South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-02-11
MAKES ATTEMPT ON
LIFE WITH JACKKNIFE
Clyde Thompson Attempts Sui
eide at Hospital With Pocket
Knife-lS in a Critical Con-
ditien.

Clyde A Thompson. registering
PittsfOrd, Mich, as his home, and an
inmate OF St. Joseph's hospital at
tempted suicide Tuesday afternoon
with a jack-knife. Mr.. Thompson lies
IN a critical condition and although
conscious is very weak and doctors
say he probably will not live.
Thompson. according 10 physicians.
IS demented. Since taken 10 the hos
pitaI from the Muourn hotel last Fri
Ia delirious condition.
Thompson attempted to pierce his
heart with a knife. The knife was
given 10 him by Charles Austin. a fell
low lodge member. who had been
delegated by the ]. o. o. +. lodge TO
watch and care for Thompson. In
an interview with Austin on Tuesday
afternoon, Austin stated, IL gave him
the knife. after I had cut a chew OF
tobacco from a plug, the knife was
open and Thompson seeing it, asked
me for II. so that he could clean and
cut his finger nails. Not thinking he
would attempt to take his life. I gave
him the knife and he started mani
came 10 me. that a knife was dan
gerous weapon in his hands and 1
turned 10 take it away from him.
Just that moment he raised the knife
in the air and struck himself IN the
left side. That IS all"
Nurses imme diately rushed 70 the
room and stopped the flow Of blood.
a doctor in the hospital. few min
utes later attended the self-injured
man. After a thorough examination
the wound was prObed and it was
found the heart had not been touched
by the blade as the blade had gone
downward striking a rib.
Thompson IS a stranger in Misha-
waka and was removed TO the hos
pital from the Milburn hotel last Fri?
day at midnight At the hotel he re
tired in an apparently healthy condi-
ton but at late hour called one OF
the hotel attendants and asked Tor
medical aid. He stated that he had
pains in has hip and side and that he
could not stand the pain any longer.
\ physician was called and the man
was taken to the hospital.
Acted Queer Sunday.
Saturday the man appeared sane
although the nurses stated he acted
rather queer Sunday evening. About
$3.50 o'clock he was last visited by the
nurse. who gave him every attention
and care possible, extra blankets were
SftuItU anu he was AiltNC ciH NOtiiANAN
able as possible Shortly afterwards.
after he thought the other occupant
of the ward had fallen asleep, he
quietly got out OF bed. raised the win
dow and jumped from the first story
90 the ground in his night clothing
and wandered about the neighbOr-
hood lie was at once missed by the
nurse and the hospital attendants
franticaIly searched the neighbOrhOod
for him. lie was apprehended at the
KnoblOck residence, 500 w. Third St,
where he had run up on the porch.
The police who had been notified then
came up to the Knoblock residence
and the man was removed to the hos
pital.
Special preparations were then
made by the nurses for watching him
and Monday the odd Fellows lodge
appointed a man TO be with him ?
hours, this man was relieved by an
other member OF the lodge, who
watched during the night. Mr.. Austin
was the man selected for Tuesday S
vigilance.
Mrs. Mabel Leonardson Of Pitts
ford. Mich. "A sister OF Thompson, ar
rived In this city Monday and has
been with the patient since that time.
She was absent from the hospital at
the time her brother attempted Go
take his life. Mrs. LeonardSOn stated
Tuesday evening that her brother
mental derangement may be due TO a
fall he sustained about four years ago
at Minneapolis. MINI.
He IS about 2S years Of age and II
is thought last worked at painting.
lie is unmarried.
FOUND-Brand new buggy wheel
and bur on s. Union st. Tuesday
av~n