The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-01-31
Nan Ewing; Morphine Eater,
Tells Her Awful Story.
How the Drug Held Her as a
Slave.
Had BUT ONE THOUGHT
That Was to Satisfy Her GRAY
ing Appetite.
The Death Of Rice Is CIouded
to Her.

The confessions of a morphine eater.
told in weak, strained voice, scarce
ly audible at times, claimed the at
tention of crowded court room to-
day when Nan Ewing, on trial for the
murder of Joseph Rice. was called to
the witness chair in her own defense.
She was constantly importuned by the
court and attorneys to talk louder.
Beginning with the statement that
Joseph Rice was "a nice old mana
kind the defendant launched into the
story of her past addiction to the
drug, the circumstances leading to the
death of Rice and her subsequent ex-
perience in the county Jail.
seven years ago. sale she. Il be-
gan to take morphine steadily, two
cubes in the morning and two at night.
When 1 was sick / took a tablet at
noon. Gradually the effect weakened
and 1 began to take three in the
morning and three at night For the
past three years I have taken eight
a day.
why did I take to eating NOR
phine? Because of trouble. Trouble
with my first husband. H. took my
children away from me 1 did not
care then what became of me- 1 had
taken some morphine when was sick
for many years and got to increasing
the dose. It seemed to ease me and
make me forget. 1 would be nervous
and half crazed, but the morphine
stopped it for awhile
Rice Asked for Whisky.
''Now tell all about the day Joseph
Rice came down to your place for the
last time commanded her attorney.
1T was on Sunday about 10
o'clock at night. He came down with
George Stovan and they wanted whis-
ky. said, No, we haven't got any;
this is Sunday but they came in.
They saw bottle on the dresser and
took drink 1 took a little too, and
it made me sick. was awful sick.
had been taking morphine. Then
Uncle Rice wanted something to eat.
1 went to the kitchen, but could find
nothing. He went out and came back
with sack and ate something out of
it. laid down on the bed.
Nan, get me some coffee said the
old man and l made him some coffee.
He drank two cups but it didn't seem
to satisfy him. He said he was sick
and wanted some more whisky. told
him I would make him some ginger
tea and he said go ahead. He drank
little and asked for whisky. told
him there was none left. Then I went
out on the porch and when I came
back the old man had sunk down in
a closet. I helped him out and said
to my ahusbandstfJoe,. the, old. man is
pretty sick We led him to a bed.
Il don't remember clearly but I was
down. I got up and went out on the
back porch. 1t was about 4 o'clock
in the morning Some man was lying
there drunk, I guess. I never knew
who he was. 1t was half past five or
so when Rice woke up and called me.
He gave me a five dollar bill and told
me to get him some whisky. 1 went
out but could get none. When I came
back he called for his whisky. I'll
have it for you pretty soon, 1 said.
cd L h11r he he
next time, I got it and he drank some.
When 1 held out his change he said,
Keep it and buy groceries. We will
eat and drink today as long as it lasts.
Then he wanted milk and I got him
milk. He said he felt better and
wanted beefsteak for breakfast. I got
the steak and cooked it. He started
to eat it and I took some more NOR
phine.
After that I don't remember what
happened" she told the jury, and
though the attorneys piled her with
questions about the death of Rice and
the coming of doctors and police, she
steadfastly stuck to her statement. She
could remember nothing Of being
taken to the county Jail.
"I can remember" she said, that I
was in the Jail and that my little black
dog was there with me. I tell you, I
believe someone put more morphine
in the whisky I drank. / had eaten
nine IaDietS out lnere must nave peen
more for I was deathly SICK
The woman reiterated for the jury
| her statement to the court yesterday
that she had been induced to sign a
confession in the county Jail by her
husbands promise of plenty of NOR
phine If she went to the penitentiary.
He was crying when he asked me to
| say 1 gave Rice morphine to rob him
He wanted me to get him out of it and
promised me to furnish me morphine
| whatever happened.
| Saw Faces in Her Cell.
Then her attorneys came to the