OBIT: Alphonse SITTER, 1891, Altoona, Blair County, PA

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DRINK CAUSED HIS DEATH.
THE DEMISE OF ALPHONSE SITTER, YESTERDAY.
At the Inquest Which Was Held Upon His Body the Testimony Was to the 
Effect That on Friday Night He Drank a Quart of Whisky and Twenty 
Glasses of Lager Beer, Causing Death.
HE WOULD TELL NOTHING OF HIS RELATIVES
He Was a Machinist by Occupation and Was Employed at the Juniata Shops 
- Other News.

  A report was current last evening that a man of unknown identity had 
fallen to the pavement on Eleventh avenue, between Tenth and Eleventh 
streets, and expired, it being stated that his death was caused by an 
over-indulgence in alcoholic stimulation.  On going to the place 
indicated and making inquiry in the neighborhood, nothing could be 
ascertained regarding such an occurrence, but the information was given 
that a man had been suffering severely from over indulgence in 
intoxicating drink since Friday.  On inquiry at the Gilmore boarding 
house, rear of 911 Eleventh avenue, it was learned that the man had 
died at 5 o'clock in the afternoon.  It was further learned from Dr. E. 
E. Goodman, who was present, that the dead man's name was Alphonse 
Sitter.  Dr. Goodman stated that he had been called in to give his 
services on Saturday morning at 11 o'clock when the patient was 
suffering intense cramp in the stomach.  He applied the usual remedies 
in such cases and when he renewed his visit in the afternoon the man's 
sufferings were not so intense.  He was called again yesterday morning 
when he said it was evident to him that it was impossible for his 
patient to recover.  He told Sitter so and other boarders at the house 
endeavored to get him to give an account of himself and the names of 
his relatives.  He steadfastly refused to give the desired information, 
stating that he did not want to give his friends any trouble.  It was 
stated that he frequently talked of having relatives in Philadelphia, 
but never mentioned their names, or if he had they had been forgotten.
  Coroner Poet, who had been summoned, responded as soon as he had 
completed his work at the hospital and immediately after his arrival 
empanneled a jury, which after viewing the remains, which lay in a 
small room in the upper part of the house, and after examining the 
contents of a small trunk, and his clothing, heard the testimony of Dr. 
E. E. Goodman.  He stated, in substance, that he had been called in 
Saturday morning, and the same afternoon, and on yesterday morning and 
again in the afternoon.  That the man on Friday evening had drunk a 
quart of whisky and twenty glasses of beer, and that his death was 
caused by hemorrhage of the stomach caused by his over-indulgence in 
stimulants.  The physician testified that he had done everything in his 
power to save the dead man's life but that the hemorrhage was too 
severe to be controlled.  At the conclusion of this testimony the jury 
repaired to the dining room, where Mrs. E. Gilmore, the proprietor of 
the house, was sworn and gave her evidence, which is embraced in the 
foregoing.  Robert Wright a boarder at the house, and who attended 
Sitter in his illness, was also examined.  There was some discussion 
about the amount of money the dead man was supposed to have, and the 
disappearance of a $10 bill was satisfactorily explained by Mrs. 
Gilmore.  The body was given in charge of Undertaker Arthur and 
prepared for burial.  It is thought it will be interred at the poor 
house to-day.
  After the evidence had been heard the jury returned a verdict that 
the deceased came to his death from hemorrhage of the stomach, 
superinduced by alcoholism.
  Sitter was a Frenchman by birth, but it is thought he had been in 
this country some years, as he spoke English well.  He could also talk 
fluently in German, and it is said he was a well educated man; and from 
a number of articles found in his possession it is thought that he had 
seen better days.  He came to this city about a month ago and was 
employed as a machinist in the Juniata shops.

Morning Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Monday, April 13, 1891

1880 SD 1, ED 345, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County census -
James Mooney, 55  
Margaret Mooney, 42  
James Mooney, 22  
Mary Mooney, 9  
Ellen Hutton, 44  
Alphonso Seeter, 35, boarder, machinist, France, France, France  
Edward Mason, 66  
James McLourley, 24  
Albott Farnhare, 28  
William Anderson, 49  
Robert Hill, 26