Rock Island Argus., 1914-08-11
DAY IN DA NEWPORT

White Plague Victim Attempts Sui
eide-Brooding over his inability TO
work and knowing himself to be in
the final stages OF tuberculosis, Ed NJ.
Bigger, of Des Moines, aged 80. Sun
day night attempted to end his unhap-
py existence by leaping off the ferry
dock into the waters of the Mississip-
pi. AS he sank beneath the waves,
he saw a vision of his wife and babies,
with arms outstretched. beckoning to
him, He resolved to renew the fight
for life, and fighting his way to the
surface. managed to make his way to
shore. Weakened from the struggle,
the near-suicide lay exhausted on the
river bank for several minutes and
then managed to stagger along until
he reached police headquarters. There
he was given some dry clothes, and
necessary care. DR.. Murphy was sum-
moned and administered an opiate, aft
er which the man fell into a restful
sleep. Yesterday, after he had told
his story TO Chief OF Police Hans
Schramm, the man was allowed to go
on his way. Bigger is a tailor by oc-
cupation. but the long hours and close
confinement affected his lungs. One
month ago he was pronounced hope
Iessly consumptive. Doctors stated that
he might prolong the end by constant
ly remaining in the open air. He de-
cided to leave his wife and two babies
and go on a long tramp. He has been
on the road about three weeks. Dur
ing the last few days Bigger grew rap
idly weaker He coughed necessarily
He had expected to secure work of
a light nature. but his inability to do
so preyed upon his mind. He worried
because he was unable to send money
back home to his loved ones. He de-
termjned to end everything. according
to the story told the police.
Peddler to Sue erocer-Claiming
that 80 watermelons rotted on his
hands. owing to his arrest, which he
claims was made at the incentive of
A. ]. Showa1ter. 1928 Harrison stree1,
Dave Forman, a peddler, yesterday an
nounced his intention of bringing suit
for damages against the Davenport
grocer. Forman and Ed Zeidle were
taken into custody Saturday afternoon.
after Mr.. Showalter complained at
headquarters that both men were ped
ding with only one license. The wag-
on load of watermelons was driven to
the station, where Forman deposited
a sl0 cash bond. He was ordered to
cease peddling until the case was set
tied in police court and as q result
the 80 melcns lay in the barn and rot
ted. In court testimony brought out
the fact that Forman was not peddling
in fact, was only driving the horse
and the case was dismissed. Mr.. Sho-
walter was communicated with over
the telephone but told the police he
did not care to appear against the men.
as he could not swear that both were |
peddling. As a result Mr.. Forman an !
nounced his intention Of bringing suit |
Man Arrested for Stealing His Own !
Auto-Charles Schmidt, residing on |
Middle road. was arrested by Traffic /
Cop Estes at the corner of Third and /
Brady streets yesterday and taken to
police headquarters, charged with /
stealing his own machine. 1t took him
fully 10 minutes to explain the mixup
and as a result. Mr.. Schmidt is con-
yinced that the Davenport policemen
are the most alert in the country.
While Mr.. Schmidt was visiting at
the Watch Tower Sunday his Ford
was stolen. The theft was
To the police OF the tri-cities,
with a description of the car
and its number-1l526-Iowa All Off
GERS were given instructions to tG on
the lockout for the machine. Yester-
lay morning Mr.. Schmidt again visit
ed The Watch Tower and found his
machine at a spot where IL had been
abandoned by joy riders. who appar-
ntiy had merely borrowed the car for