The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1892-08-02

All the agonies of torment were endured
by two mon Thursday through terrible
mistake they made.
The love of whisky, and the tempting
sight of flask filled with what appear
ed to be rye, lured the two unfortunates
to their fatal error.
The flask was filled with carbolic acid
and thinking it was whisky the two men
drank it.
The effect of the fiery fluid was cleo.
tric. 1t burned like vitriol, and the poor
suffering men went into spasms of pain
After three hours of the most excruclat-
ing pain, death relieved one of the sui.
| Who tho Mon Are.
| The victims of the dreadful mistake which
ended SO badly were John Freeman and
John Reagan.
| Both are blacksmiths, and were employed
by e. Ii. 1rby, the horseshoer. Mr.. IT.
| by's shop is located on Lloyd street two
doors from Decatur.
| 1t was here, and while the men were
at work that the accident occurred.
| Several days ago Mr.. Irby advertised
for an expert horseshoer, and in response
to that advertisement John Reagan pre-
sented himself at Mr.. Irby's office.
He was apparently about forty years old
| fill the place Mr.. Irby had advertised and
he claimed to be good workman.
| "All right" said Mr. 1rby, come around
tomorrow morning and Ill put you to
| work"
Next morning Reagan presented himself for
| work.
Reagan went at the job like veteran,
and MIR. uby turned his attention else
where.
The forge at which Reagan was put to
work was III the extreme rear of the shop
and was beside one at which John Free
man worked; SO the two strange men in
strange city began q conversation.
While they We're talking the keeper of the
,nn5a Al nc house dairy brought in a lame
mule mule TO DC shod. Mr.; Irby. examined the
ment. He sent young Earl Wright to DR..
Palmer's drug store for a half pint of car.
bollc acid for the mules lame foot.
A Fine Workman.
When the boy came back, Mr.. Irby u.ed
small portion of the acid and started with
me bottle IN his hand to the rear of the
shop.
When he came to Reagan's forge hn
stopped TO nee how the new man was doing.
He set down the bottle by the anvil, WHILE
he examined the iron shoes Reagan had pre-
pared. A glance showed his trained eyu
that Reagan was the right man.
You'll do. Reagan" said Mr.. Irby, land
LII give you permanent job. You may
so to work at the other shop ON Forsyth
street this afternoon"
The mans lace beamed with pleasure.
Thank you, sir" he said, and he con-
tinued TO hammer away III the iron, his
heart glad at the words of praise Mr. irby
had just bestowed on his work
Just at that instant Il gentleman drove up
in front of the shop and called Mr.. Irby
out. He went out on the sidewalk, leaving
the bottle of carbolic acid sitting be side
Keagan's anvil.
The Fatal Temptation.
Reagan was perspiring at his forge wien
his eye fell upon the little moon-shaped
whiskey flask filled with the dark, reddish
stuff that he little knew contaiEcd mis- death.
1t was familiar sight 70 the tolling black
smith, and he grasped the bottle eagerly.
too seemed eager for n drink: :.
''Now, wen just drink this, said II, a
gar, ag4 !. turning the bottle up he swall>wed
Freeman took the bottle from his hand
and swallowed the other half. The stuff
burned his lips II was like the sting of
Il serpent.
He hurled the bottle away from him and
clasped his hands to bis stomach.
With a terrible expression of fear on their
faces the two men stood speechless, booking
at each other, while they were being con-
sumed by an inward fire.
With IL moan of pain Reagan rushed to-
ward Mr. Irby.
Their Terrible Suffering.
Mr.. 1rby was still talking to the gentle
man in the buggy when Reagan rushed out
upon the sidewalk.
Tho mans face was terrible TO see. The
enough for twenty years His eyes wer
wild. his face frghfuly drawn, and
a white streak where the acid had burned
was across his chin.
wildly exclaimed: "AcidV he could say no
more.
In moment Mr.. Irby OWNED the Truth
the man had drunk the carboic acid!
He shouted to one Of the men to run for
IA doctor To another he said: Garry him
down to DR.. Tally's drug store-Quick"'
One of the stout blacksmiths seized him
W the arm and led him down the street TO
A II moment f later Mr.. Irby saw Freeman
lingering about in the rear of
he shop, and catching him by the arm
carried him to the drug store, where
Reagan had already arrived.
DR.. Tally was not in and DR. G'ass. at
Ided the men. They were given coplous
raughts of sweet oil, and artificial rcspira-
on was tried to keep them alive.
The mems agony was terrible to 900
nable to speak, still conscious, the poor
len were burning to death wniG the crowd |
men looked on.
After an hour they were taken 10 the |
(ady Hospital.
at tho Hospital.
At the hospital they were taken into the |
ttlporary ward and Drs. Fensch, George
nj Blalock began work to save them II
pGible.
,Sut the poor fellows were dying even
III.
lothng could have been more distressing
ha to sna them tossing and rolling about
,onu1ned by the burning, fiery fluid, per
tectg conscious and experiencing all the
terrible pain of death by fire. A dozen men
ston by. but they could only watch them
suffe. No human aid could save them or
aI.iay their pain.
Ereman's condition was the worst,and he
lay gasping for breath, while his half-closed
eyes gazed appealingly at the bystanders,
as If Pleading for help.
Thus he suffered. Not a word did he
utter, though perfectly conscious. Death
came while he was still struggling, and
when the flush of life had faded from his
face, the pallor of death was not so white
as the white mark across his chin, where
the acid had been
All through last night Reagan's suffer
ngs were terrible. Not for an instant was
the gain allayed, and it was with difficulty
hat the sufferer could be kept in bed.
Reagan is powerful man. At times he
Jumped out of bed and when the nurses
would attempt to stop him he would fight
iM demon. Everything that medical
xiii could suggest was done for him, but
lie still suffered.
Ia ,e.o n