Vaughn - J.J. - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

J. J. Vaughn attempted to destroy his own life today at ten minutes after one. He was in jail waiting to be taken to the penitentiary for a term of 3 ½ years. All along he had asked Sheriff McClaskey not to handcuff him when he went north. Today was the day set for his journey and as the Sheriff entered his cell to put the irons on him, he saw the gleam of a razor in the prisoner’s hand while he again pleaded to go without handcuffs. “No. I’ll not handcuff,” said the Sheriff trying to placate him and slowly approaching so as to take away the razor. Before he could do so Vaughn swung the razor in the air, and cried “Good bye, boys,” and cut his throat from one ear nearly to the other. He had put force enough into the blow to have severed his head from the body almost but the Sheriff grabbed his hand just in time to prevent this. Then followed a desperate struggle between the two. Vaughan had the razor with a death grip and made savage attempts to reach his throat again while McClaskey endeavored to accomplish the delicate task of taking the weapon away from him. He finally succeeded after receiving half a dozen cuts on the hands. Dr. Keegan was sent for and he sewed up the wound and bandaged it. He is now lying in the corridor of the jail on a bed of blankets and resting easily. A Journal reporter was talking with Patsy Ring when a voice came from the couch, “Patsy, get me a pipe and some tabacky.” Pat, asked Fred White, colored, the only other prisoner in the jail, in regard to the matter, “Don’t give it to him,” said White. So Patsy answered, “Jay, the doctor says you can’t smoke.” From the couch, “O, damn the doctor, I want a pipe.” That settled it. The pipe was produced and Mr. Vaughn took a smoke while in a recumbent position. The Sheriff says that Vaughn has been rather despondent since his conviction three weeks ago, but his attempt at suicide was entirely unexpected. He has been in the jail since December 12, when he was put in for assault on his wife at Darlington. Dr. Keegan considers him in a very precarious condition. The jugular vein and the wind pipe are untouched but one small artery was severed which caused a large loss of blood. Sheriff McClaskey has no idea how he obtained the razor as he was carefully searched before entering the jail.

Source: Crawfordsville Daily Journal 6 Feb 1890

J. J. Vaughn, the wife beater and would be suicide is reported today as resting easy and not in any danger of immediate death from his awkward attempt at self murder yesterday. He will carry a sore neck for a few weeks and will be disfigured for life by the scar on his neck, but aside from that nothing serious will follow the slashing.

Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal 15 Feb 1890 p 1

Mr. Vaughn, ever since his conviction has been anxious to see his wife. He wrote letters to her eery day at Darlington and every time Will Johnston his attorney, went to Darlington he carried supplications to Mrs. Vaughn for her to visit him. She finally consented an don Thursday morning appeared at the jail. She would not see her husband; however, unless Sheriff McClaskey were present so the old man came out into the dining room and there in the presence of the Sheriff the two talked over an hour. He was very much affected and at times broke down entirely. She, however, bore up well. He wanted her to withdraw her divorce proceedings, but she refused to do so on the grounds that she wanted a clear title to her property. Mr. Vaughan (sic) is feeling better today in spirits, but not quite so strong bodily. His neck is badly swollen, but his recovery is sure and he will be on his way north in a few days unless he again attempt to kill himself. The mystery of the razor he clears up by saying that he had it when he was put in jail.  He lost it once but found it again a day or two before he used it on his throat. He states he never thought of cutting his throat until he realized that the morphine which he took Sunday night was not doing its work.