The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-01-16
Il. nj. M'KEE TRIES SUICIDE
A Travelling Salesman With $4,000
in Ills Pocket Cuts His Throat.

While in an alcoholic delirium, 7. M.
Mckee, a travelling salesman for the
Clarke O. N. 4. Thread company, last
night attempted to commit suicide in
his room al the Union Pacific hotel by
horribly slaslling his throat and making
long cuts in his abdomen with a razor.
When found in his room at midnight
he was sitting on chair, While in front
of him was Slop jar. He was lean
ing forward and bracing his head on
his hands While the blood ran into the
jar
Patrolmen Aye and Owens, Proprietor
Cramer and the night clerk of the no.
tel entered the room and found the de-
lirious man. He yelled and muttered
incoherentIy, saying that people We're
after him. Early in the evening he
had appealed to Major r. w. jenkins
for protection, and the latter noticed
that he was extremely nervous and
acted as if in great fear.
When found, Drs. NJ. X. Mitchell and
w s. Lindsay were summoned. DR..
Mitchell arrived first and closed the
wounds. They are OF a dangerous
character and may prove fatal Mckee
lay quietly while the wounds were eX-
amined and dressed. He muttered Oc-
casiOnally, but said nothing which the
physicians could understand. The
wounds on the neck were made in such
a way that it is remarkable that sud
den death did not ensue. Deep cuts
were made on the neck which stood
open and from which the blood flowed
rapidly. There were several of these
cuts which extended from ear to ear,
though none of them were connected
with each other. Strange as it may
seem, the juguiar vein or main arteries
were not severed. The abdomen cuts
were not deep. On account of the
mans f1eshy condition, the inner walls
of the abdomen were not injured. There
were two cuts which extended entirely
across the front of it.
This morning Mr.. Mckee was re-
Santa hOSDltAi
Knights ambulance, where he is now
resting as easy as can be expected
DR.. w. S. Lindsay, the attending ply
sician said in regard to his condition.:
THE throat cuts are serious. He had
literally haggled his throat with the
razor. The abdomen wounds are not
especially dangerous. He is resting
cOmfOrta bly, now and unless 4 sudden
change takes place, I have hopes of his
recovery. L would say that he is delir-
iOus from excessive alcoholism when he
committed the act. He has the appear
ance of that He may be addicted to
the use of opiates, too
He fully expected to die when the Of
ficers found him. for he asked that his
body be buried in Topeka.
Mr.. Mckee had with him in cash
S139. He also had a certified deposit
check on the Union National bank of
New York city for $500, a draft on the
Boatman's bank of St. Louis for 81, 100,
and another on a Kansas City bank
for 81, 800 were found.
He had a handsome diamond stud
and a gold watch.
From papers found in his grips it
was learned that his home is at 401
Broadway New York city.
Mr.. Mckee is a large man, rather
feshy, and wore a small mustache.
His hair was tinged with gray He was
well known in this city among the dry
goods merchants with whom he had
business dealings He was said to
have been a good salesman and of u
jolly disposition. He applied last ev-
ening at the National hotel for lodging
but as the house was full he had to go
to the Union Pacific hotel where he
was given Il room on the second floor.
This was about O'Clock last evening
At 10 he returned to the hotel and went
Immediately to his room. Shortly after
this he ran to Maj. Jenkins door for
protection. and at midnight was found
in his room in his dangerous condition.