The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-09-03

to kill himself A few days ago he
tried to borrow a revolver from a North
wanted it for he said, Il want to kill
rats down in my house" There have
been no rats in North Topeka since the
flood.
Mr.. Blossom is not confined nor is he
under surveillance and he spends most
of his time in North Topeka, coming to
his house at night, but not staying at
home much during the day. His part
ner is carrying on the business of house
moving. which has been Mr.. Blossom S
occupation for many years Mr.. Bios
som comes around when his partner is
working, but does not stay long at any
time His conversation and actions all
indicate that his mind Is not right. He
does not remember some of his oldest
friends. An incident is told as charac-
teristic of his mental condition. He en-
gagged a North Topeka man named Tom
Wilkerson a brother of ex-Sherfff John
Wilkerson to haul some timbers. When
he and Wilkerson were about to load
the timbers. Mr.. Blossom said he had
changed his mind and would not haul
| the timbers.
'sWait and let me think a little" he
said, as he walked around the timbers,
apparently in deep study. Then he de-
cided he would haul the timbers, but
as soon as Wilkerson commenced to
load them, he again changed his mind.
In this way he vacillated for several
hours before he finally decided to let
Wilkerson put the timbers on the
wa~on.
1t is said that Mr. Blossoms mental
trouble is due to kidney and bladder
disease. With these disorders he has
been afflicted for some time. Some
| things indicate strongly that Mr. Bios
som himself felt that his mind was
giving way. Some weeks ago one OF
his fellow members of the council sug-
| gested that they walk over to North
Topeka together Mr.. Blossom replied;
Eyes, I guess I can walk over, but
tell you I'm not the man I used to be
I'm sick, and used UP. and don't know
what is the matter with me-"
| Some time ago Councilman Griley,
who IS out of town, but who is one OF
| Mr.. Blossoms most intimate friends In
the council, stated that he believed
there was something wrong with Jack
Blossom" This was before 1t was gen.
orally suspected that Mr.. Blossom :
mind was not right
DR.. L. A. Ryder. of North Topeka. has
been in charge of Mr.. Blossoms case
When asked today to make statement
concerning it, DR.. Ryder said:
II do not feel that it would be proper
for me to say anything. Mr. Blossom
is in very bad shape. I have not pre-
| scribad for him for about week. anc
1 do not know how he is getting along
What are the chances for his re-
well. I don't know. His condition
is serious 1t has been coming on grad
ually, and his relatives do not think
it is due to the effect of brood1ng over
the flood"
David Ove-myer, who is Mr.. Bios
SONS brother-in-law and who ha:
also been his legal adviser was reluc-
tant about making any statement u
won't say anything except that Mr.
Blossom is very SICK said Mr.. Over
m-rer.
do you think he will recover?"
Il am not a physician. and don't
know. He is in bad condition"
Mayor Bergundthal. who is one of Mr.
Blossoms neighbors, said:
L don't know much about Mr.. Bios
SONS condition except what 1 have
heard. He is said to be in bad shane
He has not resigned his position in tbs
city council. and I don't know whether
! he expects to-
Councilman s. r. Kutz, Mr.. Blossoms
colleague in the First ward. said: u an
afraid that Jack Blossom viii never vote
with US in the council again He is IL
bad condition"
Councilman Jack Blossom is one OF
the old time members of the city coun-