The herald., 1897-12-28
FEARED PRISON LIFE
AND TOOK A SURE METHOD IF
AVOIDING IT
Lowell Maxwell, Convicted Of Bur-
glary, Commits Suicide by Dis
emboweling Himself

RENO. New, Dec. 27.-A special to
the Gazette from Quincy, CAL, says:
In the county Jail at this place on Sum
day morning at Q o'clock one of the most
horrible tragedies known for years oc-
CURED. Lowell Maxwell had been con-
victed of burglary in the first degree on
two charges. one for entering the ex-
press office last October and taking an
express box out and robbing it Of $500,
and the other for entering the Welch ho-
tel in Humbug valley last September
and taking suit of clothes For the
offenses Judge Mclaughlin was to pass
sentence today. the 9th.
Yesterday morning Sheriff Bradford
gave Maxwell his breakfast as usual.
When it was finished the prisoner asked
permission to shave himself. This he
had been accustomed to doing since his
incarceration. Not suspecting any rash
act. Sheriff Bradford gave him a mug
and razor. Maxwell said he also wanted
to take bath and requested the sheriff
to get some water. When the officer
stepped out for the water the prisoner
called out to F. G. Hall, who was in the
sheriff's office in front Of the Jail, ana
said: Good bye, boys; good Bye
When Lee stepped to the door there
stood Maxwell in his cell with a fright
full cut across his abdomen below the
navel and his intestines protruding, a
spectacle most horrifying.
After the deed the prisoner stated that
he wanted to get rid Of this earth and
heaped curses upon those who brought
about his conviction.
DR.. Sponagle was called. but after o
hasty examination he pronounced the
Chesney, county physician. sewed UP the
intestines and dressed the wound, but
Maxwell died at 11:15 p. m.
Not only had the razor cut six-inch
cash in the abdomen, but the intestines
had been cut in four places, at one point
nearly in two.
Maxwell said he would have cut his
throat instead If he had not wished to see
his mother before dying. Besides his
parents he has numerous brothers, sis
ters and other relatives here, who are
sorely distressed by his crimes and the
deed. On Friday, through the efforts of
Sheriff Bradford and the advice of Hon.
w. w. Kellogg, his chief counsel, Max
we'll consented to reveal the hiding place
of the treasure taken from the express
box by him, on condition that he should
receive $4OO of the rs per cent reward Of
fered by Wells, Fargo & Co. That even
ing, handcuffed and shackled, Maxwell
accompanied the sheriff, Capt. Stone
and Mr.. Kellogg to the hiding place, and
that evening and the next morning all
of the treasure was recovered.
Maxwell's criminal career began in
1884, when he killed a man named Rabe
in saloon row in Greenville. For this
he was not entirely to blame, but he was
sent to prison for ten years. After serv-
ing six he was pardoned and conducted
himself we'll for a few years. but again
started on criminal career.
The fear of going back to prison was
the cause of his suicide. The robbery,
the trial and conviction of Maxwell upon
circumstantial evidence. his subsequent
confession and restoration OF the treas
ure, followed by his tragic deed this
morning, has kept the community in a
feverish state of excitement.