Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-05-21
7 H E S A ME- EN- D
A Number of Persons Depart This Lite
Suddenly.
Suicides or Accidents - Drowning,
Morphine and Poison All Used
Took Corn Medicine.

James McNerhany is dead, and his death
resulted from violence. but whether acct
dental or intentional is not known
for no one knew of his death until
his body was found In the river, near
the Virginia end of the Long bridge
on Saturday evening. From the appearance
of the body it is thought he was drowned
three or four days ago. Charles Campbell
who discovered the body in the water, had II
laid on the bank until the coroner of Alex
andria county could be notified. A printers
union card was the means of Identifying the
body.
The dec ,ased was printer and had been
employed in job offices. He was a hard
drinker. and had attempted suicide several
times. having jumped in the river on one
occasion. After the body was identified II
was learned that the unfortunate man went
hshirg last Wednesday, and his friends
think he fell overheard accidentally. He
was subject to epileptic fits, and 1t is pos
sible that while sitting on the bridge or
bank he was taken with a fit and was I'M
able to save himself when he fell overheard
UEdertaker j. w. Lee prepared the body
Tor burial, certificate of accidental death
having been given by the coroner. The body
was removed to the late home of the de-
ceased, from where the funeral will take
place tomorrow afternoon.
Victim of Morphine.
Coroner Woodward was also called in to
give certificate of death in the case of a
young man named Edward Speaks, whose
death resulted from a twenty five-grain
dose of morphine. self-administered
Speaks was a shoe salesman In a eth street
store, but his fondness for liquor made it
impossible for him to attend to his duties
and SO he Joined the army of the unem-
ployed. He had been In the habit of TAX
Ing morphine to steady his nerves and get
him over the effects of the alcoholic stimu-
lants, but Saturday evening he took a
larger dose than usual. He was at his
home. near 7th and 1 streets southeast, at
the time. and when his relatives noticed
his condition DR.. Coumbe was called in.
The patient rallied several times and was
able later IN the evening to walk part of
the way to the Emergency Hospital where
he was taken. Under the new treatment
the patient soon showed signs of improve
ment at the hospital, but about . o. clock
In the morning hesbecame worse and died
Speaks was conscious for nearly an hour
before he died. Undertaken Mitchell pre-
pared the body for burial, and the funeral
viii take place from the residence of Capt
Cooper. father-in-law of the deceased He
leaves wife and two children.
Took Corn Medicine.
George Osgood carpenter. who had
good home at No. 2UlI Sth street, went
home last night after having spent the
evening with some friends. He had been
drinking, but IT had been a long time be-
tween drinks. and he was so dry that he
wanted another drink. Mrs Osgood was at
home when he reached the house, and he
asked her for the price of a drink. She
thought he had had enough for one day,
and 50 she told hiIr no, and meant it, He
begged for the money and threatened to
swallow poison If he did not get it, His
wife naturally thought he only said so be-
cause he thought he would get the money.
and so she would not give it to him.
Turning from his wife the nervous man
picked up bottle of corn medicine and
swallowed a big dose of it. Even then his
wife did not realize what he had done and
1t was not until he appeared drowsy that
che was fully aware of the probable seri-
Gus result OF the dose Then she sent for
several doctors and had her husband sent
to Freedmen's Hospital
This morning he was able to return home
Horse Medicine.
Saturday a colored man named Henson.
who was employed in one OF the construc-
ton gangs on the Washington and Chesa-
peake Beach railroad. swallowed a big dose
or horse medicine, installing ii for whisky.
One hour later he died. and the county
coroner gave a certificate Of accidental
death. Friends in this city will give him a
decent burial