Arthur Burt (1845-1896)

BURT, STALL, BAILEY, CARSON, MILLER

Posted By: Anne Hermann (email)
Date: 5/15/2009 at 14:21:03

Maquoketa Excelsior, July 28, 1896.

Morphine Poisoning

Drs. J. A. Carson and L. B. Carson were summoned to the home of Arthur Burt, who lives in the First Ward, this morning, to attend to a case of attempted suicide, accidental poisoning, or something even more serious. Mr. Burt was found in an unconscious state and was evidently suffering the effects of morphine poisoning. The doctors decided that the poison had been taken some time in the night and that the time for using a stomach pump or administering the usual antidote had passed. However, they gave him a strong coffee and an emetic, but as the poison had been so long in his system they had but slight hopes of saving the patient’s life.

The evidence goes to show that he had taken about fifty grains of the deadly drug, but whether by accident or design is not known. Mr. Burt is a man about fifty years of age. His wife is a morphine user, so that when Mr. Burt purchased a quantity of the drug yesterday at L. B. Carson & Co.’s store, nothing was thought of the matter, as they were regular customers.

Later article-

Arthur Burt, the man who took a large dose of morphine Monday night, as reported in the last issue of the Beacon, died about 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday. It was evidently a case of suicide. Dr. Miller of Preston, came up at the request of the oldest son of the dead man and made an examination, but decided it was not necessary to hold an inquest.

Rev. Henry Clark conducted the funeral services in front of the residence on Eliza Street, after which the A. W. Drips Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of which deceased was a member, conducted the body to the Esgate Cemetery, the services with the ritual of their order. Mr. Burt was born in the State of New York in 1845. At the age of seven his parents removed to Jackson County, Iowa. In 1863 he enlisted in Company G, 8th Iowa Cavalry, serving until the close of the war. He was first married in 1868, his wife dying in 1894. In April of this year he married Mrs. Maud Stall, of this city. Deceased leaves six children and a sister-the wife of Peter Bailey of the 4th Ward.