Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-10-18
Thomas King Makes an At
tempt to Commit Suicide.
Hit on Head by Oar and Saved
from Watery Grave.
Swan Three. Fossihs Of Miis-E Escaped from
Officer Arresti.g Him.

rearing tndt ne Woulu NC dTIeSleO Luz
intoxication and while under the influ-
ence of liquor, Thomas King of Water
Kennebec, yesterday afternoon, with
the probable intention of committing
suicide. King wanted to die, it ap-
pears, but why he did not put his head
under the water and wait far the inev-
table he alone can tell. He swan Il
distance of three-quarters of a mile
and it was not until he was hit on the
head with an oar that he could be
rescued. The man will live.
King, up to within a few days, had
been employed at the Togus Home by
NJ. c. Foster, the Waterville contractor.
Leaving this position he entered the
employ of Fred Boynton, who resides
in the vicinity CT the Home. Filling
up with liquor he came to this city, and
was in very much intoxicated condi-
ton when he was arrested by Deputy
Marshal Grover for fast driving near
the City hotel, about 4.30 o'clock.
. AS King showed an inclination to 81
voluntarily to the police station, Mr..
Grover did not think it necessary to
handcuff him. All went on serenely
until the station door was reached,
when with a whoop and jump, he
made a dash for liberty, leaving his hat
behind him.
The man, hatless and with his hair
in dishevelled state, rushed like mad
across the bridge and as far as Moody's
stable. Entering the building he went
down the slip to the floor where the
horses are kept. Deputy Grover fol-
lowed in pursuit and caught up with
the man as he was on the point OF
jumping from a wash-bench in the
stable a distance of at least % feet to
the shore below. Grover appeared.
The man jumped and was thinking of
some way of getting out of his perdica-
ment when the officer again appeared,
the latter taking a circuitous course by
the RAILROAD bridge.
When King discerned- the brass but
tons he jumped headlong into the river,
going as far as the middle and. then
swan down. The current was quick
and swift so it was not much exertion
on his part to make progress. Grove,
was within six rods of him when the
man rushed into the water.
The alarm was given and the news
spread like wildfire. The attention of
people passing on the bridge was called to
the man and two boats were brought into
play. The first boat to strike out was
one containing the cook of the govern
ment dredge Quebec and another man.
BY this time King was on the ''gravels,"
so called, it being low tide, in the middle
of the river opposite the steam mill. The
two men pulled with might and main for
the point. The cook believing that the
man surely wished to get in the boat.
sung out to him. The man with vile
epithet said that if he were taken the
boat with it's occupants would be tipped
over At this, the cook thought that if
| the man wished to die it was none of his
business so he pulled for the shore.
In the meantime the second boat, con-
tanning Sidney Grant and Ben Cloutier.
| was gradually nearing the man. They
had heard the mans remarks and deter
mined to take him ashore at All hazards.
King, on seeing the second boat, dove
into the water. The men pulled and called
| for the man to stop. But he wouldn'
| and didn't until he was struck on the
head with an oar and sank below the
surface. Coming up, he was taken into
the boat and conveyed to the east shore
near the arsenal wharf. By this time
Patrolman Randall, who had heard OF the
affair, and who had run down the east
| bank, suggested that the man be taken
to the mess house at the arsenal, which
| was done.
The man was taken up stairs and was
given a good rubbing down by Uncle
Sans soldiery. Warm, dry clothes were
procured and blankets were brought into
play. During this time the man was like
a raving maniac. 1t required the efforts
of four strong men to hold him in subJec'
ton at one time. In short time, whef
he had become warm, he was able tt
talk and told his story, although at time:
he was quite reticent. He acknowledged
that he had been drinking heavily ant
said that he did not realize what he wa'
doing. DIR. G. M. Randall was summoned
and, last evening, he was taken to tn
home of Louis Butler on State street, ant
was getting along nicely.
On Kings person was found a silve
watch, which was keeping good time ant
was uninjured. despite the ducking tina
| its owner had been through.
The man was dressed in light pair o
pants, with a greenish coat and vest. Tn
hat. which he left behind at the station
door, is the kind worn by cyclers and ha
the appearance of being newly bought.
King is said to be quiet, peaceabl
fellow when sober, and was formerly
Waterville resident. He is unmarried, bu
has a father and several brothers.
To Save Money.
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