The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-09-07
PHYSICIAN LOSES
RACE WITH DEATH
William HI Peacock, Who Took
Poison, Dies on Way to
City Hospital.
PUT IN PRIVATE MACHINE
Fulton Man Ends Life by Swal-
lowing Quicksilver and
Carbolic Acid.

In race with death early last night.
DR. NJ. +. Torrcgrosa lost William II.
Peacock. OF 3s17 williamsburg Avenue.
dying in private automobile in which
he was being rushed to the City Hos
pital
Peacock. n painter by trade. had
made sure Of his end by swallowing
large doses of quicksilver and carbolIc
acid He was unconscious when the
ambulance physician arrived, and his
throat had been so strictured by tho
fiery acid he had swallowed that it was
Impossible to insert the stomach pump.
Friends OF the family wished. how
ever. that the dying man bc taken to
Il hospital as n last resort believing
that there might be chance az long
as there was a sign of life. The ann
bulance got Il puncturcd tire in an
swering the summons for help and the
chauffeur rushed to n nearby garage
and impressed +. II. Blaska of 92i
Louisiana street. and his automobile
into service.
Wild Dash Through Town.
Placing Peacock in the automobile.
DR.. Torregrosa followed, and held him
in the rear seat. Then began the ride
TO the City Hospital. Putting the car
TO its fastest speed, Glaska guided the
automobile past electric cars and We
hicles and through hrongs OF people
waiting on tho corners to board cars.
Peacock showed wonderful vitality and
lived Until the automobile turned from
Main Street into Fifth AS the car
rushed into the turn he gave gasp.
and his head fell back on DR.. Tore
grosa's shoulder. Hundreds or people
turned to look as the automobile sped
across Broad Street. but probably none
knew that il carried such grucsomc
freight. No one attempted to stop the
speeding ear, as the sight of the sur
geon's uniform showed that it was an
emergency case.
Much excitement was created on
Main street as the car sped on. but,
hearing the hoarse tones of the horn.
every one gave 1t Il wide berth. Street
cars haired for 1t at the corners, and
other vehicles went close to the curb
ing in order 10 avoid collision.
Long I'm Ill Health.
A message had been sent ahead to
the City Hospital. All the house ply
sicians We're ready, and rushed to tho
side of the machine as it halted in the
rear of the hospital Peacock was
dead. though his body was still warm.
The body was placed on n cot to be
ready for examination by Coroner Tay-
Tor, but when he heard all the facts he
decided that it would not be necessary
TO make the examination until to-day.
The body was then turned over to I'm
dertaker Woody.
Peacock, according to his wife, had
been in i'll health for some time, and
lately had been very respondent AT
$50 O'CLOCK last night ho went to his
room, took off his coat collar and
shoes, and evidently swallowed the two
poisons separately, and then laid down
on the bed Ounce bottles ono of
which contained the quicksilver and
| the other carbolic acid. were found on
the dresser near the bed. and both
were empty. a member of the family
heard Peacock groaning. and. going
into the room, saw At once what had
happened. y call was sent to the City
Hospital. and DR.. Torregrosa made all
haste in responding.
me tire was Dunctured just as the
ambulance halted in front of Peacock's
home. Resort was then had to Blaska's
automobile. Blaska expressed regret
that his effort had been of no avail
The other city ambulance is in the
shop for repairs. and DR. NJ L. BOYLE
one OF the internes, placed his own
automobile at the service OF the hos
pital.
Peacock was forty-eight years old
lie is survived by his wife and two
children.