Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-03-08

DRUNK OR CRAZY
The Desperate Conduct Of an Old
Dutch Soldier.
A WOMAN SLASHED WITH A RAZOR
Attempts His Own Life With the
Same Weapon.
TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL
TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL

Suicide is epidemic. Mrs. Crook stared
out in that line Tuesday, Miss Keurla
ended her life yesterday. and now today an
attempt was made in the same direction
by John Vangilder. a retired soldier. He.
however, was not satisfied with trying 10
take his own life, but he made a bold effort
to add murder to his crime In thus en-
oeavoring to commit a double tragedy he
caused excitement in two households and
physical suffering in one Of them. John 10
a retired soldier, and in addition to being
afflicted with an unbalanced mind he ss
addicted to the use of beer in large GUAM
titles. At times he appeared harmless and
playful, and at other times he showed q
homicidal tendency. He was born in Rot
terdam, Holland, in 1885. and although he
mas served many years In the United
states army as a musician. he could speak
but little English, and during his several
years residence here had made but few
friends. He did not even know one street
from another, and about all he did. so his
acquaintances say, was to frequent saloons
and "speak-easies'' in the northeast section.
Several years ago he spent some time as
boarder at the house of Frederick Kline,
los l. street northeast. only a few feet from
the tracks of the Metropolitan branch Of
the Baltimore and Ohio railroad.
Being an ex-soldier Of good reputation and
a
in Soldiers Home. and he took advantage
of this and went there to live. But he was
unable to get along there. He continued
his dissipation to such an extent that his
conduct became unbearable and he was
warned that unless there was a change for
the better he would have to seek a home
elsewhere.
A Princely Air.
Receiving his monthly allowance, as he
did. from Uncle Sam, he assumed an air OF
independence that would have done Justice
to a millionaire. and instead Of showing
signs of repentance. he packed his grip and
sought a home at the residence of Mr.
Kline. That was about September last snd
until the Christmas holidays he conducted
himself in q manner that caused no COM
plain., but afterward be renewed HIS old
habit TO such an extent thar he made him.
self disaereeabe about the house So bad
did his conduct become that Mr.. Kline gave
him due notice that he must seek a home
elsewhere.
'Tll do better" was what he told the man
who had befriended him, land IL You only
let me remain till warm weather III so
back to the home"
This promise satisfied the Klines and thus
the old man was permitted to remain. But
ne soon got worse again. and then he was
ordered to leave. Yesterday was lis last
day at the Kline house
Mr.. Leonard Norton, the watchrnan at
the L-street crossing. who occupies a little
house near where the Klines live took the
old man in as an act of charity, and last
night he shared his bed with him.
Mrs. Kline Afraid of Him.
Nangilder arose this morning and ate his
breakfast and then went out presumably
to get some beer. About 10 O'Clock he re-
turned to the neighborhood and stopped al
Mrs. kline's. When he walked in the side
yard the sight of him badly frightened Mrs.
Kline, who rushed to the door and secured
IL before he could enter.
Let me in" he said to her. in German,
but she said to him: Go away"
All right" he said, and then he walked
out OF the yard and stopped i'm front OF the
mouse. Mrs. Kline could not see him from
the yard and so she ran out TO fasten the
gate behind him.
Nangilder. who had secreted himself near
the doorway, reached out and dealt the
woman a stunning blow, she supposed,
Just below the left eye. She staggered and
fell against the house, and when she re-
covered her senses she saw him closing a
razor which he held in his hand, but IL was
not until she saw the blood that she knew
ne had used the weapon on her. Then she
discovered that her left cheek had been laid
open and her eyes were badly discolored
and her face bruised
A neighbor soon appeared and dressed the
wound as best she could and later DIR.
Lochboehler attended her. In the mean
while the old soldier had gone into Mr..
Norton's house. The colored servant was
there TO greet him and he said to her. I'm
going upstairs and rest myself"
The Attempt Failed.
The girl suspected something wrong and
she called MIR. Norton to the house He
entered and went upstairs. only to witness
a CHASTITY sight. vangilder was occupying
the bed and in his right hand he had the
razor he had used on Mrs. Kline. He was
drawing the sharp instrument across lis
throat and the blood from the wounds had
made the bedding bright crimson.
What are you doing?" shouted Norton,
who was somewhat excited. stop thatr'
he cried.
And then there was a struggle between
the men and the razor fell on the floor. A
policeman was called in and the old man
was taken to the Emergency Hospital where
IL was discovered that although a large
quantity Of blood had been spilled the
wound was not a serious one.
The case was reported to Sanitary Of
ficer Frank and Vangilder will in all prob
ability be sent to the asylum. Should the
doctors fail to declare him insane he viii be
tried in court for attempting murder. He
has no relatives in this country.