The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1899-11-24
TOOK POISON.
Chris Johnson Commits Suicide
in His Cell.
Was Locked up Monday Evening at the
City Hall, and Three Hours
Later Was Dead,

Chris Johnson, house mover OF
Albert Lea, committed suicide while
confined in a cell at city=ha11 Tuesday
night. The deed was evidently premed
itated, for johnson had in his posses
sion when locked up small bottle con
tanning one.eighth of an ounce Of
strychnine Inquiry at all of the drug
stores shows that it was not purchased
in Mankato, and johnson must have
had it with him when he came to the
city Monday.
johnson was locked up shortly before
$50 o'clock Monday and was giver
the front cage. He was slightly under
the influence ofliquor, but was locked ur
more on account of his actions than
for any other cause. He went down
Front street early in the evening and
stopped number of boys to ask them
where he could go to have some fun.
He wound,up by entering A. Pagel's
dwelling house, and the police were
then telephoned for. Officers Daniels
and Kelly found him at Kleinschmidt
q Mettler's saloon on North Front
street, and hustled him to the city hall.
When reached, $413 was found in his
pockets, besides good silver watch,
and some letters and private papers ad-
dressed to Chris johnson, Albert Lea.
He said that this was his name, and
that he had come from Albert Lea dur
ing the day. A half empty bottle of
alcohol was also among his possessions.
Officer Kelly found a bottle in John
sons coat pocket, but put it back
without examining it, thinking that it
was medicine, as prisoners frequently
have bottles of medicine with them. . if
he had examined the bottle, he would
have noticed that it bore a poison
label and had the printed words
sStrych. Sulp.'
Q johnson sat on the edge of the lower
bunk and did not move during the eve
ming. He asked for water a couple of
times. At about ten o'clock, Officer
Kelly noticed that he was standing up
close to the bars and was opening and
shutting his mouth. The officer told
Chief Bruels that the man was very
sickand he believed that he had taken
poison. The officers then searched
johnson again, and found the bottle in
his pants pocket, although Officer
Kelly had previously put it back into
his coat pocket The cork had been
pressed down into the bottle and the
latter was half empty. Some of the
white powder was found scattered on
the floor of the cell.
DR.. Davis was hastily summoned by
telephone, and as soon as he saw John
son he made up his mind that the man
had but short time to live, and that
efforts to save him would be useless
johnson directed that his clothes be
sent to his "folks" at Albert Lea, and
bid good bye to the police officers, say
ing. Boys, have to leave you.
When asked whether he did not wan,
to be sent home to Albert Lea, he sale
that he was ''going the other way" HI
died at 1890 o'clock, and the chief Of
police at Albert Lea was at once mott
fed by telegraph. The remains were
taken to John r. Thomas underta kinl
rooms 7AEE
johnson was apparently Ibetweel
forty and fifty years of age. He wa
dressed as laboring man, and seemed
to be cheerful enough when talking t.
several parties in the afternoon.
Coroner Kennedy was notified that
night and has been investigating tn
case. Unless Johnson's relatives de
sire that an inquest he held over tn
remains, he will not hold one, as it i
very plain that the case is one O.
suicide. o. ~ "