Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-11-04
ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.
JOHN H. BROWN, THE PHOTOGRAPHER, FOUND
NEARLY DEAD,
The Efsc! of Taking Almost an Ounce Of Iaudinun'
Found Lying on the Floor Of Knights
of Honor Lodge Room.

Last evening about half-past six
o'clock Mr.. John H. Brown, the pho
tographer, well known TO most people in
Wheeling, was found lying on the floor
of the Knights Of Honor Lodge room,
in the third story Of the Franklin In
surance Company building, apparently
dying.
The discovery was made by Mr.. Graf
ton Beall, who opened up the lodge
room at the hour named, preparatory
to meeting of the Loyal Friends last
night.
Mr.. Beal at once gave the alarm, and
DR.. Dickey was summoned, who quickly
saw that the patient was suffering from
an overdose of laudanum, a diagnosis
which was confirmed by the discovery
Of an ounce vial beside the PROSTATE
man containing about two teaspoontuls
OF laudanum. Mr.. Brown had evidently
taken the contents OF the bottle with
the exception OF this small remainder,
swallowing aUout six brahms
of the liquid. When the drug
was taken could mot be accurately
determined, but from all that could be
aScertained he must have swallowed
the stuff comparatively earlv In the
day, perhaps about half past two,
andwould certainly have died in another
hour or so had he not been discover
ed. The usual remedies were promptly
and geographically applied, first by DR..
Dickey and later by DR.. McGrail, who
relieved him, but at midnight little
progress had been made In arousing the
patient and all through the early
portion OF the night it seemed 10 be
pretty even thing as to whether his life
could be saved or not. During the early
morning hours, however, signs OF
returning life were more manifest, and
the patieht will probably recover. He
was taken home in the patrol wagon at
one a. m.
That Mr.. Brown deliberately deter
mined to end his life there is no
doubt. On two former occasions
within the past sixty days he
made attempts in the same d.
rection, once wanting to shoot himself,
and again, about month ago, taking
laudanum. He was confined to his
home on the Island for ten days or two
We ks after s'sscond attempt, but re-
covered completely from the effects OF
the drug, Yesterday he was last seen
about Q o'clock in the morning, and as
he did not go home for dinner his fami-
ly became alarmed for him, and q
search was commenced. He could not
be located during the afternoon, how
ever, and his whereabouts remained
mystery until Mr.. Beall discovered him,
as stated above. Late last night gen
tleman said Mr.. Brown went up to the
lodge room abont two p. m.
When found, Mr.. Brown was lying at
the north end Of the Lodge room, upon
the east side OF the raised platform upon
which the officers table stands. He
had lain down upon the floor, on his
back, with some cushions under his
head, and had evidently counted upon
remaining thus hidden until the laud-
anum had accomplished the purpose for
which it was taken. Business troubles
were undoubtedly the reasons which
moved him to the rash act. Mr.. Brown
has been a resident Of the Island for
many years, and has family consisting
of a wife, two sons and one daughter.