The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-03-16
HE MADE A BAD JOB OF IT
Bob Anderson Failed in an Attempt 10
Kill H mSelf
JUMPED INTO THE RIVER
But He Was Flshed Out i'm Time to
Do Some Tall Kicking and to
Look as Funny as Any
Punch Ever Did

MIssoULA, March ia limp and be-
draggled Swede, wrapped in horse blan-
ket, his teeth chattering like castanets,
his eyes wildly rolling, his hair hanging
IN dripping strings down the sides O. his
face, his form supported by a policeman
and friend-that was the termination of
Bob Anderson's attempt at suicide by
jumping into the MIssoula river this noon.
1t formed a comedy ending to what had
almost been a tragedy.
! Bob Anderson, the hero of this comic
tragedy, is a short, tow-headed. smooth
faced Swede, who has been officiating all
winter as cook in Goughnour's lumber
camp down the Occur d Alene branch. He
had been in town long enough to get
| soaked with beer and whiskey, and the
effect upon him seemed to be that he was
made almost insane. He made the
rounds of the saloons all night last night
and after he could swallow no more
booze he decided that life wasn't worth
living and that a man who could drink no
moro might as we'll be dead.
His deliberations upon this serious sub
ject must have led him to the con-
clusion that a trip to Hades was worth
trying, so at o'clock this morning he
went out on the bridge where ii spans the
north channel of the river and started to
climb over the railing. His attempt was
frustrated by young man who saw il
and he was led back to a saloon, where
he fell asleep beside a stove. Here he re-
NAMED until daylight, when he awoke
and found that once more there was room
inside MIN for drink. He proceeded to
put several drinks into his tank and
finally filed it up again.
He went around to several saloons on
Front street at noon and shortly after
and asked the proprietors for money. He
was terribly drunk and they wouldn't give
him any. After several unsuccessful at
tempts to raise money he started to GO to
the place where they don't need any.
Again he sought the bridge and again he
climbed the railing above the icy current
that swirls through the north channel of
the river. But again he was fooled. He
was seized and pulled from the railing
just as he was about to jump. He was
placed upon his feet and turned toward
the city again. ".-
He started off all right and his rescuer
did not suspect but that he would walk
back to his haunts in the saloon. I'M
steadily he staggered to the end of the
bridge and then, turning quickly, he
started down the alley back of the Ham,
mond building toward the brewery. About
70 feet down this alley he started to |
descend the steep bank which slopes TO |
the river. The bank was sleeper than |
he thought and he couldn't steer very |
well, SO he lost control of himself and |
rolled down the bank into the stream,
among the floating ice.
The shock of the freezing ice seemed TO |
sober him and he began to swim like a |
fish. He kept his head above water but |
the current carried him down stream, de-
spite his efforts.
His plunge had been seen from the
street and men ran with rope to tho rear
Of Hawkes. stable. As he neared this
point the rope was thrown to him and ho
grabbed it with zeal and vigor that ind
Gated his willingness to continue his resi- |
dencc on earth. But his strength was al
most gone and he lost consciousness as
soon as he reached shore. He was dragged
up the bank and borne into the stable.
where the water was squeezed out of his
lungs and respiration restored. He was
hen carried up TO the stable office. DR..
Grain was summoned and some hot whis-
key poured into the man. Then his wet
clothes were removed and he was wrapped
IN blanket. During the proceedings he
mad at first gasped little and then, as
returned, he begged to be
ct alone. "Let me alone, please. Let
me alone, please" he repeated time
after time. Then he became active and
ried to whip Billy Hawkes., DR.. Grain and
l STANDARD reporter. Then he wanted
% lie down.
Finally Officer Keim put him into q
hack and took him to the county jail
yhere he was laid in bunk and warm
ire started in the stove. Here he fell
asleep and was quieter than he had been
or several days. He is believed to be
ray from excessive drinking. The COM
,ination of the Missoua river and the
all ought to sober him up before morn
ng.
After he walked up at the Jail this after
loon he refused to discuss his action fur
her than to say that he had made up his |
nInd to die and that he will kill himself
IS soon as he leaves the jail. The man
las the appearance of being on the verge
II an attack of the delirium tremeus and
5 in ba shape. The men who nave been
Il the lumber camp where Anderson has
'een cooking, say that he has always
zen quiet out there.
When and How a. Go.