The New York herald. [volume], April 06, 1875, Page 5, Image 5

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THE SOCRATIC TRAGEDY.
An Inquest Begun in the Case
of Professor Walker.
HEMLOCK AS A DRUG.
"Where the Plant is Found and
Its Properties.
OPINIONS OF MEDICAL WRITERS.
Testimony of the Physicians At
tending the Victim.
CARD FROM DR. AGNEW.
The remarkable death of Professor F. W. Walker
irom the effects or hemiock. as published In yes
terday's Herald, lias already attracted consider
able attenuou Loth iu snentitio aud medical
circles The lacc that the deceased swallowed tho
narcotic drug lor the rel.ei of blepiiaro-iaciai f
spasms lends additional interest to the cuse, wlnle
the wonderiul sell-control displayed by Professor
Walker In his last moments, ia dictating the
memoranda or his symptoms, places him in the
category of a martyr to science.
The evidence taken at the Inquest yesterday
leads to the supposition that his death may have >
been sought on his part, tor one of the medical
witnesses stated that Protessor Walker had re
marked that death by hemiock would be an easy
one, and he also relerrcd to the aeath of Socrates
is an instance 01 the fact. At the present stage
of the Investigation into the manner and method
si his deatu It Is of course premature to express
any decided opinion on this question. Many
medical men seem to entertain the'idea that
Mr. walker was simply experimenting with
thb drng aud incautiously swallowed more
or it than was proper. The.v also regarded such
an experiment as singularly unlortuuaie; lor It
appears tnat the laculty have always viewed the
extract of hemlock-with extreme distrust. Con- !
sequently it was scarcely ever used in prescrip- !
tions among our practising physicians. In order !
to save the readers o( the Uerald some Idea o/ '
the character and properties of hemlock the fol
lowing iacts nave been gathered irom scientific
authorities of ancient and modern days:?
HOW HEMLOCK GHOWS.
Hemlock, is an umbelliferous plant and is a native |
of Europe, and has become naturalized in the ;
United States, where it is also cultivated lor
medicinal purposes. It grows usually in clusters
along the roadside or In waste grounds, and Is
found most abundant in old settlements. It
(lowers lu Jimj and July. The wuule plant,
?specially at this period, exhales a fetid ouor, and 1
narcotic effects result lrom breathing lor a long
time air loaded with the effluvia. The hemlock of
Qreece, Italy and Spain is said to be much more
?nergetic In action than that of Northern Europe.
THE DRIED LEAVES
?f the hemlock have a string, heavy, narcotic
?dor; their taste is bitterish and nauseous; their
eoior is darx green, which is retained in the
powder. No xatisiactory analysis or hemlock has
?ver been u.ade. Dr. Sohraeder found In the juice
at the leaves resin, extractive, gum, albumen,
? green lecuiar and various saline suostaucss.
Bo long ago as 1827 Dr. Gleske obtained an alka
line liquid by distilling hemiock leaves with
water and caustic lime. It appears that there are
two volatile substances in hemiock?one or them
an oil, welch comes over by simple distillation,
aad upon which the odur et the plant depends,
and the other au alkaline principle, which, as it
?ztsts in the piaut, is so combined as not to be
volatllizable, but which, when separated by one of
the mineral alkalies from its native combination,
rises steadily in distillation, and may thus be pro
tared. The latter substauce is the active princi
pie, and has received the name of coma or conilne.
According to Protessor chrlsuson, the easiest
Be hod to obtain conla from the leaves, Is to ?ie
Ul a mixture ol a strong solution of potassa and
the aioobolic extract or tne unripe fruit. As ob
tained by the above process, conla la In a state or
? hydrate containing ons.iourrh ol Us weight of
water and a little ammonia. From the former it
may be freed by chloride of calcium; from the iat- j
ter by exposing it under an exnaosted receiver till '
It ceases to emit bubbles oi gas.
lne presence 01 codu la aa extract or otner
preparation of hemlock la detected by ruoblng If
Wltn potaasa, wricti instantly developa its pecu
liar odor. It cdtaiata or nitrogen, carbon anu
Hydrogen. In a aatine state It la the moat active.
IIla a most energetic poison; as* drop or it in*
jected into the eye or a rabbit killed tbe aolmai in
Bine mlnntes. and three dropa killed a atont cat
in a minute and a ball wnen aimii rly applied.
HEMLOCK IS X'ABCOTTC
*nd aomewbat sedative to the circulation. It di
rectly dtminisbea tbe action or tbe heart, and
when It ptodncea death exbauta toe contrac
tiomty of that organ. When given ao aa to luliy
aff-ct tbe ayatem it prodncea more or lesa ver
tigo, oimneaa or vlalon, nausea, laintneaa, aenaa
tion or numbness and general muscular de
bility. In larger doaea it occaaiona dilated pa
pile, difficulty of speech, delirium or stapor,
tremors and paralyaia, and n tlmately comrnlaloos
ana death, boineuraea it prodncea ratal effects
through parnly?la alone, without coma or convnl
lions. 1M operation usually commences Id leas
than nail an boar, and lr moderate, seldom cob
tlnoee longer than twenty-tour boars. It is sup
posed to be tbe narcotic used by the ancient Atbe
Biana to destroy tbe Uieof cuuuemned individuals,
and oy whtcn socrmes and i'nocion died. It was
alio Died by the ancients aa a medicine, but fell
lato entire neglect nuttl tbe seventeenth centary,
wn*n it agaiu came mto notice and was extrava
gantly praised. Since that time It has been sab
muted to Ample trial, and though its original
repaiation has not teen rally sastatned. it ?tui
retaina a place in tlie catalogue of useinl medi
ate as. It baa been bigblt recommended by promi
nent pojaicians to painml scro.uioua tnmora and
oleers, in various disease* or the skin and in
chronio rheumatism and neuralgia affection*. It
baa also tieen employed with he effect ol relieving
?r palliating tr.e sr.nptoms or isvorabiy mwdiij mu
the aotKm or other remedies.
AMcia?r ess* or rsi roaos.
This plaui baa been noted as a poison
from remote antiquity. In consequence of the
power wuieh it possessed or destroy lag lire in
a certain and aimoar immediate manner, it wis
aseti at Atoeus as a mo?e of execution lor hose
condemned to death by tbe tribunal or Areopa
gus. lftocrat.es and motion were among tae dis
tinguished enclenis wuo suffered death by the
agene; ot this poison. Ths aocoanta whiod have
been lelt reapeotiag it would lead as to believe
that it* operation was speedy and uuat
tended with any violent or loag pro
tracted suffering. It was net only em
ployed a? an luetrument ol pubito execu
tion*) oat wai resorted to by thoee who Bought to
incounter aulclde in It* leact formidable shape,
among other instances, tbat of the Cean old men
is relate a by ?Uan, who. when they uad become ;
aseieaa to the state and tired of the lutlroainea or
life, tnviiea e.ieh other to a oauqnet, and. having
crowued tneiuaeives as m celebration of a joyous
leativol. drank tbe coniara and terminated tbeir
exiewnce together.
Tbe (t u tptiou witloti h*a been lelt by
?MKbrxte* ol the ooaiam ouiy shows it to have
been an umbellate punt, bla character of w;noii
might appijr 10 m*uy species. The mention
made of it by Latin writers under tee aaine of j
Meat* are aol mr>re satieiaoioty, Linnisu-. lu- .
fluenoud by the buxioua character of the modern
oBctaai nemioca, bat appropriated to tuat plant
IM name ot tbe creoian speoiea, and moat auo*e> ;
faeut botanist* lav* (allowed bis example. IUI*
or. bew*v*i, Is ol opiuioa taat me eneisat
poison was not procured from this plant, but from
the cicuta vlrota ?.. ? poisonous aquatic, much
wore powerful and violent In tta operation tuau
the common hemloc*. Lamarck adopts the opin
ion oi Llnu&us aud believes mat the ootiium rna
ciilatum was realty tuo Grecian poison, and unit
its properties were rendered more active by the
heat of the climate in which It grew. Guersent
supposes tnat the poisonous draught use?t by the
uieesswas no: thts product of a single species,
6ut a compound prepared from several plants.
THE ANOIKST AN li MODKKN 11KHI,00K.
Were it not for the tranquillity and ease which
attended death irom tu? ancient hemlock, and ;
which Plato has described with Interesting 1
minuteness, there would not have been much
difficulty in (^opposing tne Grecian plant to be the
same with that knewn at the present day. It ap
pears that u large quantity was requisite to Insure
death. The poison was swallowed in the crude
juice, recently expressed lrom the plant. 01 tnis
the draught taken t>y Phoclon was large enough to
cost twelve drachma, Socrates was prevented
from making a libation or a part of the contents
of his tatal cup, by being to;d that the whole was
necessary to produce toe consummation of his sen
tence. A largo quantity of the modern hemlock
might probably have been equally latal, though
with more violent symptoms than those which, if
Plato be correct, wore experienced by the Athe
nian philosopher.
Its more complete description is as follows:?
Root biennial, somewhat fusiform and generally
branched; sta.k round, very smooth, striated, hol
low. jointed, and more or less marked with pur
plish spots; leaves two or three times pinnate,
ol a very bright green, with long, sheathiug peti
oles inserted on the joints of the stem, the leaflets I
pin nan tied and toutned; Hon en ill terminal j
umbels, the general involucre with liatf a dozen 1
lanceolate, reflected leaiets, the partial involucre
with three or four situated on the outside; flow
ers very small, white; petals live, oval with their
points iuflexed. Stamens live, spreading, about
the lengtu of the coroilj. Germ interior. Styles
two redexed outwardly. Fruit roundish-oval,
compressed, rlboed, the riba being transversely
wrinkled or crenate; separating into two oolong
hemispherical seeds.
a. remarkable case of this sort of poisoning,
winch occurred iu Spain, 18 cited by Orflla la his
"Tratt6 des Poisons." Hut there la scarcely any ;
narcotic punt respecting the character ol which j
such various and opposite testimony has been j
adduced by medical writers. Even tne ext>er- j
lmenis or the same individual are apt to present
diilerent results lrom its use, unless great care be
taken lu the collection and preparation of the
medicine. The truth is, the plant varies exceed
ingly at different age*, and la dttlereut places of
growth, and the strength or its preparations is
greatly influenced by external circumstances.
The idiosyncrasies of diiiereut. persons render
them variously susceptible of u e action or hem
lock. Some are but slizhtlv affected by a quantity
which would provo cangerous to others.
Tne hemlock has been tor many years a sublet
of attention with physicians, and has beeu found
a remedy of importance in several diseases, such
as jaundice, tic doloureux. schirrua and canc?r.
it has beeu recommended lor wnoo
but it is by do means a sale medicine <.- r?.
The most common lorm of
PBASEBVIXU THE HEMLOCK
lor use, as well as the most convenient for its
extiibition, is that of the inspissated Juice or ex
tract. It is well known, uowever, that the ex
tracts kept in our anops differ materially lu their
strength, so that in beginning lrom a new parcel
tne pbvsiciAu can seldom predict the degree of
oneration of his flrst doses. In some instances
very great quantities have been taken withont
the least effect. The extract is apt to prove inert |
wuen the plant lsgatheied too yohng. when tne
evaporation is conducted with too much heat,
when a decoction of the dried plant has been
evaporated instead ol the iresn leaves, and lastly
when the extract itsell has become old. To give
the extrac; lu due strength the plant abould be
collected at fall matur.ty, wane in flower, or la
iruit. provided it remains green, and
tne Jnlce or tue decoction should be evaporated at
tne neat oi oolting salt water. Tne stock should
be reu?wea every year. A suitable dose lor com
mencement la from one to five grains. Trns may
be increased at every time of taking It, until its
conaututi ual effects are felt. In beginning the
uae of a new parcel more caution is requisite at
flrst than after us strength nas been tested.
Tie .l-.ttiuja cjnaplum, an umbellate plant very
eo:_.. *ra <. "oston, nas sometimes been mistaken
for nemiock, whicn It considerably resembles. It
la a smaller plant, with its stalk not spotted. It
differs also In having no general Involucre, while
ltn partial one it very long.
BOW TOE DOSES ABE FRUPABED.
The powdered leaves and tho inspissated juice
are tne lorma la wnich coninm baa been usually
admiolatered. Eitt.er the leaves or the extract
may 00 given in th# dose 01 taree or lour grains
twice a day, gradually increased till tne occurrence
of alight vertigo or nausea indicates taat it haa
taken eflect. To maiutain a given iinpreasion It la
necessary to Increase the doae even more rapidly
than is customary with moat other narcotics, aa
tne system becomes very speedily accustomed to
ltaUiduencc. Ibe strength oi the preparation of
hemlock is exceedingly unequal, and caution is
thereiore necessary when the medicine is given in
very large quantities to employ the same parcel,
or, 11 a change la made, to commence wita the
new parcel in small doaes, so as to ooviata any
danger which might result irom its greater power.
This, however, Is disputed by Dr. John Harley, of
London, wcoso experiments seem to show that
this preparation la medically inert. Though fatal
to some aDlmals. uemocc is eaten with Impunity
by others?aa bor*es, roats and aheep. The best
m?tuoa of relieving iu poisonous effeota is the
speedy evacuation of the stomach.
BECK OS TBS BKBLOCK POISON*.
Profesaor Bees, in nu work on medical Juris
prudence, dies some Interesting cases of poison
ing by hemlock. lie says:?"Raving madness and
epileptic fits occurred to Proiessor Ray In tne case
01 a woman who had eaten the roots of the plant.
Tertigo, convulsions, coma and death were the
result to two so.dier* at Walcham Abbey, In Essex,
Enuiand, who had boiled it will* their oacou lor
dtunei."
some soldiers partook of broth Into watch hem
lock had been but. All of them were shortly alter
ward seizes with pains in tne head ana tor oat,
and felt as t( drunk, but tne one who had eaten
tu? most bad lam down tnd gone to nieep. W tien
first noticed he was lnsensiula, reaptr.ng with
great uuccaity; his pulse smal., and slow even to
thirty pulsations in the minute; the extremities
weie coid and tho lace biaelsii and distended wlta
blood. An emetio was giveu Without effeot. Ue
Cuwyiaiued ol belag coiu, bat shortly aiter lost
again the u e ol speech and *eaa?, and diea it
three hours after taking tu? polaon. on disaec
tiuu there were some red spots seen around the
pylortu; toe intestines were Dealt by, bat all the
vesseia 01 tne biain were gcrged with b'.ood and In
opeuing the cranium there flowed out bio*d soffl
0 en*, to Oil twice an ordinary chamber pot. Pro
lessor Reck remaiks that convulsions, furious
delirium aud spellings of the uee appear thna to
be among tae leading symptoms from the uxe of
tbls poison. The Jnloe and toe extraot, when
property prepared, produce similar efleeta on
animals, orflia nas, however, shown that the ex
tract usually sold la tue shops is Inefficient and
weak,
lir. Chrlstisou. in a paper rred oefore the Royal
society oi Edinburgh, state* that he had repeated
tbe an tlysia oi tteiger, and obtained precisely tbe
same results, on birds it caused coma, convul
sions and depressed action, or even paralysis ol
tne neart, wnile on the uigner order ol aaimais It
is a local irritant, and its remote action is to cause
a swtltly Increasing paralysis ot the muscles, end
ing lauily by aspnvxia from palsy oi tne muaoles
01 respiration. lie also found this pot?ou vo be
exoetdinaiy active.
AN INTKBKSmU CAMS.
Professor Tajior says m his work on medio*!
jurisprudence:?"Tho leaves and roots of the
C'Tmmou oeraioca have irequently uvea rise to
acoiueuia. fhs aymptom* wine i tue? produce
ars uiiunens oi sijiht, giad.uoas, dennum,
sweillug, with paine in the ati.omen, vomit
ing aud putmug. Cobviiisious are some*
times Mbaorveo. Death outnmoniy taaei
piaoa rapidly, and the appearaaees are
slight, sometimes amounting merely to congestion
of the braiu with slight inflammatory tedness of
the stomach and bowels. It It rare that tt?o
queetion of poisoning by bemldck comes before a
judicial tribnnal. One case ot this kind was. How
ever, submitted to iue la 181-. In tbis instance a
entld died iu one hour alter swallowing part of a
teacupfui of a dccoctiun of hemlock alleged to nave
ueen adrniuisrered by tbe mother. the woman
was acquitted lor waut Of proofc There were no
morbid appearances In tbe stomacil Dor any trace ,
of hemlock leaves in the stomach or bowels. Tne
absence or leaves lu ttto contents of the stomach J
was accounted for by tbo fact that the prisoner
had made a decoction and had allowed the loaves
to subside to the bottom of t!io teacup, tbe child
talcing only tbe upper stratum of clear liquid."
TUB INQUEST IN BKOOIiLYN.
Promptly at Ave o'clock P. M. coroner blmms
began the Inquiry.
THS widow's TESTIMONY.
?Uida It. Walker, widow 01 the deceased, testi
fied that ne cauio home a little alter lour o'cl ick
I*. M. pn Saturday; said tbat be liad been to Dr.
Ague .v's, and that ne had been taking contum;
that it had no ettcct upon nlm: they told him to go
to Dr. Squioo'a lactory and get a stronger orepara
tlon, and he was going to tatt>) it immediately;,!
toid Mm to take some nourishment; he -aid he
would take the medicine on au emptv stoiuacu, as
be thought it would ha/e a beter effect; He wi,s
to tuice tlity drops Httcn naif nour till me results
ware obtained; 1 men irave It to htm ttius, as lie
d.(Hated me; (Witness men gave i'rolessor
walker's dying statement, as publlsr.ed In
tbe iiBKiLD of yesterday); one o: my sons
arrived home about hall-past six, unci the
other soon alter; no medicine was given uv 1ms
buud alter a quarter pust 11 vo P. M.; tho directions
as to liow mucn medicine was to be taken ne said
he received irom tne place where the inudtr ne
was purchased, not irom Dr. Agnew; my husband
received a severe Injury lu 1871, milch gradually
brought on tne twitching* ot the eyes una laoe; !
my husband tiail been unaer Or. llrotvu-sequaru's
treatment alter having consulted Dr. Agnew nrst;
be had been under Dr. brown-Sequard's treutmeut
lor one year; about July la-1 he saw Dr. Aguew,
alter Dr. urown-SequarJ had left lor Europe;
1 HAD NO FEAR
when he was talcing tbe medicine tbat It would
result lutaliy; be was In very g.iod health ar.
tue time ne was taking the medicine; he
wa? troubled with puotopnobia lor a year
and a hail; he nad dlplopliu lu one
eye since is7i; my busbaud bad beeu troubled
with riieumatlsm 16i n number ot years; 1 nave
never known nun to laint ?-way; at. tbe time ne
received ms wounds be ieit luiut; be had no dtxai
ness otiate;I understood liiai to say be had a very
regular pulse: the symptoms, as 1 described them,
Mere lu tne language ot my uusoaud; nil tne medi
cine I gave my uusoaud was to a graduated glass;
my hit band died oetween nail-past six aud seven
o'clock P. .M., April a, 1875; wuen his symptoms
giew worce be sat on tbe Hiae of the bed, with bis
head leaning against me; 1 then tried to trlve Liu
some cotlee, and ne lell back in rav arm i dead.
TUB PHYSICIAN WUO ADMIN1STEBE0 TUB DKCG.
David Webster, M. i>., ur. Ascnew's partner, read
a brief statement 01 ProieMor Walker's case, aud
testttied that be was au assistaut to Dr. Aimew at
his office in the Eye aud t ur Hospital, and iu the
to.lege ol Physicians ami ^urgeous; 1 read to the
deceased all mere was in tbe "United States Dis
pensatory" about mo properties and uses of
comum; 1 think tbls remedy is not lu very general
use ; 1 think is is not a dangerous medicine wtieu i
carefully administered; It is a poison, and among !
tne strong poisons; it is ol variable strength; i
?lo not know bow much of Sqmbo's extract would
produce death; rave mm a prescription on wbicu
was written "Px. FiUld Extract Comum," one
otioce. and slgued my uame to It; 1 told him no; to
ciepend upon any oi Dr. Squiob'* clerks, but
to bo sure and see tbe Doctor ininseU;
1 told bnu to tell tbe Doctor Just
how many drops ho bad taken at uiy otllce and
what ne was taking it for, and that Dr. Squmos had
tout him no.v largo a dose to take and liow often he '
took it; 1 told htm also to stop taking it as soon as
he telluny muscular relaxation, uuuioness or other
ol tbe physiological effects oi the it rug; 1 do uot
know tuat I can answer teat iue stieugcnoi Dr.
hquibbs' preparation is know by tbe profession
generally; it was not known to me; tulsisa
preparation tbat is known as applicable to cases :
oi this kind; Mr. Waiter sta:ed mat he bad un
derstood that the taking or contum was
A VKKY PLEASANT MiiTUOU OF UVINGI
I cannot say tbat l knew vno aeceascd was very I
depressed in spirits; deceased said that Socrates J
w as put to deatn by Bemiocki i tnink tie nad no
great pain; bo had puotopoobia; some might call
tuat pain; uis double vision was also verv annoy
ing; I ituuk that be considered photophobia and
his double vision physical suffering; he was ex
tremely anxious to oe cured oi bis afflictions; he
was a gentleman of unusual intelligence; that
was me reason 1 was wttliugto trust bim with the
remedy; 1 tii st proposed to tue deceased tue use
of contum; 1 am nor in tne nabit oi prescrioing
couium; 1 have glveu it beiore in the case ot a
child less than two years old with poepnero
spasms and photophobia wnu inflammation, but
not witu oeueiitj l eel sure tbe meu.cine 1 ad
ministered to deceased had no euect upon mm;
my treatment was concurred In by Dr. aguew; l
believe contum doea not affect me intelligence
tm one is iu tue last stage; death 1< occasioned
by paralysis ol tbe spiual marrow, sometimes
producing paralysis of tbe heart; i would not, as
a rule, consider it safe to allow a pa neat to take
tbe medicine unes* prescrioed In sman doers and
takeu rareiy without tue immeoiate supervision
oi a physician; on account of
Tilk SIFJtlUOR IBTELL1UENCS OF THE ncCEABBO
1 made au exception in HU case; to produce slight
effects 1 would auo.v a patient to ta<te it witooat
a pnysiclan administering It; I kuew de.eK.ed
hau taken opiates njperaermicaUy; suo itrichuine ,
in the sa.ne way; 1 aave tne ennd ssven or tea
drops of comum without auy apparent effect.
DB. C. B. AOXEW
(eacixled to an operation that ue nad performed on
Pro.essor Walker's ere oj trying to divide the
musc.ts that surrounded the silt between the
eye-lius, wutca i*ueu; Dr. webs.er propo-ed
to give Mm conium, 1 approved, and by
appointment Mr. Walker came to mv oflle on
tatoruay, April 3, 1876, about ten A. M.; conium
wai administered, but witaout any apparent
effect; I wonid consider a case ao distressing as
bis juatlljUu ttift use or even extraordinary reme
dies unuer scientific directions; consldenng de
ceased's intelligence and toe training ae has bad
under me best scientific men. 1 would not nave hes
itated to nave given Mm (He medicine to take tum
aeli, with tne caution admlniatered; think mat the
deceased bad no appreciation oi tne danger oi tne
drug; nave known tne deceased always as a man
oi oneenui disyositios.
rae inqnea: was, at tola point, adjourned to
Monday next. A post-mortem examination ot
the body win be made In the meantime in order
that the caae may be thoroughly investigated.
PROFESSOR WALKER'S CASHES.
Proieasor T. W. Walter's career was a singularly
eveutiul one, and the story of bis uie reads more
like a romance than reality. For a number or
years ne waa tae correspondent of the ,v?u> Fork
Kxprtto at the national capital. During tnat tloue
he lormed the acquaintance and waa socially in*
tlmate wun many of tue most prominent men or
the country, and being endowed with rare intti*
lectual qualities, and a genial disposition, tne
ftieudahips tuna toruied lasted alter lie bad sev*
ered this journallatic oonneotion. Senator Andrew
Johnson Is mentioned %* having neen on terms of
intimacy with the uniortunate gentleman. As
stated above, hia u:e was replete witn romantic
incident, in the Historical poisoniog at tne Na*
tioual Hotel in Washington euring the time of
President Buchanan's administration ue figured
as ona or tba sufferers. During 1M1 be was sent
by General Man Held in command or a regiment to
eflect the capture of a notorious rebel spy camad
Eraac*. Uis mission was ?uc?easi<:! and the ob
ject of nts search waa secured ana placed in the
cur'tody of two soldiers. Kmaek managed to es
cape irom fits guards, wnetaer by trickery or
oribery was never known. Un nts way from the
piaca waere ue bad been confined he encountered
Mr, Walker, attacked him witb an immense
bowie knt e, sub >ed him tbrongn the abdomen,
the weapon pacing entirely through nts body and
protruatng at the back. Anomer stab ?as
made but laiied or its intent, tno point being
tnrsed aside ?y a memorandum book. At that
time Mr. WaUor's obituary was published in aev*
erai papers, but alter au iltuess oi several months
be came North and was engaged lor eoma time as
a broker in Beaver street aud afterward aa an in
eurance agent. He was aiao at oue time an in*
teroal revenue collector in this city, lie wa.< tor
many years a Freemasou, and was a Past Urand
Master in tnat cr*it, Itwa< in 14T1 that lie waa
rnn over by a trnot at the corner of William and
cedar streere and norrtbly mutilated, and It was
tbe injuries received at that tirnj wnlcn indirectly
led to bis deatu. Upon his removal to Brooklyn
ae opened au electrical establishment and ad
ministered eiectrolyticai batus and spoiled alec
tricity as a medical agen*. He was about sixty*
Ave years oi age, and iett a wife ana five oniidren.
oue of whom is a oiergyman.
A CARD FROM DR. AGNEW.
tbe PRECAUTION* ii tax EX WITH the PATIENT
Oft ADMIWIBTPlUXd the BXMLOCX.
No. 10 East tbirtt-kikth street, 1
NkW iork, April*, IS (A )
To th* Kbrroit op ru rijuloj?
In yunr paper of tnis morning there Is an ao?
count oi the deatn oi Mr. Walker, ot Brooklyn,
from an alleged overdose el c^mum, or poison
hemlouk, in wblcft there iaan allusion to Dr. Web
aim, mj assistant, and m?MiI, tnat. uucorrsetei,
mignt mislead. Ailow m? to put yon in possesion
oi tiose laais in tba ease tnat seem to bei at
tula stage, essential for publication. Mr. Walker
bad bad lor several} ears violent spasmodic con
tortlona oi tbe muscles of the .'ace an l eyelids, ire.
queutiy Incapacitating mm lor any form 01 lubor,
and always produciug distressing grtmac He
bad b?en under tne care of Professor Brown
HC-quard and otbers, and lor nuny months
bud nad ray services wlta little or no benefit. Tbe
recent revival 01 confidence in tuo value 01 hem
lock, or eomum, lit spasmodic aiiections of tbi*
o; aracter induced Dr. Webster to propone tnat
Mr. Walker should have a trial of its alleged salu
tary effects. The extensive experience of Harley,
Lonaou (see London i'ractitioner, vol. 6. 1H70)
and of otbers in this country, justified such a
course.
Mr. Walker accordingly oauie to my office by
appointment, ou Saturday, April 3, at teu o'clock,
to take tbe medicine and to be uuder observa
tion. He remalued tnere irom about ten o'clock
until twenty uiiuutes past one, during wbicb time
be took at tbe bands of Dr. Webster 180 drops
of an extract of oonium without produc
ing any of the effects of the drug
After waiting an hour and thirty-five minutes
alter the last dose he walked away, stating tnat
he was in his usual health and du not feel any of
tbe symptoms wbicb tbe drug was supposed to
produce. Heiore going Dr. Webster gave bim a
prescription for a fluid extract ofcouium, with in
structions to carry tbo prescription to the manu
lacturer of tne extract in Brooklyn and to see the
tuanuiacturer in person and to ascertain irom
linn what dose of his extract could be safely
taken. He went, it seems, to tbe manufacturer,
saw him in person, was observed by him to be free
irom any intoxication irom tbe drug given nearly
lour hours previously, obtained tne extract of
coniuiu, bad tne dose prescribed by bim with
A CAUTION NOT TO REPEAT IT
if he experienced any or tbe symptoms which bad
been previously carefully enumerated. To return,
duriug the three hours ana twenty minutes that
he was at my office under the observation of
Ur. Webster, the latter fully Instructed Mr.
Walker as to the symptoms that the remedy
was expected to produce, and read to bim an ac
count or tbe drug and Us action as detailed in a
standard work. I also explained careiully the ef
fect which the drug might produce, and inquired
an hour and twenty minutes alter tbe last dose
whether sucn effw-ot bad oeen produced, and was
distinctly
ANSWERED IN THE NKUATIVK.
Mr. Walker went from tbe manufacturer's totals
bome, took, as it is said, three doses or tne ex
tract, although the first dose had produced tbe
effect which be bad oeen warned should be con.
sldered as lorbtdding Its continued nee, and be
tween six and seven o'clock died.
P RFC ACTIONS.
in this case it should be observed that very ex*
traordinary and minute precaution nad been
taken by the medical men concerned to guard
against every acctoeut. Mr. Walker had had large
experience in the use ot nerve remedies and was
a man oi reuiarkablo intelligence. As he left our
office he stated that he understood the direotions
wbicb bad been so carefully given.
E. H. AGNEW, M. D.
WAITING FOB SHARKEY.
Detectives O'Connor aud Fields, of the District
Attorney's office, proceeded to Quarantine Land
ing, Staten Island, yesterday afternoon, for tbe
purpose of intercepting the steamer City of Mex
ico, dne irom Havana, on whiou it was thought
the murderer bherkey might be a passenger. It
la more tnan probable, now?ver, that be is still at
Santiago de Cuds, as tbe authorities here have no
definite information of bis having arnved at Ha
vana.
Had be been in Havana on Saturday and
placed on board of the steamer wbicb left there
on that day for this city it is more than probable
tbe intelligence would have been telegraphed to
District Attorney Phelps. That steamer will be
dne here on Thursday afternoon next, so tbat If
be does not come by tbe City of Mexloo, be may
be oa board ber. It la tbe general belief of the
police authorities of this city tbat Sharkey Is yet
at Santiago and tnat be will not reach Havana tor
a week or two to come. Assistant District Attor
neys Lyon and Rollins are still in cuds, and u is
not likely tnat Snarkey, wherever be may be, will
leave tne Island uatil they do.
THE PABOCHIAL SCHOOLS.
lb* representatives ol tbe trustee* of Catholic
free schools of the city of New York, consisting of
Heary L. Uoguet, Frederick E Gibert, John E.
Devlin. Frederick R. Couder-, George jp. Becker,
Ricnal T. Woodward and Rev. Edward J. O'Reilly,
had a oomerence yesterday with the Special Com
mittee of seven 01 tue Board of Education, to
wh:ch waa referred the communication ol snch
trustees on the aabject of parochial schools
at tae laat meeting or the Board.
The representatives of tbe preia were excluded
from tbe meeting, and it waa determined tbat
'or tbe present tne proceeding"! aboaid remain
private. ? written document embodying tba de
mands of tbe trustee* and epeeckes in support of
tbem were made by Mr. Uouget, Mr. Coudert,
Fatoer O'Reilly and others. Remarks were alao
made by President Neilson and otber mem
bers 01 tbe oommlttee. Upon being applied to tor
information regarding the proceedings ol the
committee and the demanda ol the trustees.
Mr. Neilson stated that tie matter waa not
yet in saeli a position tbat *d intelli
gent and naturae tory statement could be
piaced jeiore the public, and it bad, there
lore. been determined to Keep tne matter secret
lor tbe present and nutll tue committee was pie
pared ro tako UfcflUii actioQ thereon. It Is under
?tood that It was the par/ ose 01 tbe trustees to
lay beiore me committee ' uou a plan a* would oe
In aceurdanoe witb tbe vuw, and at the -amo time
compiy with what they regard a* their very rea
sonable demand*.
SAD ACCIDENT.
raxx or a acuryouo?okk man killzd axd
ANOTHER BUUOCBLT XK/TBSO.
A painful accident occurred at about half-past
eleven o'oloot yesterday morning, by which one
man was almost mvtantiy killed and another very
severely injured, tor tne laat lew days the iront
or the Chemical Bank bmlding. No. 7? Chambers
street, has been undergoing repairs, and at the
time above mentioned two naintera wore oocn
pied In painting it opposite the third story, in the
rear, when the scaflotdlng on which the? stood
accidentally oTOroaianced and precipitated bota
ineu to tne ground la an adjoining yard, a dis
tance or about iorty leet. t he -caaoidiog waa or
the Kind or<Unarily used by paioters. and con
sisted or a .ong. wide ladder, Covered with boards
an i susper/tlevi to toe baildiug uy ropes. At trie
time of the accident tne men were mote to
gether, arid ta.iuau to each otner. lnetr names
ate Be:iJ-ijnin Brown. residing at No. t? Qre.n
wicn ave/tae. an 1 William Jeuoott, living av No. i
iiadlsoa strset. Brown was severely Injured in
the baCK aud right arm, and Jeffcott we* nke*
wise injured in tne back and interna ly. Tne un
ft riun<ue men were removed to tbe Park Hos
pital, aim sb' rtiy alter their arrival at that instt
tatioti Jelcott orea'ned un last. Tne injuries of
flroeu. auhvuffu serious, are not considered 01 a ?
fatal nature.
Tie Coroner has be?a notidod to hold an in
quest.
xnE weather yesterday.
The following record will ahow tbe changes in
tbe temperature for the past twenty-lour hours,
in comparison witn tbe corresronimg date 01 last i
year, as indicated by rue tnirmuwete? at Uud- ,
ant's Pnarmacy, akrald Building:?
I?;?. is;*. !?;?. i?7?.
8 A. M til 37 3 :M P. M 84 91
0 A. M uj 37 6 P. M hi 65
w a. xi jo 47 a p. .u aa 43
1J M M 43 111 P. M 37 43
Ave. age temperature yasteraav 4T
Average temperature tor Oorrsspoudtug dace
last j ear 31
THE NEUBOLOQICAL SOCIETY.
The regular monthly meeting ol the Neurological
Society was held last nig.it at tbe College of Pbysl- '
cians and Surgeons. Twenty-third street and
Fourth avunue. Dr. F. T,e Roy Hatterlee, Profes- ;
sor ofChem etry la tho :*few Y >rk Coflegs of Den
tin. s, delivered a iecture on ''The Neurosis of tne
Skin," a 11 or which au eieotton of oflBcers for the
ensuing yu*r took pince. Tne following gem.e
niHii were emoted;?President?W. A. Hammond.
M. u.: Vice i'resiuont?J. C. Peters, M. D,; Second
Vio President?F. 1). *?ute. M. D.; Recording
Hdoreury W. Wells, .vt. D.! corres. oading
secretary?M. Mersoi. ?. o.i Treanuror?C. Wag
nee, M. 0,; Councnio ? J, H. liurge, M, D.; T. B. 1
Cross, M. P. 11 . ;-?> R. ttattrnae, a, 2. Ciart,
m. t?.. aud ;. * i>am. u. o.
THE
VERNAL FLOODS.
A New Ice Gor^e in tlie Hudson.
O
Near Castleton.
WORK IN THE MILLS CHECKED
Impending Danger Along the Connecticut
and Merrimac Valleys.
The reappearance of small quantities of floating
lee In the North River yesterday gives promise of
an early resumption 01 navigation on the broad
bosom of t&e Hudson. It meaus that the ice em*
bargo of this mighty stream Is slowly but surely
surrendering to laughing spring, and in a few
days, at least, there will bean unobstructed water
channel leading into the rich Interior of the state.
To business uien this points to reuewod commer
cial activity, and to travellers it suggests content
ment and pleasure. Not lor years in Uotliam has
tno wish beeu so sincere that the solid
crystal plain extending from Yon Hers to
Troy might early move, tban at this season,
as with the return of the trade consequent upon
the opening of the river, employment will bo given
to thousands of persons who would otherwise re
main idle, wane wealth lies back of the truffle (or
the merchant aud steamboat men. Thousands of
vessels on the lanes and canals, earning nothing
for their owners all winter, will again be moving,
and the involved capital of millions or dollars once
more Ue paying some manner ol percentage, com
mercially, the event is of the greatest importance,
as Is unnecessary to repeat, yet there are but a
lew who can iorm a proximate Idea oi the busi
ness that is annually brought to our doors by the
Hudson during the season of navigation. Figures
of speech will fail of the object. Uupoetlcal figures
are required for tnls work, and these almost lull
short of computing tUe vast wealth that
is thus noated into New York in the shape ol ce
reals aud merchandise.
Not alone is the opening of the Uudsou of Im
portance to the comuicrclal community, out to
those who, in the season ot suustilue and flowers,
turn to the sieuiuooats that ply ou its broad
waters as a meaus oi pleasant transportation, u
Is ot vast importance. Wnere in all the "jrreat
round glot.e" are to be toutid In the same area so
much that Is grand? Too shores ol the Hudson are
almost poeius?Its intervales pictures ol raral soft
ness ana Its mountains lit reaiueucM lor the bes:;. I
Everybody that travols Knows this. When wea- !
rioit oy toil nothing in\ igorates .<?? pleasantly a-f a {
trip up the Hudson, aud time and again when our :
streeiaarc-steaiuing with tioat noes the Keuuine I
Uotbdume Instinctive.y turn to his palatial steam- 1
ers, which, ?easou alter season, have roariuued 10
be improved until now tuey are little legs tnan i
floating hotels, surpassing the am'> iilous efforts
oj most other liiiaua navigation comp?meF.
These elegant, boats arc oeiner uuwiy tluisbed i
and appointed lor tlie trade or tno approaciuug !
seanou, aud it is no idle compliment 10 say that
their suuiiituousuess aud p enitude ol accooamo
datlous will be equal to, 11 they do not surpass, all
loruier .years.
it; wih be some little time, however, beiore tbe
boats will be able to rone* their trips, as the ex
traordinary thickness and solidity ot tue ioe has
been such as it will require more than tUe usual
amount of warm weaiher to break up suffi
ciently to cause it to move. That it iiasigiveu
away a consideraule distance up is well known,
besides, the presence or floating Ice in the Nona
River attests this lact; but the Upper Hudson H
still flrui at many points, and lor a wuile will
.yet resist the influence ol spring. Since isjo tus
river Had Its ice embargo raiseu, it w in be seen by
the following table, Ave t:me< in February, thirty
three times in Marcu aud six times in April,
183 0 March is lbia March 23
183 1 Marcu 18 is <4 March 17
1?j2 Marcu lift :8SG March 27
183 3 March 21 1K00 April io
183 4 February 29 1857 Marcu is
1836 Ma.cn 26 1864 March 18
April 4 la Marcu a
183 7 March 28 180U Marcu 0
183 8 March 19 I8sl Marcu 2
183 9 March 22 Is82 March 3
1140 February 24 1883 April 2
184 1 Murcn 24 1881 March 12
1842 .........Peuruarr 4 1806 March 14
1843..... April 13 1888 Marcu 1*
184 4 March 17 is07 Murcn 14
184 5 Fenruaiy24 iscs Marcn 20 i
184 6 Marc 1118 1?<H) March 16
1647 April 7 1870 Not closed.
1846 March 22 H71 Marcn *
1849 March 18 1S7J Marcn 27
186 0 March 10 1873 April l
186 1 February 25 1874 March 3
March 28 1S75 April ?
81NKIN0 OF A .STEAMBOAT.
?bout ball-past two o'clock yesterdav after
noon, while u? steamboat Toomas E. Hulse, pljr
lug between .sew York and i'ertn Auibov-, was
preparing to leave her pier at me loot 01 Vesey
aireet on ber reguiat afternoon trip, sue was ran
Into by an immense floo ol tee wblch wm floating
rapuliy down. A large nele was ?:ove In tne tor
ward part of the boat, and aue filled rapidly and
sunk to tbe hurricaue deck in less than Halt an
Hour. The Uu.se was heavily laden wita meat
and vegetable*, and all of tne cargo which coui l
be saveu was about a ton 01 beet, sue lies now at
tne uock with only tbe pilot tiouse aud smoke
stack visible, while till arouuu are floating
evidences of tbe accident. '1 tie Hulse was bunt
in tbia city about twenty years ag >, aod was well
known a* an excursion boat durinir the summer
to i'ort Lee. Fortunately no lives wore loat, a.- tbe
boat was still moored to tbe dock wuen tue b-jcI
deut occurred. At toe same time tne canal boat
W. L. Brown was struck by floating ice and con
aiderabiy damaged.
NO IMKKHt'PTION OF TRAVEL.
<?iuso Ckntkal DtPoT, April A, 1870.
To the Editor of the ueraijk?
There win be no interruption to travel on tbia
line by tno overflow 01 tracts below Albany, ltie
regular through trains to Albany win run to-day
over tUe Uarietn division, lo-morrow (Tuesday)
morn.ng tbe liudson lUver line will be tn order
and tralna run aa usual.
WILLIAM H. VAA'DRKBILT,
Vice President New Vora Central and Hudson
Bifer Kailroad company.
AKOTHKB OOKOB ?OEMKD AT CAB1LKTOW AND
TBS BAULBOAD TBACK.4 STILL 8CBMEROED.
Albany, X. Y.t April 5,187k
The water in ths mir is slowly recedlag, bot
tbe docka are still suomerged. No now gorge baa
termed at Caailttoa. ten miles bftiow tnia city,
and tbe water la still on tbe Hudson River Rau
road tracks. Trains bave to be awttcbed off at
Hudaon, and reach here by way or Chatham some
two or three hoars beuwd time. Superintendent
Toucev teiecrapbs tbar it toe state ot tue water
permits the damage will be repaired to-morrow,
so tuat communication via tue Uudaon River
Railroad traoh may be resumed.
TBB mil AT &HJXXCXJCT BUXNIWO.
KutonoN, N. Y., April ft, 187ft.
The ice at the moutu or the creek has rorced ita
way out into the river, and to-day tbe ateamer
Norwich oat a channel irom tbe creek to Rhino
curt on tbe opposite aide or tbe river, and tbe
lerryboat has reseated Ira regular trips, rne ice
on tue river is a toot thick in s >rae paces, but it
is honeycomoea and (ail or air botes.
THE NEW ENGLAND FKESHETS.
mill* uoumuasKZ) bt the ui of TBB
WATK.it ? OPUATim IDLE ? DAMAUE TO
B&LDOXa AKD BtTZLOWOa AXOXO TBE MKBRI
IUC, KA6HTA AMD MBLUB'S BTVEItfl.
Boston, Mass.. Aunl ft, 1875.
Tne water in the Ka*oua Klver haa rlaen about
four feet since yesterday, *ad is now em reet
above us nataral flow and gradually rising. Tue
ice is floating oat In large aod solid sheets, and, aa
tbe water la wttbm a lew modes ot tbe braces or
tbe Main street bridge, damage ta apprehended.
The city antborltl a have been active In keeping
the obannel clear, and In order to do so have
blasted several solid cakes thai lodged again u the
bridge, meeting with good succes*. A ciowd or
three or fonr hundred people bave rotmtined on
the otidge aod banka ot tbe river during tbe
afternoon, watcbiug the operations ol tbe city
men, regardless of tne oola storm tnat prevails.
ON THE KK Kill MAC.
Tbe Metrimac Uiver rose about three feet yeatfr
dar. Tbe ice remaius solid and tbere are rears
taat tbe backwater extending Into the Naauua
Mivcr will cause serious toub;e at tbe Jackson
mills. Tnore are also tear* lor tne aalety o? tbe
bridges, the ic? being very thick and aolid.
Messrs. Cross m Toilee are among me anxious
business arms, tbe water being up to witnia %
root of tbe point where ilamage might occur to
their sawmnis. it la tut opinion o; tho-e wao are
aoqualnted with tneae rivsra that, ir tne storm
continue*, serious damage must follow. loo
ma; in. however, u not geneiai. -At Pawmckct
F?iia a small exmrstou ?teaoier w?a wrecked by
being carried >>rer tu<> cataract.
Tne Mernmao eoatiuuea rising all the night.
Tnia motning ib? water was seven ie?t and a
quarter leal ever the top of the oatn, a rise or
?boat eleven inches since yesterday morula*. A
rise ol one foot above the dam occasions a rtia
01 toree leet in the rirer oe:o<v. The rlae la toe
latter b.u.? Saturday meat baa been aix aad ball
feet.
TROHBI.B AT THK Mtl LP.
.Ail of the milU are troubled vniii backwater ex>
c?pt tbe buck. Mai. 1'uo main I'ucitir Mill u run
Ding principally by steam, aud 100 bauds in the
print room f ive auspendeu work. At tue New
Pacific Mill >?'J tiainia are our. The water at no.>u
was within two leet 01 i.up oa>eiuent boor. Tttu
cotton aim worsted mills of rne Washington cot
pf.ration arc tuiiuiuy entirely bv steam and 'SH
operative;) are utle. Thts eorporatiou iwes tbe oid
laitiiioitfu nreast wbee.s aud toe water l? uiuo teet
liighou the bottom of trie w neels. Tb? Atlantic
MiiH have but lew hand* out. nut are runuiug bj
steam. The Pemoertou is usini; steam, witn 1W
bauds out. Mom ui tuo macoiDurv at tO0 Evereti
Mills is running with water power aud loo iu?ud.t
are out.
CONDITION OF THE IC%
No breakup ol tue lee bad occurred at half-past
twelve o'clock. Hie use ot water h.s loosened lc
from tbe shore, but iftere is uo movement oi it
down the stream. From Lawrence to tue moutU
of tae river everything i? be.ieved to be clear.
Tue last Ice lu tnat dlrecflou went out this .ore
uoon. It lodged lor a time about tbe rapids, be
tween l^awrenee and Havernul. causing a rue o,
six inches nere in au hour: nut it oroke alter a
little time and tue water w?iow tbe dam receded
qmcltly. ,\t tuis hour a iall has begun in the water
above (lie (lam umouutlug to tnree-flitfts oi au
inch beiow tue uigbest figures ot tbe ireanet. The
Ian occasions more appreheusiou thau anything
winch b is yet occurred, as u la ;eareu tne ice li
go:gcd above and holding tae water back. It i*
not believed tuat tue great volume of tbu
flood has yet come down. Tbe Splcket and
snawsiitne, wmcn enter tne Merri.nac Just
betuw tne city, ar? swollen almost beyond
precedent. At Wllder'e paper mill tue water
covered tue floor < f the paper this, which wen
swept out last night, auo a l^ot i.ridge over tile
Spicket at imtler i, Kooioaoa'a worsted milla ba?
been curried awav. liio groat occasion lor ansu
ety now is as was just remarked, tue fear thai
tbe laii In the Merrimae for the list lour houri
la caused b> a st-rmus aorga soniuwliere above.
ALONG THE t'ONNKOTICTT.
The Connecticut River is now clear of ice from
Kolyoke to tuc Sound, and tno water la rapidly
subsiding.
By tue breaking up of the ice in Vflllerl
River at Ataol ou Sunday aiternoou a laree quan
tity of lumber aud eighty le^t or the Miller's River
Manufacturing Company's drying nouse were oar
iled off. Several nausea ana factories wers
flooded. Too damage i'i estimated at <1,200. a
large quantity of ice is and locked in, woicli
threatens W. A. Fisher & Co.'a cotton mill and
several Dndges. Nearly two tuouaand peoplo
witnessed tue passage of tbe ice, and a couataat
watch Is kept against further oamage.
rmc xca intact ax concord?the weaxhxi
FAVCUUBlJt XO US BAl'E JjlXlYXKANCK.
CONCORD, N. 14., April b, 1875.
Tun ram storm which prevailed yeaterdaj
cleared aw iy In the night, ana tbe weather la now
considerably cooler* Tbe liver IS still rising at
.lie rate ot about an inch ait hour, bnt the ice la
not broaeu up yet at ail. The weather Is conaid*
ereu lavorab e uow. aud appiubenslona of as im
mediate ireabet are not felt.
IHX KlilULCMiC UXlLXt RLilKO.
Manchkstkk, N. H., April Z, 187S.
it has rained incessantly :u this city and vicinity
.'or the last twenty boura. The water iu tbe iier
rimac la tour feet deep as it flowa over the dam at
Atnosfceag i-'alls. The river is rapidly riaing, but
;he ice has uot atarted except lor a out zu roda
above tue falls and for uaif a mile below, fietweeu
Granite Uriuge and tbe Norta Wter Railroad undgt
tae broken ice baa accuuiulaied in large masse*.
A. NEW BAlUtOAU KUCDQE 11ROXEN.
ttPBiNtit iblo, Maas., April 5, 1879.
On# span of the ruilroad bridge at liardwell't
Ferry, on tbe Troy and dreenpomt Railroad, baa
been swept away by tbe flood, aud the regular
running of trains on the Hooaac Tunnel line,
winch began to-oay, is tbereiore stopped until the
bridge can be rebuilt.
A SOLID OOBQE NEWLY FORMED IN THE MXS*
BXllAC?DANGER XO STEAMBOAXS.
Lawkknck, Mass., April i, 1S74.
as waa expected a serious loe gorge formed tau
evening in tbe Merrlmac, about two miles above
tbia city, and now make* a aoild barrier acroaa
-be river, varying from Are to six feet iu height.
At tnia hour (baif-paat eleven P. M.) It naa not
moved. Tbe water at the dam. wbioh at nine P.
vi. meaaured eight i?et ten mcbes over tuo top,
aaa been (ailing ateadily during tbe past two boura,
>?ln>r to tne ua king up behind tbe gorge. Two
atcamcra are in imminent dauger oi b*tng carried
over the Fails wusu the aorge gives wav. wnich,
itBt-ema, must occur some time during tue night.
None of tne mills wntcn are dependent entirely
upon water power will oe able to run tv-morrow
on account ol tue oack water.
A Great Fails (N. U.) despatch aayathsiela a
great Jam oi ice in the river at tnat place which
threatens tbe usatruction of tbe Market street
bridge, and a large luroe of men are at work this
ovemug blasting to breakup the ice.
DAlCAOB TO KBXEXS AMD SJCWHBS ZX N~rw>.
PORT.
NrwroBT, R. l, April s, lira.
A coid northeast rain storm bas prevailed la
tills vicinity sines last Saturday and considerable
damage bas been done in tbs city streets and
aewers. In some cases band ongines were
Drought into use ibis morning ior tbe purpose ot
;iump.ng dry the cellars of dwelling boaaea wmcA
bad been flooded. Tue storm cleared op taieaitsr^
auon,
OBITUARY.
AKDBEW A. HENDERSON, UNIT ED STATES NAT*.
Andrew A. ilendersoa, Medical Director of the
United States Naval Hospital, Brooklyn Navy
Vard, dieu oa Sunday aiteraoon, the 4th lusu, at
ok residence, sear that Institution, at the ago of
filty-ninejeara aud one month. The remains will
M iorwarded to l'blladelpUia tins (Taesdiif) mora
inc. 6ta iDaf.. for interment. Medical Director
Henderson waa employed at the Naval Labora
tory, Brooklyn Navy Yard, aarmg a uurnoer ol
years peat. Me was greatly estoea>e<i t.y bis
brother officers and a wide circle oi irienda in
priva.e aocietv lor aid efficiencj and attention to
dufiii au officer and as a gentleman. lie w.i* ?
native aud resident of th* state 01 Pennsylvania
I and was appointed to tue government service
! from tuut state. His brat commission bears date
XTtu o! October, in tbe jear 18SD, ana ais latest, aa
Medical Director. 3d ol Marcb, 1871. He bad
sixteen years and four months' servio* at sea, tna
d.ite ol expiration 01 bta last cruise being Ue
1 month oi September, u?4.
COBKEETUa E. SCTTON.
Another old mercnant of Ibis city, Cornelias K?
sauon, bas jast passed away at tbe age of sixty.
Be died on Sunday, altar a brief illness of tow
months. Dcca?od ?u a aeiMnade man, who
made hit way in Ute wltti indtutrj', entrgy ana
iniegrity. lie wa* well Known m Broad street
and was muca reapected.
DB. B. BOSS ROBERTS,
Dr. R. Boss Roberts, an eminent Domosopathle
physician or Philadelphia, died daring U* evening
oi Sunuay, tne tin lost., of erysipelas.
ANOTHER SAD STOBY.
dbeaditx ran at jjcbhmt or a phzlaml
pbza aaaCTT.
Man's perfidy and woman's misplaced affection,
confidence and rraiity is once more illustrated by
asaoeKing casein New Jersey, wbioh te absorbing
tbe attention or the Colon county satn .rittes,
and whicn will tax* tae form or a jualciai invest*
gation today. Miss 8. C. sui*s was a native ?
pbiladelpma, wieie she resided with Ber pareats.
sue waa well educated, eoiniortabiy off, mixed la
first oias* socie.y aod te described by tboee wh<
knew her as a p*r?on of remarkable beauty a
both miod and masters. She was bat twenty
two years of age. On March -il. aoe turned ap ig
Rahwuv and went to board wita a Mrs. Jewell,
witu wnom ene was aoqualnteu. su- told Mrs.
Jewell mat sue bad i>e?u married to a man named
Sriles, or Prinoetou, and tnat lie wan o imug oa
in a dav or ?<>. ibe nay after her arrival, sue com.
pisinea oi severe illness. Mer complainings ex
ciod tne suspn-iou* m the ina'.nm. Fin an? Mrs,
Jewell leli tau?aed fomenting wan wrong and pat
A roixuo gt'BiTi??>?
' to Miss stilts, a*kui* her it she bad not acted
' toouAhiy. 10' astony of the voung lady mcreas?d.
; but she nave uo satisfactory unswer to tn?
matrou. sa->. at la>*t seeing that matters were
1 taking a wor?e rsiber tnan a beiier turn, cabled
: in two ie*pectat>ie medical practitioners. fiese
prsscr t?e ., uui tuelr n.calcines availed nothing,
au<t tuey were speedily called again, and the
i result was that rue poor xiri auflered a mtsear
| riuge irom the effects, tiiur agre-d. oi criminal inal*
prur.it e b> saweOutfv, she lived till tue next day.
tne ^4<n, and man <>ied tn Ktea; ago iv. w ore hsr
death sue seat >< teiojrr un to one uugn Brosourg,
a urug clem in Pnu.:u?ou. In it she said ?ae waa
very in, itkeir to ul?. aud oriedy gave insirveuoae
as to her oarisl, The tadr was piaced la a ooian.
' shipoed to Pnnoetr.a and waa >>urieu irom tfee
1 residence ot Mr* Hro*r>ur< on ilaren 97 wuaott
aur ourisl permit, iiiese oircumstaaoes finally
l i;?rae to ?be earsot the authorities, ana tne BP*
sho: Is *.ba; Mrosbarit hae been arr??te<l. te betd ia
|h,qq?? and wui be orougn' up t?Mla? t*>r a riearin*
Tne on.ira* is that ne ws? aa ac<ese?r? ta taa
desrh oi lias itliee. Tne autnonuee ea# the
den<>? is very s'l eag agaiast aim. tut wtu be
i devetoimd tsMtay.