Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-06-27
HIS HATE UNBRIDLED
Edward Divins Shoots Down in Court
His Sisters Betrayer.
PROHIBITION CONVENTION WEDNESDAY
War on the Saloons at Creston,
Iowa.
SHOT DOWN IN COURT.

Max Clergett Instantly Killed by Edward
Divins.
New YORK, June 27.-Max Clergett, eiehteen
years old, was shot and instantly killed in part
l Of the court of general sessions this morning
BY Edward Divins Of No. $50 Washington
street. Clergett had been arraigned before
Judge MARITIME on the charge Of raping Divins'
hfteen-year-old sister Sarah on the 18th instant,
and pleaded guilty. He was then remanded
for sentence until Thursday, and a. he turned
and walked through the aisle to return to the
prisoners pen young Divins arose, and holding
. self-cockfng derringer to Clergett's heart fred
before a hand could be outstretched to restrain
him. Clersett fell dead.
Instantly the court room was in comimotion.
Women screamed and fed and men swayed to
and fro to get near to the murderer and his
victim.
Divins when arrested was very cool and went
out Of the court room with two policemen, who
escorted him to the city hall police station. The
body of Clergett was removed soon afterward
and Judge MARITIME adjourned court for the
day.
bivins' sister lived with her widowed sister
who had married Clergett's brother, and
minded the children. She was alone on the
18th instant. when Clergett visited his sister
in-lsw's house ut SAB East 18th street and &C
complished his purpose.
The bullet entered the body on the left side
and passed through the heart. The neglige
shirt worn by Clerget was soorched and black
ened with powder. Young Divins and his sister
are said to be mentally weak. The affair caused
great excitement among those In attendance In
the court. Judge MARITIME ordered the doors
closed ind personally directed the clearing out
Of the court room.
Later Divins was arraigned before Coroner
Schultz. he gave his age rs twenty-five years
and H. r.
the coroners question as to why he killed
Clorget he made no reply. He looked wild and
glared at those In the room as each question
was asked.
When the shooting occurred there was al
most panic in the crowded court room. Sew
sral policemen forced their way through the
crowd and threw themselves upon Dtvins, who,
however, made no resistance, and, in fact,
could not have done 80, e. he is . cripple.
When asked why he had fred the shot Divins
pointed to the dying man and said: THAT fell
low betrayed my sister,"
This was all he would say and he did not
seem at all excited. He kept his eyes on his
Victim and seemed to take satisfaetion in watch-
ing bis last struggles. Az he was being hur-
ried away he said to the officers: "Dont pull
my arms 80 hard, the handouts hurt"
DETAILS OF THE TRAGEDY.
A few minutes before young Clergett was
shot to death the Rev. Thomas Dixon had
been called upon to plead 10 the in
dictment Of ibeling Excise Commissioner
Koch, and then Clergett stepped to the bar to
plead. He seemed to feel his position keenly.
His face was very white; Precipitation stood in
beads on his forehead.
The little girl whom he had ruined was in
court and began to cry softly as Clergett ad-
nitted his guilt. The prisoner never looked at
her.
demanded until Tuesday for sentence" said
Judge MARITIME.
Up TO this point the case had been conducted
in the most rigid routine way and little or no
attention was paid to the prison or - he turned
his back on the judge and started for the pris-
oners' pen. Young Divins sat near the pen on
an end Of one Of the benches reserved for the
public.
He Is thin, emaciated-looking man. Al
Clergett approached him his blue eyes
blazed with fire. He leaned partly for
ward People afterwsrd remembered that
be held one hand in his jacket pocket.
Olergett saw him just as he neared
the pen door. He faltered and raised his hand
In q deprecating way toward Divtns, who sprang
forward, clapped his gun close to the left breast
Of his sisters betrayer and fred one shot.
Clergett fell dead on the broad Of his back.
In the room. The smoke from the pistol
quickly in the air. Divins stood
bate on his face and his derrinser
pointed down at the motionless figure
On the floor. The police finally awoke first
from their lethargy and jumped FOR the muir
1erer. He made no resistance and was led into
he hall. Then he became hysterical and cried
loud for his sister.