The San Francisco call., 1897-08-26
A San Francisco Banker
Now in a Sanitarium
Near Chicago.
Death of a Son and His Wife's
Absence in Europe the
Supposed Cause.
A Raving Maniac on the Train He
Attempts to Injure Passengers.
Friends Are Caring for Him.

| CHICAGO, ILL. Aug. 25.-John d. Tai
liant, the president of the TalIant Banking
Com pany of San Francisco, is confined in
| the East Chicago-avenue station, raving
| maniac. Locked in a compartment of one
of the cars of the overland limited train.
which arrived at the Northwestern depo.
at $3.50 o clock this morning, the demented
| banker paced to and fro in the greatest
excitement, occasionally throwing HIM
self against the walls of the car and cry
ing out in mental agony until the train
slowed up, when he was removed to a
waiting patrol wagon and taken to the
station.
, During his compulsory ride the bank
president was held struggling on the floor
OF the wagon, tie strong arms of two po-
lice officers being required to prevent him
from escaping. Constantly endeavoring
to tear himself loose from the grasp of the
officers he was carried to cell in the sta
tion-house, where, exhausted from his
efforts. be lay on the floor. mumbling in
coherently about the efforts he imagined
were being made to advertise him as a
notorious criminal.
On Saturday evening the California
banker left San Francisco for vacation
in Europe. He was to meet his wife in
Paris, and the two expected to spend th e
autumn months in a tour of thee ointment.
On Sunday morning, af er the train had
progressed far on its journey across the
mountains, Tallant began to act queerly.
He would stare blankiy into space for
hours at time, refusing his meals when
they were offered to him. Occasionally
he would twitch nervously and start in
his seat.
His fellow passengers were alarmed by
his peculiar actions. and notified the con-
ductor. 1t was decided to keep a close
watch on the man, but it was not expected
that he would become dangerous.
This state of affairs continued for three
days. When questioned as 10 his health,
Tallant would vouchsafe a curt reply to
the effect that he felt well. He was very
taciturn in his manner, occasionally bor-
dering on lncivility, when some service
was offered him.
Yesterday, soon after the train pulled
out of Council Bluffs, Iowa. the passengers
in the coach where Tallant was seated
were alarmed by the fact that he was NUT
tering loudly.
Suddenly he drew $40 gold piece from
his pocket and threw it with great force
at his nearest neighbor This was followed
by yolley of gold coin, which was hurried
at the fleeing passengers.
Tallant pulled revolver and fourished
il when he was approached by the train
hands. Waving his weapon the man
started running down the aisle of the car.
Suddenly he drew his watch from his
pocket and threw it at the persons who
were crowding each other to gain exit
through the coach door.
The few still in the car expected mo-
mentarily that the maniac would pull the
trigger of the pistol, which was leveled in
their direction. However, he did not fire
his revolver. He would stoop and pick
up his watch and throw it again and
again against the now closed door, which
kept him from following the men and
women whom he had chased from the
car.
Suddenly, while he was bending to again
pick up his timepiece, his arms were
seized from behind and he was thrown
struggling to the floor. Conductor +. II.
Clark had silently stepped down the aisle
from the other end OF the coach and
leaped on the maniac. The conductor was
followed by brakeman and two passen-
gers, and the four succeeded in disarm ing
the unfortunate man and contining him
in an apartment.
The trainmen searched Tallant and
found on his person two razors and $533
in coin. Five $40 gold pieces which he
had cast at the passengers were also re-
covered.
Mr.. Tallant is about 45 years ole, and
impresses one as being a vigorous, pros
porous man Of business. After the strain
of experience through which he had Just
passed he is physically exhausted. Deep,
dark rings are abou. his eyes, ana his face
wears q blank, tired expression. When
he has recovered sufficiently to warrant
s. o1 Do otrijI ha lyay, r.
tion hospital until he RECEIVERS or his
friends advise the thorities. The i'm
preston is that Mr.. TaIlant's attack is
only temporary and is probably the out
come of too close application to business.
Tallanrs condition grew worse as the
day progressed. lie became very violent
and constant watch had to be kept TO
rangements have been completed for his
removal to the Detention Hospital. 1t is
probable the bankers OF this city Will have
him placed in private asylum.
DR.. Frank S. Churchill of $50 Division
street called at the station for a hurried
examination of a prisoner. He announced
he had been sent by banker, but did not
give the name.
The demented banker became worse in
the afternoon and constant watch had
to be kept to prevent him from harming
himself. At 2:30 O'clock a dispatch was
received from San Francisco by @. A.
Tinkham. cashier of the National Bank of
America, directing him 10 take charge of
Mr.. Tallant, and stating that arrange
ments had oeeE made for his removal to
Lake Geneva, Wis. Friends of the banker
have also received dispatches from San
Francisco and will see that he receives the
best of attention un It'll the arrival of his
friends, which will be at an early date.
AT 3 o'clock an ambulance arrived and
preparations were made to take him to the
depot. Mr.. Tallant was seated at his desk
in the turkeys office busily engaged in
scribbling notes, which irom time to time
be folded and handed to some one to de-
liver at once. He was humored for while
but refused TO leave the station.
DO you think l want to go up there
and let Il em cut my head off, he
shouted, at the same time wildly waving
his arms. When assured that no one
wouli harm him he said: "Yes thew will.
They said hey would"
He was finally induced to go to where
the am bulance was in waiting. Here the
crazed banker created another scene. He
fought desperately, striking right and left
with clenched hands. After time, how
ever, he was forced into vehicle, Dur
ing the ride to the depot Mr.. Tallant had
TO be held by the officers. He evidently
labors under the delusion that Some one
is following him, threatening him with