The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-09-26
TANNER CUT HIS OWN THROAT,
His Wife, Suing for Divorce, Had Had
Papers Served on Him Yesterday.

j.. L. Tanner. living at No. 1914 East
Tenth street, formerly a member OF the
firm OF Inman & Tanner. blacksmiths, was
taken to the City Hospital last night with
his throat cut from ear to ear, and hospital
physicians do not think he will recover.
The wound was inflicted by his own hand,
probably about two hours before he was
found by the bicycle police at Z o'clock
last night. At Tanners house they found
Mrs. Tanner and two boarders, w. j.
Spence and Fred Wetzel, a butcher en-
ployed by a grocer near by, pacing up and
down the lower rooms of the house and
wondering what Tanner, who had not been
seen down stairs since 4 o'clock, was do
ing up stairs. They feared that he had
taken poison or killed himself i'm some man.
ner. but were afraid TO go up stairs. not
knowing where he was and what he might
do. The police were advised to look for
trouble if he was yet alive. They went up
the stairs and called to Tanner, but got $40
response. They then tried the doors and
found the first one locked. They tried the
other one and upon opening 1t saw a grue-
some sight.
The bed and pillows were covered with
spattered blood and near the head was a
great clot. Tanner was not in the room
and they went to the room which they had
first tried TO enter. They got no answer to
their calls and broke the door open. There
was Tanner, lying on his back in a great
pool Of blood and a great cash in his
throat. from which the blood was yet
streaming. He was unconscious. TIL City
Dispensary ambulance was called and he
was quickly removed to the City Hospital.
AS soon as Mrs. Tanner saw what had
happened she tainted and was taken across
for. Tanner had gone into a spare room,
cut his throat and then entered the other
room, pulled down the window shades,
locked the door and h lay down on the
bed.
Tanner is about forty-fve years of age,
and among his friends has been considered
eccentric. Many of his actions have been
attributed to this, though 1t Is now thought
he was insane. 1t Is said he has long
treated his wife, who is said to be a wom-
an of kind and cheerful disposition. with
GOODNESS and indifference and frequently
quarrelled with her. He failed, 1t Is said,
to provide for her support and she was COM
PEELED TO take in boarders, w. j.. spence
and wife and Frederick WetZel, a butcher,
now boarding with her. Towards them
Tanner has manifested a peculiar attitude,
and at one time told Mrs. Tanner that Mr..
in the house outside of their rooms, ex-
cept TO eat their meals. He, however, said
nothing regarding this to either Mr.. or
Tanner that Fred Wetzel, the butcher,
should not come again TO the house, and
yesterday told her that either he or Wet
Eel must Qle. DuTliiS Tie lOltIOOu IAN
ner paced up and down the house, but said
little, aside from referring to the divorce
suit which Mrs. Tanner had instituted in
the Superior Court and which is yet pend
ing. Tanners actions had been such that
his wife feared he would do her some in
jury or would destroy her property. She
visited her attorney and he went into court
yesterday afternoon and secured a restrain
ing order. enjoining Tanner from disposing
of any of the household goods or In any
way Interfering with Mrs. Tanners board
ers until the hearing of the divorce pro-
ceedings. The papers were served yes.
terday about 3 O'Clock and shortly there
after Tanner went Up stairs and was not
seen again until he was found with his
throat cut. About two weeks ago Tanner
sold his interest in the partnership of Tan
ner e Inman and has since that time, Ii
is said, spent much time in drinking.