The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1883-04-24
CRAZY OR DRUNK.
That's the Question Officer Al.
Smith was Called Upon
to Decide.
The Strange Conduct Of j. w. Har-
din, q North Side
Carpenter.

Shortly after one o'clock yesterday aft r
neon a man in his shirt sleeves rushed up
to the City hall, and calling Officer AL
Smith TO one side told him thet
J. w. Hardin, who lives north and west OF
the Franklin school house, was either
crazy or drunk, and in addition 10 at
tempting to commit suicide had threatened
TO kill his wife and five children.
The messenger stated that he and an
other gentlemen were at work in the neigh
borhood, and that Mrs. Hardin had re-
pany, while the other was in search OF a
policeman.
Thinking only of the deeds of violence
that had probably already been committed,
Officer Smith hurried to the scene, accom-
panied by the messenger and BAzOO re-
porter. Arriving at the residence. Hardin
was found lying on a sofa, with his boots
on and In his shirt sleeves. and sitting i'm a
chair by the side OF the sofa was Mr.
M. Harter, who had gone to Mrs. Hardin's
assistance when he learned of the trouble.
"What's wrong, Mr.. Harter?" asked the
BAZ00 man.
"Oh, it's case of too much beer, guess
MB. Hardin is in the back room, and she
will give you all the Information you
want"
During this conversation Hardin had
been lying perfectly still, but
in an instant he was on his
feet and called out, "They shall not take
mel"
He was assured by Mr. Harter that no
one wanted to modest him, and it seemed 10
quiet him instantly, for he laid down and
was calm for several minutes.
Mrs. Hardin was then found, and on be.
ing Intercepted, told the following story:
II don't know what to make of
nay husbands conduct. He has
never acted this way before. This morning
he left home without his breakfast, and
did not return till after II o'clock. He
mad been drinking beer, think, although
this is the first time have ever seen him
intoxicated. When he came in the house
he said he wanted his revolver-that he in
tended killing himself. | secreted the wea-
pom, and this threw him into perfect rage.
He drew his penknife and swore he would
cut his throat, but ! grabbed and held him,
and in the scuff1e cat my finger. l then
got him TO lie down, after which / sent for
assistance"
"Do YOU know of any reason why he
should attempt suicideg' asked the report
CT.
NO, | do not. He is of very ex-
citable nature, and whenever anything
CUES wrong, his anger knows no bounds"
What is the cause of his anger in this
instance?"
I'VE intended purchasing a couple of
cows, but a miikman got in ahead, and this
annoyed Mr. Hardin not q little. He
talked about it this morning, but did not
anticipate anything like this"
HAS he ever mistrested you before %
"No, indeed. When he is at
himself he is as kind husband as any
one could wish for. He is good provider,
and We have never had any trouble like
this before. This is the first time / was
ever afraid of him."
"Do you think he would harm yOuw
"Yes, in his present condition he would.
He told me that he would just as soon kill
me and the children As TO look at
us. That is the reason / sent for
assistance. don't think he is
exactly in his right mind, for he said
he had swallowed poison before COM
ing home. He vomited some but q gentle
man who was here said all the poison he
had taken was in the teer he had drank
He told the children that he was going to
Texas this evening, but be never said a
word TO me-"
While Mrs. Hardin was talking, her
liege lord was spread out on the
sofa, seemingly Unconscious to all
Seeing that there Was
not any probability o further trouble, Of
fcer Smith and the reporter returned to
town, fully satisfied that Hardin was filled
with stale beer and pure cusssdness, and
that a few hours sleep was probably the
only thing needed to bring him to his
senses
In justice to the man it must be stated |
that this is the first time he has ever been
known to be intoxicated, Notwithstanding |!
his actions betokened the old-timer.