Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-08-17
FIrzGERALD WANrED TO DIE.

He Had Lost His Position in the Railroad
Shops, Had Been Reproved by His Par
eDt, and in Fit Of Dependency,
Took His Life.
During fit of dependency, caused
by excessive indulgence in drink, the
loss of his position in the shops where
he was employed, and owing to a dis
agreement which he had with his father,
Daniel Fitzgerald, aged "a years, died
at the Delaware Hospital at an early
hour on Tuesday, from the effects of a
dose of laudanum swallowed with sui
cidal intent.
His father, Patrick Fitzgerald, is an
engineer on the Delaware railroad and
lives at No. 1928 Pine street. The young
man is a graduate of the boys high
school, where he proved very bright
pupil and carried off high honors at the
time of his graduation, several years
ago. His father afterwards secured him
employment in the shops of the p, w.
& b. Railroad Company, where he
learned the trade of carpenter.
Until two years ago the boy continued
industriously at his work, and was de-
veloping into an expert workman. He
fell into bad company, it is said, and
became addicted to hard drinking. His
father labored earnestly to place him on
the right path again, but despite his
patience and entreaties the young man
did not mend his former ways, and con-
tinued en- his downward career.
A few days ago, it is stated, father
and son had some difficulty and the
young man left home. Monday even
| ing he turned up in Andrew ]. Nieder-
maier's saloSn, at No. 10 East Fifth
| street, in an intoxicated condition, and
asked for glass of whisky. Upon the
bar. tenders refusal to sell him anything
stronger than settler, Fitzgerald left the
saloon, stating that he would get some-
thing to drink at all hazards. This was
about o'clock. In half an hour the
young man returned and again asked
| for whisky, which was again refused
the bartender noticing his condition
and informing him he had had sufficient
to drink. This enraged the young man
and in an instant he took from his
pocket small vial and swallowed the
contents. The bartender took from
him the empty vial and threw it out the
window.
Fitzgerald then left the saloon, stating
that he would be dead before O'Clock
IN the morning. This remark led sew
eral of the young mans friends in the
saloon to fear that he might have some
desperate object In view, and SO they
went in search of the bottle which hae
been thrown through the open window
on Fifth street. The bottle was broker
to pieces but the label was found anC
contained the word, "Laudanum,
written across it in bold letters, and alst
the word poison"
Then the young men went in searcl
of Fitzgerald, who was found at Fifth
and Market streets. He was taken t.
the city hall and turned over to the car
of Police Captain Chambers, who sen
hasty message to Police Surgeon M.
Hughes. Immediately after the latter
arrival he administered a powerful anti
dote which relieved him for awhile
The Delaware Hospital ambulance wa
summoned later on and Fitzgerald takei
to that institution, where he died at
o'clock Tuesday morning.
AT the inquest the jury rendered yer
dict that death was due to alcoholism
and laudanum poisoning, the latter nc
, taken. however, with suicidal intent.