Omaha daily bee., 1891-04-29
NEWS FROM COUNCIL BLUFFS.
Singular Suicide Of the SaloonkeeperAPete
Beagle at Supper Time.
SENSATIONAL RUM0RS ARE HEARD.
People Who Think the Death Was Not
Self t-Murder-N hat is Now
Known of the
Case.
SENSATIONAL RUM0RS ARE HEARD.

A tragedy took place at about O'Clock last
evening over saloon located at IA Broad
way. The victim was Peter Beagle, the
proprietor OF the place. Some domestic diff
cultics have been taking place in Beagle's
family for some time past, and it was these
tnat led to the affair.
Mrs. Beagle was busily engaged In getting
supper Inst evening, when she heard the
sharp report of a revolver in the adjoining
bedroom. She rushed in the direction Of the
report, and was Mortified to see her husband
lying on the bed with the blood oozing out of
small hole in his left SIDE directly over
his heart. He was gasping and in few sec
onds he brcathcd his last.
Mrs. Beagle was interviewed as to what
she knew about the affair that might indicate
what had led her husband TO the act. She
could give no Information. He had told her
in the morning that he was tired of living
and mad about made up his mind to Kill him
self. She thought no more about what he
had said until she heard the report Of the pis
tol. 1t then flashed upon her that he had
meant what he said, and she ran to his side,
but it was too late.
Beagle has been in the saloon business for
some time past. He ran a saloon on Cutoff
island for time and one on Twelfth street
in Omaha up to about three mouths ago. His
saloon there was popular resort, but it bore
n tough reputation with the police. About
three months ago he closed his place there
and moved to this city and started up sa-
loon at IA Broadway and this, too mas borne
a hard name. 1t is known as the ST. Elmo
and has been Headquarters for all sorts of
dsreputable doings. Beagle was printer
and he worked in number of printing offices
on the other side Of tho river before he had
gone into the saloon business.
AS soon as the shot had been fired DR..
Bellir ger was notified, but before he arrived
on the scene Beagle had breathed his last.
Coroner Waterman was also summoned, and
by his orders the body was moved to the un-
dertaking establishment of W. G.. Estep,
where an inquest will be held this morning
at 10 o'clock.
When the body was lifted from the bed the
ball dropped upon the sheet aud was picked
up and kept by the undertaken. 1t had evi-
IDENTIFY come from the huge Smith Il Wesson
which was lying by the side of the dead man.
1t had entered the left side within an inch of
the nipple, ana had come out of the right
side, about six inches farther down, and
about six inches from the spine.
Last evening, after investigating the affair
| the police came to the conclusion that it
| might not have been n suicide, after all
Of1Cor O'COnnell was detailed TO work up
| the case He made thorough investigation
| but owing TO the different and often contra
| dictory stories which were told by the neigh
| bors about the affair. but little was learned.
| 1t was found that there was no powder mark
| ing around the wound, or on the undershrt
| which the dead man wore. This fact, it is
| thought, is good evidence that the gun was
| fired from q distance. Another thing that
| causes some suspicion is that there are pow.
| der marks on the right hand of the
| dead man. between the thumb and the
| fore finger. The theory of those who be-
| leve that he was the victim of foul play is
| that he was attacked by someone with the
| gun, and that he made grab for the weapon
| just as it went off, catching the charge of
| powder in the hand. One of the neighbors
| onds before the report of the gun, ''Oh, for
| Gods sake, don't do that"
Who the shooting could be laid to, providing
| it Is found that the case is not one of suicide.
| is hard to tell. Mrs Beagle and her hus sband,
| it is stated, have quarrelled a good deal of
| late, and some are of the opinion that the
| shooting was the outgrowth of their quarrel.
| She disappeared last evening shortly after
| the body had been removed from the house,
| and where she went could not be learned as
| the men about the saloon did not seem to
| know.
| The Boston store, Council Bluffs, will close
hereafter at 6o'clock Tuesdays, Wednesdays,
| Thursdays and Friday evenings. Mondays
| 9 o'clock, Saturday 10 o'clock. Boston Store,
| Council Bluffs, Fotheringham, Whitelaw &
| Co.
| Shugart g. Co. carry largest stock Of bulk
| field, garden and flower SEEDS in the west
If..-