The New York Herald Newspaper, April 6, 1875, Page 5

s 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 from the effects of hemiock, as publisned in yes- | terday’s HERALD, has already attracted -consider- able attention both in scientific and medical circles, The tact that the deceased swallowed the Barcotic drug for the rele! of blepuaro-lacial Spasms lends additional interest to the case, while the wonderiul self-control displayed by Professor | Waiker in his last moments, im dictating the | memoranda of his symptoms, places him im the eategory of a martyr to science. ‘The evidence taken at the inquest yesterday leads to the supposition that his death may have been sought om his part, tor one of the medical witnesses stated that Protessor Walker had re- marked that death by hemlock would be an easy ohe, and he also referred to the death of Socrates 48 an instance of the fact, At the present stage pf the invesilgation into the manner and method of his deatn it is of course premature to express any decided opinion on this question, Many Medica! men seem to entertaim the’ idea that Mr. Walker was simply experimenting with the drog and incautiously swallowed more of it than was proper. They also regarded such anexperiment 4» singularly unfortunate; for it appears that the faculty have always viewed the eXiract of hemlock with extreme distrust. Con- sequently it was scarcely ever used in prescrip- tions among our practising ppysicians. In order to give the readers of the HERALD some idea of the character and properties of hemlock the 1ol- lowing facts nave been gathered irom scientific Authorities of ancient and modern days:— HOW HEMLOCK GROWs. Hemlock is an umbelliferous plant and is a native of Europe, and has become naturalized in the United States, where it is also cultivated jor medicinal purposes. It grows usually in clusters mlong the roadside or in waste grounds, and is found most abuadant in old settlements, It Gowers in June and July. The wovle plant, | especially at tts period, exhales a fetid odor, and jarcotic effects result trom breathing for a long time air joaded witb the efluvia, The bemiock of Greece, Italy and Spain 1s said to be much more Tgetic in action than that of Northern Europe. THD DRIED LEAVES of the hemlock have a strong, heavy, narcotic odor; their taste is bitterish and nauseous; their color is dark green, which is retaimed im tne powder. No satisfactory analysis of hemlock has ever been wade, Dr. Schraeder found in the juice of the leaves resin, extractive, gum, albumen, B® green fecular and various saline sudstaucer, Bo long ago as 1827 Dr. Gieske obtained an alka- line liquid by distilling hemiock leaves witn Water and caustic lime. It appears that there are two volatile substances in hemlock—one of them * BM oll, Woich comes over by simple distillation, and upon wnich the odor of the plant depends, Bnd the other au alkaline principle, which, as it OXisis in the pliant, is so comoimed as not to be * volatilzable, but which, when separated by one of | tbe mineral aikalies trom its native combination, rises steadily in distillation, and may thus be pro- Bured. The latter substance is the active princi- ple, and bas received the name of conia or coniine. -according to Professor Christison, the easiest Me:bod to obtain conta from the leaves, is to ais- tila mixtare of a strong solution of potassa and the alcoholic extract of the unripe fruit. As ob- tained by the above process, conia is in a state of @ hydrate containing one-iourth of its weight of Water and @ little ammonia. From the former it may be freed by chloride of calcium; trom thé lat. ‘ter by exposing it under an exhausted receiver till 48 ceases to emit bubbles of gas, The presence o! copia in an extract or otner Preparation of hemlock 1s detectea by ruvbing 1+ | ‘With potassa, wich instantly develops its pecu- Nar odor. It consists of nitrogen, carbon ana Bydrogen. In a natine state itis the most active, sig @ most energetic poison; one drop of itin- | jected into the eye of a rabbit kilied the animal in Rine minates, and three drops kilied a stout cat im @ minute and hal! woen simil rly applied. HEMLOCK 18 NARCOTIC ad somewhat sedative to the circnlation. It di- fectly diminishes the action of the heart, and when it produces death exhausts tne comtrac- | tibinty of that organ. When given so as to jully affect the system it produces more or less ver- | Ugo, cimness of vision, navsea, jaintness, sensa- | tion of aumbni and general muscaiar de- | Dility. In larger doses it occasions dilated pu- pila, dificany of speech, delirium or stapor, | tremors and paraiyeis, and uitimately convulsions ana dear, Sometimes it produces fatal eifrcts through paralysis aione, without coma or convul- Mons, its operation usualiy commences tn jess | than nalf an hour, and if moderate, seldom con- tinues longer than twenty-four houra, It is sup- posed to be the narcotic used by the ancient Athe- Dians to destroy the lite of condemned tadividu: and vy which Socraves and Poocion died. It was also used by the ancients as 4 medicine, but fell into entire neglect until the seventeenth century, ‘When it again came into notice and was extrava- gantly praised. Since that time it hag been sub- | Mitted to ample trial, and though its original fepuiation has not been fully sustained, it stil Tetains @ place in the catalogue of useial medi- fines. it has been highly recommended by promt- at physiciaus in painiul scrovwious tumors and Gleers, im various du 3s of the skin and in chromo rheumatiem and peuralgic adections, It has aisu been cmpioyed with ‘he effect o/ relieving Sr pallating tne sy..proms or &vorabiy mudilying the action of other remedies, ANCIBNT USES OP THE POISON. This plaut bas been aoted as @ poison | from femote autiquity. In consequence of the power Which it possessed of destroying lise in | Qcertain and almost immediate manner, it wis | Deed at Athens a8 @ mode Of execation ior (hose | Unguished ancients who suffered death by the agency Of this poison. The accounts whied been leit respecting i+ Would lead us tu velieve that its operation was speedy and une tended with any violent or ilomg pro, tracted sodforing. Jt Was not only em | ployea as 40 justrumens of pubitec execu. tiona, but was resorted to by those Whu sought to dncounter suicide ta its least formidabie shape. Among other instances, that of the Cean old men related by Kuan, who, whea they vad become | Qseiess to the State and tired of the mirmii life, invited each other to @ banquet, and, having crowoed themscives as in ceisbration of @ joyous festival, drank ‘he coniam and terminated their existence togetner. The deremption which wi been iot by Dioscorides of the oomiam only shows tt to have | been an umbellate piant, Gis character of which | Might apply to many species, The mention Gade of iv by Latin writers under the mame of | Viewta are not more satia Linnwus, ine | Muenced by the nuxious character of the modern oM@cimal Bemiock, has appropriated to that plans nd Most sUdKe | ~ Hal e | Jjurispradeno NEW YORK HERALD, TUESDAY, APRIL 6, 1875—QUADRUPLE SHEET. poison was not procured from this plant, but from | slight, sometimes amounting merely to congestion the ctouta virosa L.,& poisonous aquatic, mach more powerful and violent in its operation than the common hemlocs, Lamarck adopts the opin- jon of Linu®us and believes that the conium ma- culatum wus really the Grecian poison, and wnat its properties Were rendered more active by the heat of the climate in which it grew. Guersent supposes that the poisonous draught used by the Greeks Was not the product of a single species, ut & compound prepared from several piants. THE ANCIENT AND MODERN HEMLOCK, Were 1¢ not jor the tranquillity and ease which attended death trom the ancient hemlock, and which Plato has described with interesting Minuteness, there would pot have been much aufMficuity in supposing the Grecian plant to be the same with that kncwn at the present day, it ap- pears that a large quantity was requisite to insure death, The poison was swailowed in the crude juice, recently expressed from the plant, Of this the draughttaken by Phocion was jarge enough to cost twelve drachme, Socrates was prevented from making 4 livation or @ part of the contents of is 1atal cup, by being toid that the whole was necessary to produce the consummation of his sen- tence, A large quantity of the moaern hemlock might probably bave been equally fatal, though witn more violent symptoms than those which, if Piato be correct, were experienced by the Athe- nian philosopher. 2 Its more complete description is as follows:— Root biennial, somewhat fusiform and generally branched; staik round, very smootn, striated, hol- jow, jointed, and more or less marked with pur- pitsh spote; leaves two or three times pinnate, of a Very bright green, with long, sheathing peti- oles tuserted on the joints of the stem, the leaflets pinnatufied and tovtned; flowers im terminal umbels, the general involucre with Lat a dozen lanceolate, reflected leaiets, the partial involucre with three or four situated oa the outside; flow- ers very small, white; petals five, oval with their points inflexea. Stamens five, spreading, about the lengta of the coroilu, Germ interior, Styles two reflexed outwardly; Fruit roundish-oval, compressed, riboed, the ribs being transversely wrinkied or crenate; separaiing into two oplong- hemispherical seeds. A remarkable case of this sort of poisoning, which occurred in Spatn, is cited by Orflla in nis “Tratté des Poisons.” Bat there is scarcely any narcotic plant respecting the character of which such various and opposite testimony has been adduced by medical writers, Even te exper- iments of the same individual are apt to present diferent results irom its use, unless great care be taken iu the collection and preparation of the medicine, ‘The trath is, the plant varies exceed- ingly at different ages, and iu different places of growth, and the strength of kts preparationsis greatly influenced by external circumstances, ‘The idiosyncrasies of diflerent persons render thei variousiy susceptible of the action of hem- lock. Some are but slightly affected by a quantity which would prove dangerous to others, ‘Yne hemlock bas been \or many years @ subjpct of attention with physicians, and has been fotnd a remedy of importunce tn several diseases, such as jaundice, tic doloureux, schirrus and cancer. It has been recommended ior whoon'> but it is by Do means a saie medicine ¢ The most common form of PRASERVING THE HEMLOCK for use, as Well a6 the most convenient for its exnibition, is that of the inspissated juice or ex- tract, It 18 well known, wowever, that the ex- tracts kept in our snops differ materially io their strength, 80 that in beginning from a@ new parcel ihe physician can seldom predict the degree of operation of his first doses, In some instances very great quantities have been taken without the least effect. The extract pt to prove inert When tue plant is gathered too yotng, when tne evaporation is conducted with too much heat, when a decoction of the dried pliant has been evaporated instead of the {res leaves, and Jastiy when the extract itsel! has become old. To give the extrac: its due strength the plant should be collected at full maturity, woile in Mower, or in fruit, provided it remains green, and tne juice or the decoction snould be evaporated at tme heat of volimg salt water. Tne stock should be renewed every year. A suitable dose tor com- mencement is from one to five grains. This may be imcreased at every time of taking it, uatu its consttutivual effects are feit. In beginning the use Of a new parcel more caution is requisite at first than after its strength nas been tested. Tae Athosa cynapiom, an umbelate plant very ecomme” 2 «. Toston, Ras sometimes been mistaken for nemiock, which i: considerably resembies, It 18 @ smaller plant, with its stalk mot spotted, It Gidera also in having no general involucre, while tt partial one is very long. LOW THE DOSES ARE PRUPARED. The powdered lea nd the inspissated juice are tue forms in Which conium has been usually administered. Either the leaves or the extract may be given in the dose of turee or four grains twice a day, gradually increased till the occurrence of slight vertigo or nausea indicates that it has taken effect, To maintain a given impression it ia en | necessary to increase the dose even wore rapidly than 1s customary with most other narcotics, as the system becomes very speedily accustomed to ite influence, {he strength oi the preparation of hemlock Is exceedingly unequal, and caution is therejore necessary when the medicine is given in very large quantities to employ the same parcel, or, if & change is made, to commence witn ¢! new parcel in small doses, so as to obviate any danger which might result irom its greater power. This, however, ts disputed by Dr. Joun Harley, or London, whose experiments seem to show that this preparation 1s medivally inert. Though fatal to sume animals, bem.cex 1s eaten with impanity by others—as horses, guats and sheep, The best Method of relieving its poisonous effects is the speedy evacuation of the stomach, BECK ON THE BEMLOCK POISON, Professor Beck, im his work on medical juris- pradence, lies some interesting cases of poison- ing by hemlock. He says:—‘Raving madness and epileptic fits occurred to Provessor Ray in tne case of @ Woman who bad eaten the roots of the plant, Vertigo, convulsions, coma and death were the result to two soldiers at Waltham Abbey, in Essex, England, who bad boiled it with their pacon for dioner.” Some soldiers partook of broth into which hem- lock bad been put. All of them were ward seized with pains in tn if @romk, but tne one wh the most had luin down and gone tosieep. When he was insensivie, first noticed ind slow even to thirty pulsations in the minute; the extremities ‘wee cold aud the Jace biaeish and distended wita blood, Ag emetic Was given without effect, He complained of belag cola, but shortly a:ter lost again the use Of speech and sense, and diea in three hours after taking tue poison. On disseo- tion there Were some red spots seen around the pylorus; toe intestines were healthy, butal ¢ Vessels Of the brain were gorged with blood andin opening the cranium there flowed out diced sum event to fil twice aM Ordiaary chamber pot. Prov fessor Reck remarks that convulsions, furious Gelicium aad swellings of the face appear thus to be umong sue leading symptoms trom the use of this poison, The juice and the extract, when properly prepared, produce similar effects on animals. Orfiia nas, however, suown that the ex- tract usually sold in the shops is ineticent and weak. } effect the capture ofa notorious revel spy camed respiring with | Dr, Christison, In @ paper read before the Royal | Society of Edinburgh, states that he had repeated the analysis of Geiger, and obtainea precisely the me results. On birds it caused coma, convui- sions and depressed action, or even paraiysis of the heart, walle on the bigner order of animais it Jocul irritamt, And its remove action is to a swiltly increasing paralysis of the muscles, end- img fatally by asphyxia from paisy of the musol | Oo} reapiration, Me also found thi poison to be exceedingly active. AN ISTERRSTING Case, Professor Tayior says in his work on medical “The leav efmmon hemicck have itequently given rise to accents, Lh9 symptoms whic tuey produce are Gimners oF sight, giddiness, deiirium, swelling, with pains is the abdomen, vomit ing and purging. Convusious are somes umes) = Observed, ath §=«6cummoniy tages pines rayiaiy, the appenracess are of the brain with slight inflammatory redness of the stomach and bowels. It is rare that the question of poisoning by bemidck comes before a Judicial tribunal. One case of this kind was, how- ever, submitted to me in 1843, Ip this instance a entid died in one hour a(ter swallowing part of a teacapiul of a decoction of henuock alleged to have been administered by the wovner, Lhe woman Was acquitted for want of proof, There were ho morbid appearances in tbe stomach hor any trace of hemiock leaves in the stomach or bowels. Tne absence 0¢ leaves tu the contents of the stomach was accounted for by the fact that the prisoner had made a decoction and had allowed the leaves 10 subside to the bottom of the teacup, the child taking oaly the upper stratum of clear liquid.” | THE INQUEST IN BROOKLYN. Promptly at five o'clock P, M. Coroner Simms began the inquiry. THE WiDOW'S TESTIMONY. Alida R. Walker, widow of the deceased, testi- led that he came home a little after iour o'clock . M. pn Saturday; said that he had been to Dr, Agnew’s, and that ne had been taking comium; that it had no effect upon tim; they told him to go to Dr, Squibb’s iactory and gec a stronger prepara- tion, and he Was goibg 10 take it immediately; 1 toid’nim to take some nourishment; he said he would take the medicine on au empty stomacu, as he thought it would have a betier effect; he wis to take filty drops eaca half nour till the results Were obtuined; 1 then gave it to him tuus, as he dictated me; (witness tren gave Professor Walker's dying statement, as publisned in the HERALD of yesterday); one oO: my yons arrived home about bali-past six, and “ihe Oller soon alter; no medicine was given wy hua- band alter a quarter past five f. M.; the directions as to how mucd Meuicine was to be taken he said he received irom tue place where the medte:ne was purchased, not trom Dr. Agnew; my husband received a severe injury tn 1871, wiich g:adualiy brought on the twitchings of the eyes anu lage; my husband had been under Dr. Brown-sequara’s treatment alter having consuited Dr. Agnew lrst; he had been under Dr. Brown-Sequard’s treatmeus jor one year; ubout July lasc he saw Dr. aguew, aiter Dr, Brown-Sequard wad left tor Burope; 1 HAD NO FEAR when he was taking the medicine that it would Tesult iataly; be was in very good health as the time ne was taking the medicine; he was troubie: With photophobia ior a year and a bau be wad diploplia in ene eye since 1371; my husbaud had been troubled With rueumatism lov a gumoer ot ycurs; I nave never known im to iaint away; ac the time be received nis wounds be ielf la1ut; he bad no digzi- hess Oliate;1 underssvod Bim to say he had a very regular pulse; the symptoms, as I described them, were la the language of My busvand; ail tue med: cine L gave my husband was io @ graduated gia Tay husband ded pewween hali-past six and seven o’clock P, M., April 3, 1875; woen his symptoms grew worse he sat on the side of the bed, with bis head leaning against me; | then tried to give him some cotlee, aud ne fell back in my arms dead. THE PHYSICIAN WHO ADMINISTERED YHE DRUG. David Webster, M. W., vr. Agnew’s partner, read @ brief statement o! Projessor Walker's case, aud vestitied that he Was an assistant to Dr. Agnew at his office 1m the Eye and tar Hospital, and in the voilege Of Physicians aud Surgeons; | read to the deceased ali there was in the ‘United States Dis- pensatory” about the properties and uses of conium; 1 think this remedy 13 pot in very general use; 1 think 16 18 Rot a dangerous medicine when carefully administered ; it 18 a poisov, and amoung the strong poisons; 1s of Variable strength; | do not kKuow bow much of Sqniby’s extract woula produce death; gave um a prescription on which was writteu “Px. Fiuld Extract Conium,” one ounce, aud signed my name to it; 1 told hin not to qaepend upon any of De, squipd’s cierks, but to be sure and see the Dvctor tumsell; 1 told him to tell the Doctor just how many drops he had taken at my oitice and what ie was taking it for, «nd that Dr. Squipos had toid bim how large & dose to take and how often he took it; 1 told him also to stop taking it as soon as he jelbany muscular relaxation, Dumoness or other Of the physiological effects of the drug; 1 do not know that I can answer that toe strengcn oi Dr. Squibbs’ preparation is know by the profession generally; if was not kuvWa to me; tulsa Preparation that is known as applicable to cases of this kind; Mr. Walker stased that be bad un- derstood that the taking Orcouium was A VERY PLEASANT METHOD OF DYING; Icannot suy that LKuew vie deceased was vy depressed in spirits; deceased said that Socrates Was pat to death by memiock; 1 taink ‘eat pain; he bad photopuobia; some might call fiat ; bis duubie Vis:ou Was also Very ann ing; think thac he considered Fes topnciha id as bis double vision physical suferin \e Wi X- tremely anxious to be cured of his afMlictions; he entieman of unusual inteliigence; that e y; 1 first proposed (0 tue deceased tue use of comium; 1 am oF im the habit o1 preserioing conium; I have given it belore in the case ot a child less than two years old with pnepero Spasius and photophobia with inflammation, bur not Witn beuelit; Lieel sure the med.cme | ad- Ministered to deceased bad no edect upon him; my treatment Was Concurred in wd Dr. Aguew; 1 believe conium does not affect the intenigence till one 18 in tue last stage; death ts occasioned by par: oi the spinal marrow, sometines jeurt; J would not, as prowacing paralysis of the Brule, consider it safe to allow a patient to take the medicine umes prescrived in smaii doses aad taken rarely Without the immediate supervision of a physician; On account of ‘THk SUPKRIOR INTELLIGENC OF THE DECEASED Imade an oe pee in Nis Case; to prodace sught edocts | would alow & patient 10 Lace it without @ poysician administering | ow nad taken opiates nyperaermically ; aiso strichnine ip the #aue way; 1 wave the cnlid seven or tea drops of comium without any apparent effect, DR. C, B. AGNEW testified to an operation that be had performed on Projessor Walker’s eye oy trying to di the muscies that surrounded the silt between the eye-las, wuien salied; Dr. Webdsier proposed to give him coniam, approved, aud by appointment Mr. Walker came to my office on fatarday, April 3, 1875, abouc ten A. M.; conium Was aduimistered, but witnout any apparent effect; I would consider a case so distressing as his justifying the use of even exiraordinary reme- dies uncer scientific uirections; conside‘ing de- ceased’s intelligence and the training oe bas had | under (ue bes! nuifie men, 1 Would not nave hes- | lsated to have given him the medicine to take nim- sell, With the Caution administered; think that deceased bad nO appreciation oi ine danger of tne drag; oi koown the deceased aiways as a man 01 cheeriul disposition. The inques: was, at tnis pot, adjourned to Monday next. A post-mortem oxamination ot the body will be made in the meantime in order | that the case may be thoroughiy investigated, PROFESSOR WALKER’S CARRER. Projessor T, W. Walker's career was a singularly eventiul one, und the story Of his live reads more like @ romance than reality, For a number of years he was tae correspondent of the New York Express at the national capital. During that time he lormea the acqaaimtance and was socially in- timate With many Of tue most prominent men of the country, and being endowed with rare intel- Jectual qualities, 8nd & genial disposition, the friendships thus formed lasted alter le had sev. ered this journalistic connection, Senator Audrew Johnson is mentioned a3 having been on terms of intimacy with the umfortunate gentleman, As | Staced above, his ille Was replete wita romantic | incident, In the historical poisomog at the Na | tional Hotel in Washington curing the time of President Buchanaa’s administration he figured as one of the sufferers, During 1861 he was sent by Generai Man-fiela in Command of a regiment to Emack. His mission Was siccessic! and the ob- ject of nis search was secured ana placed in the custody of two soldiers. Hmack managed to es- cape irom bis guards, whether by trickery or | oribery Was never knowao, On bis way from the place were he bad been confined he encountered Mr, Walker, attacked Bim with an immense bowie knife, stubved Bim througa the addomen, the Weapon passing entirely surough bis body and protruding at the back. Anotier stab was made buc tailed of its intent, the point deing turned aside by @ memoranduia book. At that | time Mr. Walker's obituary was published in sev- | papers, but alter an iliness 0; several months came North and was engaged for some timo as @ broker im Beaver street aud a(cerward as an in- ance agent. He was also at one time an ins | terval revenue collector im this city. He was for | many years a Freemason, and was a Past Grang | Master in that crait, it was im 1971 that he was run over by a track at the corner of William and Cedar streets and, oorribiy mutilated, and it was led to his deata. Upon his removal to brookiya | ne opened Gu electrical establishment and ad- | ministered electrolytical bathe aud applied eiec- Qnd roots of the | tricity ae @ medical agent, He Was about sixty- five years of age, and loft a wife and Ave onlidren, one of Whom is a diergyman. | the injuries received at that time whicn indirectiy | j | | A CARD FROM DR. AGNEW. TRE PRECAUTIONS TAKEN WITH THR ‘PATIENT | ON ADMINISTERING THR HRMLOCK. | No. 19 Bas? TRIRTY-NINTH Pe} New YORK, April & 1876. To TRE Eprfon or vase AeaaLp:~ In your paper of this morning there isan so- } sount of the death of Mr. Walker, of Brookiyn, from un alleged overdose of coniam, or poison hemiovk, in whieh there is a0 allusion to Dr. Web- my assistant, and mysel/, that, uucorrect Allow Oo pal You in possession | OL those jadte io the case that seem to be at) this stage, essential for publication. Mr. Walker had nad for several years violent spasmodic con- tortions of the muscles of the ‘ace and eyelids, Ire- quently incapacitating nim tor any form of lubor, and always producing distressing grimaces. He had been under the care of Professor Brown- Séquard aud others, and jor many months bad nad my services witn little or no benefit, The recent revival of contidence in tue value of hem- Jock, oF conium, in spasmodic affections of this Gharacter induced Dr, Webster to propose that Mr, Walker should have a trial of its alleged sala- tary effects. The extensive experfence of Harley, London (see London Practitioner, vol. 5, 1870) and of others in this country, justified such a course. Mr. Walker accordingly came to my office by appointmens, on Saturday, April 3, at ten o’clock, to take the medicine and to be under observa tion, He remained there trom about ten o'clock until twenty minutes past one, during which ume he tock atthe hands of Dr. Webster 180 drops of an eXtract of conium without produc- ing any of the effects of the drug Alter waiting an hour and thirty-five minutes after the last dose he walked away, stating tnat he was in his usuai health and did not feel any of the symptoms which the drug was supposed to produce, Belore going Dr. Webster gave him @ preseription for @ fluid extract of conium, with in- structions to carry the prescription to tue manu- Jacturer of the extract in Brookiyn and to see the manwacturer in person and to ascertain irom him what dose of his extract could be safely taken, He went, it seems, to the manufacturer, saw him in person, was observed by lim to be free from any infoxication from the drug given nearly four hours previously, vbtaimed the extract of conium, bad the dose prescribed by him with A CAUTION NOY TO REPEAT IT if he experienced any of the symptoms which had been previously carelully enumerated, Toreturn, during the three hours ana twenty minutes that he was at my oMfce under the observation of Dr. Webster, the latter fully instructed Mr, Walker as to the symptoms that the remedy was expected to produce, und read to him an ac- count of the drug and its action as detailed in a standard work. I also explained carelully the ef fees which the drug might produce, and inquired an hour and twenty minutes after the last dose Whether such effeot had veen produced, and was distinctly ANSWERED IN THE NEGATIVE, Mr, Walker went irom the manu/acturer’s to his ome, took, as it is said, three Coses of tne eé: tract, although the first dose had produced the effect which he had been warned shouid be con. sidered a8 forbidding Its continued use, and be- tween six and seven o'clock died, PRECAUTIONS. 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 accident. Mr. Walker had had large expertence in the use of nerve remedies and was @ man Oi remarkablo intelligence. As he left our oflice he stated that he understood the directions which had been so carefuliy given. E. R. AGNEW, M. D, PA RDB Nt: WAITING FOR SHARKEY, Detectives O'Connor and Hields, of the District Attorney's office, proceeded to Quarantine Land- ing, Staten Island, yesterday afternoon, for the purpose of intercepting the steamer City of Mex- ico, due irom Havana, on’ whicu it was though’ the murderer Sherkey might be a passenger. It | 18 more than probable, however, that he is still at Santiago de Cuba, as the authorities here have no definite information of his having arrived at Ha- vana. Had he been in Mavana on Saturday and placed om board of the steamer which left there on that day for this city itis more than probable the intelligence would have been telegraphed to District attorney Phelps, That steamer will be due here on Thursday afternoon next, so that if he does not come by the City of Mexico, he may be om board her, Itis the general belief of the police autnorities of this city that Sharkey ts yet at Santiago and that be will not reach Havana for @ week ortwotocome. Assistant District Attor- neyé Lyon and Rollins are still in Cuva, and itis not likely that Snarkey, wherever he may be, will leave the island until they do. THE PAROCHIAL SOHOOLS. ‘The representatives of the trustees of Catholic free schools of the city of New York, consisting of Henry L. Hoguet, Frederick E. Gibert, John E. ‘Devlin, Frederick R, Coudert, George F. Hecker, Rignal T, Woodward and Rev. Edward J, O/Retlly, had a conjerence yesterday with the Special Vom- mittee of Seven Of the Board of Education, to which was referred {he communication of such trustees on the sabject of parovial scnools at the iaet meeting of the Buard. The representatives of the press were excluded from the meeting, and it was determined that for the present the proceedings should remain private, A written document embodying the de- mands of the trustees and speeci im support of them were made by Mr. Houget, Mr. Condert, Fatoor O'Reilly and others. Remarks were also made vy President Neilson and other mem- bers o1 the committee, Upon being applied to ‘or miformation regarding the proceedings of the committees and the demands of t trustees, Mr. Neilson stated that tho matter was not euch @ sition that an intelii- id gatisfactory simtement could be piaced before the pubiic, and is had, there. fore, been determined to Keep the matter secret tor the present and until the committee was pr pared fo ta: Anite action thereon. Lt i de | stood that it Was the parpose ry Jay before tne commirtee fac im acourdance with the vw, t on What they regard as their very rea sonable demands, re “SAD ACCIDENT. FALL OF & SOAPFOLD—ONE MAN KILLED axD ANOTHER SERIOUSLY INJURED. A painfal accident vocurred at about balf-past eleven o'clock yesterday morning, by which one man was almost Mytantiy killed and another very erely injured. Yor tne last tew days the tromt of the Chemical Bank building, No. 76 Chambers street, has been uadergoing repairs, and at the time above mentioned two painters wore occa- pied in paintiag 1t opposite the third story, in the rear, when the scaffolding on which they stood accidentally OVeroulanced aud precipitated bora meo (0 the gfound tn am adjoiming yard, a dis- tance of abous iorty feet, The scaMviding was of | the kind ordinarily used by paioters, and con- siated Of & ong, wide ladder, cvverea with boards Qn susperdea to tae batiding by ropes. At the time of the accident the men were ciose to- gether, aNd taikiog to eack other, Taeir names are Bepjwamin Brown, residing at 19 Green- wich av and William Jecoott, living a No. 5 Madison street. Brown was severely injured ip the back and right arm, and Jedcott Was like. wise jajured in the back and interosily, The un- forimoace men were removed to the Park Bos ital, ANG she Pty alter their arrival at tbat inst. Potion demteuts breatned uisiast, Tne injuries of Brown, aishougu serious, are uot considered of @ fatal buture, Tae Coroner has been notified to hold an im. | quest. THR WEATHER YESTERDAY. The following record wiil show the changes in the temperature for the past twenty-iour hours, in comparison wita the corresponding date ot last year, & foment! vey —— at dud nut's Poat BRA au. al ig Viva tare. 4. 187 1874, 1875, se Bh BT BBO. Miveees 96 GL | 2 687 «6PM. 55 | be ' 4 J temperature yeeterca at Average temperature ior oorrespouding Inst year. + THE NEUROLOGICAL SOOIETY. ng of the Neurological Whe regular monthiy Society vas beid last might at the College of Phy cians and Surgeous, Twenty-third street and Fourth avenue, Dr. F. Le Roy Satterlee, Profes aor of Chematry ia tho Mew York College of Dei eluvered & lecture ou Tie Neurosis of ti aiter which aa election of officers for + The following gente Skiu, ensuing year took pince. tod :—President—W, A. Hammond, | ent—v. U, Peters, =i, D, seme, M. Seoretary—u. W. Well: Secresary—M, Hersos, M.D: ‘ire ner, M. D.; Counciiio rand. H. Borep, or MDa ks Pe Batieried, ae aD, gad J, & ay, h M. b.; Second | + Reo | afternoon, watcmiug THE VERNAL FLOODS, ee A New Ico Gorge in the Hudson, Near Castleton, | pa fa sak Sonate WORK IN THE MILLS CHECKED } Impending Danger Along the Connecticut and Merrimac Valleys. The reappearance of small quantities of foating ice in the North River yesterday gives promise of an early resumption of navigation on the broad bosom of the Hudson, 1t means that the ice em- bargo of this mighty stream is slowly but surely surrendering to laughing spring, and in @ few Gays, at least, there will bean unobstructed water channel leading into the rich interior of (he State. To business men this points to renewed commer- clal activity, and to travellers it suggests content- ment and pleasure, Not ior years in Gotham has tne wish been so sincere that the solid crystal plain extending from Yonkers to Troy might early move, than af this season, a8 With thereturo of the trade consequent upon the opening of the river, empios ment will be given to thousands of persons who would otherwise re- waia idle, walle weaitn lies back of the trafic tor the merchant and steamboat men, Thousands of Vessels On the lakes and canals, earning nothing for their owners all winter, will again be moving, and the involved capital of millions of dollars once more be paying some manner of percentage, Com- mercially, the event 18 of the greatest Importance, as 13 unnecessary to repeat, yet there are but a fow who cal Jorm @ proximate idea oj the busi- ness that 1s annually brought to our doors by the Hudson during the season of navigation. Figures of speech will fail of the object, Unpoetical figures are required for tunis work, and these almost tall short of computing the vast wealth that is ae floated into New York im the shape oJ ce reais and merchandise. Not alone is the opening of the Hudson of tm. portance to the commercial community, but to those who, iD the season of sunshine and Lowers, turn to the steumpboats that ply on ita broad Waters a3 4 means of pleasant transportation, 1 is Of vast importance. Where in all the “great round globe” are to be jound in the same area so Much that is grand? Toe shores of the Hudson are almost poems—tis intervales pictures Ol raral soit hess aNd tts mountuins Lit resiveuces ior the best. Everybody thal travels Knows tis. When wea- ried by Loll Duthing mVigorates so pieasaDdily as & trip up the Hudson, and ume and again when our streeigare steaming with feat aves the geuuine Gothamite instuuciiveiy ture to his paiatial steam- ers, Which, Season alter season, have continued to be improved untii now tuey are little less than floating hotels, surpassing the am'itious efforts 0) most Other bland navigation Compenies, These elegant voats are being Lew)y inished and appoiated jor the trade of the approacning season, and it is no idie compliment to say that their sumptuousness and plenitude of accommo- dations will be equal to, If they do not surpass, all lormer years. it wil be some little time, liowever, beiore the boats will be able to renew their trips, as the ex- traordiuary thickness and golidity of tue ice has been such as it Will require More than the usual amount of warm wea.ner to break up suffl- ciently to cause it to move. That it hus given away a consideraole distance up is weli kuown, sides, the presence of fuating ice in the Norta River attests this fact; but the Upper Hudson is stil Orm at many points, and for a Waile will yet resiat the influence o/ spring. Since 1340 the river bad its ice embargo raised, it will be seen by the following tabie, five times in February, tuirty- three times in March and six times 10 April, 1863. Maren 23 +Mareh 17 Mareh 27 April 10 Maren 18 SINKING OF A sTEAMBOAT. About hall-past two o’clock yesterday after- noon, While the steamboat Toomas &, Hulse, ply- ing between New York and Perth Auiboy, was preparing tO ieave her pier at the foot of Vesey street om her regular afternoon trip, sue Was rag inte by an immense floe o! ice which was m og rapidiy down. A hele Was stove in tne jor. ‘ward part of the Doat, aud sue Milled rapidly ai sunk to the burmicane deck in less than half an hour. The Huise was heavily laden wita meat and vegetables, and ali ofthe cargu which could be saveu Was about a ton Oi beel. She lies now at the cock with only the pilot house and smoke- stack visible, ie ull and are floating evidences of the accident. @ Hulse was built in this city about twenty years ago, and was well known us a0 excursion boat during the summer to Fort Lee, Fortunately no lives were lost, as the Doat was still moored the dock waen the acel- dent occurred, At toe a ume the boat W. E. Brown was siruck by floating ice and con- aiderabiy damaged. NO INTERRUPTION OF TRAVEL, GRAND CENTRAL Depot, April 5, 1875. To THe EDITOR OF THE HERALD:— will be mo interruption to travel on this line by tho overflow o! tracks below Albany. The reguiur through trains to Albany will ran to-day over the Hariem division. Lo-morrow (Tuesday) Pg tbe Hudson haa line will be tu order trulas run a8 usual. WILLIAM H, VANDREBILT, Vice President New York Central and River Railroad Company. ANOTHER GORGE FORMED AT CASTLETON AND THE BAILROAD TRACKS STILL SUBMERGED. ALBANY, N. Y., April 5, 1876, The water in the river ia slowly recediag, but the docks are still suomerged, No now gorge has formed at Castleton, ten miles oéiow this city, and the waver is still on the Hudson River Rau- road tracks. Trains have to be switched of st Hudson, and reach bere by way of Chath: ‘two or three hours bewnd time. Superiuteadent Toucey telegraphs that if the state or tue water permits the damage Will be repaired to-morrow, tuat Communication via the Hadeom River Baliroaa track way be res uined, THR FRAREXY AT BHINECLIVT RUNNING, Kauxoston, N. Y., April 5, 1875, ‘The ice at the moutn of the creek bas forced its Way out tnto the river, and to-day the steamer 0 Norwich cat @ channi the creek to Ri of the river, and the regular trips. [ne ice & [0@t sick 1D some p.aces, Dut it of air holes, THE NEW ENGLAND FRESHETS. MILLS EMBARRASSED BY THR RISE OF THE | WATER — OPERATIVES IDLE — DAMAGE TO BRIDGRS AND BUILDINGS ALONG THE MERRI- MAC, NASHUA AND MILLER'S RIVERS, Boston, Mass., April 5, 1875, Tae water in the Nashua River has risen about | four feet since yesterday, aad is now six feet | above it ural fow and gradually rising. Tue | ice is Moating out in large And solid sheets, and, as the water is within a few inches of the braces of the Main street bridge, damage is apprenended, | The city autuoriti a have been active in keeping the channel clear, and in order to do #0 have biasted several soild cakes that lodged against tue bridge, meeting with good succes, A crowd of three or four hundred people have remained on the bridge and banks of the river during the the operations of the city men, regardiess of the cola storm tuat prevails, OX THR MERRIMAC, ‘The Merrimac River rose about three feet yester- day, The ice remains solid and there are feara that the backWarer extending into ihe Nasiua River will caus® serious trouble at the Jackson milis, Tuere are also tears forthe safety of the bridges, the ice bemg very tick and solid, Massra, Cross & Toiles ate amoug the anxious business Arms, the water being ap to witnia a foot of the point where damage might occur to their sawmills. 18 is the opinion of thoxe woo are acquainted with these rivers that, if the storm continues, serious damage must follow, the aiarm, however, a pot ei At Pa oket Fails & soiall excursion © by ‘beiag carried vvor tue Cataract. o@ Merrimac coatinued rising all the fs The morning the Water Was seven ees and a Quarter jest over the top Of ihe dam, o rise oF ‘faanon | about eleven inches since yesterday morning, ise of oue foot above the dam occasions a rise of tor in the river below. The rise the 1 @ Saturday nigat has been six and mall TROUBLE AT THE MILLS, All of the mills ave troubled with backwater ex: cept the buck Mui, The main Pacific Mil is ran ping principally by steam, aud 100 hands in the print room have suspended work. At tue New Pacide Mill $00 hands are out, The water at noon Was within two leet of the basement floor, 1 Corton ang Worsted milis of the Was poration are running turely bv operatives are idie, ‘This corporation uses the old faahioned breast Wheels and Loe Water is nino tees higbon the bottom of tue Wheels, The Atiantuc Mails have bul jew hands out, nut are running by steam. The Pemverco bands out None of tt are ous, CONDITION OF THE No breakup of the ice had occt! at hall-paas tweive o'clock, ‘The rise of water his loosened ic but ‘here 13 bo movement of it from the shore, r From Lawrence to the moutn oftne river everything is believed to be clear, ‘The last tee tm that direction went out this iore- noon. It lodged lor a time about the rapids, be: tween Lawrence and Havernul, causing @ rise 0| SIX inches Bere 1D @Q hour; nut 1s broke alter a libtie time and tue water below the dam receded quickly, At tals hour a lall bas begun in the Water above the dam amouuting to three-fiitns Olan Incu below tie bizhest Ngures of the tresnet, The fai Occasions more apprehension than anything Which hus yet occurred, a8 1t ls ieared the ice i goiged above aud holding the warer back. It is not believed tuat tue great volume of the flood has yet come Gowan, The Spicket and Shawshine, which enter the Merrimac just be the city, are swollen almost beyond precedent, At Wilder's paper mill the water covered the floor of the paper vats, which were swept ont last night, and @lvot vridge over the Spicket at Butler & Robinson's wors' mula bas been carried away. Tie grea occusion lor anxk ety now 1s, as Was just remarked, tue fear that the fai) in the Merrimae for the list four hours is Caused by & serious gorge somewhere above, ALONG TRE CONNECTICCT. The Connecticut River 1s now clear of 1ce frony lyoke to the Sound, and the water 1s rapidly ding. y tue breaking up of the ice in Millers River at Athol on Sunday alvernoon a large quan. tity of lutabder and ei tty leet of the Muller's River Munulacturing Company’s drying boase Were Car. ried of. Several mouses and factories were fuoded. Tre damage is estimated at $1,200. & large quantity of ice 18 stil locked in, woici threatens W. A. Fisuer & Co.'s cotton mill and several bridges. Nearly two tuousand people Witnessed the passage of the ice, and @ cousiant Watch is Kept against further aamage. THR 10H INTACr af CONCORD—-THE WEATHRE FAVORABLE TO ITS SAFE DELIVERANCE. CoxcorD, N. H., April 5, 1875, The rain storm which prevailed yesterday cleared away in the night, ana the weather is now considerably coolen The river is still rising af che rate of about an inch an hour, bat the ice is not brokea up yetatall, Tne weather is consid+ cred favorabie Low, and apprehensions of an im- mediate freshet are not felt, THE MERRIMAC STILL RGING. MANCHESTER, N, H., April 5, 1875. it has rained incessantly tn this city and vicinity for the last twenty hours, The water ia the dler~ rimac is four feet deep as it Mowa over the dam at Amoskeag Falls, The river ts rapidly rising, but Uhe ice has not Started except for aout 209 roda above the fails and for naif a mitle below. Between Granite Bridge and the Norta Wier Ratiroad Bridge the broken ice has accumulated in large masses, 4 NEW RAILROAD RRIDGE BROKEN. SPRINGPIRLD, Mass., April 5, 1875. One span of the railroad bridge at Bardwelive Ferry, on the Troy and Greenpoint Raliroad, bas been swept away by the food, and the regular yunning of trains on the Hoosac Tunnel line, which began to-day, 18 therefore stopped until the briuge can be rebuilt. 4 SOLID GORGE NEWLY FORMED IN THE MEE RIMAC—DANGER TO STEAMBOATS, LawRENCE, Mass., April 5, 1876, AS Was expected a serious ice gorge formed tals evening in the Merrimac, about two miles above this city, and now makes @ solid barrier across the river, varying from five to six feet im neight, Attnis hour (balf-past eleven P.M.) it nas not Moved. The water at the dam, which at nine P, M. Measured eight eet ven inches over the top, bas been falling steadily during the past two hours, owing to the oacking up beland the gorge. Two steamers are in imminent daager of being carri over the Fails When the gorge gives way, waich, it seems, Must occur some time during the night. None vf’ the mills which are dependent upoa water power will 0@ abie to run to-morrow on account Of tae Dack Water. 4 Great Falis 3 te Paeeias tusee aa = at Jum of ice in the t Frreatet be ction of the Market sireet bridge, and large roe of men are at work this ovening blasting to break up the ice. DAMAGE TO STREETS 4ND SEWERS IX NEW PORT. Newpont, R. L, April 5, 1875, A coid northeast rain storm bas prevailed im this vicinity since last Saturday and considerable damage been done in the city streets and sewers, In some cases band ongines were brought mace ane ee me aan hel = of nj cellars of dw: nich bua! nd fooded. Toe storm cleared ap tais alter avon, OBITUARY. ANDREW A, HENDERSON, UNITED STATES NAVY. Andrew A. Henderson, Medical Director of the United States Naval Hospital, Brooklyn Navy Yard, died on Sunday alternoon, the 4th lust, at nis residence, near that iustitution, at the age of fisty-nine years aad one month. The remains will be .orwarded to Philadeipuia this (Tuesaday) morn- ing, 6ta inst, for interment. Medical Director Henderson was employed at the Naval Lavora- tory, Brooklyn Navy Yard, auring a numver of ears past. Me was greatly esteemed py his broter officers and @ wide circie of iriends in privaie society for iis ett du:y us au officer and as native and resident of the State or Pennsy! and was appointed to the government service from tuat State, His Grst commission beara date 17th of October, in the year 1839, und Ais latest, as Medical Director, 3d ‘of March, 1871, He had sixteen years and four Months’ service at sea, the date of expiration of his last crue being the month of September, 1465. CORNELIUS K. SUTTON. Another old mercnant of this city, Cornelius K, Sutton, bas just paased away at the age of sixty. He died on Sunday, aiter @ brief illness of oar months. Deceased was @ self-made man, who made bis Way in ite with industry, energy an invegrity, He Was well Known im Gnd was muca respected, DR. B ROSS ROBERTS, Dr. R. Ross Roberts, an eminent homeopathic nya i yf Patiade! died pela the evening Hi; sca) otae ath ane ot ery: ANOTHER SAD STORY. DREADFUL FATR IN JERSEY OF A PHILADEI- PRIA BRAUTY. Man's perfidy ana woman's misplaced affection, confidence aud fratity is once more iustrated by asvocking casein New Jersey, whioh 1s absorbing the attention of the Union coanty sathorities, and which will take the form of @ judicial investh gation to-day, Miss &, O, Stiles wasa nauve @ Philadelpnia, wh ne resided With her pareats, Sue Was Weil educated, Comfortabiy of, mixed in first class society aad is described by those whe koew ber as & person of remarkable beauty o both mind and manners. Sbe was but twenty two yeara ofage, Om March 22, she turned Gp i= Rabway and went to board with a Mra Jewell, witu whom sne Was Scquainted, Sue t et Jewell that sbe bad been married toa man Sriles, of Prineeton, and that fe was ooming OB in @ day Orso, ‘ihe day after her arrival, sae com. vere tile He maple inet ex Proauy Mrs jas wrong and put A POLNTRO QUASTION to Miss Stiles, askiog ber i she bad mot acted foolishly. The agony Of the young indy increased, 0 “satisiactory wer to the at last seeing th: ters we: her than a bevier turn, cai! in two respecta! medical practitioners, preser.beu, but Lueir meateies availed bo ge a a peedily oailed poor iri sw ® miscar: Tiage irom the elects, they agreed, of criminal male vice by SOwebody, She lived bill tae ext day, i Min, Gud taen vied In great sqouy. Belore her Bros joyram to on o drag clerk 1a Prmceton, fn ti Very i, likely to dle, and briedy gave ins: sto her ourlal, 1 ay was piaced in @ shipped to Princeton and waa bared residence of Mit Brosburg on Maren a any burial permit, Shexe cirowmeiancos came to the ears ot the auchorites, and (he shot ia thas Brosburg haa been arrested, ts held ort p to-day for a 6, ohatge 8 on death ot Mina Stil gouoe, 1s very. strong agawat