The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1894-11-22
WHY HE CUT
HIS THROAT.
John Sitka Was Driven Desperate
by Want.
A CHANCE FOR RECOVERY.
The Man Calmly Smoked a Cigarette
When He Believed His LIES
Blood Was Ebbing.
\ CHANCE FOR RECOVERY.

The story told by John Sitl1a, the Hun
garian who cut his throat at Yatesville
yesterday, was one OF great privation aud
hardship Sitka was homeless man and
when he attempted to take his life it was
only, as he says, after every door had been
closed and he had spent fifteen nights in
the bushes and had little or nothing to
eat for almost a week. Yesterday he ap.
pealed to several people at Yatesville for
assistance, but failed to secure any. He
was turned off as a professional beggar.
The outcast stole table knife at one of
the houses he visited and while resting at
the Yatesville station of the Lakeside
Railway he concluded to end his exist
ence. The knife was sharp one and cut
deep into the throat, making a cash
about three inches long and almost sever
ing the larynx. DIR. W. n Stein put
eight stitches in the wound. The victim
exhibited wonderful stamina and while
the cash was beir~ stitched did not give
the least indication OF suffering.
Constable Giolin of the First ward was
otified of the case by the motorman and
conductor of Lakeside Railway car, who
stated that Hungarian was sitting in
the station at Yatesville with his throat
cut and smoking a cigarette. In company
with j. j. Reilly, the constable went to
Yatesville and found Sitka lying on the
highway between the Lakeside and Lee
high Valley stations. The man was GOV
cred with blood from the horrible wound
in his throat and was apparently very
weak, but still conscious. The Knicker.
booker colliery officials furnished the
stretcher and resident of the neighbor-
hood contributed a quilt for covering.
The victim was then placed on an electric
car and brought to town. After receiving
treatment in the Borough Council cham
Der he was taken to the Lehigh Valley
| station and sent to the Schuylkill Haven
| almshOuse
Before the train left, Sitka told a re-
porter that he left his wife and child in
the old country about six years ago. He
went to England and remained there
about year, when he came to the United
States. Three months later he was struck
by train near New York city and suf'
fered the loss of his left leg. After his
recovery he wandered about the country
in search of employment, but failed to
| get any. He eventually drifted into the
coal fields and sought employment in the
| breakers, but at each place was
told that young people were wanted
for work. For several months he made a
practice of soliciting aims at the colliery
pay offices and with his collections he paid
his way at cheap boarding houses but
the aid gradually dwindled and finally
| he found himself without funds. Fifteen
weeks ago he found himself without
shelter and he sought a place on the
mountain near the Kelley Run colliery
| He burrowed a place beside large rock
which sheltered him from the storms and
during the day he visited the town and
begged food. Monday night, he said, was
bitterly cold on the mountain and he
concluded to make another effort to Sc.
cure shelter in the town. This proving
unsuccessful he decided to take his life
After slashing himself he smoked a
cigarette he had begged and calmly
awaited the end. Notwithstanding the
character of the wound the man has a
chance for recovery.
A search of the clothing revealed &
slip of paper bearing this address
"Jozef Krysztopowicz, East Centre
street, 430." The party named scknowl
edge that Sitko remained with him q
! ew days, out said he was only charita
BILE guest.
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