saloon and got some whiskey. Ii is
known that he took at least two drinks
later, taking the morphine in a saloon at
the time he look drink of whiskey.
When asked what it was, it being in the
original bottle, he replied that it was
quinine. After this he seems to have been
lost sight of until about 5 O'Clock p. m,
when he was found in his room where he
was stopping, in dying condition. He
was undressed, lying across the bed when
Mr.. Bowden's attention was called to
him by small colored boy who was at
tracted to his room, situated just at the
head Of the stair steps,by hisloud breath
ing as he passed the door. On the wash
stand was an empty morphine bottle
which mutely told its story.
Dr. F. r. Harris was called in at
once and as DR.. J. H. Tucker was pass
ing by going to Dr. Harris office, he was
informed that that gentleman was in the
house. and was invited in. The news of
the affair spread and soon came to
the ears OF DR.. w. T. Cheatham. Always
ready to do what is in his power for the
distressed, be he friend or stranger, and
not knowing whether any other physician
had been sent for he FASTENED to the bed
side of the dying man. All three of the
doctors went actively to work, the proper
remedies were applied, and by means OF
practicing such methods as are necessary
to produce artificial respiration, after
several hours constant labor the patient
showed signs of returning vitality and
consciousness. At two different times,
| however, after he had been able to par
TALLY sit up andreply to questions asked
him, he sank into a state of complete re
| lapse and it looked as if he would die in
spite of all that could be done. This was
evidently produced by some heart trou
BILE. After he had been with the patient
some time, Dr. Cheatham left, having tt
go to see patient, and later DR.. Tucker
was called upon to go on a similar mis-
sion. He returned later and DR.. Harris
who had been working faithfully on wha
at times appeared to be hopeless sub
ject left DR.. Tucker in charge until h
could visit patient he was on his way
to see at the time he was called in. Al
hour or two after DR.. Harris return d.
Tucker left. the patient by this time hay
ing rallied somewhat 1t required tn
most constant and careful attention an
no little hard work to keep him fror
going INTO state of total relapse, though
and all night the Doctor and half dcze
attendants stayed with the man an
worked on him. BY morning he was al
parently over the Supplying effects {
the deadly drug. During the day he wa
guarded to prevent his drinking again
and DR.. Harris visited him.
He appeared to be doing well bu
suffered much from nausea late in th
afternoon. He complained of not feelin
as well as he did in the middle of the da
but this was natural under the circun
stances. The effects of the whiskey an
morphine had died out and his nervou
system was badly shattered, but no on
had any idea but what he would soon &c
all right again. His wants were properl
administered to, Mr. Bowden and hi
family paying him every attention durin
the night. Some one was in his roOr
until - O'Clock when he was left sleeping
An hour or two later some one went t
his room and again he was visited som
time after. He was breathing easily an
to all appearances doing well. Abou
daylight when some one went to his ROOF
he was found dead Heart failure brough
about by the condition Of his nervou
system, due to the effects of the whiske
and morphine he had taken, was doubt
less the cause of his death.
In one OF his pockets was a piece c
paper upon which was written: IN
name is John A. Adams. am from Pit
county, n CO. This was inside an er
velop that had no writing on it. If tn
man had died that night the facts woul
have indicated that it was a deliberat
case of suicide But when question:
about the matter next day, when lie wa
| perfectly RATIONAL, lie Setlu lldo lic away
carried his name and address in hi
pocket That he was in the habit OF gel
ting drunk and people some times too
him for tramp. In case anything shoul
happen to him he wanted to have some
thing about him by which he might b
identified so his people could be commit
nicated with He usually carried a sma
note book, but he got drunk and lost il
He then wrote his name on the piece {
paper in question. This he said he di
on the Friday Or Saturday before. II
disclaimed any intention of killing hin
self and said he did not want to die. H
thanked the doctors and others who ha
worked so faithfully to save his life, au
said he hoped some day to be able t
show his appreciation OF What the
had done for him. He had often take