The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1910-02-19

Despondent because OF IN health and
business reyerses, 81. W. Wilcox. aged
IS years. and residing at l75 North
Main street. whore oe conducted a
roomlng house. slashed his throat and
left wrist in a fearful manner about
1890 this morning. The man is now
at st. Marks hospital. where DR.. r. b.
Steele and other physicians arc doing
all In their power TO save his life. The
mans condition Is most critical and
IL Is doubtful II he will live.
Wilcox. who Is a white haired man
and looks to be at least 60 years OF
aee, locked himself in his room and
standing in front Of mirror. drew
the keen edge OF a razor across his
throat. inillcting cash that extended
from ear TO ear. The jugular vein wag
not severed and the windpipe was cut
but little. The razor blade cut
through the muscles of the throat and
made horrible wound Wilcox then
slashed his left wrist but the blade
missed the artery Wilcox stood be-
fore the mirror and let the blood from
his wound run into a bucket until II
WAS filed In staggering toward his
bed the bucket was overturned
Writes 10 Son-in.Law.
The man had not dressed himself
and was attired in a suit Of pajama5.
After writing an affectlonate note TO
his son:ln-law, F. E. Barnum, who Is
In the law office of Thurman, Wedg
struction. One of the tenants heard
his groans and the police were noti-
fed Patrol Driver Moore with Pa
trolman Heath and Grundvig hurried
TO the scene. They found the door
locked. but Heath managed to push
the key out OF the hole and unlock the
door with q skeleton key
The sight that met the gaze of the
policemen was horrifying. The floor
was soaked with blood, as also was
the bed upon whcih the unfortunate
man lay gasping for breath.
Wilcox was hurried TO the emer-
eency hospital and while lying on the
operating table he was conscious and
repeatedly begged those about him TO
finish the job
please finish the job for me- he
pleaded Give me a gun and | will
do IL | don't want 10 live | have
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 lat
ter claims that Wilcox got behind in
payments and that he. Walton, adj
vanced the man money from time 20
time.
Affectionatc Farewell
In the note he wrote to Mr. Barnum.
Wilcox made reference TO some family
and personal matters and said that
he had been swindled out of $3.50 when
be purchased the place, He said he
understood that the contents were his
but found that the furniture, with a
few exceptions. was owned by the
tenants. Since purchasing the place
his health has been very poor and day
after day he became more despondent.
Walton repeatedly stated that VIII
cox had had some trouble with his
children, 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
endearing terms of his children. The
letter was turned over to Attorney A.
q. Irvine and he declined TO make
public the contents.