Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-02-21
A STREET SENSATION

Alex. W. Padgeti, in a Fit of Insanity,
shoots Himself, Probably Fatally, in
Front of Blacks Opera House, at Noon.
A bloody tragedy was enacted shortly after
/ o'clock this afternoon, in the full light OF
day, at a point on the public streets where
the crowds are denseSt Ct plcasan. Saturday
at that hour. While passing along with the
throng a well-known citizen named Alex. W.
Padgett suddenly halted, on the Main street
crossing al Blacks Opera House corner, drew
a pistol and placing it to his head pulled the
trigger and fred bullet into his mouth.
Throwing up his hands he fell forward, partly
upon one side, the blood gush-
ing from his mouth and making
large pool upon the pavement The crack OF
the pistol and sight Of the man falling
brought people 10y the dozen from all dlrec-
tions, crowding around the PROSTATE form of
the apparently dying man. Officer Hughes
happened to be near at hand and took charge
of the pistol, which is an old-fashoned, sin
gle-barreled weapon OF large csliber. DIR. J.
". Barry was by the side Of the suicide in
nome nj and made an examination, finding
the wound probably fatal. Padgett gave no
sign of lie except an occasional long-drawn
Sigh, and as be was placed upon his back,
clasping his hands. He lay where be fell
until the patrol wagon arrived, and took him
to DIR. Barrys Office, at 20! South
Market street followed by hurdreds
of men and boys, news of the startling occur
renee spreading rapidly and swelling the
crowd momeutarily. At this writing Padgett
is alive, but inseusible and believed to oe
sinking.
He has lived here with his family for many
years, and was employed in the shops. The
taint of insanity has affected several of the
family, brother and sister besides himself
having been in the Dayton Asylum for the
Insane. younger brother named Thomas,
on one occasion, number of years ago,
while laborlug under al attack OF tie fatal
disease, shot and wounded companion.
Psdgett worked fol time in the separ.
ator shops, later in the Champion works and
lastly, as pattern-maker in Foos 4 Evans;
shop He roomed on Columbia street, in real
of the Presbyterian church, and boarded with
sister, Mrs. Strong, at North and Market
streets The relatives hal noticed nothing
unusual in his conduct of late, oXcep ing &
more settled melancholy, which characterized
him, and disposition not to talk. He left the
asylum after years treatment last April
and has been here since. Upon all subjects
save one, be was perfectly rational; was even
intelligent and well read, enjoying a good
reputation as a workman and respectable cit
izen. 1t was his delusion that there was g
conspiracy against him and an organization
to do him harm, in apprehension of which
be lived. He is IL years of age and IN
married.
At two o'clock DR.. Barry declared tn,
wound necessarily fatal, the ball having en-
tered the right ear is course hss not heer
definitely discovered, but the brain is proba
bly, affected. A younger brother was Will
him shortly after he was carried to the doc
tors office. A crowd of men and boys re
mained for some time about the stairway
leading to the Office and at the spot on which
the shooting was done.