Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-20
DIR. DORSETT DEAD
A MANCHESTER PHYSICIAN DIES
FROM OVERDOSE OF CHLoRoFoRM.
DRUG TAKEN FOR REST AND SLEEP.
II Was Inhaled Too Long and the
Last Sleep Came Quietly and
Quickly-The City stfrred-Ladies'
Aid Society Celebrates.

| DR.. Thomas II. Dorset, one OF TIL
most prominent physicians In Manches
ter and one of the best known in Ches
terrified, Powhatan, and neighboring coun
ties. died very suddenly at his home. No
1913 east Thirteenth street, yesterday at
ternoon at $3.50 o'clock.
The cause OF his death was paralysis Of
| the heart, brought on by dose of chic.
reform administered by himself to pro-
duce rest and sleep. DIR. Dorset had
been used to taking small doses OF the
drug when very wearIed, and had never
before experienced any evil effects from
the practice. BY some accident, the physi-
clans who saw him say, too much of the
deadly drug was poured upon the towel
he placed over his face or be inhaled
the subtle odor too long. AS soon as
| Mrs. Dorset saw what the Doctors con-
| dition was she gave the alarm, and Mr..
| Alfred Bowen, who was there at the
| time, sent a messenger for DR.. Lawrence
| Ingram. DR.. Ingram was not at home at
| the time. and another messenger went
| for DR.. Thomas NJ. Garrett, who respond
ed at once, but found that his fellow
physician had passed away. In the ex-
element a messenger was sent to DR..
William +. Mathews and a second to DIR.
Ingram. Both physicians were found, but
were like DR. Garnett-too late. DR.. Whit
field was passing in his buggy, and drove
rapidly to the house, arriving about the
same time as Drs. Ingram and Mathews
DIR. John w. Brodnax, the City Coro-
ner, viewed the remains. but did not
think an inquest necessary.
MANCHESTER GREATLY STIRRED.
DR.. Dorset was on the street at 2
o'clock laughing and talking with his
friends, and seemed in excellent spirits.
He went home to dinner at 2:30. and after
the midday meal lay down to sleep until
4 o'clock, when, as he told Mrs. Dorset,
he had an engagement. He had been
up the night before was restless and
nervous, and did what his wife says she
had seen him do many times before-put
a little chloroform on a handkerchief
and Law it across his face. He Is survived
by his wife-Mrs. Ida Hewlett Dorsett-
and three children--Dr. William Il. Dor
sett, dentist, of Richmond; Mr.. Clarence
Dorset, and Miss Mary Dorset, of this
city.
STORY OF HIS LIFE.
DR.. Dorset was born on the 22d day Of
February, 1896, at Dorsett's. Powhatan
county, and was, therefore, 60 years old
three months ago. At the early age OF
2 he graduated in medicine from the
University of Virginia, and later from
the jefferson College of Medicine, OF
Philadelphia. His first practice was prior
to the war in Manchester. When the
lsfD y 10
vice TO the Confederacy as surgeon and
government contractor. After the sur
render he went back to his practice in
Matoaca District, Chesterfield county.
Here he met Miss Ida Hewlett, who be-
came his wife, and the mother OF his
three children. Thirteen years ago he
came to Manchester, and has enjoyed an
extensive and successful practice of his
profession.
DR. Dorset was warm hearted, cour-
teous, and intelligent gentleman. He was
genial, and made friends among all
classes with whom he came in contact.
He was a great favorite among his pa
tents, many of them declaring they
would have no other when he could be
found. He was OF sociable nature, and
mingled freely with the people.
The funeral will take place this after
the interment will be made in Hollywood |
Cemetery. The service will be conducted |
by Revs. Charles n. Van Houten and |
Dennis.
The pall-bearers will be:
Honorary-Judges William I. Clopton |
and John II. Ingram, Drs. j.. T. Rucker,
Thomas p, and William =. Mathews,
Thomas NJ. Garnet, and Lawrence In
yram. and Messrs. j. II. Patteson and f.
". Weisiger.
Active-Messrs. Joseph W. Bronaugh
IT.. w. II. Garrett. r. A. Bowen, George
2. Gary, Henry Fitzgerald, Alexander
Charles Sharpe. and r. ID.
Kent.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PARTY.
The Ladies' Aid Society OF the Pres
,yterian church celebrated its twenty
ninth anniversary last night. with very
interesting and appropriate exercises.
Iere is the programme OF the evening:
organ recital, by Mr.. w. Reginald Walk
r: song. by Mrs. Knowles; organ reel
al; song, by Miss Walker; Introductory
emarks, by the pastor, Rev. Charles n.
IAN Houten; address, by Rev. DR.. j. =.
mith; song, by Miss Mosele Gregory.
were served at the con-
fusion of the exercises by the ladies of
he church.
Rev. Mr.. Van Houten, the pastor. spoke
4 very complimentary terms of this
ody Of workers of his church. He
aid when he came there as their pas
Or he asked some one what organiza-
ons of the church a pastor could count
n always to help him In his tasks The |
aides Aid Society was among the very
|