The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-07-30
TRIED TOEND HIS LIFE CARTER YET At LARGE
An Old Man Makes Three Unsuc-
cessful Attempts.

An old man who gives the name or
Simpson, and his age as sixty-three
years, made desperate effort to COM
NIT suicide about six o'clock last
evening near the site of the Currier
mill on Skunk river, seven miles east
of Oskaloosa.
The old fellow first used razor on
his throat and finding that this did
not have the desired effect he took
out his pocket knife and deliberately
jabbed it into the neck the entire
length of the blade. He severed some
minor veins and punctured the wind
pipe, but he did not reach the jugular
vein as he had hoped.
He bled profusely, but finding that
death did not relieve his sufferings, he
was attempting to get down to the
river to plunge into the water and try
drowning when he was found and TAX
en- into nearby house. Medical at
| tention was summoned from Rose Hill
and then the man was brought to this
city to DR.. Windle, near the Jail,
who sewed up the wounds and gave
the relief desired. AS there was no
hospital to which the old man could
be taken he was placed in one of the
sick wards of the county jail, where
he is now lying.
A Herald representative visited the
old fellow in Jail this morning, but it
is impossible to get any definite in
formation from him. Asked where he
lived he said that he lived any place
where he could get work. That was
his home.
The man is small in stature and
features and appears quite aged. In
reply to a question as to why he want
1 ed to commit suicide he stated that
he was old, couldn't work and was dis.
couraged When he saw other people
working he was disconsolate and he
finally determined to end his life.
The man was taken to the Office OF
DR.. Windle about 1890 o'clock this
morning and the wounds were dress
ed. The man probably talked more
to the doctor and to officer James
Glass than to any others. Officers
Joe Fisher and Deputy Dick Cricket
were also present. He gave the doc
tor the name of John Simpson, and
said he had lived in Chicago and
parts of Illinois and Iowa. He had
looked around and saw so much work
to be done and he could not work. He
was out of money and had no friends
and no one would do anything fol
him. Enemies were on all sides. He
/ stated that he had relatives but he
would not tell who they were mol
where they lived, as he did not want
them to know of his acts.
Three wounds were found on the
neck. The man had used the razor
first and made cash about two an
| a half inches in length and had gone
to the wind pipe. This had caused
hemorrhages until he had tainted
from loss Of blood. Regaining con
seriousness he had taken his knife tc
make another attempt. Placing the
point of the knife Immediately over
the throat he held the knife in posi-
4 ton with one hand and drove the
DlduS uSSp l1IO LAlC LII OCLI "AIAl 1AS
other hand by striking the end Of the
handle.
The man speaks good English and
appears to be one who has seen bet
ter days. The wounds though severe
are not fatal, and he will recover. He
is suffering much to-day and the
throat is very painful. 1t will cause
him some suffering befole fully heal
ed. He can take liquid food but that
is about all.
The old man was brought to this
city by Brown Stout and Alonzo
Montgomery. He had started to go
to the Currier home on the top of the
hill for drink and fell from weak
ness. He was assisted to the house
and DR.. Wright, of Rose Hill, attend
ed him first.