Death by Mania A Potu
"Mr. John A. (H?) Carr, a respectable merchant of Florida, Monroe County, in this State, died in the calaboose on Wednesday night last. The circumstances of his death were very fully investigated yesterday by the coroner and proved to be in substance as follows:
Mr. Carr came to the city (St. Louis) several days ago and took lodgings at Mr. Curtis' boarding house and got into a drinking frolic, which brought on a severe attack of "Delerium Tremens." Dr. Simmons (?) attended him and restored him; and on Monday he was supposed to be convalescent. Afterwards it is believed he again took to drinking. On Wednesday evening he went to the Kentucky House, kept by Mr. Cummins and enquired for lodging. About ten o'clock he got up out of bed, apparently alarmed, drew a knife, and threatened the inmates of the house; Mr. Lewis, the keeper of the coffee house below was called in by Mr. Cummins, and after a struggle the knife was taken away from him. He then made a second attack on Mr. Lewis, in the course of which, Mr. L. struck him over the head with a stick, cutting the skin but not fracturing the skull or knocking him down. He was then sent to the calaboose; and shortly after reaching there was taken with a fit of which he died about one o'clock in the night-apparently without much struggle or pain. Doctors M'Dowell and Moore were in attendance on him during the night, and made a post mortem examination of his head yesterday. They state distinctly that he died by the effects of his dissipation, and not from any injury from the blow. The jury returned a verdict accordingly.
Mr. Carr was a man of respectable fortune and high standing in his county, was at one time Judge of the County Court, and for several years past has been largely engaged in the Santa Fe Trade. His only fault was his liability to get into a frolic, which however occurred but seldom. When he came to the city a few days since, he brought with him upwards of $100 in money, which he deposited with Messrs. J. & A. Kerr, about $80 of which he has since drawn out, about $14 was found on his person. We state these particulars because reports of a prejudicial character have been circulated witch are wholly without foundation. He leaves an amiable family and a numerous circle of acquaintances to mourn his unhappy fate.
The body was deacently interred yesterday evening, in the Methodist burying ground."
Source: Missouri Republican 20 June 1841, pg.2, col. 1, transcribed by Virginia "Ginny" Thomas