The times., 1897-05-24
JOHN GARCEs' FATAL DRINK
Mistakes Cyanide of Potash for
Water and Takes a Swallow.
DEATH ALMOST INSTANTLY
Detected a Queer Taste After DRINK
ing the Poison and Told Two
Thought He Was JOking-SO Az
tidote Could Have Saved Him.

John Garges, a young man, twenty-six
years OF age, of No. 706 Park place,
entered the jewelry store Of bis friend,
Harry B. Koch, at Third street and Penn
sylvania avenue southeast, yesterday morn
ing, TO get drink of water. An old Jelly
glass. containing cyanide Of potash, stood
beside the spigot. By mistake the young
man raised the glass TO his lips, took
sip OF its deadly poisonous contents, aud
in ten minutes he was dead There was
no antidote known to medical science
which could have been administered TO
him and have saved his life, though the
fact that he had accidentally drank the
poison was known at once.
Mr. Koch had just entered his store about
IL O'Clock yesterday morning. in company
with MIR. John CriIDmins, who has gro
Gerry store just 4 few doors above on Penn
sylvaBia avenue While the Jeweier " as
unlocking his safe for the purpose of
procuring diamond stad which he wished
to, wear, Mr. Garges passed by and seeing
that the place was open, stepped inside,
He was well known TO both MIR. Koch
and Mr. Crimmins, having been employed
in Kenny's tea store, at No 227 Pennsyi-
vania avenue southeast, which adjoins the
Jewelry store After few moments con-
versation he said he was thirsty, and
walked back TO the water spgot 70 get q
drink as he had done many times before.
Nc. Koch continued TO work at che safe
and Thought nothing OF it. After having
gotten a drink, Gerges picked up the Jelly
cup and placed it TO his lips TO taste the
contents or the glass. When he came
from benin the counter he said. Harry,
what is that you have in that cup, back
there? | took q sip of it and il tasted
mighty funny"
Mr. Koch thought that his friend, having
been in his store 50 many times, knew that
the cup contained cyanide of potash, which
is used TO clean watches and jewelry, and
is one OF the most deadly of all poisons-
lie paid little attention TO the remark,
thin king that Garges was joking, but in
cIdentany remarked that if he had taken
a drink OF that stuff he had better 20
consult i doctor withoutany delay. Garges
insisted that he had accidentally tasted
of the contents OF the cup, but still, While
his friends doubted him somewhat. they
renewed their advice that he go across
to the drug store
Garges then walked out Of the door and
got as far as the curbs tone, when he began
TO reel and came near failing upon the
sidewalk Both men then for the first
time realized that he had tasted the
poison, and started out TO meet him just
as he turned to cone back in the store and
fell down in the doorway. He was picked
up unconscious and hastily carried across
the street into 0'Donnells drug store, snd
DR.. Charles Luce was summoned and came
at once In spite Of the efforts OF the drug
gist. the man was past all hope when the
physician arrived, and eXpirsd in ten min
utes, without being able TO speak again
From the time that he entered the jew
eIry store until he died was less than fif
teen minutes.
The cyanide Of potash is used by all jew
eiers, principally to clean watches, and is
regarded as one of the most dangerous
poisons known, and when once taken there
is no antidote which VIII counteract its
effects,
A telephone message was sent to Coroner
Hamuett and permission obtained to re-
father, No. 706 Park place An inquest
VIII probably be held tomorrow, though
there is 10 doubt that the young man drank
the drug by accident He was for several
years manager of Kenney's tea store, bat
for several months past has been employed
In confectionery store on Seventh street
northwest @