Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-08-19

over which he had no control. Such
is the final chapter of the life of Hiram
Lands Getz.
A telegram this morning from Jack
sonville, received by H. S. Lawrence,
secretary of Marshall Lodge, No. 1OS,
A. +. and A. NJ, conveyed the first
news of DR.. Getz's death. The above
telegram to the Times Republican was
the first intimation Of the cause of
death. \
Strong in Will; Vet Weak.
OF indonitable will. and per-
sonality of more than ordinary
strength, one might think that one of
DR.. Getz's caliber could never fall be-
fore habit SO pronounced in its i'll
effects, and one which is known to all
medical men as most pernicious in its
results.
DR.. Getz himself did not think he
would ever become such as he had seen
many another thru his profession, a
veritable dope f1end," when he took
his first dose of morphine as stimu-
liant.
He told his story while here two
years ago; told how he was suffering
the fortunes Of the damned from rheu-
matism, and how he must have relief
from the pain in order to continue his
practice. He also told Of the sleepless
nights he had spent during the typhoid
fever epidemic in Marshalltown in the
spring of 1908, when he also used the
drug to help him keep up" All these
were offered as the excuse for his con-
dition. "But will work out my own
salvation" he said, 'if they will only
let me alone" The salvation, however.
has proved the inevitable in all such
cases.
Promise of Brilliant Career.
Twenty years ago no man in Mar
shalltown gave more promise of bril-
liant career in his chosen profession
than did DIR. H. L. Getz. Brainy, polish
ed, and an organizer, he had the COM
binations of success II properly direct
ed. He was prospecting, and no man
stood higher in his profession. He was
l1onored by his townsmen as few men
were.
Downfall is Noted.
| But few years ago a change in the
appearance of the old DR.. GetZ became
noticeable. His friends wondered what
could be the matter. Finally hints of
| the drug habit became rife. Later the
suspicious were proved. An action for
insanity was brought and DR.. Getz was
committed to Independence. He finally
secured parole. thru influential lodge
friends. He was helped on his feet
again. and again failed.
| Attempts Suicide With ScaIpel.
One morning word came from West
Liberty that DR.. Getz had attempted
/ his life on the station platform, where
the town marshal was trying to place
him under arrest. He was welding a
surgeons scalpel and passengers were
frightened. DR.. Getz, laboring under
the hallucination that he was to be re-
turned to Independence, would not be
taken alive He drove the scalpel into
his breast, but his aim proved bad. and
he recovered after several days in a
hospital at Iowa City.
Again Heard From at Omaha.
Then again word came from Omaha
to the effect that DIR. Getz was under
surveillance there because of his
strange actions. He was brought tc
this city. and another charge of insan-
ity was filed against him. This he sue
cessfully defended, and left for tbs
south. For some time he was at Chat
tanooga. Tenn, and from there drtftet
to Jacksonville, where the final chapter
was enacted.
Sketch Of Career.
DR.. n. L. Getz was born Nov. IA
1850. in Lancaster county, Pennsyl.
vania. His hign school training was a
Mannheim, and following 1t he studied
under private Tutors. and in 1890 wa.
given his honorary degree Of A. M. b,
Iowa College.
He began the sthdyasof medicine IL
1871, and graduated from Jefferson