Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-10-25
JANIroR At CEDAR RAPIDS CUTS
HIS THROAT WITH BUTCHER
KNIFE.
e. J. SIMS SUDDENLY
AND VIOLENTLY INSANE
Mrs. Sims Injured During Struggle
With crazed Husband - Runs For
Help After Failing to Gain Posses.
sion Of Weapon and Upon Return
Finds husband Dying on Floor.

Cedar Rapids, Oct 25.-During a
Sims. janitor of ST. Paufs NJ. E.
church, cut his throat with a butcher
knife Saturday night at 7:45 and died
few minutes later on the floor OF the
church quarters occupied by himself
and wife.
Those who had come i'll contact with
Sims during the past week noticed
the increasing tendency toward insan-
ity, hut as he had made no threat
against his own life or others, no action
had been taken to have him restrained
Sims came to Cedar Rapids about
two years ago, to take the position of
janitor. and since that time had proved
himself an exceedingly valuable man
around the church, attending to his du-
ties in an excellent manner. being con-
scientious and always dependable. AL
tho posses sing a somewhat queer dis
position, Sims had never exhibited any
signs of an abnormal mental condition
until the past week. Since Monday or
Tuesday he had acted queerly. but
nothing was thought of it by those he
met in his every day work until Friday
y.
insanity.
a social was held in the church Fri
day, and during the evening Sims kept
repeating to those present story Of
the wonderful vision from God he had
had. He appeared greatly excited. and
it was with some difficulty that he
was quieted and sent to MS room. All
day Saturday he still was poss essed
-;.I, ~ RE nj 1-is mi
early in the evening, DR.. Brown was
called III 10 talk with him.
Under Doctors Care.
Dr. Brown went to the room occu-
pied by the Sims al $50 o'clock and
Tor some time held conversation with
Sims TIE doctor states that while
the janitor appeared to be somewhat
off his mental balance when he ar
rived, that before he left, Sims was
talking in a perfectly rational manner
and had promised that he would con-
tinue with his work at the church. On
Friday night Sims had not been able TO
sleep on account of the thought Of his
great vision, and when DR. Brown left
the room Saturday evening about IN
hour before the tragedy occurred. Sims
had promised TO go to bed as soon as
rest.
Struggled With Wife.
For some time after the doctor left,
Sims app, AIRED to be quiet, but about
7:30 he seemed to become possessed
with the idea that he would kill him
self. Apparently Mrs. Sims made an
effort to keep him from carrying out
his idea. and in a struggle with him
pitcher of water was spilled on the
floor and the woman's hair dishevelled.
two combs being found on the floor Of
the room. When she saw that her hus-
band was determined to cut his throat
with a pair of scissors. Mrs. Sims
rushed from the room and out to the
church building seeking help just out
side of the building she met Mr.. and
Mrs. +. E. Stull. who were coming into
the building. and told them what her
husband was doing. Mr.. Stull rushed
into the building. but on arriving at
the Sims apartment, he found Sims
face downward lying in huge pool
of his own blood, and a bloody butcher
knife lying on the floor before him.