The Washington herald., 1909-05-07

New York. May 6-Hernan Powers.
research chemist. and one Of the Princi-
pal heirs OF a Harlem contractor who
left more than s1eO0.O00. saved himself
from an agonizlng death at his home. "a
West 18th street, at O'Clock this morn
ing after he had accidentally swallowed
large dose OF strychnine, by shooting
his revolver out Of the rear window.
Neizhbors in IOAh street believed it to
be an alarm Of burglars.
Powers has been suffering from a nerv-
Gus breakdown for several months, due
70 overwork. In his scientific investiga-
tons he labored day and night. negiecting
sleep exercise. and regular meals. and
his health became so impaired that he
went to Palm Beach. Fla, for the win
ter.
Two weeks ago he returned to New
York and went to his suite OF rooms on
the TOP floor Of the 1O5th street house
The lower floors are occupied by Mr. and
Mrs. Robert simpson
Powers was not much improved in
health. but went back to work with all
tthe nervous energy ne could command
RiSked Even Death.
Il rnyRt complete some scientific in
vestigations I am making he told
/ friends. The work may cost me my
lHfe. but If I succeed in what propose
doing the sacrifice VIII be worth it.
/ So night and day the chemist has been
I at his pestie aud mortar. He became
so i'll a few days ago that DIT. McAlpin
was called to administer 20 him.
You must give up work" the doctor
advised. You can't live If you don't"
+ TN give up and rest when have COM
pleted this one investigation" answered
I Powers. 7 can't rest with this thing
unfinished"
( Dr McAlpir prescribed strychnine tab
/ lets. one 10 be taken three times a day.
So engrOssed in his work was Powers
/ yesterday that he took double doses Of
/ the medicine He was feeling queer at
night when he called TO Mrs. Simpson.
I have an idea that something is go
: Ing 70 happen 10 ne I seem ali nerves. %
Took Double Doses.
! Powers continued TO work until long
after midnight Then he took two more
tablets. Almost Immediately the nerve
/ centers began TO become paralvzed and
/ his muscles contracted. He fell to the
floor. but by a strong effort reached the
[ hall door He beat with all his fast-fafI-
ing strength on the door, but the sounds
were faint They could not be heard by
F. the family asleep on the lower floors.
! Powers felt his strength ebbing fast.
was dying. He dragged himself TO a
bureau in his sleeping room in the rear
. Of his laboratory. and got the revolver
from an open drawer Then he began
firing. The weapon was discharged
twice, the bullets crashing through
the window and striking a house IN
the rear.
When neighbors poked their heads
out OF the windows they could see in
the brilliantly lighted room the figure OF
a man on the floor. Instantly there was
a rush 20 telephone 10 headquarters.
/ Burglars have just shot man 70
death at % West 10th street" the first
message said. Then there We're other
messages Of Ike nature.
Headquarters ordered the police Of the
West 10th street station 20 investigate
| and the reserves under Lieut. Craig hur-
/ ried 20 the scene
Chemists Life Saved.
Policeman Jerry Ccncannon was at
Amsterdam avenue and 150-h street when
a taxicab came dashing up.
There's a man shot TO death back
here called the chauffeur
Concannon drove back to 224 and broke
into Powers rooms. On the floor lay
Powers unconscious. In his hand was
the revolver.
ConcannOn shouldered the man and ran
TO the street with him. He then hurried
in the cab 20 the station house, where
II was decided Powers had taken poison.
An emetic was administered. Then came
Dr. Charlton from J. Hood Wright Hos
pital. and by applying the stomach pump
/ the chemists life was saved