The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1913-03-20
WoULD-BE SUICIDE.
Was for a While Employee OF
Western Union Office Here.

Taking three tablets of bi-chloride,
Mr. w F Coltrane, a young white
man of about % years of age, made
an attempt upon his life at Z o'clock
last night, the results of which are
yet in doubt. The young man was
found in an unconscious condition in
the park on South Battery at the
foot of Meeting street, and taken to
Roper hospital, where treatment was
at once administered. Advices from
the hospital early this morning are
to the effect that his condition is
very serious, but that some time will
be required to determine the out
come, owing to the nature and eff
fects of the poison.
Young Coltrane, it is supposed, at
tempted to take his life in fit of
dependency. He is telegrapher,
it is learned, and had made applica-
ton for work as wireless operator
here, or was about to do so, and some
obstacle was in the way. He has
but one hand, and it is supposed that
he wished to enlist at the Navy Yard
and that his physical disqualification
was the cause of his dependency.
In one of his pockets was found an
application blank for enlistment in
some kind at work at the NAVY Yard.
1t is known that he has visited the
Navy Yard since his arrival IN the
city about two days ago.
At the hospital last night, Mr. Col
trane said he did not know why he
committed the act; in fact, he had
but little to say about it. He recall
ed, however, having taken the bi-
chloride tablets and then becoming
very weak. According to the police,
the young man, after taking the
poison, called to passer-by and ask
ed him to notify the policeman on
the beat, that he had taken poison
= and wanted assistance. The officer
was secured and the young man was
hurried to the hospital, where emet-
les were at once given. His recov-
cry depends entirely upon just how
much of the poison had been absorb
edand commenced its corrosive work.
In the pockets of the young mans
clothing was found a bank book from
one of the banks of Kingstree. 1t is
further known that he has worked
at Florence; he says his home is
Greensboro, N C. Efforts to find
any place in Charleston where he had
worked or applied for work We're
unavailing last night. 1t was found,
however, that he had secured board
at a well-known boarding house on
lower Broad street and had been
there two days.
The proprietress of the boarding
house stated last night that Mr. COL
trane appeared to be man of unus-
ual refinement, was we'll dressed and
well hammered, and that there ap-
peared to be nothing troubling him.
He had visited the Navy Yard, she
said, but for what, was not stated.
1t was said that he gave no indica-
ton of being worried over financial
matters. The proprietress stated
that he had left the house yesterday
morning, but had not returned for
either dinner or supper as expected.
The young man referred to in the
foregoing clipping from the Charles
ton News and Courier of last Sunday
had been here for some time as as
sistant operator at the Western Un-
ion office. He was considered some
what erratic and talked rather in
discreetly about matters that did
not concern him. We have not been
able to learn the final outcome of his
attempt at self-destruction.
: Former Senator w j Montgom-
cry. lawyer, banker and philanthropy
;ot diad OF O hocpitnl in Richmond