Evening Times Republican

TRIED TO KILL HIMSELF

Italian Passenger on C. & N. W. Attempts Suicide on the Train.

Cedar Rapids, Dec. 4.—Passengers on the Northwestern train No. 6, due here at 1:30 this morning, east bound, were startled by the peculiar actions of an Italian who ultimately tried to end his life by cutting his throat. He was prevented from so doing by a passenger who had been a witness to his strange actions. He was brought to this city and locked up in the city jail, where his wound was attended to and at last report he was resting comfortably.

The man's name is Joe Crispi. He started from San Francisco, and was bound for Genoa, Italy. He had a through ticket to his destination and had considerable money with him. He was traveling alone and from all reports there was nothing particularly strange either in his appearance nor his actions to indicate that he was premeditating suicide until the train had nearly reached this city.

Soon after the train had left Belle Plaine, however, a fellow passenger's attention was drawn to the man by his apparent restlessness. Then the Italian drew the razor from his pocket and after closely examining it suddenly drew it across his throat.

The witness to the deed sprang to his aid and stopped the man from doing himself further harm. The wound was temporarily cared for and when the train reached this city he was taken in the patrol wagon to the city jail. His wound is not a serious one and it is probable that he will be able to continue his journey tomorrow.

Several local Italians have called at the jail upon request of Marshal Kozlovsky and have obtained considerable information from him. Crispi says that he has lived in this country for eleven years and has a wife and four children in Italy, whom he was on his way to visit. When he reached Omaha he left the train to procure something to eat, but says the depot was crowded with people who intended to hold him for his money. He was frightened and did not wait to eat anything. He has been fearful of being held up and when his questioners tried to persuade him to continue his journey or return to California he replied that he will not leave because everybody is conspiring against him to get his money. The physician who attended him says the man is undoubtedly insane, but that the mental derangement may be only temporary and that after he has obtained sufficient rest and quiet he will be in a fit condition to continue his journey. The steamship on which Crispi intended to sail for Italy leaves New York Thursday and it is hoped by those interested in his case that he will be able to travel tomorrow.

It is not thought there was any motive in his attempt at self-destruction by those who have closely questioned him, nor is it thought that the man was of unsound mind when he left the Pacific coast, but that the fatigue of the long journey and his constant fear of losing the $85 which he had long been saving had preyed upon his mind until it had become unbalanced.