The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-08-26
A MANIAC BANKER,
or san Francisco, Creates CONSERVATION
on Passenger Train-ThToWs Money
Away and Pals Revolver.

or san Francisco, Creates CONSERVATION
on a Passenger TTatn-ThToWs Money
Awny and Pals Revolver.
CHICAGO, Aug. 25.--John d. Tollant,
the president of the Tollent Banking
Company. of San Francisco, is confined
in the East Chicago avenue station a
raving maniac, Locked in compart-
ment OF one of the cars of the overland
limited train which arrived AZ the
Northwestern depot at $3.50 o'clock this
morning the demented banker paced 10
and fro In the greatest excitement, oc-
caslonally throwing himself against
the walls of the ear and crying out in
mental agony until the train slowed up
on the depot tracks, when he was re-
moved 10 a waiting patrol wagon ana
taken to the station.
During his compulsory ride through
the north side streets the bank presl-
dent was held struggling on the tloor OF
the wagon, the strong arms OF two po-
lice officers being required TO prevent
him from escaping. Constantly enc
deayoring 70 tear himself loose from
the grasp of the officers, he was carried
to cell in the station house where,
exhausted from his efforts, he lay on
the floor mumbling incoherenuy about
the efforts he imagined We're being
made to advertise him as q notorious
criminal
Saturday evening the California
banker left for vacation In Europe.
He was TO meet his wife In Paris and
the two expected to spend the autumn
months In a tour OF the continent on
Sunday morning after the train had
progressed far on its journey across the
mountains, Tollant began to act queer
ly. He would stare blankly into space
for hours at time, refusing his meals
when they were offered TO him. Ocea-
sIonally he would twltch nervously and
start in his seat. His fellow passengers
We're alarmed by his peculiar actions
and notified the conductor OF the train.
It was decided to keep a close watch
over the man, but 1t was not expected
that he would become dangerous. This
state OF affairs continued for three days.
When questioned as TO his health,
Tollant would youchsafe a short, curt
reply TO the effect that he felt well.
He was taciturn In his manner, occa-
slonally bordering on inciYillty when
some service was offered him.
Yesterday soon after the limited train
pulled out of Council Bluffs, Iowa, the
passengers in the coach where Tollant
was seated were alarmed by the fact
that he was mutterlng loudly. Sud
denly he drew q $40 gold piece from his
pocket and threw II with great force
at his nearest neighbor. This was fol-
lowed by volley Of gold coin, which
was hurled at the fleeing passengers
Tollant pulled q revolver out Of his
pocket and ilourished II when he was
approached by the train hands. Way-
ing his weapon, the man started run
ming down the aisle of the car. Sud
denly he drew his watch from his pock-
ct and threw II at the persons VINO were
crOwding each other to get through the
coach door. Closer he approached the
few who were still in the car and who
were expecting momentarlly that the
maniac would pull the trigger OF the
pistol which was leveled against the
now closed door which prevented hin
from following the men and women
whom he had chased from the car.
While he was bending to again pick
up his timepiece has arms were seized
from behind and he was thrown struE-
Cling to the floor. Conductor p. II.
Clark had silently stepped down the
aisle from the other end OF the coach
and leaped on the maniac. The con-
ductor was followed by brakeman and
two passengers and the four succeeded
in dlsarming the unfortunate man and
connnlng him in an apartment.
When In the apartment the trainmen
found on Tollant two razOrs and S553,
Five $50 gold pieces which he had cast
at the passengers were also recovered.