The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1897-05-08
AN ATTEMPT
AT SUICIDE !
Bloody Use Of a Knife Made in the
Lookup.
VICTIM TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL
A Large Arm Vein was Severed and the
would-Be Suicide Almost Bled to
Death--Found Unconscious in
a Large Pool of Blood

John Karnick a Polish prisoner in the
lookup made a desperate attempt TO commit
suicide in his cell early this morning by
jabbing himself iu the right arm with the
large blade Of penkniie He barely es
capped bleeding 20 death Karnick is 25
years Of age and unmarried. He resides on
West Centre street He was a prisoner un-
der charge Of breach of the peace and
surety. The cause Of his act is not known
as he has been unable to make connected
statement SINCE It is believed that either
disappointment in business or a fear Of
prosecution for forgery prompted it.
Constable Joe Peters, of VIM. Penn, had
arrested Karnick and he was much surprised
when he walked into the cell at about eight
o'clock this morning and found his prisoner
lying unconscious in great pool Of blood on
the floor of the cell. There were two other
occupants Of the cell one of them, Robert
Morgan Of Gilberton, stated that during the
early morning hours Karnick occupied the
top tier In the cell. He got down, sat on the
floor Of the cell, Morgan taking his place on
the top tier. Shortly after Karkick asked
Morgan for the loan of a penknife with
which to sharpen pencil Morgan gave his
knife and says It was almost Immediately re-
turned to him closed. At about o'clock
this morning Morgan found Karuick lying
unconscious in the pool of blood He tried
to arouse the man, but failed. Constable
Peters arrived soon after The latter SAYS
he carefully searched the prisoner before
locking him up, but found no weapon on
him.
Immediately upon making his discovery
Peters summoned nr. q NJ Hamilton, WHO
found that the man had all but bled to death
Restoratives We're applied, but it was fully
two hours before the victim gave indications
Of recovery. Dr. Hamilton subsequently
stated that he did not anticipate fatal re-
suit The wound that caused the hemorrhage
was on the right arm under the elbow joint
1t was about an inch in length and quite
deep. 1t severed the big vein of the arm
but was not quite enough TO cut the artery
DR.. Hamilton said the attempt was as near
suicide as it could be- The wound was
stitched and dressed and after Karnick had
sufficiently recovered he was placed in a
carriage and taken to the Miners hospital by
Constable Peters.
The facts leading to the arrest are CLEANED
as follows Karnick and Alex. Moculla
formed partnership and started grocery
business in one Of the Conville properties on
West Centre street Karuiclx claimed he put
9AAu lulo inc DualutsSf bul mtCulld Sdlu lue
sum was only S6i. Yesterday il was agreed
to dissolve partnership. Last night Karnck
went to Meculla's house in VIM. Penn and
during a dispute over the partnership affairs
the former 1t is alleged, threatened to beat
everybody in the house. warrant was
sworn out before Justice Green and the COM
plainant, Mecula insisted upon an imme-
diate arrest. Peters arrested Karnick on
| West Centre street between II and / o'clock
this morning Karnick was given hearing
before Justice Green and committed in de-
/ fault of $500 bail. He was placed in the
lookup at about two O'clock this morning.
When first arrested Karnick talked freely
about his troubles and showed a receipt foi
/ S110 purporting to have been given him by
Meculla. The latter declares the receipt is
/ forgery and a comparison of handwriting, il
is alleged, bears out the belief that the re
ceipt was written and signed by Karnck
This leads to the supposition that Karnicl
tried to commit suicide to avoid prosecution
on the more serious charge of forgery
Others believe that his mind has been over
balanced by troubles. Karnick was per
fectly sober when arrested and locked up.