The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-12-25
DIR. HALVES TAKES POISON.
ATTEMPTS SUICIDE IN HIs CELL
AFTER HIS WIFE'S VIsIT.
The Aiieeed Msiprsctitioner's Secretsd
Morphine Was Not Found when re wss
Searched by the Poitce-Us Will Recover.

The Aneged Nsiprsctitioner's Secrstsd
Morrhins Was Not Found when re wss
Searched by the Poiiee-ue viii Recover.
DIR. Frederick Halves Of LAG East Eighty
third street. who was arrested late on Saturday
afternoon for having performed a criminal ope-
ration on Mrs. Matilda NJ. Brandt OF 3i2 East
SEVENTEEN street, attempted suicide n his cell
early yesterday morning by taking poison. He
is now lying in an unconscious condition in the
Presbyterian Hospital, but 1t is thought that he
will recover.
Mrs. Brandt, whom Halves IL alleged TO have
operated on. died last Thursday, and was buried
on saturday in Evergrcens Cemetery. Her death
was due to blood poisoning. and. at the instance
of tho Board of Health, deputy Coroner Weston
made I'm autopsy on the body, and discovered
evidence OF malpractice. lie made a report OF
the matter, and DR.. Halves's arrest followed.
The prisoner was taken to the Sorkville Police
court on Sunday morning and held on the Dep
uty Coroner's charge.
When he was searched at the station house at
the time Of mis- arrest, a little pocket case con-
tanning n number of bottles OF morphine In pow
ders aud pills was. taken from the physician.
When he was arraigned in court tho case was
restored to him. but when he returned to the
station house, having been remande,i by the po-
lice justice, i was again taken away, and with
ablcs. Tile only thing left in Ills pockets were
some private papers. the police thought.
q n Sunday night the prisoners wife called at
the station aud Wa allowed to see her husband.
They had q long interview. during which they
wept. and they kissed each other through the
bars of the cell when Mrs. Halves went away.
For an hour after his wife'S departure the
prisoner sat on the cot In his cell with his face
buried in his hands. He refused to speak when
when the keeper went TO the cell again. lie was
still sitting III the same attitude.
How do you feel, doctor Is there anything
you want 2" inquired the keeper.
Nothing" replied the prisoner. " only wish
morning would come. I'm very lonely here
llr. Halves then got up, walked around two or
three times. and finally laid down on the cot.
ana when the keeper ia ss,d him again lie was
apparently sound asleep.
At . o'clock in the morning his peculiar
breathing aroused the suspicion Of the Keeper.
He called to the man, but got no answer. Then
he ratified his bunch OF Keys against the iron
bars and shouted again. Getting no answer, he
opened the door. and, going in, shook the sleep
ing man. He almost rolled him of Of the couch,
but the doctor slept on. SO tho keeper went out
and summoned an ambulance from the PrCsby-
terian Hospital. When the surgeon arrived.
room.
A brief examination revealed morphine poison
ing and emetiCs were administered. A search
of the mans cell discovered a small vial half
filled with morphine. 1t belonged To the physi-
clans pocket case. aud had evidently brca alb
by the prisoner while he was at court.
The man was then taken to the hospital.
When Mrs. Halves heard of her husbands at
tempt Mt his He she was very much affected.
She had no idea that he intended to take his life.
she said. She refused 10 talk further.