The Virginia Gazette

A most dreadful Instance of the Effects of Drunkenness happening here lately, we cannot avoid publishing it, as a Warning to others: One William Hunt, a Taylor, in this City, who usually was diligent in his Business, and maintain'd his Wife and Children decently, would now and then take a Frolick, and get drunk 3 or 4 Days together: In one of these Fits he happened to fall last Week, and continued much disguised in Liquor 'til Sunday Morning, when he staggered to a Neighbour's House, who, perceiving him in Liquor, prevail'd on him to lie down and Sleep. The People having Occasion to go out, lock'd the Door, and left him asleep. Some Time after he awoke, and finding himself lock'd up, had not Patience to wait, but rashly jump'd out at the Window, (in Church-Time) and broke his Leg, which was so much shattered, that several Splinters of the Bone started thro' his Flesh. A Surgeon set it; but by the Violence of the Pain, and Heat of the Liquor he was thrown into Fevers, his Leg was inflam'd, and it began to mortify: It was then intended to cut it off; but on a Consultation, he was judg'd to be too weak, that he cou'd not survive the Operation, so he was given over, and this Morning he died in a most lamentable Condition.