Los Angeles herald., 1910-06-01
LEAPS To DEATH
FROM R. R. TRAIN
Harvey H. Irwin PIungeS Through
Window of a Car on the
Santa Fe
VICTIMS BODY CUT IN TWO
Tragic Death Ends a Series of
Efforts to Save ParanoiaC
from Asylum
IIcTIM'S BODY CUT IN TWO

Suffering for several months from
mental alteration and despondent be-
cause 1t was decreed in the superior
court yesterday that he would have to
be committed to the insane asylum
at Patton, Harvey II. Irwin, 2S years
old, jumped through the window of a
moving Santa Fe train near the
Downey street bridge yesterday after
noon at $50 o'clock, falling under the
car wheels and suffering injuries
which resulted in instant death.
Irwin was In the custody of Deputy
Sheriff Harvey Allen. AS he had never
exhibited signs of violence during his
confinement in the county hospital, it
was not thought necessary to manacle
the young man. He was sitting beside
Allen when he made his frantic and
fatal leap through the car window.
His body was drawn beneath the car
wheels and cut in two before the train
could be stopped.
When Deputy Sheriff Allen saw the
man leap from the train he pulled the
bell cord and the train came to a sud-
den stop.
The body was sent to the undertaking
rooms of John r. Paul. and Coroner
Hartwell intimated last night he would
sign a certificate of accidental death
without the formality of an inquest.
FIRST SIGNS OF ALTERATION
Three months ago Irwin showed
signs of dependency and at the ad-
vice of the family physician, DR.. j. R.
French, was sent to the county hos
pital. He appeared to improve and
was released, going to ranch owned
by friends near Santa Ana.
Several days ago he became worse
and was returned to the county hos
pital. Yesterday afternoon he was
taken before the lunacy commission
and on evidence given by DR.. French
and Deputy Sheriff w. G.. Hutchinson
was committed to Patton.
DR.. J. r. French had been attending
Irwin for three months. Last Thurs
day DR.. French placed him in a taxi
cab and started for the county hos
pital. When near the hospital Irwin
jumped head first from the window of
the taXicab while 1t was in motion,
but he escaped injury.
During the examination yesterday
Irwin showed much cunning in ans
wering the questions of the examining
physicians. His malady was classed
as paranoia- While in charge of a
police officer Thursday morning and
during the absence of DR.. French, Ir-
win nearly convinced the officer that he
was sane. He showed all the cunning
characteristics of a paranoiac.
About three months ago the decedent
was brought before the lunacy board
to be examined as to his sanity. The
board at that time believed a good rest
might restore Irwin to his right mind,
and upon DR.. French appearing for the
sisters and assuring the board that he
would send Irwin to the country for a
rest he was not committed. However,
he refused to stay on a farm, and upon
coming to this city grew steadily
worse until 1t was found absolutely
necessary to commit him.
The deceased was a native of Iowa.
Up to five months ago he was en-
ployed in the Los Angeles office Of the
Southern Pacific Railriad company in
the capacity of shipping clerk. He
was not addicted to drink. He is sur
f1ved by two sisters. Ida and Kate
Irwin, residing at 704 West First street
The sisters are stenographers and have
been untiring in their efforts to assist
tehir brother.