The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-06-28
HE DEVOURED POISON
AVeteran Found Senseless Near
the Railroad.
HIS LIFE IS IN THE BALANCE.
Leaving Santa Monica Soldiers Home,
He wanders North and Seeks
Deash-An Honorable Record.

Edward 8. Herbert, alias George wIfber.
who used 10 be an inmate OF the National
Military Home for disabled volunteer SOL
diers at Santa Monica, Cal, lies at Proyi-
.sence hospital in a critical condition from
what is thought to be an overdose oil
choral hydrate. Although In an insensl-
bic condition when he was taken 10 the
hospftsd. he was reused enough later al
night 10 say that he had taken poison.
Inn. was unable 10 say what kind. In his
ro,cke. was found box that contained
few grains OF choral hydrate, and It was
evident from its condition that the drug
had been eaten out
The case is shrouded to some extent IN
mystery. for at present nothing IS known
OF Herbert's life IN this vicinity. Some o.
the section hands Of the Northern Pacific
railway found the man. insensible. lying
near the railroad track some distance
south of OriIlia yesterday afternoon. They
nicked him I'D and took him to the sta
ton and brought him to the city on the
Portland train. arriving about $50 o'clock.
The patrol wagon took the body 10 the
notice station, where il was found that
the man. who looked as II he was dying.
had 90 cents in cash, pair or spectacies
and some papers which showed that ne
had ssrved with distinction during the re-
beIlion.
II was thought by some that Herbe-.
had been oyercoma tv the heat, but the
almost empty box OF choral hydrats
aroused the suspicion that something else
troubled him His lips were puckered ana
his tongue was very sore Such condi-
ton would he produced by choral hydrate.
which looks like common alum and mas
hitter taste When taken in large doses 1t
win produce death. City Physician Pal
rner examined the man both at the police
sta,tnn and hospital and said that his con-
dstfon was serious and that the indications
were that he had taken poison. After
working some time with Herbert, the doc
tor got him 10 rouse up enough 10 give mis-
name and admit that he had taken poison.
The box I'm which the drug had been was
of pasteboard, marked, "Chioral hydrate
The edges were broken down somewhat,
and from the way the crystals of choral
were pressed down into the edges and cor
ners IL appeared as If he had licked the
poison out with his tongue.
Edward s. Herbert was born in New
York about 80 years ago. He entered the
army to serve for three years In the one
Hundred and Fifth regiment, New YORK
volunteer infantry, under the name OF
George WILDER. He was promoted TO the
position of sergeant. and on July 10. 49,.
was discharged by reason of promotion to
the position of second lieutenant OF Com
pany X. One Hundred and Fifth regiment
In 1890 he obtained pension Of SO
month on account of eye trouble brought
on during service and on September 2,
1892. was admitted to the National Military
Home for disabled volunteer soldiers at
Santa Monica Cal February ?. 1888, he
left the home with an honorable discharge.
He is FIVE feet six inches in height, has
heavy brown mustache, about weeks
growth of beard, and has an intelligent
face