The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-04-04
LARkIN'S SAD DEATH.
His Sudden Death at the Phoenix
Hotel of Heart Failure.
He HAD BEEN oRiNkiN
Well Known Throughout the Coal Min-
ing District as an Honest, In
du-trious Man.

Joh- Larkin, ST., aged IS years. who
has been engaged in the saloon business
AZ Palmer for several months. died YES
ters4ay morning between 10 ard Ii o'clock
AZ the Phoenix hotel, corner OF Wash
fngton ard South Third streets. under cir
cunStaHces that created the false i'm
preston that he had taken iaudanHrn
with suicidal intent
4 thorough investigation OF the mat
Ter. however. shows death was due 20
general breaking up following a spree
4 bottle Of laudanum and some antfpyr-
Inc were found in the room. but the
pupils Of the dying mans eyes were dia-
lafea instead OF contracted. as they would
/ have been IN case laus9num was doing
its deadly work
John L.arkin was a tall. sparseiy built
man. who has lived in this state since
is7s most Of the time In the country
around Eaumclaw. Until he went into
the saloon business with a man named
Jones he worked ia the coal mines al
different places and also on his ranch.
A short time ago the saloon was closed
Up, owing 10 hard times, and Jones went
10 Black Diamond.
Last Sunday Larkin appeared at the
Phoenix house saloon and took drink.
At that time ne vas apparently all right,
and after a few words with his friend.
Thomas Fl. Davies. In which he inquired
kindly for Jones and learned of his where
abouts. went out Nothing was seen of
him again until last Monday evening
about s o'clock. when he walked into the
police station. considerably under the in
fiuence of liquor. and reported that he had
been robbed OF about so In the Mechanics
saloon. Subsequent investigation re-
vealed that he probably had lost his
money. but that the party who got 1t had
left the city for Everett Chief Rogers
told Larkin he had better go 10 bed and
get a warrant in the morning.
The same night about Z o'clock I.arkin
went into the Phoenix hotel and took
room No. for the night. He was well
acquainted with Mrs. Evans, the land
lady. and not only told her he was feeling
sick all over" but had no money with
which TO pay for his room. She told him
that that need not trouble him.
The next morning Larkin was still Ill.
but refused TO see a physician when
Thomas III. Davies went 10 see how he was
getting along. About O'Clock in the
afternoon he ate some soup that Mrs.
Evans prepared for him, and seemed to
think he would get along without doc
tor all right. Yesterday morning between
and $50 O'Clock Mrs. Evans arose from
the breakfast table and went to Larkins
room TO see IL he wanted n cup OF tea
and some toast.
She found him lying on the bed as IL in
very deep sleep. Despite all her efforts
TO awaken him he gave no response.
Mr.. Davies was Immediately called and
a messenger boy was sent for a physi-
clan. DIR. Eagleson answered the call
and found the sick man very near death 5
door. His heart beat slowly and irregu-
larry. There was so long a time before
the beat could be detected that 1t APP
peared as IL the man was dead. The
pupils OF his eyes were dilated directly
opposite to the action that would have
hafH tn xfau ~ he hot Of
laudanum found in his room. Between
1879 and IL o'clock the man breathed his
last.
Deputy Coroner Oiin took charge of the
remains until Coroner Asian arrived a
few moments later. Then the body was
removed 10 Bonney & Stewards undertake
ing rooms and in the meantime a thor
ough investigation was made by the cor
oner and Chief OF Police Rogers.
IL appeared that Larkin had in his pos
session two-ounce bottle OF laudanum.
emptied except OF a small quantity. There
vas also an envelope with some anti
pyrine in 1t. X was found that the laud-
anurf had been purchased al a well
known drug store in the southern part of
the city Monday evening and that the
man who got 1t gave his name as Smith.
The fact that the label was stin on the
bottle showed conclusively that no at
tempt had been made TO hinder discov-
cry OF the place from which the drug
came.
DR. Eagleson said that Larkin's eyes
did not indicate that he was dying from
laudanum poison and that when he first
examined him he found the heart acting
very irregularIy.
Chief Rogers investigation failed 20
show any reason for suicide. and taking
into consideration the circumstances that
might have combined TO cause death in
a natural manner, he said openly that
he would not entertain the suicide theory.
Coroner Askam took the same view. be-
lievlng that 1t was a general breakdown
after a spree. lie believed that Larkin
got the laudanum to use as a medicine
i and probably did use some OF IL at differ
ent times.
The dead man was born in Ireland and
was 50 years old. He came 10 Washington
IN 1873 and has lived most Of the time
near Enumc'aw. where he owns a ranch.
He has worked in many coal mines and
is well and favorably known among the
miners as an honest. Industrious man.
He has a daughter, Mrs Annie Fin
nigan. who lives on the White river. John
i.srk3n. ir arrived in the city yester
day afternoon IN response TO n telegram
from Thomas H. Davies. When he heard
OF the death of his father he immediate
" said that ne would not listen 10 any
talk about suicide because there was no
reason for s3rch an act At present the
young man IS working IN the Burnett coal
mines. Coroner Askam and pr. Eagle
son held a post-mortena examination last
/ night when !, was proved beyond 4 doubt
! that death was due 20 heart failure. and
/ that the iauiauum cut no figure IN the
/ case. In fact. the stomach was Gabby and
/ did rot have a trace az the poison No
/ arrangements have bean made for the
funeral services.