The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-01-18
CAUSE OF MRS.
CURRY'S DEATH
STILL IN DOUBT.
Coroner Sparkling Believes That she
Committee Suicide, While Ae-
Qaaiafaaees Declare That she
UseA Morphine for sleeDlessness.

There Is almost as much DOUBT about
the cause OF Mrs. Hattie Curry's death
at the Stevens hotel yesterday morning
as there Was few hours after IL occur
red. When she died from an overdose q
morphine Ii seemed that abe mad taken
the drug with suicidal intent. But there
YVES evidence 10 show thar she used the
drug for at least a year. Is relief from
insomnia
DR. Spar,iug. the county coroner, he
Heves now that she committed suicids.
But yesterday morning he was OF the
opinion that death was accidental. All
OF those persons who knew Mrs. Curry
and her habits are firmly OF the opinion
that her death was the result Of large
dose Of morphine taken to make her
sleep. But Coroner Sparkling is so strongly
OF the opinion at this time that Mrs. Cur
~ swallowed the morphine with suicidal
intent that he does not consider IL neces-
sary 10 hold an inquest The remains are
at Bonney & Stewards awaiting acvicss
from her relatives.
Mrs Curry was q bright and fairly good
hooking woman. vivacious and nervous.
She lived here about seven years ago. She
was then Mrs. William E7asig. Her hus-
band was the agent Tor the Baike-Coiien-
She arrived here on January OF this
year and went to the Stevens hotel where
she lived very quietly. On Tuesday
week ago. she called on Mrs. Caskey, whose
husband has printing office IN the Cob
man block. and asked that she might be
given some work just TO occupy her mind
during few hours Of the day. She had
previously met Mr.. and Mrs. Caskey.
She was given light work In the office.
Last Friday she received from her hus-
band, j. NJ. Curry. in San Francisco.
letter which discouraged her. She had
been married to him for the past six years
and during most of that time he was max
Ing considerable money. SO that the couple
lived very well. Through her husband she
Was introduced into society. and from
what can be learned she was popular. She
and her husband IL is said. had some
trouble, he disappearing. it Is alleged. of
her habits.
Being OF a lively disposition. she liked
to go out a great deal. She was accus-
toned to attend the Orphsum, TO which
Tor some reason her husband objected
Then when she went to the Tivoli theater
his objections became violent. But Mrs.
Curry thought that inasmuch as the mos,
respectable people in San Francisco at
tend these places regularly. there was no
reason why she should not do so.
Husband and wife. il is said. took sep
arate apartments. but Mr.. Curry contin-
ued 10 pay his wifes bills. Later she
came to Seattle. intending to go to Chi
cago to visit relatives.
Last Monday evening Mrs. Curry
complained of being sick and rest
less for want of sleep. On the table
IN her room was an empty Vial
..
When fun there were 100 one-eighth-grai
pills. amounting to twelve and one-haif
grains Mrs: Curry admitted TO friend
that she had taken a small amount TO
make her sleep. Later on she became
more drowsy and by IL O'Clock was un-
conscious. An effort had been made to
md DR. kioeher. but when he could not
be secured Drs. +. Sweeney and q. F.
NJ kreigk were allied In. but Mrs. Curry
was so far gone that nothing could be
done for her, though every effort was
made. They could not use a stomach
pump because she was too weak Anti
dotes for the poison were useless. too
for there was so little circulation OF blood
that her system did not absorb them
She sank until death came a little after
haif-past 9, When Coroner Sparling. who
was Immediately notified. arrived he took
possession OF the rooms. Mrs Curry
had a trunk full of rather expensive
clothes. jeweiry. consisting OF watch
diamond crescent and diamond locket.
There was also n long letter from Mr.
Curry explaining the family troubles
which DR.. Sparkling refused to give out
Tor publication. But in IL Mr. Curry
said he wanted her TO come back when
She had become less extravagant lie
told her that he had lost his stone quarry
OF iaquina bay. Or, and that he had no
money to send her: that he was almost
penniiess. but that he might take her
diamond bracelet out OF pawn II she sent
him the ticket If Mrs. Curry committed
suicide this letter which she received on
Friday Is believed to have been at least
one of the Gauss.