Los Angeles herald., 1908-06-11
SHOCK OF ARREST
FATAL TO BRUSIE
PLAYWRIGHT AND POLITICIAN
SUCCUMBS TO ATTACK
NERVES WEAKENED BY LIQUOR
GIVE WAY
Secretary Of State Railroad Commits
sion Dies In Hospital Following
His Release from the.
City Jail

Judson C. Brusie, playwright, politi-
clan, three times a member of the Cali
fornia legislature and secretary of the
state board of railroad commissioners,
died at the California hospital at I
o'clock yesterday morning from COM
bined attack of nervous prostration,
apoplectic cardiac arrangement and de-
iirium tremens, brought on by chronic
alcoholism.
MIR. Brusie Is better remembered as
the author of the popular melodramas,
'Homespun Hearts" and THE Hills of
California" which had their first run
at the Alcazar theater. San Francisco,
than as a politician. 1t is only in the
last few years that he became active In
politics, though he had been three
times in the legislature. At the time
of his death, which was brought on in
directly by his arrest here on charge
of felony embezzlement, preferred in
the northern city, Mr.. Brusie was sec
rotary of the state board of railway
commissioners.
He was given his liberty in San Fran
cisco under $4,000 bonds, furnished by
this city to make a new fight against
the terrible habit which enslaved him.
Accompanied by his wife, he intended
to rent a house in Rubio canyon, ana
there resume playwriting, which at one
time promised to achieve for him great
success, had 1t not been for liquor. He
had in mind, 1t is said, the writing of
Southern California play, to have been
produced by Frohman.
Arrested on Train
Mr.. and Mrs. Brusie left San Fran
cisco last Sunday on the owl train.
Shortly afterward the Metropolitan
Surety company of that city, with
which firm he was once tdentifed as
coast agent, became uneasy, and detect
ives here were notified to be on the
lookout for him.
Detectives Chapman and Home
boarded the train at River station and
followed the couple to the Van Nuys
hotel where Mr.. Brusie was arrested
and taken to the city jail.
The shock of his arrest seemed to
overcome him, and not having taken
any liquor after promising his wife
Just before boarding the train In the
Bay City, his nervous condition was
such that he collapsed almost immedi-
ately.
1t was seen he could not be placed In
jail, so he was put in a bed In the re-
ceiving hospital, where DR.. Quint adj
ministered small doses of bromide and
brandy.
Monday he was so nervous that his
voice trembled when he spoke. HIS
hands were shaking violently, and his
face was CHASTITY white and haggard.,
During the day he worried over his
arrest, and continually deplored the fact
that arrangements had not been mace
In San Francisco for his release under
bail here.
He repeatedly asserted there had been
a mistake, that ne was innocent OF
wrongdoing, and that he could clear
himself quickly when the time came.
Becomes pelirious
The fact that he was prisoner. how
ever, continually preyed upon his mind.
Late Monday afternoon ne began 10
rave, mutteringly at first, then Violent
w. and Monday night 1t was necessary
TO place shackles on his feet, and to
chain him to the iron cot, TO prevent
him from jumping out, and, 1t was
feared, from making an attempt on his
life.
The surgeons were unable to admin
lister opiates on account of the weak
ness of his heart, which several times
threatened to cease beating.
At 2 O'Clock Tuesday morning he
collapsed and became unconscious. Dr.
) worked over him untiringly and did all
that could have been done to stimulate
the decreasing action of his heart but
to no avail.
Several times his heart seemed almost
to cease beating, but at o'clock Tues
day morning he rallied, and while ex-
tremelv nervous, seemed convalescent.
The news that bail for his release had
been deposited seemed to cheer him.
At noon he was sent to the California
hospital, apparently improving whiie
there until midnight Tuesday, when ne
again became worse and sank rapidly
Delirium tremens, 1t is said. took a
deeper grip on him, and at z o'clock
yesterday mornig, without becoming
rational again, he expired-nis deatn
that under other circumstances might
have become famous.
His wife was not with him at the last
moment, but was summoned from the
Van Mugs hotel and arrived soon after.
Took the "Gold Cure"
Mr.. Brusie took the "gold cure" In
New York three years ago, and for
time it was hoped by his wife and
friends that he was really cured. he
managed to stay away from whisky
for over two years.
Last October, as a result OF nnanciai
difficulties, 1t Is said, he began drinking
again, and became a worse drunkard
than ever.
Mr.. Brusie was of high strung tenn
nerament and unusually sensitive. He
had hundreds of friends, 1t is said, all
over the United States. who had known
him at the height of his career, when
he had q great deal of money.
flood of kilograms yesterday and
last night was received by the wife,
extending coincidence and offering
whatever aid could be desired.
Besides 1.-THE Hills of California" and
"Homespun Hearts," his two. most pro-
nounced successes, which enjoyed good
runs in the east, Mr.. Brusie was the
author of several western dramas
which scored triumph, especially in
San Francisco, and included the COM
edy plays Lonesome Town." L. Q. u
and several Kolb and Dill successes.
Mr.. Brusie arose from obscurity In
spite of the fact that at the time OF his
first success. according to friends, he
was a hard drinker. He also was
fluent and popular after-dinner speak
er and a prominent club man. He prac-
ticed law in Amador county for several
years. and was first elected TO the as
semh'v srar1 ArHador county In 1887.
H afterward as elected to the as