New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-28
A DESPERATE FIGHT FOR DEATH.
JOHN STEWART SLABS Observation-Disclosures UNTIl
HELPLESS.

JOHN STEWART SLABS MISUNDERSTANDING UNTIL
HELPLESS
Information was received at Police Headquarters
last evening that John Stewart, alias George Cole
man, the forger, who was arrested on Monday night
on charge of swindling the City National Bank oil
Dallas, Tex, had madc desperate attempt
to commit suicide at the Desbrosscs-st ferry house
while he was being taken out of the city. Inc
prisoner has been confined in ono OF the strong
rooms on the first floor of the Central Once most Oh
the time since his arrest. He had been quite uoce'
but extremely downcast. At night he mad peon
noticed pacing the floor of his room nervousiy'
John w. Spencer, a constable OF Dallas ar
rived in this city yesterday, and Stewar' was
formally committed to his care. Dir. Common, presi-
dent of the Dallas Bank, was to accompany opeh-
Ger and the prisoner to Texas. carriage was caieu
to Police Headquarters at $50 p. m ana stewart
was placed inside He was not handcuffed, because
he promised to proceed peaceably. MI
Common, Spencer, and Detective screams ,o
Reilly and Won Gerchten also entered te
IJpOn arriving there Mr.. Common got out OF tne
carriage and walked to the office WIN heilS h 10
intention of Mr.. Conner to go direct t
then take ' Steamboat The two Diet, detective tive
where Spencer said that he would place handcuns
on the prisoner, Stewart left the carriage with
Snencer and Won GerichteD, and was walking De
tween them toward the ferry mouse. when
ne suddenly threw up his right hand ana
plunged the blade of small knife into the rlg ~
side of his neck. stream of blood the SIZE OF a
small walking-stiek shot from the wound showing
that the blade had pierced an artery. Inc Two ON
GERS who were at his side were taken by SURPRISE
as they did not know that Stewart had ktI,e.
In a moment they were struggling wlte nun; me
weapon dropped from tho prisoners hanu, Out no
continued to fight desperately to prevent them from
stopping the flow of blood Won Gerichten shouteu
for Reilly, and tho three officers soon threw lhe
prisoner to the ground. He continued TO struggle
and to twist his head as they pressed ~ nc.
10 his neck The pavement and the clothing OF ,no
officers were smeared with blood before ote"art oe-
came too weak to struggle. ,.-,
1t was then feared that he was oyihg.
The men carried him INTO urug
store at Greenwich and Desbrosses 81, sts tn and
Reilly ran in search OF physician. he 'Iunu
one who was busy and would not 20 10 the drug
store although Reilly told him that man was
bleeding 10 death there. An ambulance was sum
moncd by telegraph. and Stewart was taken 10 ihe
New-YOrk Hospital, where tho surgeons sald that
he could not live He had continued to resist tne
attempts to save his life until he was too weak 70
move. The detectives q ID not know how the prs
oner became possessed OF the small penkniIe Win
which lie cut himself He had been searonee NJ
Police Headquarters and no knife was iOuha Oh
him. ,.
Stewart has been known 60 the police as pro
fessionaI urgar and forger for fifteen years. ne
has been in prison much OF his life since ne was
eighteen years old At different times he was con-
fined IN prisons At Auburn, Moyamensng anu
Cherry Hill. Stewart was identified ana arres leu
in this city BY means of Inda-nk marks on the
back of his hand.
Stewart died early this morning.