The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-11-13
ALMOST DIED.
Merrill A. Jones Could Not
Sleep Well
So He UncOrked a Bottle of
ChlOrOfOrm.
He Went to Sleep Too Quick
and Was Barely Saved.

Merrill A. Jones of 4O8 East Eight
zenith street, barely escaped death this
morning by an overdose of chloroform.
administered with his own hands He
is the son of City Jailer Sam H. Jones
and lives with his parents. He is Is
years of age and is a strong man, but
of late has been troubled with insOm-
mia.
Yesterday he had intended going in
to the country with his brother-in-Iaw
to help build a small structure on the
latters farm. He postponed his trip
on account of having some business
to attend to in the city.
he returned to his home last even
ing and told his mother that he would
arise early and go east on the morning
plug train. He retired early. His
father was away from home during the
night, being on duty at police station.
Unknown to the family, young Mr..
Jones had purchased a bottle Of chlOr-
OfOrm.
This morning at O'Clock Mrs. Jones
arose and set about to prepare an early
breakfast for her son. She made ready
ana went TO MS room to call him She
heard him breathing with difficulty
and suspected that the sleep was an
unnatural one. To repeated knocking
at the bed room door, there was no re-
Spouse. Mrs. Jones, somewhat alarm
ed, forced the door open. The young
man lay on his side in bed. The bed
covers were pulled up over his head,
and only the form of his body was seen
under them.
There was a strong odor of chloro-
form in the room. Upon throwing
back the covers, Mrs. Jones saw an IN
corked bottle in the young mans hand
while in the other he held the cork The
bottle had tipped over, and some of
the contents had run onto the sheet.
His mother was unable to arouse her
boy. The chlOrOfOrm being liberated
under the bed clothes, had been in
hailed by the sleeper, as his head was
entirely covered, and there was no way
for the fumes to escape.
NeighbOrS were hurriedly called and
efforts made to awake the young man.
All efforts failed, and it was suppos-
ed that he would never come out from
under the influence of the drug. His
respiration decreased greatly and the
copious perspiratiOn ceased. To all in
tents he had been the victim of a pain
less death. A physician was summon
ed and word was sent to Jailer
Jones. He summoned DR.. Buckmaster
the family physician-and hurried to
his home. When Dr. BuckmaSter ar
rived, he began working with the pa
tient. He applied restOratives and
made every possible effort to revive the
sleeper. Finally he was successful and
he was aroused, but he was too i'll to
tell how it happened.
The effect of the drug was to nau-
seate him. Gradually he overcame the
influence of the chlOrOfOrm and the
danger was passed. He is now consid-
| cred out of danger. but is very i'll.
The young mans father, Sam H.
Jones, had this to say for publications:
MY son didn't try to kill himself.
That is sure. Although he is a strong
fellow and seemed in good health. he
has had some trouble about sleeping at
night. I didn't know it, but I find he
has been using little chloroform to
make him sleep. He got that bottle of
chlOroform without oUG knowledge. Of
course I don't know how the accident
| happened, but I suppose he had trou-
bic in getting to sleep, and he got the
! bottle of chlOrOfOrm and took a few
breaths of it and then went to sleep
! with the uncorked bottle still in his
hand. He often sleeps with his head
covered. There is no reason why he
should have taken the stuff to kill
himself and I feel sure that he mere
~ took it to make him sleep a little
and then went to sleep and the bottle
tipped over
Merrill A. Jones is a florist by trade
He has been employed in several of the
Topeka green houses, but lately has
not been at work.