The Topeka state journal., 1897-08-25
A MANIAC
ON A TRAIN.
Exciting Scene ON a Union Pa
ciffc Train.
Wealthy San Francisco Banker
Suddenly Goes Insane.
THROWS GOLD EAGLES
At the Passengers, Then Draws
a Revolver.
Passengers Rush From the Car
in Terror.
THROWS GOLD EAGLES

Chicago. Aug. 25.-John D. Tollant,
the president of the Tollant Banking
company of san Francisco, is confined
in the East Chicago avenue station a
raving maniac
Locked in compartment of one of
the cars of the overland limited train
which arrived at the Northwestern de-
pot at $50 o'clock this morning, the de-
mented banker paced to and fro in the
greatest excitement, occasionally throw
ing himself against the walls of the car
and crying out in mental agony until
the train slowed up ON the depot tracks,
when he was removed TO a waiting pa
troll wagon and taken to the station
During his compulsory ride through
the North side streets the bank pIesI-
dent was held struggling on the HOOr Oh
the wagon. the strong arms of two pO-
lice officers being required to prevent
him from esca ping Constantly en-
dea avOring to tear himself loose from the
officers, he was carried to cell in the
station house. where, exhausted from
his efforts, he lay on the floor mum
bling incOherentIy about the efforts he
imagined were being made to advertise
him as a notorious criminal
Saturday evening the California
banker left for a vacation in Europe
He was TO meet his wife in Paris ana
the two expected to spend the autumn
months in a tour of the continent on
Sunday morning. after the train had
the mountains, Tollant began to act
Queerly.
He would stare blankly into space for
hours at a time, refusing his meals
when they were offered him. Occa-
sionaIly he would twitch nervously and
start in his seat His fellow p9sSen-
gers were alarmed by his peculiar ac-
lions and notified the conductor of the
train 1t was decided to keep a close
watch on the man, but it was not ex-
pected that he would become danger
Gus. This state Of affairs continued for
three days.
When questioned as to his health, Toll
liant would vouchsafe a short, curt re-
ply TO the effect that he felt well, oc-
casionally bordering on incivility when
some service was offered him
Yesterday. soon after the limited
pulled out of Council Bluffs, Ia. TIE
passengers in the coach where Tollant
was seated were alarmed by the fact
that he was muttering loudly. Sud
denly he drew a $50 gold piece from his
pocket and threw il with great force t
his nearest neighbor. This was fol-
lowed by a volIey of gold coin. which
was hurled at the fleeing passengers.
Tollant pulled a revolver out of his
pocket and flourished it when he was
approached by the train hands Wav-
ing 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. Closer he ap-
preached the few who were still in the
car and who were expecting momen-
tarily that the maniac would pull the
trigger OF the pistol, which was 1aveled
in their direction However, the man
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 prevented him from
following the men and women whom he
had chased from the car Suddenly,
while he was bending to pick up his
timepiece, his arms were seized from
behind and he was thrown struggling
to the floor.
Conductor F. H. 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 paSSeng gers and
the four succeeded in disarming the un-
fortunate man and confining him in an
apartment.
When in the apartment the trainman
searched Tollant and found on his per
son two raZOrS and 1888; five $50 gold
pieces. which he had cast a the paSSen-
gers, were also recovered