Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-09-01
SUICIDE OR MISTAKE.
Joseph Britain, of Butler, Found
Dead in Bed at the Hotel Boyer.
DEATH PRODUCED BY MORPHINE.
The Fatal Bottle, With Few Pills Left,
Discovered by His Side.
FRIENDS CLAIM HE TOOK AN OVERDOSE

Joseph Britain, of Butler, President oi
the saltworks there, was found dead in bed,
Yesterday morning, at the Hotel Boyer, hav.
ing taken an overdose of morphine-whethel
with suicidal intent or by accident is still in
doubt. Coroner Mcdowell viewed the body
before it was taken to Butler, yesterday
afternoon, and an inquest will be held this
morning.
Chief Clerk Bowman, of the Boyer, stated
that Mr.. Britain came to the hotel Friday
afternoon, and asked for room. He al
ways stopped at this house, and usually
took room on the top floor. He did so this
time. He also left word with the clerk that
he was feeling badly, and if anyone called
to tell them he was not In. Saturday morn
| ing local real estate man called and said he
must see him. Finally Mr.. Bowman told
him to go up to Brittain's room. When he
left, Mr.. Britain came down stairs minus q
hat and collar and with wild look in his
| eye. He was angry because his orders had
been disobeyed, and wanted to know why
the real estate agent had been admitted.
HE HAD A HEADACHE.
He then said he had violent headache,
and asked Mr. Bowman if he could recon-
mend something. The latter suggested
bromo caffiine, but Britain said he guessed
he would soon be all right.
The real estate man left word at the Office
| that Britain had better be watched, and
| Saturday evening about IL o'clock, before
one of the clerks retired, he climbed up and
looked into his room through the transom.
| Britain appeared to be sleeping soundly.
Mr.. Bowman intended to go into his room
before he went to bed, but he forgot it.
When Britain was found at 8 o'clock
yesterday morning he was dead, with small
bottle of morphine that will hold 100 pills
on a chair by his side. A few OF the pills
were left. A letter was there, sealed,
stamped and addressed to his brother james,
of Butler. In it he stated that he had been
beaten out OF 40 shares of stock by well
known real estate agent on Fourth avenue
and he was glad to find him out. 1t con-
tanned nothing else, not even word to ind~
cate that he contemplated suicide.
His younger brother, John, and an uncle
from Butler, not having heard from him
since he left home, started for Pittsburg
early Sunday morning and got here in
time to find him dead. The uncle almost
tainted when he first saw the body and the
brother was deeply affected. James M.
Fullerton, the undertaken in charge, stated
from what the brother told him that Mr.
Britain had taken an overdose OF morphine
with no suicidal intention.
MoANED WITH PAIN.
DR., Braden, of Butler. will appear before
the Coroner's jury to-day, and state that he
had prescribed morphine for him within
the last ten DAYS to be taken at stated times
for some trouble he had. Several guests
who slept near him said they heard him
moan all night long, and it is supposed that
his physical agony became SO great that he
took the morphine at random to stop the
pain. and got too much.
From what could be learned Britain has
been in financial difficulties. 1t is said his
chemical works at Butler have been in
volved. Several years ago he was q tool
dresser for oil companies, and by industry
and shrewdness had gained competency
for himself. Chief Clerk Bowman, of the
Boyer, said he has been coming to the hotel
for two years or more. He had a nervous
wiry movement, and frequently kept con-
siderable money in the hotel safe. When
found he had been dead about two hours.
While at the hotel he acted in a strange
manner, and the clerks were afraid that his
mind was upset by his financial losses.
The uncle says that Britain had not slept
for 10 nights, and took the morphine to help
him. Deceased was unmarried, about 35
years OF age, and made his nome with rela-
tives at Butler.