The herald., 1895-06-10
She Swallowed PrussiC Acid
Before Her Husband
DEAD IN FIFTEEN MINUTES
A Tragedy That Happened at University
Yesterday
Marital Troubles and Bad Temper Cause
Woman at the Third Trial tn
Find Death

Mrs. Z. B. Connoly yesterday swal-
lowed the contents of a half-ounce vial
which was full of prussic acid, ana IN
nfteen minutes later she was dead She
did the deed with the utmost delibera-
tion. Mrs. Connoly was the wife OF
we'll known horse trainer, who is en-
ployed t Agricultural park and lived on
the corner or Thirty-ninth street and
Hough avenue, University.
1t was in the neighborhood of 9 o'clock
that she entered the Postoffce drug store
kept by H. L. Park. She said she
wanted drug the name of which she
had on piece of paper. She fumb bled in
her pockets for it and then remarked that
she would have to go back two blocks
for it. But at last she drew forth fold
cd envelope from the recesses OF her dress
and handed it to the apothecary. On 1T
were written the words, prussic acid.
She pretended that she wanted it for her
corns, and inquiisd of Mr. Park if it
was a good m .uicine. The druggist re-
plien that he had never heard of it being
used for them and he cautioned her that
it was very virulenr poison, capable OF
killing many people.
In accordance with the requirements OF
ter kept for that purpose, and Mrs. Con-
molly offered to sign the book, which he
declined, as it is not necessary. The vial
was duly labeled poison" After paying
for her purchase the woman left and the
pharmacist dismissed the transaction
from his mind.
From there Mrs. Connoly went over to
see Mrs. Coveiston, the wife of a street.
car driver. She showed her the bottle
and tod her she was going to drink Its
contents before Ed. meaning her hus-
band. Mrs. Coveiston attached no great
importance to Mrs. Connoly's statement,
probably because former attempts at sui
eide by her neighbor had been looked
upon somewhat in the light OF bluffs. "
The woman then proceeded to her
home, poured the prussc acid into some
water and drank it off at one swallow.
Then she turned to Mr.. Connoly. told
him what she had done and in proof of
her assertion gave him the empty bottle.
The Mortified husband ran to his next
door neghpor. Mr.. Harmon. and told
him that his wife mad just poisoned her
self. doctor was sent for in great
haste. Mrs. Connolly had followed her
husband into Harmon's kitchen. All at
once she sank to the floor She was pick
ed up and placed upon sofa. while Con-
molly sped TO the druggist. Mr.. Park told
him how his wife had come in for the
drug and the emphatic manner in which
he had cautioned her as to its high toxic
properties. In despair the husband ran
back Immediately to Mr.. Harmon's S house
and reached there Just in time to see
his wife expire. A doctor had arrived in
the meantime but, OF course, was unable
to afford any assistance.
On the Friday before, this woman had
- rde two unsuccessful attempts to kill
herself. The first was with a revolver.
She ran into the street in front of the
house and shot at herself. The bullet
whizzed away harmlessly by the side OF
her head. Next she tried a knife, but
only succeeded in slashing her wrist.
These efforts at self-destruction at the
time were considered somewhat as the
atrical display, but the deliberate man
ner in which she succeeded yesterday
leaves no doubt now that she did mean
to take her life then if she could
The cause of Mrs. Connoly's act is as
cribed to matrimonial infelicity. The
neighbors are unanimous in agreeing
that the deceased had a most disagree
able temper and that living harmoniuosly
with her was out of the question. She
accused her husband OF drinking, which
is discredited by those who know him at
University. On the other hand those
who were acquainted with her say that
she was herself addicted to blbulous
habits.
Mrs. Connoly was about 35 years of age
and had no children. At one time she
had an adopted child which was taken
from her because of her lack OF kindness
to it,