The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1908-06-02
COLEMAN c ! / 1 | !
PASSED. ) 5 ] ! |: ]
The ]: I: ] Came Last
Night at KS
O'Cltootc OK.

Stephen "A. cofrman, the local
Methodist preacher that killed his wife
at Meadowdale two and sone-half miles
from this city on the night Of May! IS
died last night att s7:45 o'clock at the
City Hospital. where he had been taken
for treatment His death was due to
nervous shock. Cotfman the morning
after his awful deed was placed In the
county jail BY sherin H.. R. Furbee.
He showed signs of insanity and was
watched closely. He thought that the
prisoners around MIN were spies try
ing to get hold ot5some evidence that
would convict HIM OF the murder that
he had committeda This halluclnation
was augmented by the blue suit worn
by one Of the prisoners. This prisoner
was particularly odious in Coirman's
sight and his presence was sufficient
to provoke the. aberrant man into
fit of fermentation: and when his rea-
son was dethroned Cottman was raw
ing maniac and would attack anyone
that chanced to be in his way. It was
during one of these paroxysms that
he attacked the prisoners in the jail
Tuesday morning. They all got out OF
his way. Coffman In his race after
the men lost his balance and 4 fell
against cage breaking his spectacles
and cutting deep cash in the side of
his nose. The incision bled profusely.
DR.. Henry was called to give surgical
aid. DR.. Henry's treatment seemed to
exacerbate Cofrman. He flew into a
violent rage and struck the surgeon
In the face. "A few minuteE later
JaiIer Q. F. Davis entered the jail and
the frenzied man reeled and struck
the iailer violent blow In the{ face.
DR.. Henry: seized Coffman and threw
him to the floor. He was then over
powered and the work Of dressing his
wounds started. The fury still burned
within him. So violent was Re In his
angry. attacks that he was hard-cuffed
and placed In cell to himself.
After this fit OF exacerbatlon Coifman
settled down but would not eat nor
sleep. His body weakened ard became
emaciated. His wan countcnance in
dicated that a change had to be made
II he were to live long. A deathly
pallor had come over his countenance.
The authorities held conference and
it was decided that he should te taken
to the City Hospital. This was done
and at this Institution Cofrman breath.
ed his last after every effort know to
medical science had been applied to
his case. .g
| The deceased was about SO years
old. He came here less than a year
ago. Previous to his coming here. he
had a charge at Wheeling and was we'll
known in that city. About one year
ago he was married to Lillian Elliott,
of Terra Alta. After their marriage
he was given charge at Meadowdnle
and at Hoult. He filled these appoint
ments with credit to himself ard to the
satisfaction of his communicates. The
Sunday morning before the awful
night in his life he was to have ad.
ministered baptism to several candi-
dates ut Hoult. but he feigned sick.
ness tina. day and did not fill his ap.
pointment. That night infurIated by
a fit of violent insanity he commanded
his wife at midnight to get up, and
while she was adjusting her apparel
he struck her with poker Further
crazed by the blow administered he
tcontirue- on Page Four.1