Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

What caused John Bozinski, 14, to froth at the mouth, tear off his clothes and become what police described as “a regular maniac”?

Another boy cheated him in a game of marbles.

Young John became so incensed that he “clinched with his opponent, tore his own shirt into shreds, and ripped off his undergarments.” When police showed up and took John to the hospital, he was still frothing at the mouth and fighting desperately.

His parents said he had never lost control before. John, after he calmed down a little, said he just lost his mind when his cheating opponent hit him.

From the wine beat: A minor train accident at Laclede, Idaho, spawned a wine-soaked party by the railroad tracks.

The accident caused several casks of wine to burst open inside a freight car. The wine was flowing out of the cracks of the damaged car when some thirsty townspeople showed up.

“Some men and boys, and some women, caught the wine in buckets, pitchers and every other vessel that came handy.”

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1912: A coal mine explosion in McCurtain, Okla., claimed the lives of 73 workers. … 1969: John Lennon married Yoko Ono in Gibraltar.