The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-05-17
CITY INTELLIGENCE.
The WHARTON STREET AFFAIR.

INK WHARIOh STREET AFFAIR,
Further PartIcuIars-Botb PartIes In n
Fair Way OF Recovsry-POiner has
already put I'm n Plea OF "Insanity."
In addition to the details given by THE
EVENING TELEGRAPH yesterday afternoon, of
the attempted murder I'm the Second Ward, the
following particulars have been ascertained-
The building, small thTee-story brick dwell
Ing, No. 633 Wharton street, occupied by
an elderly couple, Mr.. James Schaffer and WIFE,
who had boarding with them twogrand-chil-
James Poiner, aged twenty six. The two latter
had been on the most friendly terms Of rela-
uonship during past ears, BUT gradual change
had come over the young man oflate, resulting
from some cause unknown, as he was ever
treated cordially and kindly by all. His dispo-
sitiop had become so irritable that, on the
slightest provocation, he would strike the
young lady, and even threaten greater evils.
Yesterday afternoon, q short time after l
O'Clock, Miss Holcraft intending TO visit
friends house, went up TO her room on the
third floor and commeIced TO robe herself for
the occasion. While in the midst of these pre-
parations Poiner, who had been conversing in
the lower story with Mrs. Schaffer, ran up
stairs, went into the room, aud after making
took from his pocket a small razor, and, hold.
ing IL out towards her, requested her to take IL
to her father below, who was in want OF one.
She refused, when he rushed at her, and grasp
ing her by the throat with all his force; he
attempted TO bend her head back: Miss Hol-
CT aft fotled him in this attempt, and, struggling
with all her strength, threw hiIn over trunk,
and fellwi him. Wilhelm that position Poiner
the face Miss Ho craft screamed aloud for
help. and fell faintng to the floor, while Poner,
in his desperation, commenced to hack his
own throat In the most horrible manner tear.
ing the flesh, opening the wtndpipe, and
almost cutting tue Jugular vein. With the
blood streaming down his body, and splrting
upon the wall, he tried TO escape. as he heard
He threw up the trap door, and with Jump
gained the attic, end cropping his way along
cHfp InS seeretea hi1sei oehind the
blood forming alarge pool beneath his feet The
first one to enter the room where the young lady
was lying (and 10 witness the horrible spectacle)
was the old grandmother, whose screams soon
brought to her assistan John Warner, visitor
at the house; he aided her in conveying Miss
Holcraft to the first story, where she was placed
on low cot. medical aid at once procured, and
every attention that kind and loving friends
Onicers Weston and schaeffer, not finding
Poiner in the room where the attempted MUIR
der was enacted, searched the loft, from which
he was dragged out only by main force. In try
ing TO get him through the trap he fell to the
third-story floor, and rolled down stalrstto the
next, where he lay tnsensible from the loss OF
& blood. at about hall. past q IL was thoupht
that he had expired; no breathing could be
detected; the pulse was scarcely perceptible to
Ihis me tSo0cn; SS;s and ID the body and limbs cold;
revived, breathing very hard. and foaming at
The upper stories wherein was enacted the
deed which resulted almostin double tragedy,
present fTighuul appearance. The floor of
the chamber is covered with blood, the strip of
carpet which led from the bed to the door being
perfectly saturated, and almost every article
figured by clots. Sprinlxed upon the walls,
ceiling: and trap.door, and scattered about on
the rafterS, are the red marks OF the bloody
trail which pointed out the retreat of the
would-be murderer and suicide il EF..t -
The winding stairs leading from the second to
the third stories. down which Poiner fell when
brought from the loft appear as II washed In
the life-stream which ran down the throat of
the wounded man. The appearances Of Poiner,
as he lay upon the second story noor with his
The house was p q scene Of Confusion and disor.
der, although the police officers present main |
tanned the greatest quiet.
AS soon as the bloody affair was discovered,
Drs. Guth and Walsh were summoned TO the |
Po,ner Sed pi infctsa deen and severe Sash
upon the chin of Miss Holcraft, the INSTRUMENT
having completely severed the lover IL. Up ana
fat on the young ladys neck saved her ltfe the
wound inflicted there being only skin deep.
She is In no danger at all, and is doing remark
Poiner, however, came quite near putting an
end to his own existence, and it Is not posi-
lively certain that he will recover, although the
chances are greatly in his favor. An opening
was made In the windpipe, and several OF the
smaller bIoodvessels were severed; but, fortu-
nately, his knowledge of anatomy was SO deLec..
tb we and did not Strike deep enough
About O'Clock in the afternoon Poiner was
removed to the Pennsylvania Hospital. At
this time ne was perfectly sensible, and couId
converse without any great dionity da Inc ne
cut another's throat, as we'll as his own; to
which be responded, under great excitement
The subject was not referred to again, for
fear the excitement 1t produced might result
disastrously to the sufferer. This morning, now
ever Poiner again spoke of ~ repeating tne
question. sI)id cut anybody else ?'
He was sansWered:-"Did you not say That you
did when you were brought here ?"
Poiner then stated that, about IL O'CLOCK
yesterday morning, he lay down to take nap.
from that time he could remember notnlng
that transpired until he was restored to con
sciousness and found that he had made an az az
TEMPT to take his own life. he steadily as
- claimed all knowledge OF the circum-
stances attending the affair ana was was
esnecially thrown into great eXcitement
when it was intimated that he had made an na
attempt upon the life of another person, as
well as himself SO great was his distress that ne
finaliy burst into tears 1t was judged lnexIpe-
dent to pursue the subject further, anu MISS
Holcraft's name was not mentioned
AssAuYr AND BATTRRY WITH INTENT TO KILL.-
An elderly gentleman, named James Moore'
residing on Front street, near mary, near rear
inc of the lenient manner In Wnlch Jel-
ferson Davis had been let of. pasted upon pHl,S 2
tree before his residence O picture settlng LorIu
the contrast between the two pTisons-Fortress
MonToe and Iibby-the comfortable manner IN
lfVv NO