The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1895-07-30
samuel Burr attempt. Suicide

have been noticing decline In the con-
dition of Samuel Burr. who has been in
prison since May last awaiting trial for
the murder of his wife. When first in
generated Burr picked up flesh rapidly,
but he now looks emaciated and haggard,
and this change is supposed to be due to
his brooding over his crime.
On Saturday afternoon, as Deputy
Sheriff John B. Townsend and Turnkey
William II. Reeves were going through
the jail, they stopped in front of Burr's
cell and spoke a few cheering words to
him. Burr said he was burning up inside
and would not be in Jail at that time on
Sunday, as he was going out. The matter
was laughed off as a joke and the men
passed on.
Confined in the same corridor with
Burr, is Albert Clymer, who is also await
ing trial for the murder of Bridget Doyle,
which occurred in Burlington In Decem-
Der last, and man by the name of APP
plegate.
Burr has been confined in the eastern
cell of the south corridor, on the floor of
which is fastened a large iron chain.
When matters became quiet on Saturday
night these two men, Clymer and Apple
gate, heard an unusual clatter with this
chain. The noise continued for some
time and their curiosity was aroused. Co.
| ing to the cell and peering in, they saw
the murderer lying on the floor, twisting
the chain around his neck, in the effort
to strangle himself. They Immediately
gave the alarm, when the Jail officials
hurried to the scene. The cell door was
unlocked and the chain removed from
Burr's neck. His face was beginning to
discolor and his tongue was hanging out
of his mouth. The effort at self destruc-
ton, however. did not iDjure him to any
extent. 1t was noticed that the mans
condition bad changed, as he did not talk
rational.
DIR. W. P. Melcher, prison physician,
was sent for aud looked the prisoner over.
He thought there was possibility of the
mans mind being somewhat disordered,
as he was apparently nursing some sort of
an haIlucination, but his insanity will be
inquired into later if bis pranks continue.
The Sheriff cautioned the prisoner to
behave himself and not to cause any fur
ther trouble. This he promised to do.
Before going down stairs, Sheriff Town
send requested Clymer and Apologize to
keep their eyes open and report if any
thing went wrong. Their vigil cost 8
nights sleep, for Burr was bent on self
destruction and tried to use every means
in his power to accomplish his purpose.
He knew he was being watched and
thereafter used more caution.
Matters became quiet for some time and
it was thought that Burr had gone to
sleep, so the other two men concluded to
90 to sleep also. The excitement kept
them awake, however, and presently it was
found that Burr was moving about his
cell and apparently up to some mischief.
On looking through the bars their sus-
picions were confirmed, as they found
their man preparing for another attempt
to end his miserable existence. He had
taken all the straw out of his bed and
piled it up IN one corner. They readily
imagined his purpose, and another alarm
brought up the prison officials in great
haste. Upon entering his cell he was
asked what he intended doing, when be
replied II intend to set FIRE to this and
burn myself up" Burr was then relieved
of his pipe and matches, and placed in an
adjoining cell. Again he was admonished
cause no further trouble. After this he
INDUCED in harangue for some time
and finally went to sleep. He was up
bright and early Sunday morning, and
the first thing he did was to make a third
attempt to take his life. This time he
used stocking, which he said belonged
to his WIFE, He was discovered by ely
mer and Apologize twisting this tightly
about his neck. Not knowing just what
he was using, they became somewhat
alarmed The could not get into his cell,
and while one ran to the door to give the
alarm, the other busily engaged throwing
water on Burr, which had good effect,
as it deslsted him from his purpose.
, Then he became mad at being thwarted
in his efforts, and before the door was I'M
/ locked he tried to break down the heavy
iron bars with his hands He soon
Gained down and remained as docile as 6
lamb.
l After eating breakfast he was allowed
to walk the corridor with his other two
companions, and it was not long before he
broke out again. Stopping in front of his
cell, he Invested himself of his clothing
and then said 1.-THE world in coming tc
. an end Do you want me to spit fire al
you? I am going to show you something
. l am going to show you blood am go
ing to take you all out of here in three
. minutes" Burr then put on his clothes
and when asked why he did not go out O
F, Jail as he promised to do on Saturday
, said ''The Lord couldn't get my bodl
, out"
The prisoner is being close ly watched
: New Jerseys Fish Laws.
= There is no law governing fishing in tn