Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-08-01
Was Whatthe Unfortunate
Men Drank.
A DIVERSITY OF OPINION
As to Who Is to Blame For the Sad
Affair of Sunday Last.

The post examinations OF the
bodies OF John j. Gllligan and William
Norris, the two men who died from the
effects OF the poisoning on Sunday, were
held yesterday afternoon, the former at
his late residence on Patt street, while the
latter took place at the home OF his uncle,
corner of East avenue and Highland
street, where he died.
Medical Examiner Kelliher was assisted
by Medical Examiners Palmer, of Provi-
dence, and Garvin, of Cumberland, and
Drs. Smith, of Cumberland, and Johnson
and Lane, OF Pawtucket. The first body
examined was that of Norris. All the or
gans showed strong evidences Of poison
ing by oil of almonds or something simi-
lar, the liver, stomach, kidneys and brain
giving forth a strong odor of hydrocyanic
acid, which is the principal ingredient of
oil of almonds.
All of the organs were very much con-
gested, while the lungs were not only In
this condition, but showed evidences Of
pulmonary edema, indicating that there
had been harsh and labored breathing.
The left kidney was much contracted, In
dicating lack Of blood supply, while the
right kidney was about four times as
large, indicating congenital malforma-
| tion. All of the other organs showed that
they were in a healthy condition.
The physicians agree that the poison
was oil of Almonds or something very
similar, judging from the odor of prussic
acid I'm the organs. Prussic acid Is the
basis of oil of almonds. Medical Exami-
ner Kelliher said there IL another drug
that smells very similar to oil of almonds
and Is often used In the adulteration of
liquors.
combination of benzos and nitric acid.
The essence of mirbane is very nearly the
same as that of prussic geld or oil of al
monds.
After the autopsy on the body OF Norris
had been completed, the physician visited
the Gilligan household and examined the
body OF Gilligan. AL Of the organs were
in their normal condition, excepting as a
matter of course, their congested state,
although they were not so badly congested
as In the case of the organs of Norris.
There was considerable quantity Of un-
digested food and fluid In the stomach.
There were the same indications of pol
soning as In the case of the organs Of
Norris.
State Assayer Perkins of Providence
was present, and was given the heart,
liver, bile, kidneys, and a section OF the
brain, the stomach and part Of the in
testines from each body for the purpose
OF determining the quantity OF poison
which each took, and will subject them
to chemical analysis for that purpose.
The body of Norris was taken to his
home at the North End Providence, about
o'clock yesterday afternoon.
Gilligan's funeral will take place from
| st. Mary's Church tomorrow morning at
9 O'Clock. Medical Examiner Kelliher
has officially notified Coroner James l..
Jenks that It will be necessary to hold an
inquest to ascertain who Is to blame for
the poisoning.
Robert Kyle continues to grow stronger
and is practically out OF danger today.
The poisoning was the topic OF conver-
sation yesterday, and the sad deaths OF the
two men were greatly deplored by all.
While some condemned Quinn, otheis said
he was not to blame.
The people should not form opinions In
favor OF or against Quinn until they learn
more OF the facts which the chemical
analysis, the inquest and examination OF
Quinn ought to bring out.
One thing is certain, Gilligan got 10
cents from his wife to 60 out, as he said,
TO Quinn's to get drink. When he came
back II was evident that he had had
drink and search has since shown that
the money was gone.
He did not say he had been to Quinns,
but said he was going. Whether he went
anywhere else and spent the ten cents be-
fore he went to Quinn's, or whether he
didn't is not known.