The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-07-09
TO BUTT OUT BRAINS.
Vim. stolznlan, Charged with EN-
bezzlement, Tries to XIII Himself

William Stolzman, the man with the
extensive criminal record who was put
in the Shawnee county jail for safe
keeping over Sunday, made a bungling
and futile effort at suicide Saturday
night. Chief Carver of the Rock Is
land detective service, brought Stolz-
man in. and took him to Pratt Kas.
last night where he will be tried for
embezzlement.
The trusty who gave Stolzman his
breakfast Sunday morning told the
Jaller that the man was bleeding from
wounds in his head. When questioned
he admitted that he had tried to kill
himself by butting his head against
the wall. Carl Lawson, the jailer, de-
cided to watch the man.. and went in
the cell with him. While the officer
was in the cell the prisoner made an
other attempt, and was thrown down
and sat upon by the officer. Two trus-
ties came in and assisted in holding
him. Stolzman either had or feigned
Mt, and writhed under them while
they were holding him on the bed.
Sheriff Lucas came in and poured a
quart of ice water over the prisoner.
This Gained him down, and he seemed
rational when taken away. by the Rock
Island officer. The injuries he had
inflicted by butting his head against
the cell walls were slight and of no
consequences
Stolzman has a long list of crimes
to his credit. Several years ago he
was tried in Fort Scott for the MUIR
der of r. ]. Morrison, postmaster of
Pawnee Morrison was evidently muir
dered for the purpose of robbery. Sus-
picion was fastened upon Stolzman.
who was a telegraph operator at that
! place, and he with his helper, who was
about Stolzman's age, was arrested.
/ His associate was released after the
preliminary, but Stolzman was bound
/ over ffpr vi
charge, but many people living near
Pawnee declare that he is guilty.
Stoltzman had been in small trouble
before that and afterward he was ar
rested in Kansas City for stealing a
valise from an employment office For
this he served term in Jail. After his
/ release he went to work for the Rock
] Island as operator and worked in and
near Topeka for some time. Two years
ago he was employed at Maple Hill by
the Rock Island. He gave satisfactory
service while there but became infat-
uated with a daughter of the agent at
that place and when the agent left for
town on the Santa Fe, he left the Rock
Island and secured employment with the
Santa Fe Later he was sent to New
Mexico and has been there until le-
Gently.
Some time ago he was arrested In San
/ Marcial, N. NJ, and charged with the
eInbezzlement of $50 which he took out
Of the cash drawer. and robbing of 3
car. taking some firearms which il is
claimed that he afterwards sold. He
telegraphed his parents who live here
| that he was in trouble and asked them
to wire him $500. which they did. He
then put up a cash bond to this amount
| for his appearance and left
Later he went to work for the Rock
Island at Pratt. His next move was to
disappear at about the same time as
$500 of the company money. 1t is fol
| this that he was arrested Saturday.
After leaving Pratt he soon appeared
at Ell Dorado He was spending money
layishly, giving various parties and en-
tertainments,s and the report was thai
he had struck 1T rich in gold mine
near Tucurneari n. NJ. He is engaged
to the daughter of one of the best fam
lilies of the neighborhood and was L
have been married soon.