Jarvis, Tom 1853 - 1912

JARVIS

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/19/2024 at 21:00:46

Source: Decorah Republican May 2, 1912 P3 C4

COMMITTED SUICIDE.
Former Resident of the county Takes His Life at Cedar Rapids.
The following from the Cedar Rapids Republican of last Sunday tells how Tom Jarvis, a former resident of this county, committed suicide in the jail at Cedar Rapids. The first news of his death was in a telegram to Mayor Daubney informing him of the fact and requesting him to notify his relatives.
Tom Jarvis, a poor old derelict on the ocean of life suicided in the city jail last night, tieing{sic} his suspenders about his neck, fastening them to the cell door, kneeling down and slowly strangling to death.
Jarvis was drunk when brought in shortly before eleven o’clock. He was on North First street hanging around the saloons. At the Swab saloon they put him out three times before Officer Long happened by. Officer Long tried to get Jarvis to get out of town. But Jarvis only abused him. The wagon was sent for and Officer Morrison responded. Jarvis occupied his time going to the station in abusing Officer Morrison who sat placidly by giving careful attention.
At the police station Jarvis was placed in the bum cell. He would get hold of the steam coils and shake them, creating considerable of a disturbance. About 3 o’clock Jailer Brown got nervous and moved Jarvis over into the cell where insane patients are confined. Jarvis seemed to be all right except that he showed incipient signs of delirium tremens but nothing very serious.
At 5:30 Janitor Wilson brought the meals for the prisoners down stairs. Jarvis was the first one he was to serve. He tried to open the door and the body came tumbling out. Mr. Wilson gave the alarm. Night Captain McKernan had just reported for duty and he hurried down stairs accompanied by Jailor Brown. Before they arrived Wilson had cut the suspenders in the hope that Jarvis might still be alive.

Transcriber’s Note: Find a Grave shows he was born in 1853 and died April 27, 1912. He is buried in Oak Hill in Cedar Rapids