Mercy death try fails

International News Photos (New York, N.Y.) · July 5, 1948

Milwaukee, Wisconsin.....Hugh Leach 55-year-old machinist, is shown at right, with deputy sheriff Louis Zuern, after being charged with attempted murder of his ailing wife. he and Mrs. leach, 61, both suffering from the effects of narcotics were found in gas-filled room of their home by her daughter of a previous marriage, Mrs. ed Liarman. after being revived by police leach told how he and wife reached an understanding as long as two years ago in which he told her; "if you have to die I will go with you. I will make it peaceful for you to the end." about midnight Saturday he said he gave her pain-easing injections, took some himself, then opened tank of butane gas in the room. a note left for Mrs. Liarman said; "-- there is no possibility of your mother living until morning. she is bleeding at the mouth. ---there are only a few moments left. it is not unpleasant to think that after all the pain and heartache, we will soon be borne into oblivion on the silent wings of sleep." Mrs. leach is in critical condition at the Hartford hospital.