New Britain herald., 1926-08-27
VOLUNTEER AGENT IN LIQUOR DRIVE
 SUICIDE IN CELL
Peter Swanson, HiIlcreSt Ave-, Hangs Himself at Police Sta-
 ton While Drunk
WAS TO HELP "DRY SQUAD"
 MOP UP CITY'S WET SPOTS

Mul UT Ull D WGl OTUl0 Reports For Duty Under Influence
 of IntoNicants and Is Put In Cell
 To Recover-Ties One End of Belt
 To Bar, Other Around His Neck
 Third Suicide In Week On Medical
 Examiners Records.
 While the police believed he was sleeping to overcome the alleged in- toxicated condition in which he re- ported for service as an agent" in the drive against liquor law violators instituted yesterday by Chief w. C. Hart, Peter Swanson. aged 52 years, of S2 Hillcrest avenue ended his life by hanging in No. cell at police headquarters between S:25 and 9:c5 o'clock this morning. The suicide, which is the third to occur in this city this week, was discovered by Policeman James McCabe. Swanson had looped his belt about his neck and tied the free end 60 the grating of the cell door. His body was on the floor and the belt was taut.
 Swanson, according to the police. had been drinking hard of late. and yesterday afternoon. on complaint of his wife, the police went to his home. During the interview, Swan son is said to have volunteered in formation which the police believed would be of assistance to them in obtaining evidence against blind tigers" and they told Swanson to re- port at headquarters this morning. Their intention, according to Chief Hart, was to use him to make pur- chases in th places he mentioned.
 Reports For "Drty" Drunk
 About o'clock this morning Swanson walked into the police sta ton. ready for his assignment Chief Hart, noting his condition. advised against using him and suggested that he go to sleep for a few hours. The charge of drunkenness was placed against him or the hlottcr and De- tective Sergeant George (. Ellinger and Policeman John c. Stadler, the new liquor detail, were credited with the arrest. Chief Hart said he did not plan to present Swanson in court. but would have released him when he became sober, the chief having this right.
 Thinking Swanson. because of his alleged condition, would so to sleep. the police did not take off his belt. They should have done so, Chief Hart said afterwards, as everyone who is placed in z cell is relieved of belt and necktie as precaution against suicide. Had the belt been taken from him, it is doubtful that he would have been able to end his life. as he was not wearing a tie and before he could have made a rope of his underwear or outer shirt, the police believe they would have detected his intention.
 MCthDt lIluS JStuN
 Policeman McCabe was busy about his routine work and as police court went into session at S:3O o'clock, thereby emptying the cells, he did not know Swanson had been locked up. At 9:25 o'clock, he went into the cell room and discovered the body. Calling Sergeant Patrick J, O'Mara and Officer Thomas J. Fee ney from the detective bureau, Po- liceman McCabe worked over Swan son and the other officers did like wise, but being unable to detect heart action they at once notified Chief Hart, who detailed Sergeant O'Nara to go on 10 the street and summon a physician.
 Within five minutes after Police man McCabe found the body. Dr John L. Kelly. who was hailed by Sergeant O'Mara, was in the cell room. He pronounced Swanson dead, pr. John Purney, medical examiner, said death was caused by strangulation.
 The police said swanson attempt ed suicide by hanging at his homo about two years ago but was cut down in time to save his afe.
 He was born in Sweden and had , been resident of New Britain
 about S5 years. For a number ot (Contiuuad on Page 25)