The Barber Who Inhaled Gas and Ran Screaming Down Pacific Avenue

Apparently driven insane from inhaling gas in a shop on Pacific avenue, a man who gave his name as “Kid” Macy, who had been employed as a barber in the place for two days, became violent and caused a furor of excitement on the sidewalk near Fifteenth and Pacific avenue about 10:30 this morning. He was overpowered only after a desperate fight with bystanders.

The man was discovered by a patron of the shop, who found him lying in the barber’s chair overcome by the nauseating fumes, which were hissing from a large gas arc in the center of the room. The unconscious barber was dragged from the chair and carried to an adjoining business establishment. In a few minutes the barber regained consciousness and started on a rampage, swinging out with both fists.

Before the curious crowd which had gathered about the place realized what had happened, Macy sprang to the door and ran down the street, shouting incoherently. He was finally overpowered and taken back to the shop.

After he had been taken to the Central station in the ambulance, Macy commenced raving in an excited manner. Dr. McCreery stated that his mental state was probably due to the effects of the gas. He showed every indication of being violently insane. He was taken to the county hospital and was reported this afternoon as still irrational.

Whether the man attempted to commit suicide is not known. The gas arc was not working properly, and upon investigation it did not light automatically when the cords were pulled.

Mr. Macy and his wife moved recently from Colorado Springs, Colo., and had been rooming at the home of Mrs. R. B. Hall, 1008 Tacoma avenue. He had been employed at the barber shop only two days.

At dusk yesterday he had trouble with the gas arc and was not able to make it light. It is believed that he inadvertently pulled the cords this morning and lay down in the chair to doze, the gas fumes quickly rendering him unconscious.