The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1911-08-25
Twenty Years a Dope Fiend.


Because physician has told him he
will die within a short time unless he
takes treatment at hospital, Angus.
tus NJ. Lowther, nrsJ class printer, for
twenty years addicted to the use OF
morphine, called on local attorney
yesterday and asked that the attorney
make complaint against him to the
board OF insanity at Madison, in whose
power 1t Is to send him to the state
dipsomaniac hospital for treatment.
Lowther was found lying in front OF
cigar store on Norfolk avenue a few
days ago, in bad condition. Thurs
day night he came to his normal senses
in the city Jail, where he endeavored
to kill himself. Fire Driver Trulock
summoned physician, who declared
that unless Lowther be given NOR
phine. he would very probably die.
Throughout the night the fire driver
sat by the unfortunate. and occasion
ally he injected into the mans arm
enough morphine at one shot to kill
five ordinary men. Both of Lowther's
arms and even his chest are covered
with marks of the morphine needle.
He was allowed to leave the Jail yes
terday morning and he Immediately
held conference with the physician,
who broke to him the news of his
coming death.
Lowther lost no time in seeking an
attorney and making the following re-
quest:
II am from a good family, but have
been taking morphine for about TWEEN
ty years and also have been drinking
more or less booze. The doctor says
| will die in a few days If l don't get
cured. / have no one to look after
me when / get those attacks when the
! dope wears off and l want you to
send me to the dipso hospital. My ear.
nest desire is to get cured and if do
get cured / will never touch a drop of
liquor or use grain of dope again in
my life. l have always had good work
and am good printer. l have always
paid my bills and want to do what is
| right"
There was no wav for the attorney
to help the man without making a
complaint against him and this was
done. A constable took Lowther be-
fore the board at Madison Saturday
afternoon and later he will be taken
to Lincoln for treatment. That the
man will suffer terribly during his
treatments is taken from various ex-
periences had with him in this city.
Result Of An Operation.
His body, clear Of morphine, is a
mass Of quiverng flesh and it is i'm.
| possible for Lowther to steady him
self. At midnight last night he found
his way to the fire station, where he
aroused Fire Driver Trulock.
For Gods sake, help me, lad" he
exclaimed.
"Who the deuce are you?" asked
the driver sleepily.
I'm the dope fiend," answered Low
Their. II want you to help me. Pm so
nervous that l can't possibly help my
SELF"
The driver under the direction of a
| physician accommodated the man with
few shots" and shortly Lowther
was again steady and feeling good.
you see, it all started when l was
sick. They gave me the dope when
had the appendicitis and they kept
on giving it to me.
Il started to drinking and the drink.
ing hurt my ailments. After the op.
Grafton found l could not do without
the other, so / have been at 1t for
twenty years.
Lowther is fine looking man and
from his appearance it is not easily
seen that he is dope fiend. He has
worked as a printer in this city for
some time.