A Deadly Dose
Fred Strickland Swallows a Quantity of Morphine in a Glass of Beer.
– Eau Claire Weekly Telegram | November 3, 1898

About noon to-day Fred Strickland generally known as “Silver,” was found unconscious in a room in the Sterling Wine House.  He was seated in a chair, with his feet on a table.  On his person was found a package of morphine.  It seems evident he had taken a heavy dose.  The proprietor tried to wake him but failed.  Dr. Selbach was summoned and endeavored to relieve the patient’s stomach of the drug, and Dr. Montgomery, arrived later, assisted, but the labors of the two doctors were in vain, and Strickland died at 1 o’clock.   The body was laid on the table, and Undertaker Fleming was sent for. A crowd gathered.

The body of Strickland was removed to Fleming’s undertaking parlor, on the North side.  Justice E.C. Weston instituted an inquest, John Sather, Ed Ure, M. Keefe, Geo Thomas, Theo Olson, and F.T. Gilbert composing the jury.  The inquest was adjourned at 4 p.m. A young man who claimed to have been an eye witness of the affair was reported as saying that he saw Strickland place a quantity of white powder which he said was “morphine, to steady his nerves,” in a glass of beer, and drink the beer.  It was also said that Strickland had visited three drug stores this morning in quest of morphine, securing it on the third place visited.

The deceased was about 25 years of age.  The other members of his immediate family are his parents, two brothers, and a sister.
 

Chad's Take: Steady Does It

I wrestled with this story for quite some time to figure out why I found it so interesting.  Sure it features Mr. Strickland, a man with a cool nickname (Silver), but it also has a sad ending for Mr. Strickland.   I finally settled on the bizarre fact that in 1898 you could simply wander into an Eau Claire drug store and grab some morphine right off the shelf.  Today it would not be so easy for you, because if you wanted to find some morphine or any controlled  pain pills you would have to go through a huge process of finding a high school kid who would sell you some. 

I also found it hilarious that Mr. Strickland was forced to add morphine to his beer to “steady his nerves.” Call me old fashioned, but I thought that was what the beer was for.