The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1921-04-12
VAUGHN USES RAZOR
TO TAKE OWN LIFE
)MMITs SUICIDE BY SLASHING
! THROAT
Weapon Supplied Prisoners on
eving Day" to End Fight to
Escape Electric Chair
pa, Fla, April S-Thurston. Z.
shn, arrested here while teaching

pa, Fla, April S.-Thurston u.
I'm, arrested here while teaching
[6ol as T. A. Earl, and held for
South Carolina authorities for death
sentence for assaulting four girls at
the Odd Fellows orphanage at Green
vile, slashed his throat with razor
in his cell in murder row in the coun-
ty Jail here tonight. He died almost
instantly, having almost severed his
head from his body with the stroke.
1t was his fourth major attempt at
suicide and he had once tried to open
a previous wound in his throat.
Vaughn had been kept in straight
jacket in the hospital ward after his
attempts to kill himself the night of
his arrest but today he was moved to
murderers' row and placed in cell
with three men charged with murder.
Sheriff Spencer states he has no
knowledge of who authorized the re-
moval of the straight jacket.
All Taking Shave
The presence of the razor is ex-
planned by the jailer, Jailer Hubbard
says that Friday is shaving day at the
iail and the razor goes the rounds of
the cells. When it reached the muir
derers' row Vaughn apparently bided
his time. After the other prisoners
in his cell had finished, Vaughn, it is
said, was given the razor by one OF
his mates. Walking down the corridor
of the cage, apparently to the lava
tory and with not show of bravado,
the man suddenly halted, according to
one of the prisoners. Like a flash ne
raised his right hand, the blade flash
ed in the dim stream of light from
nearby corridor and with. vigor that
told of an intent purpose the man
brought it's keen edged blade against
his neck, over the leader just back OF
the right ear. His arm came on
around with the initial swing all the
way around to beneath the left ear.
Nothing but. steadfast nerve and
determination seldom seen made pos
sible such a powerful stroke, self IN
ficted, say physicians. The head
swung over to one side as the body
fell to the steel floor. Prisoners shout
ed and there was a scurry throughout
the, corridors of the Jail. A trusty
carried the word to Jailer Hubbard
and hurry call was sent for County
Physician H. o. Snow, who fastened
to the jail, Meanwhile the jailer and
attendants at the hospital ward reach
ed the cell and attempted to give some,
aid, but it was, hopeless, for life had
flown with the rush of blood from the
jugular vein and other severed blood
vessels feeding the brain.
When DR.. Snow arrived he pro-
nounced the man dead and said no re-
lief under the sun could have brought
back life which he said must have
been sruffed out almost as the body
struck the floor.
Anxiety for Wife
Chief of Detectives E. w. Blossom,
mindful of the wife's goodbye dear,
I'll meet you in Heaven" of two days
ago VIII en- she tossed him kiss as she
left the county Jail after a visit,
turned his mind to the woman, as
soon as he had started the machinery
for an investigation of the releasing
of the prisoner from the straight
jacket, fearful of possible suicide
pact. Police scouts secured both
Tampa and Port Tampa, a suburb
. nine miles from here where the cou-
pie had lived, seeking the woman.
She was finally located and placed in
the deteAion ward of the city Jail for
safe keeping.
Ja!lor Hubbard refuses to discuss,
reasons if any for the change of the
prisoner, but says that Vaughn was
unusually rational last night and this
morning. At dinner he ate the heart
lest meal since he was arrested and
shortly afterwards he was moved to
what proved his death chamber.
The body was removed after the
county physicians examination had
been made, to local undertaker's
esta ablishment, where it is being held
pending the receipt of word from
South Carolina authorities, or the ar
rival of officers who are said to have
left Columbia yesterday for the man.
If they do not want to take the corpse