The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-06-22
But Ford's Attempt at
Suicide Is Fooled
by Officers.
HELD FOR THEFT
OF MITE BOXES
Arrested in Saloon With Money
in Pocket, He Still Denies
Guilt-Old Offender Recent
ly Failed to Mulct Railway
Company in Damage
Suit.

Charged In four warrants with hav-
ing stolen mite contribution boxes be-
longing to the Virginia Home for In
fants, and apparently facing the mel
ancholy prospect of conviction, Arthur
+. Ford, young white man twenty
i've yeara old. who has faced many
Sicissitudes and brought many more
upon himself. attempted suicide in the
Second Police Station last night by
hanging himself with his necktie. For
tungtely. the necktie broke, but as he
had tied 1T into slip knot, he was
near to choking TO death when his
ga5ping for breath aroused the atten-
ton of oiilcer Carter in the adjoining
room.
That man must be having deliriuIn
tremens,' said the officer TO Desk Ser
geant o,ey. 'He sounds awful bad
But he's not arrested for drunk
enness He's charged with stealing.
and he was sober when they brought
him in"
But 1t SOUNDS bad replied officer
Garter. and getting the cell key and
calling Officer Tomlinson, he went to
Investigate.
Was Gn.ping for Breath.
Ford was lying on the floor OF his
cell. with his head jammed up against
the door He was breathing heavily,
as II trying TO get his breath
Watch out for him. said the SER
gsant. He may be trying 10 fake us
But the officers were convinced that
the breathing was too stentorisus and
they threw open the cell door and
dragged the man out He appeared to
DC unconscious a piece OF necktie
was found 10 be hanging TO one OF the
barn 10 the cell; another piece, with a
slip knot was fastened around his
neck. The knot Was too tight TO be
unfastened, and Officer Tonllinson took
out his pocket knife TO cut IL. II was
with great dthicuity that he got the
blade of the knife between the mans
neck and the tie without cutting his
throat, but the Job was finally accom-
plished, and he was dragged into the
Office. The two officers applied first
aid 10 the injured principles. but
Ford's unconscious form became rigid,
his head and his heels only touching
the floor. and then he attempted to
beat out his brains. But they held him
down, and when DR.. Tabor arrived
with the city ambulance and applied
AMMONIA and other stimulants, Ford
revived He had nothing TO say; but
he wepi copiously.
Il don't want him here" interjected
Sergeant Otey. I'VE don't want any
man to die on our hands We haven't
any place TO care for him. Take him
away"
DR.. Tabor. of the city ambulance.
treated Ford and revived MIN into
proper shape for transportation. Then
the patrol wagon was called, and Ford
was taken to the City Jail.
In the City Jail they stripped him OF
y ttel al, -. 4 ~.
padded cell.
If he can do anything now said
one of the authorities. "let him go as
far as he likes
Charged With Robbery.
Ford was arrested yesterday after
noon by Detective Sergeant Wiltshire,
after complaint from the CONNER
cial Hotel, on a charge of stealing con-
tribution boxes from Rueger,s Hotel.
Ninth and Bank Streets, from Shere,s
Cafe, Main Street; the Commercial Ho-
tel and stumpf's Cafe. East Main
Street. Sergeant Bailey looked for him
in one direction. and Sergeant WIT
shire in another. The latter found
Ford in saloon on East Broad Street.
Ford was then dangerously near one
OF the same boxes. But he had no
chance to nab it before the detective
laid hands on him, and told him he
was under arrest. He had S11 in small
change in his pockets
Ford went quietly enough to the
Second Station, but in the afternoon
DR.. Tabor, OF the city ambulance, was
called to attend him while in an epi-4
LEIPZIG mt. Ford then had nothing to
say. except to dency the charges or
theft.
After being revived from his at
tempted suicide he still said anothing,
but he wept many tears He bears
shown Up In cour3
tords reputation as a sfakersi Is not
new. On two former occasions he has
faxed attempts to commit suicide. and
at a military court-martial he was
convicted of stealing and dismissed
from the service. He was not a strike
breaker. as has been claimed but
worked here as printing pressman.
employed at the Hermitage Press. In
September, 1905, While off duty one
afternoon he got on a drunk and was
found lying in the street, clasping an
empty whiskey bottle. A street car
inspector on,a passing car saw man
lying beside the track, and fearing
an accident. made an investigation.
The city ambulance In charge of DR..
Scott was called, but the man was
nS tuHh tatHehl SiS1. SulSSOll Soulu 90
nothing with him. and left The in
.spector notified the Office of therstreet
railway company and the company's
surg con, Dr., II. Stuart MacLean, was
called Fearing that the man had
been injured in some way, he called
n private ambulance and had the man
taken to the Virginia Hospital at
the expense of the caracompany. Wax
lng up there from his drunk. Ford was
told byla colored hospital orderly who
It was that had sent him tosthe hos
pital.
However, there was no suggestion
IF a damage suit until the last day
the year In which such actions must
be fled and on the final night, about
A o'clock notice was served on the
.------ ICnnI mn ad- an. cecnnd ia "a y.