Philadelphia Inquirer, October 4, 1898View transcription
BENT ON MURDER
William Eagan, a Well-known Base Ball Player, Tried to Kill His Wife
OVERPOWERED BY POLICE
He Had Planned to Commit Murder and Suicide—Had Been on a Prolonged Debauch
William Eagan, a well-known base ball player, who played second base for the Pittsburg team early in the season, tried to murder his mother in Camden yesterday. He also intended to kill himself. He was thwarted in his murderous design by the police and locked up.
Eagan entered the barber shop of Charles Riceman, on Federal street, above Second, yesterday morning, and paid Riceman 50 cents that he had borrowed. He was intoxicated and showed a 38-calibre revolver. Pointing the muzzle of the weapon at his temple, he said: "I'm going home to kill my wife and then blow my brains out. I am now clear of debt and ready to do the job."
A local newspaper man who was getting shaved telephoned to police headquarters and an officer was sent to Mrs. Eagan's home, at 442 West street, to prevent a possible tragedy. Eagan reached the house ahead of the policeman and began to search for his wife with the revolver in his hand.
He saw his wife entering the shed, and, taking hasty aim, fired at her. The bullet missed her head by about a foot and buried itself in the woodwork of the shed.
Mrs. Eagan turned and fled for her life, pursued into the yard by her husband, who fired another shot. Again his aim was bad and the bullet went wide of the mark.
Policeman William Schregler, who lives on the opposite side of the street, was attracted by the shooting and, getting out of bed, hurried, half dressed, to the scene. Mrs. Eagan had by this time sought safety in the house of Mrs. Mathilda J. Bray, her next-door neighbor.
Seeing that his wife had escaped, Eagan turned and pointed the revolver point-blank at Policeman Schregler's breast. Before he could pull the trigger the weapon was knocked from his hand by Policeman Pedricks, who arrived on the scene in the nick of time.
Eagan was overpowered by the two officers, with whom he fought ferociously. He was sent to the City Hall, where he is locked up charged with assault and battery, with attempt to kill. He expressed regrets at not accomplishing his object and said he purchased the revolver yesterday solely for the purpose of killing his wife and himself.
On Friday last Eagan was arrested and sentenced to ten days by Recorder Nowrey for molesting his wife. On Saturday his fine was paid by a friend, and he was released from custody. He was also arrested last week for breaking the furniture in his wife's house, but was released upon promise not to annoy her.
Eagan's troubles are all due to drink. He formerly played second base with the Philadelphia and St. Louis teams, and for three seasons was with the Syracuse Club. He has been on a debauch since his release by the Pittsburg Club in the forepart of the season.
Recorder Nowrey last evening committed Eagan, in default of $1500 bail.
William Eagan, a Well-known Base Ball Player, Tried to Kill His Wife
OVERPOWERED BY POLICE
He Had Planned to Commit Murder and Suicide—Had Been on a Prolonged Debauch
William Eagan, a well-known base ball player, who played second base for the Pittsburg team early in the season, tried to murder his mother [sic] in Camden yesterday. He also intended to kill himself. He was thwarted in his murderous design by the police and locked up.
Eagan entered the barber shop of Charles Riceman, on Federal street, above Second, yesterday morning, and paid Riceman 50 cents that he had borrowed. He was intoxicated and showed a 38-calibre revolver. Pointing the muzzle of the weapon at his temple, he said: "I'm going home to kill my wife and then blow my brains out. I am now clear of debt and ready to do the job."
A local newspaper man who was getting shaved telephoned to police headquarters and an officer was sent to Mrs. Eagan's home, at 442 West street, to prevent a possible tragedy. Eagan reached the house ahead of the policeman and began to search for his wife with the revolver in his hand.
He saw his wife entering the shed, and, taking hasty aim, fired at her. The bullet missed her head by about a foot and buried itself in the woodwork of the shed.
Mrs. Eagan turned and fled for her life, pursued into the yard by her husband, who fired another shot. Again his aim was bad and the bullet went wide of the mark.
Policeman William Schregler, who lives on the opposite side of the street, was attracted by the shooting and, getting out of bed, hurried, half dressed, to the scene. Mrs. Eagan had by this time sought safety in the house of Mrs. Mathilda J. Bray, her next-door neighbor.
Seeing that his wife had escaped, Eagan turned and pointed the revolver point-blank at Policeman Schregler's breast. Before he could pull the trigger the weapon was knocked from his hand by Policeman Pedricks, who arrived on the scene in the nick of time.
Eagan was overpowered by the two officers, with whom he fought ferociously. He was sent to the City Hall, where he is locked up charged with assault and battery, with attempt to kill. He expressed regrets at not accomplishing his object and said he purchased the revolver yesterday solely for the purpose of killing his wife and himself.
On Friday last Eagan was arrested and sentenced to ten days by Recorder Nowrey for molesting his wife. On Saturday his fine was paid by a friend, and he was released from custody. He was also arrested last week for breaking the furniture in his wife's house, but was released upon promise not to annoy her.
Eagan's troubles are all due to drink. He formerly played second base with the Philadelphia and St. Louis teams, and for three seasons was with the Syracuse Club. He has been on a debauch since his release by the Pittsburg Club in the forepart of the season.
Recorder Nowrey last evening committed Eagan, in default of $1500 bail.
