DEATH CAME QUICKLY
Edward Seeley Found Lifeless In His Chair From Heart Failure
Sitting in an upright position as if enjoying a peaceful nap, with no sign of the throes of death upon his faces, Edward Seeley was found by Mr. Andrae Monday afternoon in his humble apartments on the upper floor of the house occupied by Mr. Andrae’s family at the end of Central Avenue.
As soon as the discovery was made Dr. Ward was summoned and made an investigation. No evidence of death other than from natural causes was apparent until the body was handled when the unmistakable odor of the deadly nitrate of Amyl filled the apartment. A cord was found on the floor which had been used for the vial containing the drug, but the vial was not found until the clothing was removed, when it fell from the clothing. Mr. Seeley had been a sufferer from heart disease for several years and recently the trouble has been exaggerated and for a week past he was confined to his room. His case had been diagnosed and he fully understood his serious condition. The disease caused frequent paroxysms of pain, to relieve which he inhaled the fumes of nitrate of amyl. Monday he suffered a great deal and it was while suffering from one of the sinking spells that he evidently in desperation took the medicine in his mouth with the hope of obtaining relief more speedily. The physicians are undecided whether death resulted from the drug as no post mortem has been held. The evidence of a peaceful death would seem to indicate that it resulted from the diseased condition of the heart. The conditions generally indicate that suicide was not premeditated.
A coroner’s jury was empanelled by Justice W.A. Pierce and after viewing the remains and adjournment was taken to Saturday afternoon. Funeral services were held yesterday at 10 o’clock.
Mr. Seeley was well known in the county, having made a canvass for the Republican nomination for Register of Deeds last year. He lived alone and prepared his meals in his apartments, although the family of Mr. Andrae lent him assistance and looked after him during his illness. He drove a spirited by team by which many people will remember him. He leaves one son, a resident of Saylesville. His wife was divorced and remarried and is a resident in the western part of the county.
Published in The Waukesha Freeman, (Waukesha, WI) October 7, 1897 front page
Death Was Not Premeditated
The coroner’s jury in the case of Edward Seeley met before Justice Pierce in Pierce & Daubner’s offices Saturday afternoon and listened to the testimony of Dr. J.P. Ward and A.P. Andrae. After all the facts obtainable had been stated the following verdict was agreed upon: “That Edward Seeley came to his death on the 4th day of October as the result of poisoning by nitrate of amyl administered by himself while suffering from severe pain, and that the said drug was not taken with suicidal intent.”
The members of the jury were Messrs. R.P. Boyd, John Williams, Samuel Boyd, Lynn Williams, A.H. Youmans and Edward Agen.
Published in The Waukesha Freeman, (Waukesha, WI) October 14, 1897 page 8
| 
