The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1896-05-21
AN OVERDOSE OF cHLORAL
Row Woodcock Falls From His Wheel and
Expires instantly


Roy c. Woodcock, "a years of age,
native of New York, widower, died
suddenly Yesterday afternoon at the
| corner of Figueroa and Twenty-thlfd
streets as the result of an overdose OF
choral and bromide of potassium
| which, the cOrOnerS jury ma, was accl-
dentally taken.
Woodcock was highly educated
young man Of, good parents, but was
down on his luck, due in large meas
ure to his love for liquor, which had
dragged him down. His brother is
! county phycician in PonObscot county,
| Maine with headquarters at Bangor,
and Woodcock himself had studied and
| taken a course in pharmacy. He was
| a graduate of the University of New
| York, had a 3. A. degree, and also lin
| ished the pharmaceutical course, alter
| ward going to Germany, where he spent
| three years taking post graduate work.
| He spoke German fiuently. was an ex-
| pert bookkeeper and accomplished or
| ganiSt and musician.
About two months ago Woodcock
came here from San Francisco and at
tempted to secure work. He had held
several good positions, but always lost
them through his fondness for drink. In
Stockton, where he formerly was, he
boarded with Mrs. I. T. Martin, and
there met and became acquainted with
Arthur Chipron, now connected with the
IdClIlC DIcycle WoTkS VI lIlS CITY. SIlp-
ron secured him position as organist of
the Y. M. c. A. of San Francisco, but
this was like all others, lost.
On arrival in this city Woodcock was
looked after by Mr.. Chipron, who gave
him work as a collector for the bicycle
company. and through whose influence
the Rev. r. r. Brainerd gave Roy a
home with him at 914 West Eleventh
street Woodcock drank great deal, but
finally sObered up and expressed a de-
sire to straighten up and be-
have himself. In this resolve he was as
sisted by Mrs Brainerd and Mr.. Chip
ron. Roy often complained of feeling
sick. and had weak heart, which at
times gave him much trouble. Only last
Saturday he was up nearly all the night
with fiuttering and palpitation.
Monday he felt so badly and had such
| headache that he went to DR.. Billiard,
who prescribed for him. Woodcock
frankly told the doctor that he wished
to sober up after prolonged spree, and
needed something to brace him up. He
also told of his heart affection. DR.. Bull
| lard gave him a prescription calling for
$50 grains each of hydrate of choral and
bromide of potassium. This he had
filled Monday evening late and went
home. Tuesday afternoon he met the
doctor on the street in front of the cy-
clery, and told him he had taken the
whole prescription already. The direc-
tionS called for teaSpoonful, but he
had taken more land it was all gone.
Thus In the space of a few hours he had
taken $50 grains of the mixture.
DIR. Billiard told him that was danger
Gus, the drugs were strong and deadly
poison when taken to such degree. He
must under no circumstances take more
than the prescribed dose. AS soon as the
doctor left Woodcock went to the drug
store and had the prescription refiilled,
Then he ent home. On Tuesday eve
ming ne "a I'd queerly and seemed some
times as though under the influence of
liquor, but arose Wednesday morning
apparently all right. He ate a hearty
breakfast, but did not 90 to work. Along
about 1890 in the morning Mrs. Brain
erd saw that something was wrong with
Woodcock, and started down town to
tell Mr.. Chipron that he was sick. When
she got back he was worse. When ask
ed the cause he finally confessed that
bottle of choral.
Mrs. Brainerd te1ephoned to DR.. Bull
lard, who replied that If Woodcock ha n
taken the stuff he was as good as dead
man, but he would come immediately.
BY the time he got to the residence
WooococK mad gone. 1t seems that the
young man must have been somewhat
delirious from the effects of the first
bottle Of the drug, and drank off all the
medicine at once, believing it would re-
1ieve him. During the absence Of Mrs.
Brainerd and her daughter he arose,
| mounted his bicycle and started for a
ride. thinking 1t might help him. He
got as far as the corner of Twenty-third
| and Figueroa. where he fell headlong
| from his wheel.
Passers-by sawt HIM fall and rushed
to his aid. A gardener from a residence
on the corner propped Woodcock up
against tree. where he spoke a few
words. glass of water was fetched
but the patient could not drink, and
the gardener went for a spoon. When
he got back the man was dead. Mean
| time Mrs. Brainerd and her daughter
had come UP. having started out to fol-
| low Woodcock to render assistance The
| patrol wagon was called but 1t was un-
necessary, as the man was dead. The
remains were conveyed to Kregelo &
Bresees, and an autopsy was held,
This showed that nearly all his or