The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-30
Failing in This He Later Tries
His Pen-Knife.
cAROLlNlAN is COMMENDED
Young Lieutenant johnson. Whose
Splendid Handling of Torpedo
Boat Elcits Praise, is Wei!
Known in Virginia and
North CaroIina-Open-
ing Of Oyster Season.
ing Of Oyster Season.


fspec,al Dispatch to The Times.)
WASHINGTON, d. c.. August 29-Jos-
cph II Feldsnlith, a lumberman OF NO.
rs York Place, Norfolk, Va, made two
upsuccessful attempts to end his life this
morning while passenger on the steamer
Norfolk" en- route from Norfolk to
Was shington. AS result OF the second
su.ci6al effort he now lies painfully IN
jired at the Emergency Hospitai here
Mrlarcholia with suicidal tendencies, is
assigned as the cause TO the man S en-
doavors 10 take his lie
Eeldsmith boarded the steamer at Nor
folk TO make a pleasure trip 10 Washing
ton Well dressed, apparently about
thITty-fve years Of age. he locked to be
IN the best of health and nothing strange
was noticed in his actions until the Nor
-uik neared Aqua Creek. He retired last
Fight to his stateroom shortly aiter the
steamer left Norfolk, and nothing more
was seen Of him until daybreak.
About 5 O'Clock this morning he arose
End went on deck. Shortly afterwards
ono OF the passengers, who had also risen
carly, saw the Nirginan attempting to
5i-r y over the railing. Several passengers
rushed to him and pulled him back, bare
~ in time to save him from watery
grave. Upon being summoned before the
captain, Feldsmith offered some eXplana-
tion fer his action, and was allowed TO
teiurn on deck. Orders were given TO the
r-Gw, however, to maintain a strict watch
on the passenger until the boat reached
Washington.
SECOND ATTEMPT
Hardly an hour had passed before Field
smith was again prevented from COM
niittirg suicide, though this time not I'M
til he had severely whacked his neck and
face with pen knife. One OF the crew
10
heavy thud and turning saw Feidsmi,h
lying in a heap on the deck. blood spurt-
Ing from cash in his throat. The deck
hand rushed III, to the wounded man and
succeeded in snatchng the pen knife from
his bloody grasp only after a struggle
Teldsmith was carried into one of the
cabins, and his wounds We're dressed by
the ships surgeon.
Increasing the speed of the Norfolk to
the top notch. Washington was made
ahead of schedule time, and the wounded
man hurried in an ambulance to the
Emergency Hospital, where his wounds
were again attended to and the patient
assigned to a ward. Fe!dsmith is still
very weak from loss of blood. but up
on inquiry at the hospital this evening,
It was learned that the physicians en-
terta!ned no fears for his ultimate re-
rovery.
Relatives OF F'eldsmith in Norfolk have
been apprised of his condition. and it
Is expected they will arrange for his re-
rnoval to his home as soon as he is able
TO travel. When seen at the hospital,
Feldsmth was opposed to discussing his
attempts at suicide. Asked why he was
weary Of life. the injured man replied
My mind is unbalanced and l am not
responsible for my acts when have these
Epells." The patient expressed no remorse
ror his actions. and continues in his
melancholy mood.
CARoLINIAN COMMENDED.
Lieutenant Rufus z. johnson. Jr. COM
r1anding the torpedo boat Biddle who.
with t-Commander Lloyd II.
Chandler, commanding the torpedo bout
notilla, and Lieutenant Stanford Z.
Moses. commanding the Bagley. have
been specially commended for their SER
vices in the naval n1anoeuvres by Rear
Admiral Higginson. is North Carolin-
Ian, having been born and raised in Lin
colnton, N c.. where his father is a
prominent Presbyterian minister. Lieu
tenant Johnson is quite a young man. and
graduated only a few years ago from
Annapolis. He was assigned TO the Ore
Eon, and was ensign aboard that ship
when sne made her famous trip from the
Pacific to the Atlantic to aid in the de-
dation of Rear Admiral F'gsinson is con-
taiaed il, a letter to the Secretary of the
Navy. IN which he saws: LAS regards the
Ragley and the Bidd'e. under the COM
mand of Iieutenants Moses and Johnson
reenectively. they have performed most
efficient service. having come under my
personal observation. being attached to
the main snradron at tho hase.
OYSTER PROSPECTS GOOD.
Reports of highly favorable charac-
Ter have been received in regard to the
prospects OF the oyster season in Tangier
Sound and the Eastern Shore of Virginia,
which opens next Monday. According
to the laws of Virginia and Maryland,
dragging or the use of the dredge cannot
be resorted TO until October 18th, but hun
treds OF oysterrnen are ready to begin
work early Monday morning with tongs.
Vessels laden with oysters are expected
70 begin their regular trips here next
Meek. In view Of the cool weather that
has prevailed for several weeks. the oys-
Ter dealers In Washington anticipate a
busy year from the outset 1t is said
.hat the oysters in the Virginia beds are
TAT, and have made splendid growth since
hst season
The Treasury Department has been ad-
y!sed that the recent preliminary trials
81 the Tascarora. the new revenue cutter
suiit for the government by the William
z, TriGg Shipbutiding Company. OF Rich
ncnd were highly successful The boat
nsde an average speed of l4.s knots an
heir, though her contract speed vas only
Il knots Work on the lightshin being
t..lt by the Petersburg Iron Works is
nearing completion. A date for ker for
nal delivery to the government Will soon
be set
Acting Superintendent OF Free Rura! De-
1Conttnued on Second pareO