The record-union., 1895-03-27
ELS LIFE Was A DREARY FAILURE.
So c. M. Cornell Laid Himself Down
and Died.
Poison Found by His Bedside, But
None of the Drug Discovered
in His Stomach.

G. NJ. Cornell, an old resident of this
city, and by profession a druggist, was
found dead in bed in the Hotel Rhein, on
J street, between Tenth and Eleventh,
yesterday afternoon. Cornell must have
been dead for more than twenty-tour
hours, as the chambermaid in the hotel
tried to open the door of his room on
Monday morning, but could not. She
thought Cornell was sleeping and made
no further effort to arouse him.
The door was still locked yesterday
morning when she tried to open it. and
that fact so alarmed her that she in
formed the proprietor of the hotel. He
forced an entrance into the room and
found Cornell dead in bed.
On table alongside the bed was an
empty cup with white substance in it.
Close to the cup was quantity of
cyanide of potassium, deadly poison.
The Coroner took charge of the remains,
and an autopsy was performed for the
purpose OF ascertaining whether Cornell
had died from the effects of the drug or
whether his death was from natural
causes. The autopsy revealed no poison,
and the conclusion was that Cornell died
a natural death.
The deceased was a familiar figure
about the city. Although personally
known to 4 large number OF people
many OF them did not know his name
lie was native Of New York and came
| to this State III the early fifties He was
well educated and at one time was inter-
ested in large drug store in this city.
During the palmy days of the ComstoCk
he went to Virginia City, New, and was
partner there IN a large drug store with
| the late Henry {. Kirk. When times got
dull there Cornell went to san Francisco
and commenced to dabDle In stocks 1t
was but short time before he lost the
fortune he had accumulated in this city
and Virginia City. 1t is said be then
took to drink, and from that moment be-
gan to go down hill.
Having lost his fortune he hired ont as
a drug clerk, and he was good one.
about twenty-five or thirty years ago he
was clerk for o. s. Wait, a drnpgist
stu dong business in this city. For a
number OF years past he had but little to
DO, and barely eked out an existence by
doing now and theE little clerical work.
THE INQUEST.
Justice Of the Peace W. a. Henry, in
the absence of Coroner Miller, last even
ing held an inquest on CorneIps BODY.
Deputy Coroner Fenton testified that
he had ascertained that Cornell was
about 81 years OF age and u native of New
1 VI ~ LIS Sdlu tl&L Df. D. l.. crooks
who performed the autopsy on COrneIPs
body, told him that if the deceased took
the cyanide OF potassium it would be
difficult to find any trace OF the poison in
the body as the drug is very absorbent
and as soon as taken circulaLes with the
/ blood until death ensues
Charles Ruedy, proprietor Of the Hotel
Rhein, where Cornelps body was found.
testified 10 the deceased having lodged at
the hotel for about six weeks.
\ statement was read from DR.. J. L.
/ Crook OF the County Hospital, who per-
formed the autopsy, in which the doctor
stated that he believed Cornell came to
his death from gastritis, The result Of
alcoholism. The stomach and its con-
tents were removed and retained for the
purpose, II necessary, OF chemical
analysis.
The jury rendered a verdict that Cor
nell came 10 his death by taking portion
OF the poison found by his bedside