Los Angeles herald., 1905-02-04
CONVICTED NEGRO
CUTS HIS THROAT
MARRIAGE EXPOSED, HILL
SEEKS DEATH
FEARS SEPARATION FRoMWlFE
Prisoner Infliets Probably Fatal Inc
Iuries Upon Himself After Be-
ing Disciplined by
Jailers

In a fit of dependency over the
thought that he would never again be
was recently married, Archie Hill, a
half-breed negro, under life sentence in
the county Jail, on a charge of murder,
yesterday afternoon attempted suicide
by slashing his throat and wrists with
razor.
He was taken to the receiving hos
pital as soon as the guards discovered
his injuries and an operation was per-
formed. Little hope is entertained of
prolonging his existence for more than
a few days.
The thought of suicide is said to
have come to the negro shortly follow
ing the arrival of the sheriff at the
Jail yesterday morning. The sheriff
was informed by his deputy of the
secret marriage of the negro which
occurred several days ago in Jail and
orders were given to put Hill in the
dungeon for few days as a disci-
pline.
AS Hill was being taken from the
sick ward to the dungeon one of the
guards is said to have told his pris-
oner that he would never again be al
lowed to see his wife and this is sup
posed to have caused the negro to at
tempt suicide.
Tells of Marriage
At the receiving hospital following
the operation, Hill spoke few words
and made his ante-mortem statement
to Under Sheriff Yonlkin.
II was married during November" +"
said Hill, "and there was no one pres
ent but my wife. myself, the preacher
and woman attendant. They were on
the outside of the screen and / was
in the pen.
Following my marriage I frequently
met my wife in, Jail. Several days
ago / had someA altercation with a
guard and was sent to the dungeon
for discipline, but later was allowed
the freedom of a trusty and put to
work in the hospital ward, as 1 was
sick.
Yesterday when the sheriff returned
and I was told that I was to be put
in the dungeon and not be permitted
to see my wife L could not bear it
and hid the razor with which I was
permitted to shave myself in my cloth
ing. When the guards left my cell, in
fit of dependency, I slashed my
throat and left wrist"
Disciplined for Marrying
Under Sheriff Yonkin said that, pend
ing his application for a new trial,
Hill had been regarded as a trusty
and was simply sent to the dungeon
as a discipline for taking advantage
of his liberty and marrying.
Hill with other prisoners who knew
how to shave We're allowed the use
of razor twice a week and Hill in
some way managed to secrete the
weapon in his clothing and carry it to
his CELL
Hills first request was made in writ
ing as he lay upon the operating table
and was desire to see his wife.
The wound in the negro's left wrist
failed to sever the main artery and
with the exception of the cutting of
number of small veins only small
wounds were made. The wound in the
throat was nearly five inches long and
extended across the windpipe.
Surgeons have some hope of Hills
recovery If pneumonia complications do
not develop before the wound in the
throat heals.
Wife Visits Him
Hills wife reached the Jail late yes
terday afternoon and was permitted to
see her husband. "Oh why have you
done this" she cried. "You have
broken my heart" The woman re-
mained with her husband the greater
part of the evening and was present
when Rev. A. A. Kidder came to the
JAIL at the request of the wounded
man, and offered prayer for him.
Il cut my throat in fit of de-
spondency and am sorry that did it,.
whispered Hill to the minister 'I feel
that l will be forgiven both for the
murder and for this deed and, although
l feel that 1 am dying, 1 wish that /
might live long enough to show my re-
pentence."
Sheriff's guards spent the night with
the man in order to prevent another
attempt at suicide and special per-
mission was necessary from the sheriff
before anyone was allowed in the room