Published in The Cleveland Star, Shelby, NC 3 Feb 1911
With Impaired Mind An Atlanta Man Jumps From Moving Train
Evidently Insane, Toleman Smith Cyler, Jumps From Train at Kings Mountain With
$22,000 Worth of Rock Island Bons - Is Arrested and Released and Jumps From Train Again.
Toleman Smith Cyler, one of Atlant's most spectacular citizens, a man of social
prominence, a lover of fine arts and an author of more or less fame, jumped from
the southbound Southern Train at King's Mountain last Sunday night with $22,000
worth of Rock Island Railroad bons in his possession.
He was badly injured in the fall, his face being bruised and his clothes torn and
muddy. He approached Attorney N F McMillan left the bonds in his possession,
borrowed a suit of clothes, hired a negro driving a gray mule to bring him through
the country to Shelby where he caught a train for the mountain. He was nervous
and bore of suspicion when seen in Shelby Sunday.
A message to Sheriff Wilkins told him to look out for the man,
whose name was unknown at that time. Sheriff Wilkins got an the trail and located
him in the Hospital at Rutherfordton where he had completely broken down and sought
treatment. Not knowing the circumstances at the time, he was placed under arrest
by Sheriff Turner of Rutherford to await developments.
A message was sent to the authorities in Atlanta inquiring about the man but
not being able to give his name they did not know anything. He gave the name Taylor
at Kings Mountain and Cameron at Rutherford two. Not finding any evidence on which
the unknown man could be held, he was ordered released and Sheriff Wilkins and
Attorney McMillan went to Rutherfordton. The bonds amounting to $22,000 were turned
back to him by Mr McMillan and the three boarded the Seaboard train Tuesday morning.
Cuyler had a ticket to Charlotte. The sheriff and attorney left him a few minutes
to ride in the smoking compartment. It was soon discovered that Cuyler had
disappeared again, probably jumped from the moving train between Bostic and
Ellenboro.
When Sheriff Wilkins reached here he found Judge E C Clonz, an Atlanta attorney
who came to meet Cuyler in response to a telegram sent from King's Mountain,
saying he was in legal trouble.
Immediately an automobile was procured and Mr Carl Thompson drove the Sheriff
and Judge Clonz back up the railroad
in search of the missing man. They learned that he first took a train toward
Spartanburg over the Clinchfield, but doubled back toward Johnson City. Wilkins
and Clonz sent the automobile back and remained there to catch the next train in
pursuit, fearing that he might jump off again and kill himself.
Cuyler is a cotton broker, who is said to have been dealing in futures recently
and perhaps lost heavily. There is no evidence of crime, but his financial reverses
troubled him and he thought he would get away with part of his wealth. He was
returning from a business trip to Washington and was under the impression that
detectives were after him. He is credited with saying, "If they attach my bonds,
I'll be a pauper."
His mother, Mrs Henry Hunt Smith, of Atlanta says her son was a great traveller
and may have left the train on a sudden impulse. He changed his name from Smith
to Cuyler. He is a member of several prominent social clubs in London, Paris,
New York and Atlanta and returned from a trip abroard three months ago.
Later, Sheriff Wilkins and Judge Clonz followed Cuyler to Alta Pass. He was
ahead on another train while the train they were on stopped at Alta Pass for
the night. Judge Clonz chartered a special, wired to the Sheriff of Mitchell
at Toe Cane to take him into custody. The train took them flying to Toe Cane
where they found Cuyler. He had regained his proper mind and his wild experiences
were only vaguely remembered.
He said he expected to get off of train No 35 at Kings Mountain to send an
important telegram. The train was moving rapidly and he was thrown violently to
the ground, sustaining injuries that muddled his mind. This accounts for his
strange actions.
Sheriff Wilkins and Judge Clonz took him to Spartanburg where he caught No 35 for
his home in Atlanta.
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