Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-07
sTRANGLED IN THE CAR.

c. e. Doyle, of the Chesapeake and Ohio,
and was attached to the 715 r. NJ.
train.
sTRANGLED IN THE CAR.
Mr.. Leonard, with his wife. and his
father. Mr.. owen Leonard, OF New York,
had driven from his Chestnut-Hill resi-
dence to the depot, and had embarked
on the car when he became suddenly
worse and commenced to strangle He
was removed to his carriage ana driven
direct to the Virginia Hospital, but he
was dying when he reached the institu-
ton. and was in an unconscious condi~
ton. Several doctors happened to be
AT the hospital at the time of Mr..
Ieonard's arrival. and he was carried at
once to the operating-rcom, and trache-
otomy was performed by DR.. Edward Nc
CURE. The patient was however, be-
yond the reach Of medical skill, and was
practically dead before the operation was
performed Every means known 20
medical science. to promote artificial
respiration was resorted to. but all to no
effect.
The cancerous tumor. which was the
cause of Mr.. Leonards death, was formeS
deep I'm the tissues Of his chest, and took
an upward growth. The origin Of the
formation cannot be explained. An eX-
animation of Mr. Leonard's antecedents
shows that there is no hereditary faint,
and that his family is unusually robust
on both sides.
GROWTH OF MANY MONTHS.
There is no doubt that the cancer was
the growth OF many months. 1t was first
noticed by Mr.. Leonard last August, ana
at that time he consulted Dr. Tompkins.
About six weeks ago DR.. Taber was called
I'm. and later Or. Hugh Taylor A diasho-
sis conducted at the Virginia Hospital
last Wednesday revealed the fact that the
cancer, which had spread TO Mr. Leo
nard's throat, was so deeply imbedded
that an excision would inevitably prove
fatal. He was kept at the hospital In or
der that tracheotomy might be performed
when il became necessary. Mr. Leonard
thoroughly realized his condition, but 10
satisfy his friends, he consented TO con-
suit DIR. Dennis, the cancer specialist.
For several days ne had been able to
breathe with difficulty, and had not been
able to lie down at all. Everything that
money could buy or the tender sohcitude
of friends could provide was forthcoming,
hut his case was known to be practically
hopeless.
4 peculiar phase of the case is that
Mr.. Leonards health was perfect uhtu
the last. and although he lost flesh rapid
" during the last few weeks OF his me-
falling from 1876 to l55 pounds, MS Dodlly
health was as good as IL could be. he
suffered little pain beyond the difficulty
he experienced latterly in getting his
breath. and only yesterday morning he
said 10 n visitor that IL seemed very hard
that with his physical powers intact, ne
must still sit there and wait for the IN
eyitable suefocation, that could only De
few DAYS off at best.
To DR.. Taber. who told him that there
was no hope Of his recovery, he said ne
had lately been felicitating himself that
his worldly affairs had reached that point
when he would not have TO work as nara
as he had done hitherto.
AT HIS OFFICE LAST WEEK.
Mr. Leonard was able to attend to his
duties at the Chesapeake and ONO ornces
until the last few days, and as late as the
beginning of last week was upon the
street. Neither Mr.. Leonard nor MS phy-
sicians believed that the end was so near
though DR.. Taylor advised him strongly 10
abandon the idea OF his New YORK tllp
Mr. Leonard. however, said that person.
ally he had no faith in it. but his friends
would be better satisfied if he went, ana
II DIR. Dennis decided not TO operate, ne
should return on Monday.
SKETCH OF THE DECEASED.
Mr.. Leonard was in his 42d year, aud had
been a resident Of Richmond for thirteen
years. during which time he had drawn
10 him a wide circle OF steadfast friends.
He was born in Philadelphia June a. 100
His parents are Irish, his father having
been born i'm Dublin, and his mother III
Cork The parents are Mr.. and Mrs. owen
Leonard. the latter having been MISS
Julia Barry. The deceased went 10 the
common schools when quite young, ana
subsequently, attended St Francis XAVIER
College. on Sixteenth street, New YORK.
After passinc through the courses OF TINS
institution with honors, MT. Leohalu s'u-
died telegraphy, and from TINS point III
his life he was a self-educated man. he
was a thorough student, spoke four IAN
cuages-English. French, Spanish, ana
C,erman-was a graduate In law, ana
very fine musician. For number OF years
he was with the Western Union Telegraph
Comnanv In New York city. where he be-
can,t a decided expert In telegraphy. In
fSSA ba came to Richmond with Mr.. c. w.
cn,5tb Who was then general superintend-
ent ~ the Chesapeake and Ohio, as MT.
smiths private secretary and ste
nogranber BY faithful attention 70 his
business and his extraordinary ability,
Mir Leonard soon won promotion 10 the
Office of superintendent Of telegraph or
Inc chesapeake and Ohio system, which
positlon he held until his death. he was
a thorough electrician, was devoted TO the
science. and became an inventor OF con-
siderable reputation. His greatest work