The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-12-09
DIED IN BIS CELL.
/ James McDowell's Lonely Death in
the Police Barracks Guard House.

James McDowell's Lonely Death in
the Police Barracks Guard House.
James Mcdowell (whits) about 45 years
old, well known as an habitue OF Market
square for several years, was found dead in
a cell in the police barracks guard house
yesterday morning at 5 o'clock. Alcoholism
caused his death.
Night before last Officers Bostick and
Coffee found Mcdowell about $50 o'clock
lying in the gutter at Bryan
aud Barnard streets in a state Of intoxioa-
ton. He looked as IL he had been thrown
out Of one of the neighboriDg saloons and
fell in heap in the gutter. The officers
tried to arouse him but he was too drunk to
sent for and Mcdowell conveyed Co the bar
racks. There he was put in a cell after being
searched, and covered with blankets. Moth
ing was found on his person in the shape Of
money.
At 11:SO o'clock Officer Sculley heard
Mcdowell snoring. He was not looked at
again until o'clock, when Turnkey
OKeeffe came on duty. In passing along
the corridor OF the prison the position Of
the man, with his face against the wall, at
tracted his attention. He tried TO wake
him, but getting no response, he opened the
door to move him.
When the officer touched Mcdowell his
body rolled over, and he was startled at
finding the man dead. DE Immediately re-
ported the matter to the office, aud Coroner
Dixon was notified. He went TO the bar
racks and held an inquest. Everything
pointed to death from drink, and a verdict
accordingly was rendered.
Mcdowell had a pair Of old cloth slippers
on his feet and nothing but a buttonless un-
dershirt and thin coat and vest covered his
breast. His old derby hat was battered and
the dead face showed terrible effects Of dis
sipation. 1t was bloated and discolored.
the mouth was drawn up in pain, the hair
matted on his forehead and the eyes were
staring open. IL was truly picture for
temperance sermon.
Coroner Dixon placed the body in pau
per coffin and removed it to his undertake
ing establishment. To-day il will be buried
in the pauper ground of Laurel Grove
cemetery.
From opulence to degradation Of the low
est SORT, and finally TO a drunkard's death
in prison cell is the story of McDowell's
checkered career. He was q native Of
Charleston, s. c., where his father was a
wealthy and well-known citizen. Young
Mcdowell got all the benefits of good edu-
cation, aud was reared in wealth and
luxury. He never had to do a days work
in his youth, and this probably was the
cause of his downfall He had
every ue WlSueO LOT anu gradually
fell into the habits OF gambling and dissipa-
ton. Before he had gone very far on his
downward course McDowell's father died
and left him a fortune. Without any re-
straint and with ample means in his pos
session young Mcdowell cut wide swath
for while among the sporting fraternity
of the City by the Sea. He was one of the
best dressed men in town, and had a legion
of friends. During his hey-day he married
a young girl. but he gave her dogs life
Finally he went through his fortune and
then his friends deserted him. He sank to
the depths Of a bar room beat and was
Stunned by every one who before had
courted him when he had money and was
a hail fellow we'll met.
Mcdowell drifted to Savannah about five
or SIX years ago, and since that time has
mostly led the life of a vagrant. He used
TO make his headquarters around the Market
square saloons and do odd jobs for drinks.
He served several terms on the gang for
vagrancy, aud once went up for six months
for robbing man of his watch.