Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-08-03
Druggists Wehrly Believed to Have
Taken an Overdose.
TAKEN TO HOSPITAL IN NADYING STATE
Exhibited Pecu|iarities Lately Which
Attracted Attention.
REGRET OF HIS FRIENDS

Dr InomaS McAleer Wenrly, the Well
known druggist, who has been in business
in Northeast Washington for many years.
was taken to Providence Hospital in the
police ambulance about noon today in ap-
parently dying condition. Friends of the
sick man thought he had suffered an at
tack of paralysis. but the doctors at the
hospital soon found that he had taken an
overdose of morphine. Whether the TAX
ing of the drug was deliberate attempt
at suicide, or whether it was accidentally
administered, is not known, but people
who were well acquainted with him be-
lieve he uuintentionally took overdose
of the narcotic.
Dr. Wehrly had been in the habit of TAX
ing morphine it is believed, and, as al
ready stated, his friends are of the opinion
he either took too large a dose or too many
doses in too short a time. His store is
at the southwest corner of Sd and II streets
northeast, but he was in business for
number of years on the opposite corner.
He is a practical pharmacist, and said to
be one of the best at the business in this
city.
During his younger days he was addict
ed to tie use of alcoholic stimulants It is
said, but in recent months he has shown
symptoms of the morphine haoit At times
his actions have been peculiar as to
toners believed his reasoning faculties
were impaired.
His Sad Experience.
NeighborinS drug stores had profted by
his sad experience, it is alleged, and his
business had bean largely reduced in this
way. The doctor slept in a room in the
rear of his store, and in this room the
police have found him en- two or three oc-
casions early in the morning apparently
under the influence of an intoxicant. Each
time the store was brightly lighted, and
this attracted the attention of officers.
Today between II and - o'clock a Gus
toner who went in the store found the
druggist in stupor. This caused some
uneasiness, and several neighbors We're
soon at hand to ascertain what was the
matter.
Mr.. Louis Boulay, nephew of the drug
gist, was among those who responded soon
after the sick man was found.
TWO doctors were summoned, and they
labored with the sick man until the arrival
of the police ambulance. but were unable
to do anything that would save the life
which seemed to be passing away
When he reached Providence Hospital
soon after II O'Clock DIR. Wehriy's conGi-
tion was very serious, and the doctors be-
iieved ne could live but a short time, but
they did what they could for him.
Native of Pennsylvania
The unfortunate man. who is fifty-one
years old, vas horn in York, Pa, and has
been in this city for thirty-seven years.
For a long period Of years he has been a
me mber of the American Pharmaceutical
Association and only short time ago he
was elected trustee of the National Col
lege of Pharmacy. His father, who is an
elderly man, has been employed in the
government printing office.
Soon after coming here DIR. Wehrly was
business manager for DR.. Daniel B. Clarke.
when the latter was in the drug business at
the corner of AZ street and Pennsylvania
avenue.
When found iii his store by the customer,
DR.. Wehrly was unconscious. and he had
not regained consciousness when he reach
ed the hospital
Were Not Surprised.
Friends who learned of the sad happen
ing were not much surprised, but they ex-
pressed the sincerest sympathy for the
druggist and his relatives. He had
room al his sisters, No. 76 I street north
west, but he spent so little time there that
he not well known IN the neighi,or-
hood. But he was well and favorably
known in the neghborhood of the store,
and in the event Of his death, many poor
people will mourn his loss, for he was eX-
ceptionally kind to them.
I've known DR.. Wehrly for many years."
said druggist to a Star reporter, "and
I knew him to be capable man in every
respect, except that he would indulge in
liquor earlier in life, and I'm told that
recently he has been using narcotics
This druggist spoke of him in the high
est terms, and said he was confident he
had not taken the drug with suicidal in
tent. 1t was his belief that he took the
morphine to quiet his nerves, and the dose
he took was too big for him.