Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-08-23
CUT HIS OWN THROAT
WILLIAM sUTLERArvEMprs SUICIDE
WITH KNIFE AND NOISE.
A Former Richmond Man Repeats 81
Bsawood, W. Vs., an Ebert OF Two
Years Ago to End His Lifes

William Butler. formerly resident OF
this city, employed most revolving means
In an attempt to take his own lite at Ben
wood. w. Va, on Sunday Eight. The bull
letin on the DIsPArcH's board about the
affair attracted the attention OF hundreds
yesterday, but gave only a mesgre account
OF the affair. A special received by this
paper last night says:
Zone Of the most deliberate attempts at
self-destruction that has ever occurred in
Benwood. W. Va. took place there at 1880
o'clock Sunday night. The people were
terribly excited over tho affair. William
Butler. aged about AZ years. who came
here from Chicago, H., had been imbibing
too freely with liquor until he became
crazy with deluium tremens.
SEVERED HIS wrsDPrpE.
"He had not been In the city but short
time when he went into Mayor Manood's
consulting-office at Central station and
drew from his pants pocket az old, rusty
Barlow knife and completely severed his
windpipe close MP to his chin. lie was
discovered by Lieutentant William Casey
walking about tbs corridors holding
handkerchief to his throat. The Lieu
tenant, noticing something was wrong Win
him after he had locked him up IN one
of the cells, examined him and found his
throat cut. DR.. Erkey was summoned and
put four stitches in tho wound, and good
hopes were entertained for his recovery
until this afternoon az o'clock, when the
Waterman had occasion to go out OF the
station. During his absence Butler tied
handkerchief to the top OF his cell and
around his neck and tried to hang himself,
"a 4. 10 a m a
adjoining cell, who gave the alarm, death
would have been his fate.
LETTERS The ONLY CLUE.
" He tore all stitches in his neck loose,
and In horrible condition, with the
gaping wound IN full view, he walks
through his cell raving maniac. and will
not state what his business is OF where any
of his relatives reside. The only way in
formation can be gotten from him ~ by
letters that he has that are from brother
Mt Goshen, Va, and his mother. 1929 Floyd
avenue, Richmond, Va. He may die at
any moment. He is near feet nigh,
weighs about 40 pounds. round-shoul-
dered, darkish hair. gray eyes. Two
of-Policc Lewis Goech telegraphed But
ler's parents this evening" bat no answer
has been received"
HIS AOIdbh kDNlSLD VI Ibb affair."
A DISPATCH reporter late last night called
at the residence of Mrs. Isabella ". Butler,
No. 1929 Floyd avenue. where he saw Sis
ter OF the man. She stated that her mother
had received kilograms in regard TO the
attempted suicide, but did not know what
To advise the authorities at Benwood.
Butler has wife and two or three chill
dren who now reside in Washington,
where he lived until very recently. He
was huckster IN the capital city, and only
about six weeks ago came to Richmond to
see his relatives. He remained here three
weeks and left for Chicago, where, he
said, he intended to lead better life.
ATTEMPTED SUICIDE BEFORE.
Only two years ago Butler tried to kill
himself by cutting his throat while IN
Cumberland, Mass. IL was not thought
that he could possibly recover, and the
wound he received has ever since so in
terfered with his drinking that he has
many times come near strangling. Butler
lived in Richmond up to the time OF his
marriage. which was nearly eighteen years
ago. His mother and sister are refined
and highly esteemed ladies and have much
sympathy in their affection.