1894: Mrs. Carrie (Fyfe) Phillips, of New York

EITHER SUICIDE OR FATAL ERROR.

Mrs. Carrie Phillips Died from the Effects of Too Much Laudanum.

Mrs. Carrie Phillips, who for more than a year has been boarding at 49 Seventh Avenue, died early yesterday morning in St. Vincent’s Hospital, from the result, it is presumed, of taking a fatal quantity of laudanum. She was talking with her father, Col. Fyfe of West Thirteen Street, about 6 o’clock Sunday evening when she suddenly became very illness and relapsed into a state of coma. Dr. Talson of 46 Seventh Avenue was called, and he advised that she be sent to a hospital.

A careful examination convinced the physicians that she was suffering from some form of opium poisoning. Every effort was made to restore her, but she died without having gained consciousness.

On the table in her room was found an empty vial which had contained laudanum.

It was learned that Mrs. Phillips had been accustomed to take both morphine and opium. Some months ago her leg was broken and both drugs were used to relieve the pain.

It is said that Mrs. Phillips threatened to end her life several times. She has not lived with her husband, who is in the produce business with his father in Washington Street, for several years.

The police officials do not believe that Mrs. Phillips was the victim of a crime. They think it was either a case of suicide or else that too great a quantity of the laudanum was taken by mistake. Deputy Coroner Weston, as a result of his examination, expressed the same belief. Mrs. Phillips was twenty-six years old.

Source: The New York Times, New York, New York, Tuesday, January 2, 1894