Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-02-18
M. w. Wilcox Tries to End Life
Today in a Tragic
Manner.
WATCHED BLOOD EBB AWAY.
Standing Before Mirror With
Flowing Wound, He Waits
For Death.
When Taken to Hospital for Care, He
Pleads With Surgeons ITO
Finish the job"

Bulletln-At 2:3O this afternoon the
physicians attending NJ. w Wilcox.
who was taken from the operating
room at that hour, stated that the con-
dition of the patient was satisfactory
His recovery. however, was not prom
ised. The man IS still in a precarlous
condition
Despondent because of Ill health and
So years, and residing at 17o north
Main street. where he conducted a
roominghouse. slashed his throat and
left wrist In II fearful manner about
1890 this morning The man is now
at st. Marks hospital, where DR.. F. B
Steele and other physicians are doing
all in their power to save his life. The
mans condition Is most critical and 1t
is doubtful II he Will live.
Wilcox, who is white haired man
age, locked himself In his room and.
standing in front of Q mirror, drew the
keen edge OF Il razor across his throat.
intticting cash that extended from
ear To ear. The jugular vein was not
severed and the wndpipe was cut bu,
a little. The razor blade cut throusa
the muscles of the throat and made Il
horrible wornd. Wilcox then slashed
his lett wrist but the blade missed
the artery. Wilcox stood before the
mirror and let tho blood from his wound
run Into a bucket until Il was flied.
In staggering toward his bed the
bucket was overturned.
WRITES TO SON-IN-LAW.
| The man had not dressed himself and
was attired in a suit of patamns. After
| writing an affectlonatc note to his SON
/ ln-law, F. Il. Barnum. who is In the law
office of Thurman. Wedgwood & Irvine
he attempted self destruction. One oil
the tenants heard his groans and the
| police were notified. Patrol Driver
Moore with Patrolmen Heath and
| Grundvig hurried to the sceno. They
| found the door locked, but Heath man
aged to push the key out of the hole
| and unlock the door with a skeleton
| key.
The sight that met the gaze of the
| policemen was horrfying. The moor
was soaked with blood, as also was
the bed upon which the unfortunate
man lay gasping for breath.
Wilcox was hurried TO the emereen ~
hospital and while lying on the operot-
| ing table he was conscious and repeat
edly begged those about him to finish
the job.
please finish the job for me-" he
| pleaded. GIVE me a gun and ] VIII
do it. 1 don't want to live. hav,
nothing to live for and want to die"
| Dr.. Steele at once ordered him sent
| to St Marks
Several months ago Wilcox pur-
chased the property at 157 north State
through A. b. Walton. The latter
| claims that Wilcox got behind in pay
! mcnts and that he. Walton, advanced
the man money from time to time.
AFFECTIONATE FAREWELL.
In the note he wrote to Mr.. Barnuln,
| Wilcox made reference to some family
| and personal matters and said that ne
had been swlndled out of $3.50 when
he purchased the place. He said he
| understood that the contents were his
but found that the furniture. with
| few exceptions. was owned by the ten
| ants Since purchasing the place his
| health has been very poor and day
| after day he became more respondent
| Walton repeatedly stated that VIII
| cox had had some trouble with his
children, a son and daughter. residing
| In this city. but this is emphatically
| denied by those who knew something
| of the man Wilcox often called at the
| law office to talk to his son-in-law, Mr.
| Barnum, and their relations were al
ways most cordial. and he spoke in en-
dearing terms OF his children. The let
ter was turned over to Atty. A Il.
| Irvine and he declined to make public
| the contents.