The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1896-08-12
John McGrath Swallows Laudanum and
Dies,

Mr.. John McGrath. eldest son of late
Capt. John McGrath. committed suicide
in Atlanta, Ga iast Friday evening. The
At auta Constitution Of last Saturday gives
the followlI 6 account of the sad ending OF
the vouug ulan's life:
John McGra,h, white man 38 years oil
age, com mitted suicide in Decatur street
boarding house by drinking two ounces OF
laudaDum yesterday afternt ton.
THE cause that prompted the raah deed
is supposed to have bsen dependency
from financial troubles Ha left no fare.
we'll message and died in short while az.
ter taking the deadly drug.
MEG attn came to this city abont five
weeks ago from Charleston, s. c., where
be has been member Of the police force
for seven years. Political issues caused
his discharue, however, and he finally
drined to Atlanta, where he secured em
poymenG as bar teuder at the Midway
saloon ON Decatur street He haa wi,e
and Que child who are in Ashevilla. N. G
spending the summer. Mrs. McGrath
was notified by wire yesterday afternoon
of hcr husbands death.
"Coroner Paden summoned a jury and
held an inquest over the body at Patter
sons Undertaking establishment on
Peachtree street last night at o'clock.
Several witnesses we're introduced and
the evidence was conclusive that the de.
ceased had suicided by taking two ounces
of laudanum. and the jury returned YER
dict to that effect
"McGrath has apparently been In bad
beanh for several days. He has remained
nearly all the time in his room and seemed
very mort,id and despvndent.
Early yesterday morning he went oYer
to the saloon and opened up for the days
business. He was paid his wages aud
went Immediately back across the street
and settled his board bill with Mrs La
ner, bis landlsdy. BE then went to his
room and refused to 60 to the dining room
for dinner.
About 6! o'clock in the afternoon Mra.
Lanler was sitting In the hall when she
noticed NJ, Grath emerge from bis room
nalr nude He was very pale, and Judging
from his incoherent speecn, his mind was
sffrcted. ae walked up and down the
hill in very excited condition, and Was
finally approached by Mr.. M s. chatham,
who worRs near by. Mr.. chatham at
tempted to soothe the dying man, but
without avail.
d.. Lsmpkin was quickly cent for and
be arrived in short while. The physi
clan did ever! thing possible for the dying
man, but McGrath died eight minutes Of.
ter the drug had been taken.
"a careful examination Of The room dis.
dresser not far from the bed. 1t was emp.
ty but the odor proved only too we'll that
it had Contained Iaudauum.
The body was taken to the undertak
ers, where it will be prepared for burial
The fonily of the deceased live in Ander-
son, s c., where The remains will probg-
bly, be taken for interment sometime to-
day.
1T is tho1ght that McGrath killed him
- on account of bis inability to provide
TOR his family. 1t is known that he has
been very despondent for some time for
this reason, and bis best friends are of the
opinion that this is the cause Hewas not
drinking at The time of his DEATH"
The remains reached Anderson Satur-
day evening on the Savannah Valley trail,
and were carried to hie mothers home.
On Sunday Hfiernoon st 3 o'clock they
we're laid to rest in the Catholic chur ch-
yard, Father McKsnna conducting the
funeral services. Mr.. McGr.th was 40 up
right, gener0u hearted mau, and the an
nnnncemrnt Of bis death vac great shuck
to hin family and friends.B ileaa wife ait
two CHI den, be leaves mother, Two 3d.
ters and one brother tO ni..nrn his death, l.,
and In their sore bereavement they have
rne sy III p.thies Of all their Irienus aud ac-
auhi ltauces.
Since the above was put in type the
family OF the deceased have rec i've let.
t,r from friend in Atlanta who says that
Mr.. McGrsth did not cummit snicide
trst 9 was suffering intense pain ano
<t 'ok the audanum to get relief, aud acc-
deutally took to much OF the fatal drug.
GUYToN, s. c., Aug. 10, 1895.
Mr.. Editor: Please announce through
your paper that the candidates for all lh
i,nuntu nffinua ara inuifad 10 ha af ih .