The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-10-05
USED 4 RAZOR
ON HIMSELF
Peter Smith, Recent Conner to Barre, Is
Now at City Hospital in Rather
Serious Condition.

| Peter Smith, a teamster lately EN-.
ployed in hauling material to the South
Main street paving job, is in a serious
condition at the City hospital, as the re.
suit of wounds self inflicted with razor
| in a secluded nook near johnson street
late yesterday afternoon. The mans
unusual act is attributed to temporary
alteration and the police are of the opin-
ion that he drank freely before attempt
ing his emasculation. Smith was badly
mutilated when he was discovered and
after his removal to the hospital, Drs.
William Mcfarland w. d. Reid and
j. w. jackson found that his condition
neeessitated an operation.
1t was around o'clock when John Gel
latley, who lives at 80 johnson street,
stepped into the backyard at his home TO
feed his chickens. In the gathering twi-
light he discerned the figure of u man
and a second glance convinced him that
the man was naked. Almost at the same
moment the man seemed to be aware
that he was baing watched. Casting one
look backward, he fed toward clump
of bushes some 20. rods from the spot
where Mr.. Gellatley was standing. The
latter Immediately investigated and
found the body of a man partially un
conscious in the bushes. Not far away
was a pile of clothing, soaked in blood,
and a razor, which bore the marks of
recent use. One of the first to arrive
after Mr.. Gellatley had spread the alarm
was Alex Ross of Franklin street. He
called police headquarters and then ply
sicians and an ambulance were sum
moned. Officer John W. Dineen assisted
in quoting the man. The doctors arrived
and administered first aid and then came
the Perry & Noonan ambulance. A hasty |
examination of the mans clothing dis |
closed hunting license made out in Will !
Jamestown to Peter Smith. Upon his ar
'ival at the hospital, that name was used |
n entering his case on the record and /
he doctors proceeded Immediately to OPP
rate. Later il was learned that Peter
smith is the mans right name.
How long Smith had been in the vi
nifty of johnson street can only be con
ectured. The doctors surmised that he
lad completed undressing himself after
ntlicting at least one OF the wounds.
apparently he had suffered somewhat
rom exposure, but the loss of blood was
he principal factor against him, al
hough the grieyous nature Of the razor
lashes naturally weigh against his
hances for recovery. There seems to be
title doubt concerning Smiths move
lents before he went to johnson street
nd the police are convinced that he was
OF in his right mind when he used the
lzor He has recovered partial con
,iousness, but does not offer any ex-
Of the deed.
Very few people here in the city are
cquainted with Smith. He is 80 years
"a and has knocked about Washington
,unty for some years, although he had :
sided in this city but short time 1t :,
stated that he was employed as a :
.amster by a man named CauGtic in
-ontpeIier previous to his arrival in
ARE few weeks ago. Here he oh =
lined employment as driver for Con-
actor G. l.. Gregware, who has charge :
the cement work on the South Main =
rect paving Job Yesterday the work. ).
en- laid off because of the rain and so \
r as the teaming was concerned, Smith :
ID the day to himself The police were u u
formed to-day that the mans father .
res in Lancaster, n H., and that his
,ter, Mrs White, is resident of
ontpelier