Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-01-08
HUNG HIMSELF.
JOHN MEREDITH COMMITS SUICIDE AT rBE
COUNTY JAIL
Suspended BY the Neck From III. Grating o. His
C,ll-heedih Was lnsan.-wOali
Probably Have Been Pardousd.

"My God! Jacks hung himself"
This was the exclamation OF Turnkey
Charley Miller, n eolored prisoner at
the county jail, to the night Waterman,
yesterday morning shortly before six
o'clock. The sentence OF two prisoners
expired yesterday, aud in accordance
with tho usual custom the men were to
be released about six O'CLOCK The
night Waterman awoke Turnkey Miller,
ana instructed him 10 unlock the cell
In which the two prisoners
were confined. The cell is ono Of the
second tier. In order to reach IL, the
turnkey had TO hrSt unlock tho lever
which bolts all the doors OF each tier.
The lock is on the wall outside cell No
10. 10 this cell was confined John
Meredith, who was convicted In the
United States Court, September term,
of passing counterfeit coin, aud SEN
fenced To confinement in the county
jail for six months.
The sight which met tho gaze OF the
turnkey, as he unlocked tho lever, was
shocking one. Meredith was
HANGING ny THE SECK
to the iron grating above the door of
tho cell. His face was turned In the
opposite direction, aud his feet nearly
touched the floor. lie had torn n strlr,
about four inches wide, and four feet
In length, from the wooden blanket In
/ bis cell. This he fastened about his
! neck, tying 10 at the ST de in slip knot.
! fastened tho other end Of
the strip OF blanket to the
grating about foot above his head and
then loosened his hold upon the bars
His neck was not broken, death result
| ing from strangulHtion. Tho unfortu-
nate man must have been determn ed
TO die, aS ho could easily have graSped
tho iron bars within his reach and
saved himself after the fall. His face
was cut aud one eye swollen from strik-
| Ing the door rs he swung about.
Jaller Woisgerber was Immediately
notified. He ordered the body cut
down, and placed on the cot in tho cell.
The body was still warm, although
LIFE WAS EXTINCT.
showing that thu rash act had been
committed but short time before.
| Sheriff A. 4. Franzhelm aud Coroner
Schultz were Immediately notified, and
were In tho Jail Office within a short
time. The body was brought TO tho Office.
aud Coroner Schultz, after hearing the
]
man and turnkey, decided formal i'm
quest unnecessary. About two o'clock,
Iiamm AZ Co., underwriters, prepared
the body for burial. and yesterday al
! teTnoon the remains were taken TO the
homo OF the family on EoG street, be-
tween Twenty Fifth and Twenty-Sixth
streets.
Meredith was unmarried and 80 years
OF age. He was nail feeder by trade,
but was last employed as motorman on
the Citizens Railway. 1t was during
the strike that he was arrested for cir
culatiDg counterfeit coin. lie was In
company with Harry Bowers, a con
ductor on the line, and tho two
disposed OF n considerable amount Of
the spurious money at different
places in the East End. Arrests follow
ed. At the September term OF the
SHIFTED States Court Bowers plead gull "
and was sent TO the State prison Al
! MOundsvllle. His accomplish stood
trial and was sent TO Jail for six months
His term was more than half expired.
MEREUITH's CONDUCT.
The crime was committed last spring
Meredith was released on bail, tut felt
his disgrace so keenly that he remained
about his HON o aud was seldom seen on
the streets. BrOoding over the situa.
ton was gradually causing him
20 lose his mind. This was noticed by
tho jailer when he was again placed
under his charge. His condition grad.
ually became worse during the period
OF his Incarceration. His favOratc oc
cupatIon was walking up and down the
corridors, and at times gazing blankly
at the walls.
Three weeks ago DR.. Campbell wa.
called 10 to make an examination, and
he pronounced the man insane. An ef-
fort was made to conceal the fact from
| the family, as an effort was being made
to secure his pardon, with good chances
OF success. DR.. CAmpbell's statement was
taken by Lafe Garden TO Judge jackson,
Of the United States Court. Judge
jackson wrote letter, stating that II
! Meredith was convicted at tho April
term ho should be released. q pom
learning that 10 was at the septic m Der
term, he replied that he would forward
the evidence In the case TO the United
States Attorney General for action.
This was done, and no doubt tho par
don would have arrived within a few
days.
Jailer WeisRerbcr tried 20 influence
tho prisoner In taking n hopeful view
Of the situation. but invariably with
out success. Meredith would reply
that no would be- rearrested when he
Rot out, and either hung or sent 20 the
Denitentiary. a brother died in the
asylum, and a sister is also said 10 have
died while Insane.
Read Geo. p. stIToi a. Co.'S special Ear
Sale ad this morning
a south sidor and Ills Dog
Young South Side man tolls o good
/ T..