The morning call., 1892-11-03
The Explorer Dies From an Overdose
Of Laudanum
TAKEN TO RELIEVE HIS SUFFERIEGS.
feund in COmatOse Condition in the Streets Of
Portland-The Life Work Of the Arctic
Explorer.
Special to THE MORNING CALL

OhllAND, NOV. 2-LfeutenaDt fTeUe-
TICK u Schwatka. who made his name
FAMOUS the world over while in command of
tne expedition TO the Arctic region in search
OF records of the lost Sir John Franklin
party, Is dead. The lieutenant was found
AT O'Clock this morning lying on First
stIee', near Morrison, by an officer. BY his
SIDE was half-empty bottle of laudanum.
lie was Ia comatose condition and was
Immediately removed to the st. Charles
Hotel, where he was placed in chair. II
was supposed at first that the lieutenant
was intoxicated; but as his condition grew
alarming at the end of an hour, the patrol
wagon was called for and the sick man
taKen to the city jail a telephone message
Drought DR.. Wheeler. the city physician, at
once, and he discovered that the lieutenant
was suffering from what appeared to be
narcotic poisoning. From the Jail the lieu
tenant was Immediately sent TO the Good
Samaritan Hospital. where everything was
dohe for him, but in vain. and he died at 5
o clock this morning
Lieutenant Schwatka had been suffering
from complication of troubles, and had
SHOWN symptoms of apoplexy on numerous
occasions. His life had been marked by
such degree of conviviality that his
much trouble, and for the purpose of finding
reiel he used small quantities of iaudanum,
usually taking from fifteen to twenty drops.
Last evening his stomach trouble came on
WIN such severity that he implanted bit
tellY ana sought relief in the usual remedy
Going to drugstore he asked for two
ounces OF laudanum. The druggist asked
MN IL he had prescription. He replied
that he had not, but as he was a graduate
OF medical college he could soon write
% n Err-t~ =.
necessary and gave Lieutenant Schwatka
the druE: lie went away. and. after visit
Ing political club, he was not seen after 9
o'Gloes until picked up on the street.
Dr Nleklin, an Intimate friend Of the de-
ceased, said: "The lieutenant and myself
TOOK dinner last evening together and left
him about 7 O'clock. lie was in his usual
loVlal mood, but complained about pain in
his stomach. HIS prospects were very en-
c0uragnB and he expected soon TO perfect
arrangements for going to Mexico, where
he had gigantic scheme with some MeXi-
can land company. He was also very en-
tnuSlastic about his plans for having the
GOVernmeDt make a national park OF Mount
Hood. lie seemed to feel highly encouraged
aud believed all his plans would material
ne lie was intending 10 speak at politi-
cal meeting last night, but The programme
was changed"
During the evening w. F. Pullman. a
drug clerk. saw the lieutenant, who told
him his stomach was Civ ng him much
trouble. but that he had taken some laada-
num aud was feeling much better.
a most careful inquiry failed 10 reveal
any Indications that the deceased had been
drinking. His most intimate friends assert
that he bad not taken a drop of liquor since
undergoing treatment at Port Townsend
several months ago.
The lieutenant came from the East last
= az, leaving his wife and siX-year. old
daughter al Rock Island, ILL.,, with the
formers parents. He went TO Coos Bay
and on the way met with an accident which
caused him some trouble. After his return
he went to the sound and made short trip
TO Alaska, and later made a lecturng tour
Of the Northwest. He returned TO Portland
on September 25.
DR.. Wheeler held pos'-mortem examine-
lion this afternoon. The brain was taken
out intact and registered 5Ah ounces. The
TISSUES were ali IN very healthy condition,
with slight traces of alcoholic congestion
ana Slight adheSiOns 10 the memUranous
lining of the skull. There was nothing TO
Indicate apoplexy, and the only assignable
cause Tor death Is that the deceased took an
overdose of laudanum for the purpose of
relieving the pain in his stomach.
Ihe body will be kept here until Mrs
Schwatka, who Is living in Rock Island,
Ill, Is heard from as to its disposition.
Frederick Schwatka was born in Galepa.
H., September 29. lS49, aud with his parents
removed 70 Oregon. his early life was spent
at Astoria, Albany, Eugene City aud Salem,
OR. lie was very popular as a lad amoug
the citizens, so much so, indeed, that with a
powerful influence TO back him he received
through the efforts OF J. ii. ID. Henderson,
Representative IN Congress from that State,
the appointment OF cadet at the West Point
Military Academy. Graduating in 1871 he
lieutenant in the Third United States
Cavalry, then serving in Arizona. He
was afterward transferred to the De-
psrtment OF the Platte. Meanwhile
he studied law and was admitted 10
practice in the United States Circuit Court
Tor the District OF Nebraska, May 8, 1875.
lie then studied medicine and surgery, and
graduated at the Bellevue Medical College
In \ ew lork March l, 1876. Rejoinng his
regiment, he served in the Sioux war of
1876. AT his own request he was detailed
to command the Franklin search party in
the Arctic Ocean, and was engaged in that
expedition from June 10, 1878, TO September
- 1880. During that expedition he made a
journey with sledges OF 3251 miles, and was
absent from his base Of supplies eleven
months aud twenty days. during which time
the party subsisted on the game of the
country. On March 20, 1879, he was pro-
mcted 10 first leutenRncy in the Third
cavalry, and in October, 1881, was ap-
pointed aid-de-camp on the staff of General
Neison "A. Miles. In 1884 he made an ex-
t'oi"tioh VI l"c uhon hlEeT, aiaska- ana
later was engaged in explorations in Mexico.
his last exploring expedition was success
iuily made In the year 1890. when he was
sent out IN the interest of New York
paper to get further data about the head
waters of the Yukon River. and of the CON-
paratiyely unknown country round about
AS an Alaskan explorer he felt himself
ana was, peculiarly fitted, being an expert
IN the Chinook jargon, and consequently
able TO converse with the natives with COM
parative ease. His many wanderings in un-
explored Businesses and his sbrewd powers
OF observation made him delightful COM
panlon, as he could entertain for hours with
stories Of his adventures among aborisinaI
tribes or of the natural wonders he had
=