The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-11
Frightful Results of a Boiler ExpIo.
sion in Kosciusko County.
One Man Instantly Killed and Two Others
Horribly Mutilated-News Gleamings
in Indiana and Illinois.
INDIANA
Sanford Toll Ends His Life by Hanging
Himself in His Cell
Special tO the Indtanapols InurnaI


Special to the Indianapolis Journal
MUNCIE Dec, 10.-The interest and excite.
ment which have all along been attendent
upon the trial and conviction of Sanford
Toll, an old citizen of this county, was in
tensfied this morning when it was an
nounced on the street that he had commit
ted suicide in the city prison, in which he
was to be confined until he should be taken
to Michigan City, Last spring he was ar
rested by Sheriff Mckinney to answer to the
charge of malicious trespass, brought against
him by a neighbor with whom he was con-
tinually in trouble. While taking him to
the courthouse, Toll drew revolver
and for the prompt action and self-com.
posure of Mckinney he would have been
shot Toll was, however, disarmed and
placed under arrest for assault and battery
with intent to kill. His trial came up few
weeks ago and he was convicted of the
charge and sentenced to two years con-
fnement in the State Prison North, A
strong plea of insanity was made in his be-
half, but failed to save him. His attorneys
and friends believing that he had been un-
justly sentenced and that his crime was
prompted by uncalled-for prosecutions and
tantalizings by certain of his
enemies, made a strong effort
to secure executive clemency in his etor.
The Governor was petitioned by a large
number of citizens in this city and county,
to pardon the prisoner. The pardon was so
earnestly asked and by so many of his neigh
bors, that Governor Porter came up and per
sonally interviewed Mr.. Toll, but went away,
believing him sane, and therefore decided
not to grant the reprieve. Toll then gave
up all hope of freedom, and began at once to
plan Self-destruction. He had, upon several
occasions previous to and since his convic-
ton, stated that he would never 90 to
the penitentary, but would die first
Accordingly, at an early hour this morning
he with table knife cut a rope from the
window casing and attached it to an iron bar
in the wall of the jail Then, getting upon
chair he tied slip-noose in the rope and care
fully adjusted it about his neck and jumped
from the chair, He fell but a foot but with
force sufficient to break his neck Marshal
Robinson's son went into the prison with his
breakfast at few minutes before o'clock
and was startled to find the form of Sanford
Toll hanging against the wall, dead, his feet
within two inches OF the floor. When cut
down by the coroner his body wasstill warm
His friends at Eaton were at once telegraphed
and came in this afternoon for the remains
which were taken to his home. In his vest
pocket was found small portion of pounded
glass with which it is supposed he intended
to take his life should the rope fail. Mr..
Toll was seventy-two years of age and, al
though eccentric and passionate, he was a
kind neighbor, never known to mistreat any
one inclined to be fair and reasonable with
him. His tragic death has intensified the
feeling against his prosecutors and the opin-
ion is freely expressed that to them is his
death due