The herald., 1896-05-29

Tired Of the Sllnss and Arrows Of Out.
rsgeous Fortune
A Carpenter Away From Nome for Over q
Week Returns end Fakes Fatal
Dose-The Verdict

Yesterday morning at ten minutes
past IL o'clock William Davis, a carpen-
ter, 40 years of age, died in the receiv-
ing hospital at the central police station
from the effects Of laudanum poisoning.
Davis lived at 516 North Walnut street
on the east side with his wife and two
children, O boy of II and a girl about 6.
Something over a week ago he received
a check for sos and came down town to
get 1t cashed. His family saw no more
of him until about 8 o'clock Thursday
evening, when he appeared at the rear
door and asked his wife If she would
give him a change of underclothing as
he intended going to San Francisco in
the morning.
He offered no explanation of his alb
sence, but acted queerly. In his hand he
had a two ounce vial of laudanum to
which he called Mrs. Davis attention,
and said he had intended taking 1t, but
would not now do SO, handing it to her.
She threw it through the open door
into the house where it was picked up
by a young man named William Hen
shaw, who was present. Henshaw was
an old friend OF the Davis family and
had until recently boarded with them.
He was that evening there on a visit.
Henshaw placed the vial on the sew
ing machine and covered 1t with hand
kerchief. Davis refused to come inside
the house, and after some further talk
with his wife started off. He came right
back, however, and said he wanted the
vial of laudanum. No one would pro-
duce it, and Davis finally entered the
house and searched the room until he
discovered 1t where Henshaw had hid
den 1t. Securing 1t he went out again,
saying he was going to take some OF 1t,
but would be back in few minutes.
Not returning for some hours Hen
shaw searched for him and found Davis
lying under a bush in the front yard. He
asked the old man to come into the mousse
which he steadfastly refused to do, re-
questing to be left alone. About this
time Davis son came home and. the old
carpenter still remaining obstreperous,
he was covered with some barley sacks
and Henshaw went into the house and
spent the night with young Davis.
At o'clock in the morning Davis was
found still lying under the bush, but
breathing stertorously and black in the
face, with the empty vial by his side.
Dr. Brown was summoned, but had fall
ed to bring his stomach pump. DR.. Sted-
don then came and worked over Davis
for two hours, then. being unable to re-
suscitate him, sent for the patrol wagon
which conveyed him to the receiving
hospital. DIR. Bryant then took him in
hand, but all to no purpose. the poison
had done It's work and Davis expired at
the time stated.
The body was removed to Paul's I'M
dertaking establishment on Downey
avenue, where an inquest was held in
the afternoon. Davis had purchased
the laudnum at the drug store corner
of Temple and Spring streets. telling
the clerk that he wanted it for his wife
who was suffering from neuralgia.
About five years ago Davis was injured
about the head in an elevator accident
at San Diego, and had since not seemed
to be in his right mind He was sober
when he called at his house, but it is
thought that he had been on a drunk
during the period of his absence. When
he left his home he wore watch and
chain. which were missing when he re-
turned.
The verdict rendered by the jury was
that deceased expired from laudanum
poisoning, administered by his own
hand with suicidal intent.