The Topeka state journal., 1908-01-29
Joseph Bollock, Prisoner IN
County Jail, Takes Poison.
Deserted by Family and Friends
Becomes DespOndent.
BEGS FOR A RAZOR.
When Refused Takes White
Powder From Coat Lining.
Doctors Think That He May
Yet Recover.

Joseph Bollock who is confined in
the county Jail charged with the
brutal murder of one of his nefghoors'
attempted to end his life this morn
Ing, and If he RECEIVERS 1T will be due
to the prompt efforts Of the officials
at the county Jail and the antidotes
admin stored by County Physician
Nicol. The murderer as well as his
victim. Andrew Mauer. were residents
OF Little Russia in North Topeka and
In a fight Bollock stamped the life out
of Mauer.
The fight occurred at the home of
the victim one evening early in Sep
tsmber where Bollock sought trouble
and the victim died during the night
as a result Of the injuries received In
the affray. Bollock has been known
to the police for years as dangerous
character when drinking, being re-
garded as almost insane when dr1nk-
ing and Quarrelsome.
He was released shortly after the
murder on a $2,500 bond signed by
number of his countrymen on the
promise that he would refrain from
the use of intoxicating liquors and be-
have himself. He had trouble at home
Monday and was turned over to
Sheriff Wilkerson by his bondsmen
and since that time has been confined
in the county jail where he this morn
ing attempted to kill himself.
Since his incarceration in the coun-
ty jail his friends and family have de-
serted him and have refused to visit
him or communicate with him in any
way. He has been moody and des-
pondent and has frequently threat
ened to take his life unless his wife
and friends would change their atti-
tude towards him. The prisoners
have not considered the talk seriously.
Bollock was much more Respondent
~ hno OF INV
time since he has been in jail and talk
ed with Gustavus Cook for long time
of his troubles and again threatened t.
kill himself He played ards for hall
an hour and went into the cell where
Cook was shaving and asked to look
at the razor but was refused by Cook
who was afraid that he might attempt
to kill himself with it.
What do you want wsh the razor, >
asked Cook.
1T just want to try it to see if it is
sharp because I want to shave with
it," said Bollock.
He was again refused the razor when
he attempted to grab it and said, "Give
it to me and I will cut my throat and
get it all over with
That will be all right" said Cook
''but I want to shave with it first
Come around after awhile and then you
can have it,
Bollock hung about the door of the
cell until Cook had finished shaving and
again asked for the razor and when re-
fused stepped across the hallway be-
tween the tiers of cells and stepped
inside of his own. He took his coat
from his bunk where he had been u.s.
ing it as a pillow and ripping apart
the lining took a paper containing G
white powder from it and swallowed
the greater part of it before Cook who
was in the doorway could in anyway in
terfere.
He then threw the paper which con.
tanned a small portion of the drug into
a bucket and sat down on the edge o.
his bunk and the prisoners who knew
what was going on thought that h,
was attempting to fool them. A few
moments later he began to moan anC
a little later rolled from his berth t
the steel floor of his cell where h
showed every symptom Of poisoning.
He was placed on the cot and the of
ficers at the Jail notified and they IL
turn notified Dr. Nicoll, who admins
tered an antidote as we'll as a power
full emetic. The emetic failed to do tht
work intended but it seems that tn,
antidote was about what was needed
at any rate Bollock became more quie