The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-08-07
ROUGH ON RATS ENDS
WILLIAM STORCH'S LIFE
Dies in Station Cell After
Leaving Hospital.
HAD BEEN ON LONG SPREE
Took the Poison After Having Attempt
ed to Attack His Children
With Scissors.

William Storch, thirty-eight years old,
of 1923 Thirty-third Street northwest,
died in a cell at the Seventh police pre-
cinct. in Georgetown, some time during
last night from the effect of rough or
rats" taken with suicidal intent
StOrch had been treated at the George
town University Hospital early in the
night, and had been discharged as out
OF danger. After his lifeless body had
been removed to the morgue, Acting
Coroner Glazebrook held an autopsy,
which disclosed that death was due to
the arsenic contained in the poison. The
stomach and intestines were full OF it,
Took Rough on Rats.
1t was Just after O'Clock that Mr..
Jenkins, who lives next door to Storch.
ran TO the Seventh precinct police sta
ton with the information that Storch
was again raising disturbance in his
family. Policeman J. G. Walsh re-
sponded. and was met at the door by
Mrs. Storeh. who told him that her
husband had taken poison. Walsh en-
tered and found the man lying on bed
in an upper room of their house at 1921
Thirty third Street northwest.
What have you been doing, WHIP"
asked the policeman.
Il have taken rough on rats" was
the reply. II want to kill myself"
To Policeman Walsh. Storch gave as
his motive family troubles, saying that
his wife had struck him. He still held
beneath him the box which had contain
ed the poison, about two ounces. He had
gone into the rear yard. poured the con-
tents into his mouth. and then spit out
quantity. so that 1t was not known
how much he had taken. He was hur-
ried around the corner to the police
station. placed in the wagon. and taken
to the Georgetown University Hospital
There DR.. Owens washed out the stom-
ach. and administered antIdotes. AT the
hospital. Storch announced his regret
that he had not used a pistol. and said
that next time he would use this method
He also mentioned that he had been dis
charged from the army for rheumatism
of the heart. and DR.. Owens tested his
heart. finding 1t apparently all right
Locked Up for Safe-Keeping.
After Storch had been at the hospital
for more than an hour. he insisted on
going home AS DR.. Owens considered
him out OF danger. he called up the po-
lice station to see if they desired 20 de-
tain him. The officers there replied by
sending the patrol wagon and locking
him up on the charge OF drunkenness
This was done, ii was explained, to pre-
vent his returning home and making
more trouble. as he was always ugly and
abusive when drinking. Only on Tues
day evening he was locked UP for beat
ing his wife, but she refused to prose
cute. 1t was learned that just before he
took the poison he made an attack on
his children with a pair OF scissors,
when his wife interfered 10 protect
them. She has no recollection OF strik-
ing him. but. II so. II was In the melee
when she was trying to protect her
three small children.
Storch gave no trouble in the cell. At
3:05 O'Clock this morning he called rCr
water, which was given him by Police
man Lyddane. At 4:30 Desk Sergeant
Pindar made a round OF the cells, and
saw Storch lying in the same posi-
ton in which he was afterward found.
half on and half off the bench in the
cell From his breathing he Judged that
Storch was asleep. When he made his
next round. at 6 o'clock. Storch was
dead.
De-