The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1913-06-27
MORPHINE POISONING
Howe, of Sioux Falls,
Died in Madison Police
Station

Andrew Howe, aged AZ years, died
at the police station in this city at 8
O'Clock this morning of morphine pois-
oning.
Deceased was a resident of Sioux
Falls and came to Madison by the
south passenger train yesterday after
noon, arriving at 4:15. He WAS APP
parently somewhat intoxicated when
be left the depot and started north in
Egan avenue up town. At the corner
of Egan avenue and Fourth street he
turned west, proceeding to the corner
of VanEps avenue where he was OBJ
served by Chief of Police Davis stag.
gering about and walking ir q circle.
Chief Davis took him in charge and on
the way to the police station in West
Fifth street Howe sank to the ground
and it vas necessary to almost carry
him TO the station. Upon placing him
in a cell Chief Davis searched his
pockets and found a small vial which
had contained perhaps sixty grains of
morphine, about half of which had
been taken. After examining the vial
and finding it labeled poison" Chief
Davis inquired of Howe who was yet
partially conscious, "Have you been
taking this dope2' to which Howe re-
piled, "Yes, a little of it." Chief
Davis then inquired il he had been
drinking liquor to which Howe again
replied that he had taken a few drinks
OF whisky in Sioux Falls in the
morning. but none during the dsy.
Chief Davis Immediately telephonsd
to DIR. Lowe. county physician. who
happened to be in his Office and who
arrived at the station about ten min
utes after Howe had been incarcerat-
ed. DIR. Lowe. assisted by DR.. Ogle
who happened to pass the station and
was called in, at once applied anti
dotes. but Howe soon passed into un
consciousness and artificial respiration
was resorted to and continued by the
physicians until after midnight when
the unfortunate man rallied and
breathed naturally for an hour or more
with heart and pulse action practically
normal. About $50, however, he be-
gan sinking and further effort on the
part of the physicians wac unavailing.
and death INTERVIEWED at the hour above
stated. The remains were removed to.
Hollenbeck's undertaking rooms and
prepared tor burial and will be taken
to Sioux Falls tomorrow. No inquest
was held.
EARLY in the evening Chief Davis
phoned the Sioux Falls police depart.
ment and established the identity of
Howe whose family was informed. and
Cyrus Nicholson, a son-in-law, arrived
in this city by the midnight train.
Mr.. Nicholson who returned TO Sioux
Falls by the morning train stated that
deceased resided with his family con
sisting of wife and FIVE children at
1904 South Third avenue in Sioux
Falls. His employment was foreman
of the gaslight plant of that city.
Deceased had been addicted to period
had not to the knowledge of his
family taken a drink Of liquor for
two years. He commenced recovering
from his latest spree Tuesday night
and on Wednesday did not take a drink,
taking whisky again yesterday morn
ing according TO his statement to
Chief Davis. During these sprees or
upon recovering from them he also used
morphine, and his death resulted
from an overdose of the drug, whether
with suicidal intent or accident will
never be known.
Howe was a strong man physical
ly, we'll preserved, weight about $50
pounds. He had evidently had hard
usage during his latest spree, as his
face was bruised, left eye blsckened,
and there were slight bruises on his
limbs. perhaps the result of falling
while in an intoxicated condition.