Altoona Tribune
Feb 20, 1890


Found Dead


Clement J. Hickey Comes to His Death from an Overdose of Laudanum.

The dead body of Clement J. Hickey was found dead by two men on the porch of a house back of Fairview cemetery at about half past 8 o'clock yesterday morning. The men on first seeing him thought he was asleep and tried to waken him, when they found that he was dead, though his body was yet warm.

A physician was hastily summoned, but all that could be done to revive him was unsuccessful. An empty two-ounce bottle which had contained laudanum was found in one of his pockets. From all that can be learned it appears that Mr. Hickey had been drinking for several days, and, it is supposed, purchased the laudanum early yesterday morning from a grocer in this city. It is thought that on his way home he drank the laudanum and was overcome by it before he reached his residence, and his condition was not discovered until it was too late. It is the opinion also that on going to sleep his head fell forward on his breast and that his death was caused as much from strangulation as from the effects of the opiate.

He was aged about 32 years and was twice married, his second wife and two children surviving. He also leaves a child by his first marriage. He was a son of the late John Hickey, and is survived by his mother and a number of sisters and brothers residing at Eight avenue and Thirteenth street. He was a carpenter by occupation, doing work about the city.

Coroner Poet was notified of the deat and proceeded to the house where the body was, and empanelled the following jury; E.W.H. Kreider, Christian Yeager, Frank Richard, Patrick Tiernan, T.J. Tiernan and W.W. Dunmire. After viewing the remains and taking the testimony of a number of witnesses the jury rendereda verdict that death resulted from the use of strong drink aided by an overdose of laudnaum administered by his own hand, and that there is no evidence that the drug was taken with suicidal intent. The funeral announcement will be made tomorrow.


Altoona Tribune
Feb 21, 1890

The funeral of the late Clement J. Hickey will leave the residence of his mother, No. 1302 Eight avenue at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning to proceed to St. John's Catholic church. Interment in St. John's cemetery.



Pittsburgh Daily Post
Pittsburgh, Pa
Feb 21, 1890

Clement J. Hickey, a member of one of the best known families of Altoona, was found dead on the steps of the club house yesterday morning. Death was caused by an overdose of laudanum, taken to produce sleep. He leaves a wife and three children.