Photo found in book, "Death Scenes," titled, "Pat Gorman "Suicide" Denatured Alcohol"
On Monday, June 17, 1929, a newspaper article titled "Identify Rum Poison Victim" reported a tragic incident involving the death of a man from alcohol poisoning. The victim, Patrick McShane Gorman, 50, had been dead for about five days when his body was discovered lying near a stack of baled hay in a hay field located in the Bandini district, along Telegraph Road, east of the Samson Tire Company.
Gorman's body was found by two boys, Fred and Ralph Pulley, who were employees of the Los Angeles Gun Club. Upon their discovery, Deputy Sheriff A.L. Hutchinson arrived at the scene and found two bottles near Gorman—one empty and the other half-filled with what was identified as denatured alcohol. Hutchinson was able to identify Gorman using cards and papers found in his pockets.
The article revealed that Gorman was last seen alive working at the haystack, suggesting that he may have been there for some time before his death. Further investigation by the Coroner’s office confirmed that Gorman had been suffering from tuberculosis, which may have contributed to his physical condition at the time of his death. The unfortunate circumstances highlighted the dangers of alcohol consumption during that period, as denatured alcohol was often used in makeshift liquor during Prohibition.
