The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-11-28
TOOK CARBOLIC ACID.
4 Dependent Railroadman
Ends His Own Life.
REPRINTED WHEN TOO LATE.
After QuaMng . Fatal Draught James
I. whessley Begs for an Antidots
Was Tempted TO Murder.

James L. Wheatley, an intelligent-look-
ing man, who claimed TO have followed
railroading for business, committed sui
eide yesterday afternoon about 90 CLOCK
by drinking nearly an ounce OF caroosic
acid in room 10 of the Queen City hotei,
on South Second street. Having repented
his action he rushed into neightoring
drug store for aid, but died before the anti
dote took effect He explained IN letter
found in his pocket that he resorted to
self-destruction in order that he might
avoid committing murder.
James J.. Wheatley arrived in the city
from Minneapolis last Monday and took
room 10 at the Queen City hotel. ll2-ll6
South Second street. He was quiet, gen.
tIemaniy and, although making few &C
quaintances, was well thought OF. de
told Clerk Jacobson that he was New
Yorker, but had followed railroading in
the vicinity of Minneapolis. IT was evil
dent from his actions that he was in
quest of work, although he did not talk
much about it. Yesterday afternoon
about 4 30 O'Clock he walked INTO the hotel
and, approaching the clerk. asked when
his rent ran out Today" was the reply.
II will not need it any longer" said
Wheatley. $50 don't hold it for me.
Then ne walked away and went upstairs.
About fifteen minutes later Wheatley
walked rapidly into Closson d Kelly's
drug store, at the corner of South Second
and Washington streets. his coat tightly
buttoned up, blue polka dot handker-
chief tied around his neck and a small cap
on the back of his head. Without the
least indication of undue excitement he
walked straight to the counter behind
which Mr.. Ciosson stood and spoke the
following worus:
II have taken drink of carbolic acid to
commit suicide"
C.osson looked at the man in astonlsh-
ment and replied: "When did you take
it?"
"Just now in the Queen City hotel" was
the answer. II have been out of work.
am respondent because could not get
employment and wanted to die. Now l
want to be saved, because / regret my ac-
tion."
As quickly as possible dose of sweet
almond oil was brought out and gwen to
Wheatley. He drank il and sat down in a
chair. In less than three minutes the
carboiic acid commenced to work on his
vitals, notwithstanding the antidote. and
his hands and feet commenced to move,
the former waving, the latter beating a
tattoo on the floor. He soon lost power of
speech, and in response to an inquiry ifhe
could drink more of the emulsion, shook
his head. With the assistance of Ben
Goidwater, Gosson laid Wheatley on the
floor, where he was attended TO by DIR.
Will shannon, who had come in response
to telephone message. The, agonies of
the PROSTATE man were terrible to behold.
and DR.. Shannon saw at once that the case
was hopeless. Nevertheless he did all in
his power to save the man, whose vitais
were being eaten by liquid of great cor
rosive power. The battle was unequal,
and in few minutes the end came.
Detective Roberts, who had come in
during the death struggle, notified Coroner
Horton. That official arrived as soon as
possible. but not before large crowd had
gathered around the drug store. There
were faces of all kinds and colors looking
in at the big plateglas. windows and the
officers at the doors had more than they
could attend to in keeping out the inquisi-
tive. Coroner Horton elbowed his way
the store. In quick order he obtained the
facts of what had happened on the spot
and then proceeded to 60 through the dead
mans pockets. A few matches. bottle OF
Harlem oil and the following self-expian-
atory note were found:
"QuEES Cry HOTEL,
":i2-Il4-li6 SOUTH SECOND SrREET.f
"SFATILE WASH ---- ls9-
To A.
ko,a If anything happens TO me please
inform James Wheatley, of Palmer, ). d.,
as he is my brother.
.'You will have to bury me, as my folks
have not got any money, but please notify
them.
IL have taken 10 cents worth of carbolic
acid. The reason that | want 10 do away
with myself is because | have an idea to
kill some one. | do not care who II IS.
La has been almost impossible TO keep from
committing murder To the people of this
hotel. I am very sorry that Wall be
obliged to cause you SO much trouble, bat
| cannot help II. l cannot ma words
several lines were scratched Quit
JAMES L. WHEArLEY."
The body was removed 10 bonney
Stewards morgue. while coroner Horton
went to the Queen City hotel to continue
his Investigations. In the door OF the
room occupied by Whestiey was the key.
The door was unlocked. and Ia the room
things were in good order. On the eom-
mode was a thick drinking glass, in the
bottom of which was small quantity Of
strong carbolic acid. Coroner Horton
smelled OF il and said he guessed that the
solution was so strong Wheatley had Bit
ten piece out of the glass after drinking.
However that may be. there was piece
missing. The room was hunted high aud
low for the bottle IN which the acid must
have been, but il could not be found.
The window looked out into the
alley. 90 1. was concluded that Wheatley
threw il there. In the darkness IL could
not be found. Traces OF acid were found
on the water pitcher. showing that Wheat
Lev did not relish the LIQUID he had taken