The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-01-13
WANTED TO DIE
John Bayman Attempted Sui
eide Near Sedgwick.
He ONCE BAN FOR SHERIFF
Swallowed Drug in Presence
of His Wife.

John Bayman, an iron moulder and
formerly resident of this city, attempt
ed. TO commit suicide by taking morphine
about o'clock yesterday afternoon at
the home of A. X Hargett, two miles
south Of Sedgwick, in this county. Mr.
Bayman's wife was staying at Mr. Har-
gets place and he was there visiting
her. He took the drug in her presence
and in spite of her efforts to prevent him.
Mr.. Hargett was in sedgwick at the time
ana messenger was sent there for a
doctor. Mr.. Hargett heard Of the affair
and hurried home. By energetic meas
ures Mr. Hargett managed to keep Bay
man alive until physician arrived, who
administered antidotes. Bayman was
brought to this city last evening and
paced in the Wichita hospital. 1t is
thought there is little doubt but that he
vii! recover
Bayman formerly lived in this city and.
II is said, once made the race for the
Republican nomination for sheriff and
was defeated by but one vote He and his
wife, however, have not been living to-
sether for over year and he has been
rowing about the country working where
ever he could obtain employment.
little over year ago Mrs Bayman
went to Mr. Targets place and began
acting as hOusekeeper for him. Her two
sons, aged 4 and years, lived with her.
Mr.. Hargett says that she has been very
reticent and has never spoken to amount
to anything Of her husband On Christ
mas Bayman turned up and came to Har-
gets place and visitetd his wife several
days. He returned again Wednesday
evening and remained there until yester-
day morning.
Yesterday morning he took an early
train and went to Sedgwick. He remained
there but a short time and came to this
city on the Santa Fe train which arrives
here at SIS o'clock. He returned home
on the Il o'clock Santa Fe train. It is
supposed he obtained the drug in this
city.
Mr.. Hargett went to Sedgwick shortly
after dinner and did not know that any
thing had occurred until about o'clock
when the Oldest son of Bayman came to
town after a physician. All the physic-
dams were out Of their offices and Mr..
Hargett left notice for Dr. KanavaI to
come, as quickly as he could, and he
then hurried home
When he arrived there Bayman was
unconscious and was breathing slowly
He learned from Mrs Bayman that her
husband had taken nearly all the con-
tents of an eight-ounce bottle of NOR
nh in erit Of boy. eff, >
him.
Mr. Hargett saw that Bayman would
die if something was not done quickly
and he began to beat the soles of mis-
feet with heavy clothes brush. He also
gave him some hot coffee and compelled
him to move around until DR.. Kanaval
arrived and administered an antidote
Bayman did not recover from the
stupor and he was brought to this city on
the o'clock Santa Fe train. He was
taken to the Wichita hospital and it is
thought he will probably recover. His
condition, however, is said to be quite
serious.
It is said Bayman and his wife had
some trouble and that Bayman had
threatened before to kill himself. Bay
man has played in hard luck Of late and
has been very respondent. His Oldest
son said that his father told him Thurs
Jay night that he was going to shoot
himself The boy said he asked him not
TO and that his father said: Il viii not
shoot myself"
Bayman took enough morphine to kill
q half dozen men. He had an eighth
ounce bottle containing sixty grains. and
he took nearly all Of it. He simply
poured it out in his hand and swallowed
it dry His wife struck his hand and
tried to prevent him from taking it, but
was unsuccessful.