Thurman Waller, demented ex-service man, is believed to have sought to kill himself here today when he set fire to the mattress in his cell in the county jail, where he had been held since Friday. Timely arrival of jail attachers? (attendants?), however, prevented the flames from spreading.
Papers found on the prison of Waller show that he has been a patient of the government hospitals, but James C. Crone, commander of the local post of the American Legion, stated tonight that the Charlotte branch of the Veterans Bureau had refused to recommit theman to a hospital because he had gone A.W.O.L. while previously taking treatment,and because he was a confirmed alcoholic.
Shouting, singing, madly gesticulating, and occasionally muttering to himself French words he is thought to have picked up while serving overseas, Waller now and then says something about fighting for his country, and waxes vehement in his denunciation of the ill-treatment he says is now being accorded him. He was placed in jail for safe-keeping by local American Legion and Red Cross officials, when his case came to their attention.
From Best Station
Waller is believed to be from Best Station, and is said to be married.
Commander Crone stated last night that he gathered from the telegrams received from the Charlotte office of the Veterans’ Bureau in response to his message saying for government aid in behalf of Waller that the regional director there believes the unfortunate man ha been cured of neuropsychia, the disease from which he suffered when first committed to the hospital, and that he ascribed his present condition to the excessive use of alcohol.
“But we know the man is demented,” Mr. Crone declared, adding that unless the local post of the American Legion received prompt action from the Charlotte bureau, that he would take the case to Washington. “I wired the director,” said Mr. Crone, “imploring him to first place the man in a hospital, and then investigate his case.”
Another effort will be made to interest the Charlotte regional director in his case. Dr. W.H. House, Goldsboro physician, will examine Waller today, and if he finds him demented, as his actions indicate, American Legion officials will renew their fight for hospitalization for him with renewed vigor.
Precautions were taken last night by Sheriff Grant’s deputies to prevent Waller from taking his life. He was thoroughly searched, and all materials removed from his person. Blunt instruments in the detention room, too, were removed.
From the front page of the Goldsboro News, Wednesday morning, March 11, 1925
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn93064755/1925-03-11/ed-1/seq-1/#words=MARCH+11%2C+1925
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