The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-03-14
DRANK CARB0LIC ACID.
Mrs. Thomas Jones, Of South Main
Avenue, Died 10 Terrible Agony
Soon After Taking the Poison.

Mrs. Thomas Jones died yesterday
morning at her residence, 800 South
Main avenue, at 2.2O o'clock from the
effects of a dose of carbolic acid which
she swallowed about an hour before.
Whether taken with suicidal intent or
no is not known, for the deceased had
not indicated by word or action that she
entertained any idea of taking her life.
Coroner Longstreet was notified and
after a careful investigation stated to
Tribune reporter that death was due
to the deadly action of at least an
ounce Of carbolic acid. SO evident was
this fact that no jury was impanelled
to inquire into the case.
Mrs. Jones husband and father-in-
law conduct a hotel upon the premises
and, as is their usual custom, they
closed up about 11.45 o'clock Saturday
night and went upstairs. Shortly after
wards, Mrs. Jones' father went out and
the husband sat down to eat lunch,
his brother-in-law, John Williams. join
ing him.
Mrs. Jones seemed particularly jovial
as she attended to the wants of the
men. About 1890 o'clock she went to
her bedroom, seemingly with the in
tention of retiring. About ten or fifteen
minutes after she left the room, she
called for a drink of water and her
brother, John, took it in to her. She
had partially disrobed and was sitting
upon the edge of the bed. She drank
nearly all the water the glass contained
and few minutes afterward gave evil
dence of suffering great pain internally.
Her husband went into the room and
asked what the trouble was. She was
given to slight attacks of stomach
trouble and he thought that it was a
recurrence of this complaint. Mrs.
Jones did not reply but slid off the beds
edge into a kneeling position upon the
floor and moaned.
Mr.. Jones and Mr.. Williams lifted
her back upon the bed and, realizing
that her condition was more serious
than ever before, they decided to get
a doctor. The brother stayed near her
and the husband Immediately set off for
doctor. He got DR.. ]. j. Roberts and
all the means known to the medical
profession were tried both to alleviate
the woman's agony and, If possible, to
save her life. DIR. Roberts saw i'm
mediately upon his arrival what the
trouble was, though but few traces of
the acid existed outwardly.
The stricken woman realized her posi-
tion, it seems, for she made many in
effectual attempts to speak but intel
ligible articulation was utterly impos-
sible. In fact, the request for a glass
of water, made about half hour pre-
vious, was the last words uttered by
her.
She died within half an hour after
the arrival of the physician, in terrible
agony. The acid was among other
medicines in the house.
The family are utterly unable to
throw any light upon the case. The
husband declares that he cannot be
persuaded that suicide was intended,
for there was nothing which could lead
his wife to commit such an act.
The deceased was about so years of
age and was large, well-proportioned
woman. She had been married about
four years. They had no children. She
was born and resided in Bellevue, be-
ing one of a family of five children,
three sons and two daughters, of MIR.
and Mrs. John Williams, deceased. One
brother resided with her. and the
sister and two brothers reside in North
Scranton. She was well known up and
down the valley, having many friends
and relatives.
The funeral will take place Tuesday
afternoon at 2.30 o'clock from the resi-
dence and interment will be made at
the Washburn street cemetery.