Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1905-04-08

-
8.-The Russian fleet under Admiral
Rojestyensky entered the China sea
from the Strait OF Malacca passing
this port this morning. They are
heading northeast on the Yokohama
WOULD CHEAT THE GoLLoWs. 7
Rooney Uses Pen Knife on Wrist In
cass County JaiI-Brought to Pen
Friday Night.
John Rooney attempted suicide in
the county jail after he had been
sentenced to be hanged by Judge Pol
lock last night. That his attempt
/. was not successful was due to the
vigilance Of the guards.
At o'clock this morning when the
guards opened the cell door to awak-
en- the condemned man and prepare
him for his trip back to the peniten-
tiary, the prisoner was found lying in
q pool Of his own blood. A pen knife
and q cash In his wrist told the story.
Rooney went to bed soon after mid
night. He appeared so quiet that the
guards did not entertain the slightest
suspicion that he would attempt to
take his own life. However, every
precaution was taken. Even the
glasses which he was wearing were
taken from him by order OF Sheriff
Hunt. It was feared that he might,
swallow them and in that manner
suicide. r.s
When first called this morning,
Rooney replied that he was dying and
would soon be with the angels. The
cell door was then hurriedly opened
by Tailor Richards, who at once no
ticed the blood on the floor.
"A message was sent to Dr. Vidal
and he appeared on the scene in a
! few minutes. In the meantime the
wound In Rooney's left wrist was
bound up and the flow of blood
stopped.
Sheriff Hunt was aroused from his
slumbere and at once went to the Jail.
He asked Rooney why he had at
tempted to kill himself. The prison
or replied that he did not want to
die on the gallows. He said that he
would rather die now than return to
his cell in the penitentiary.
4 will never be hanged" said Room
ey. sI will starve myself II cannot
kill myself In any other way
Then for the first time since his ar
rest in this city nearly three years
ago, the prisoner broke down and
wept.
The wound ii Roney's wrist II not
OF a serious nature. The condemned
man failed to cut in the spot that
might have resulted In sufHcient
/ loss Of blood In short time to cause
death.
When taken from the jail to the
train this afternoon Rooney looked
haggard. Last night he appeared In
excellent health and spirits and the
change this morning was very great,
He appeared weak. probably from
loss OF blood and the fact that he re-.
fused to partake Of any food.
The authorities are unable to &C.
count for the knife in Roony's posses.
sion. Not once was the condemned
msn out Of the sight Of the oficers3
from the time he left Bismarck until
he left this city this afternoon. IN
the train Last night. the prisoner made
frequent excuses 70 50 u the toilet
but Was always accompanied 81
Sherin Hunt and Guard Beaton.
Rooney spent the morning IN sing.
Ing songs Of his own composition.
He appears determined tx take Iii
I life and thus cheat the ga1lows and
says that the failure Of nis attempt
here this morning will result simply
in his resorting to other means.
Judge Pollock called at the 1ail this
morning after ne had heard of Room.
eys Attempt to take his own life ana
had long conversation with the
prisoner. Rooney stated that be Wa
getting what he deserved but denied
strenuousiy that he had killed Sweet
1T was Slim said Rooney.
When asked Who his two compaR.
ions were On the night the tragedy
occurred. Rooney replied that, hs
would never toll for, he said. that