The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1903-05-26

But he was cured, and for eight or
ten years since Sloan was compare
lively healthy, and during this period
moderate amount of whiskey was
his only stimulant.
Sloan was one of the most original
characters imaginable. He coined
phrases of his own, and even in his
worst condition he would attract
attention by his conversation.
Among the experiences he now and
then related to his friends WAS one
about an attempt to commit suicide.
Becoming despondent i'll Chicago,
when his cocaine habit WIS at it's
worst, he resolved to drown himself.
lie jumped into the lake soon after
dark, bnt being an excellent swimmer
he found that he could not stay down.
He dived to tho bottom many times,
| but would always come to the surface
| before the breath loft hem. Finally he
| resolved to swim out 40 far that he
could not get back. After being in
the water for somo time he began to
cool off and when good way from
shore and his strength began TO leave
him Sloan changed his mind. He
was feeling better than he had felt
for some time and he did not want to
die. He turned and started for the
shore. 81 made it," said he, "but
there was SO little margin that thore
was no fun in it,"
None Of the many experiences
which Sloan went through seemed to
do him more good in the telling than
one which he said occurred in Texas
town, He had been working in a
neighboring city for some time and
was i'll pretty good circumstances
when he arrived at the place in ques-
tion. There he found small show
q woman and $50 snakes of assorted
sizes. The outfit was in trouble be-
cause the Texas sheriff was demand
ing S25 tax from the Texas Snake
Queen upon the pain of closing up
her performances. Being of Il sympa.
thetic disposition, Kid, learning the
facts in the case, arranged for the
authorities to attach the $50 snakes
and allow the Queen to give her per
formance until she raised money
enough to pay the tax. Sloan lef
town in a short time, with the Snak,
Queen doing only moderate bust
ness. III never saw her again unit
abont year later, down here a
Raleigh" said he. "I went into
snake show there and she recognize,
me. l walked up to the stand wher
she was handling big python an
spoke to her. She was glad to Sc
me and after recalling our meeting
IN the Texas town, she laughed an
said: What do you suppose tha
Texas sheriff did with my $50 snakes
| left the whole outfit on his hands
| have often wondered myself whe
, a county would do with varie
assortment of $50 snakes left on il
> hands under mortgage"
"One Of the closest calls evel ha
. in my life," said Sloan, "was with
} circus. I went to sleep beside tn
t tigers cage. He walked up beiol
, l did, and if his toe nails had bee
a half inch longer | would ha,
n needed wooden overcoat instead
a a new suit Of Clothes"
Sloan was known in printing ci
= cleH in every state in the union AT
was generally we'll thought of.
recent years he had lived in Chariot
s where he worked steadily. In fec
: it was only when out Of job tb
i" he could be seen on the streets, al
@ then he appeared like fish ont
,. water. Like his cocaine habits,
d quit the road "for keeps" and W
% apparently we'll satisfied when
q. work.
% For four or five years kid" III
a. the Rev. DIR. John w. Stagg we
. strong friends, and it was throus
~ the influence of Dr. Stagg that SIo'
"a obtained and retained regular OF
'r ployment on the Presby terian Stan'
/. ard. The reeking Bohemianism
"Kid' touched tender spot in d
Stagg, whose life has not always bee
r. q bed Of roses and who never fonI