The sun., 1895-05-27
GOT POISON FOR BRANDY.
Did Frederick A. smith GIve Robert WI
son tho Deadly Drink by Mistakes

Did Frederick A. smith Give Robert Will
son tho Deadly Drink by Aistakes
Robert Wilson. a painter, 20 years old. died At
O'Clock yesterday afternoon at 247 Twenty
first street, Brooklyn, where he lived with his
widowed mother and three sisters. under cir
cumstances which at once caused Coroner Keno
and Police Captain Early to take cognizanee Of
tho case.
Death resulted from q dose of corrosive sub
Innate. which had been given to him by another
painter Frederick A. Smith. SO years old. of
"72 Fifth avenue. but whether through mis-
take. as he AYERS, or maliciously. as the family
Of the deceased allcge remains to be determined.
Wilson and Smith were employed by J. NJ.
Baker a painter and decorator at 256 Fifth ave-
nue.. and on Saturday morning. May 1s. they
were sent by him to do some work on q house in
Second street, near Sixth avenue.
About IL O'Clock, while Wilson was on lad
der painting the ceiling. Smith called his at
tention to pint flask, such as is usually used
for whiskey. and remarked:
~ just got this in the closet, and there is some
OF the best brandy in it." at the same time hand
ing the flask to him and inviting him to take q
drink.
Wilson. while still standing on the ladder.
took the flask in his hand, and. removing the
cork. took swallow Of the liquid without
smelling it. He instantly dropped the bottle
and almost fell off tho ladder.
Although he had only taken n very small sip
OF the stuff. he experienced severe burning
sensation. and at once realized that he had
taken some poison.
Smith recorked the bottle and returned 1t to
the closet. and then set to work TO treat tho
victim himself, giving him some Of the oil used
ued TO suffer intensely. until 4 O'clock,
and it was not until he had been
of the hi aoe s e Fred Sh n Bruce
30l Second street WAS called In. DR.. Bruce tried
to counteract the effects OF the poison. but the
patient grew. steadily worse and died yesterday
He explained to his mother the circumstances
attending the taking of the poison. and also in
formed her that he had had some previous
troubles with Smith. At the same time he was
loath to suspect that Smith really intended to
iniure him.
DR.. Bruce had procured the bottle which con-
tained the poison soon after he took charge OF
stun. and after the young mans death 1t was
placed in the hands of the police.
Detectives were busily engaged In nm investi-
cation Of the matter last night. They learned
and they were also informed that unfriendly re-
lations had formerly existed between him and
Mrs. Wilson also told them that Smith had
not called at the house during her sons illness
to inquire about his condition. They also heard
certain statements from acquaintances OF both
men which will probably be used at the inquest.
a policeman WAS sent last night to take Smith
to the Bergen street station. Ho learned that
Smith and his wife had left early in the day to
visit some friends in this city. and that they
Cant. Early told the officer to remain at tho
house until Smith returned and to bring him at
once to the station,
said that his giving Wilson the poison was
purely mistake.