The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-15
THE SUICIDE OF A BOY
AFTER QUARRELING WITH HIS
CHUM HE TAKES CARB0LIC ACID.
Henry Brewer, Twelve Years Old,
Meets N Terrible Death-Mother
Frantic with Grief.

Remorseful or sorrowful because he had
fought with a playmate. or angry because
he was reproved by his mother for fighting
with one Of his closest friends and play
mates, Henry Brewer, twelve years of age,
living with his parents at S2S North Pine
street, died about 10 o'clock last night from
carbolic acid poisoning.
Ernest Seigel, a lad of about the same
age. living on the opposite side of Pine
street, at No. 331, was the playmate with
whom young Brewer fought. The boys had
known each other for some time, and
neighbors in talking of the death of Brewer
said that it was seldom they were seen
a~part-where one went the other went
also. AS usual they were together about
6 o'clock last evening. Near the corner
of New York and Pine streets a dispute
arose, and Brewer, slightly angry, slapped
Ernest Seigel on the back. The blow was,
according TO Seigel, a little too hard, n
he said something to Brewer about not hit
ting him again. One word brought on
another and finally the lads began lighting
with considerable energy. Brewer struck
Seigel four times on the left side of the
face. raising a large swelling, after which
they were separated. Each went to his re-
spective home. When Brewer got home he
was questioned about the alteration and
talked jokingly about 1t to his sisters.
Mrs. Brewer scolded the boy for what he
had done and the family sat down to sup
per.
BOY BECAME sULLEN.
After being censured by his mother the
boys manner changed and he became sui
len and very angry. He ate but little and
left the table before the others had fin
ished their repast. He went into his sis
ter's bedroom. into the parlor and did sew
eral other things about the house which
attracted but little attention. He then left
the house and returned in a few moments
and went into a small bedroom. Later 1t
was found that when he went into his sis
ter's bedroom he had opened a bureau
drawer and from her pocketbook had taken
a small amount OF money with which he
purchased when he left the house an ounce
of carbolic acid at Kern's drug store, 9O2
East Michigan street. He told the druggist
that his mother had sent him for 1t, but
he did not know what the acid was wanted
for. When he entered the little bedroom in
which he died he arranged a small folding
bed which was used by younger members
Of the family. His little sister passed the
door, which was slightly ajar, and saw him
with a bottle in his hand, but thought
nothing more than that he was putting
something on his hands. A word or two
was passed relative to what he was doing
and he replied laughingly. A moment
later, before the family had arisen from
the table, q knock was heard at the front
door and lie answered the When
II hA nnnnnd y 1nA fhA-A .eA@I . tsl -s.1
and an older sister. They were on a tour
of the neighborhood leaving valentines for
friends. Young Brewer knew them and
| greeted the girls in an unusually cheerful
name and after admitting them re-
turned TO the bedroom.
HEARD HIS SCREAMS.
He closed the door, and nothing more
| was seen of him until the mother and sis
ter heard him uttering frightful screams
and ran to the room. They found him on
the bed suffering great agony from the
burning acid. They, too, began screaming.
| and Mr.. and Mrs. F. NJ. Humphrey, living
in the house next to them, ran over to see
what was the matter. The neighbors soon
| arrived. and the little yard in front of the
house was filled. Physicians were quickly
summoned. Meanwhile the sister gave the
boy milk and other household remedies,
but these resulted in but little relief. Soon
L tit uUCtOIS dilINCus Dub lnC OOy Wdo lcO
far gone to admit of help, and died in ter
rible agony about two hours later. He did
| not recover consciousness and spoke no
| word after admitting the two girls with the
| valentines.
John Brewer, his father, was out of the
city, and Mrs. Brewer was frantic with
grief, unable to do anything, thus hrowing
the entire charge OF matters on the boys
sister, who is about fourteen years of age.
Ernest Seigel yet bore the marks of the
| ARRAY in which he had been engaged with
his dead playmate. He said Henry was a
quarrelsome boy and always insisted on
having his own way, and frequently had
| trouble with other playmates. Never, ex-
cept on this occasion, had they had differ
| ences. Neighbors, in speaking of the affair,
| said the lad had an ungovernable temper.
and also that he had frequently spoken of
q time when 10 cents worth" might end
all his troubles. The boy for a time had
a newspaper route and was we'll liked, ex-
| cept when displaying his anger.