The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-01-28
MCGOWAN SAID ACID; WIRTZ
 
 GAVE WATER
Acuteness of Pharmacist Stays Hand of Man Bent on
 Selfdestruction.
Tale of One Driven to Despair by Conduct of Wife Sent to Jail Excites Sympathies of Police--Advised by Corrigan M'Gowan Promises to Try Again.

A pitiful story of the downfall of a woman. the death of her child, and the attempted suicide of her husband cen- tered in the arrest of Mrs. Mary Mo- Gowan, who was sent to jail for 90 days by Judge Foster in the city court this morning. on a charge of drunken ness
 The saving angel" in the case, was Bob" Wirtz. head pharmacist at Dupee's. assisted by Patrolman Corri- gan and Superintendent Birmingham
 Jack McGcwan and his wife have been living at 6S1 Broad street for sev- eral months. The couple came here from Waterbury. several years ago. The woman is addicted to drink, but the husband stuck to her and made effort to redeem her. The woman has sunk lower and lower. Yesterday she left her home and visited various sa- looms until she was unable to take care Of herself. Her husband met her on Middle street and attempted to get her home. Later he went to Stamford. When he returned the woman had been arrested and taken to headquarters.
 The husband is thoroughly discour- aged. He has been working for a local
 
 highly of him. He is a hard worker ard thoroughly reliable man. He en- tered Dupee's drug store on Fairfield avenue. soon after he was informed of his wife's arrest. He asked Bob" WirtZ, the head pharmacist for an ounce of carbolic acid. Bob" put up the acid. labelled it poison. and wrap ped it, ready to deliver to McGowan.
 But the customers appearance struck the trained eye of the clerk. and he made an excuse. and returning to the prescription counter substituted water for the poison.
 McGowan took the bottle and paid for it.
 He left the store and stepping into tie to his lips and drained the con- tents.
 Then he waited for the corroding agony of death which he expected to follow the deadly dose. Nothing hap pened. Perceiving that a trick had been played upon him. he returned to Dupee's and demanded the execution of his order for the fatal drug. or the return of his money. The money was returned to him.
 Patrolman Corrigan. on the Main street station. was notified and he shadowed McGowan. who went irn- mediately to Clampetts drug store Before he could give his order he dis covered the officer and asked for salts.
 Officer Corrigan took McGowan in charge and the latter went to head quarters with him. At first McGowan denied that he had attempted suicide, but finally acknowledged to the officer that he was tired of life.
 He said to the officer: "I have done everything I could do for that woman and it's no use. We had as nice a little daughter as ever a man saw. but she lies in the ground over in the cemetery and it would be better for all of us if was over there with her."
 Officer Corrigan consoled McGowan as best he could under the circum- stances. Superintendent Birmingham added his advice and showed the dis consulate man that there is much for him to live for. McGowan was de- tained for his own good for a short time and was then allowed to go
 He promised that he would not re- peat the attempt and was evidently much comfort by the advice he re- ceived at headquarters. The prompt action of Bob" Wirtz saved McGowan from killing himself. McGowan is 38. His wife is about the same age. Traces of former good looks remain to her.