Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1915-08-31
KILLED IN
WAR; DRINKS ACID
Roman PheIog Swallows Murl-
attic Acid and is Now Lying
at the Point of Death.
MADE ATTEMPTS BEFORE
Commits Rash Deed in Drug
Store-Tried Some Time
AGO to Drown Himself.
MADE ATTEMPTS BEFORE

Swallowing some muriatic acid,
Romond Phelog, formerly bartend-
er at the Ferry hotel, yesterday al
ternoon made what will likely prove
successful attempt to commit sui
eide. Phelog, who is only twenty
nine years old and who is now lying
at the point of death in the city hos
pital, attributes his rash deed to the
loss of friends killed in the European
war and to the suffering of relatives
now living in Germany. The man,
an Austrian, has several times be-
fore made futile attempts to take his
life.
Yesterday afternoon shortly be-
fore o'clock Phelog entered the
United Cigars Company's store at
the corner of State street and New
Brunswick avenue. Being acquaint-
ed with the clerks there, he appear
ed to be in jov1ai m2Sa, purchas-
ing some cigars and later going to
the soda fountain, where he ordered
a glass of buttermilk. Making sign
of the cross, Phelog reached in his
pocket drew forth bottle of COM
mercial muriatic acid from his pock-
ct and gulped down a portion of its
contents.
Falls to the Floor.
Immediately in great pain, he fell
to the floor, and Manager Nelson, of
the drug store, quickly administered
milk and magnesia as an antfdote.
To this prompt action the mans re-
coyery will be due, If he miraculously
escapes death.
Dr. J. G. Wilson and DR.. M. S.
Meinzer were hurriedly summoned,
and Phelog, in great agony, resisted
their application of the stomach
pump. The city ambulance was sum-
moned and the man was removed to
the city hospital.
Lost His Position.
|, Phelog had been working at. the
Ferry hotel, Smith street, but had
lost his position about three weeks
ago, since that time finding odd jobs.
He drank considerably, and in this
way lost several positions. Brooding
over his loss of work, coupled with
the killing of relatives in Europe, it
is believed, prompted him to attempt
suicide.
Tried to Drown Himself.
Phelog's first attempt to take his
life was made July 25, when he tried
to throw himself into the Staten Is
land sound near the foot of Bentley
street, in Tottenville. Before his at
tempt to leap into the sound he
threw. his hat and coat into the
water, but just as he was about to
take the leap he was seized by Pa
trolman Clarius, of the 99th pre-
cinct station. At the police station
Phelog said that his mother was
French, his father German and
that he was born In Austria Two
of his brothers had been killed on
the battlefelds of Europe, and he,
too, wanted to die A charge of in
toxication was at that time made
against the man, and sentence was
suspended by Magistrate Handy il
the first district court. Since that
time he again came into the hands of
the police, who had him locked up
for time In the padded cell at the
city hall.
Last night at the city hospital
Phelog told the attending nurse that
the thought of his relatives and
friends in Germany led him to take
the acid. The man is now said to
have forsaken his determination to
kill himself, and is making what is
likely to prove a futile struggle for
life.
Phelog's friends in this city were
apparently unaware of his suicidal
intentions, and when he obtained
the muriatic acid from friend he
said that he wished just a small
amount q fo uca In c1oau{uC q sink q
practice that is common in barrooms