The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-01-03
Deplorable Sequel TO an Unhappy Diff
ference Between Husband and Wife.
William Barrett Shot by Harry II. Morgan.
Who Years Ago ElOped with and Married
Miss Edgerton. Society Belle.
The Shocking ARRAY an Outcome of q
Scandal and Abduction of q Child.
Horrible Crime of Tramp in Michigsn-
Death Of Young Woman at Philadelphia
from the Effects of Surgical Operation.
SCANDAL AND SHOOTING AFFRAY.

SCANDAL AND SHOOTING AFFRAY.
William Barrett Shot by Harry Morgan, q St
Louis Society Swell.
ST. LOUIS Jan. "A little after S o'clock
this evening Harry II. Morgan, of the
Laclede Gas-light Company, high in
society, shot and so badly wounded his
wife's brother-in-law. William Barrett.
that 1t cannot now be told whether be will
live or die. And now society is furnished
with the elimination of a scandal which
has been slowly coming to the surface.
The story is best told chronologically.
The parties concerned are among the
most prominent society people In the city.
Morgan is a son of Judge Morgan. of New
York. who was United States minister to
Mexico under Garfield, the son being
secretary of legation. Young Morgan.
after the close of oarfield's adj
ministration, travelled about the
country and finelly located In this
city. At that time Col. w. p. Edger-
ton was prominent man in Sc. Louis and
his family moved in the best circles of So
ciety. Morgan became acquainted with
Miss Mollle Edgerton and it was not long
lady's parents forbade the match. however,
as they thought Morgan too wild. Not be-
ing able TO marry with the parental CON-
sent the young compile resolved to take
things into their own hands. Miss Moilie
walked quietly out of the house one after.
noon, met Morgan and they were married.
Colonel EdReTton soon afterward removed
to Kansas City, where he is now q promi-
nent street-railway magnate. The young
couple have lived most of the time in ST.
Louis and have had four children. only one
of whom. Gladys, is living Their story is
the story of many a runaway match. At
first they were happy, then mutual oold-
ness and finally dislike arose. Mrs. Nor
gan reproached her husband with having
subjected her to indignities and cruelty.
and with preferring to take in the town"
to passing The time with her. He in turn
charged her with receiving attentions
from other men.
Some time ago Mr.. Morgan informed his
wife that he intended bringing divorce pro-
ceedings against her, threatening to sum-
mon as correspondents i've of the best
known society men in the city, whose
names he mentioned at the time Mrs. Nor
Ran Indignantly denied the Insinuations
and detied him to do his worst. If the
threats h6d been fulfilled society would
have been shaken to its very center. One
of the gentlemen mentioned Is q we'll
known singer, and ell are society sweIls of
the first water. AT this juncture however.
truce was declared, and a separation was
determined upon. Mr.. Morgan left the
house and went to the Hotel Rozier. The
only child remained with it's mother.
THE CHILD ABDUCTED.
One afternoon in November Mr.. Morgan,
getting into a carriage with a few neces-
saries of travel drove ont to the residence
of his wife. The little one was playing in
the front yard. A proposition to take q
walk and buy some candy was eagerly ac-
cepted. Morgan placed the child in the
vehicle, got in himself. and the driver
never drew up until the relay depot, in
East St Louis, was reached. Tickets for
New York were purchased, and the child
was soon being carried away hundreds of
miles from it's mother. Its disappearance
was soon discovered. With a sinking
heart the almost distracted mother
notified the police. Her worst fears
were confirmed ten days later, when she
learned from her husbands lips that he
had kidnapped the child. She was told that
it was in Paris and that she would never
see it again. Mrs Morgan at once sought
legal advice. She, in the meantime. was
informed that the child had not been taken
to Paris, but was In care OF her husbande
relatives in New York.
Mrs Morgan then placed the case In the
hands of Edmond A. Is. Gareshe. Saturday
night a warrant was secured for abandon
ment and another for ~'huctioD. In the
meantime Morgan had the hotel. and
had rented roo the Lucas
Building on Eigh' md Chestnut
streets 1t so ned that the
window of Morgsn's room is directly
opposite attorney Gareshe's Office. Mrs.
Morgan took advantage of this fact TO wit
ness her husbands arrest. She came
down yesterday morning IN company with
MIR. Garesche,, ensoonced herself in the
window OF her attorneys Office and
watched across the street the detective.
deputy sheriff and Mrs. Morgans brother
nlaw approach the sleeping mans room,
for Morgan lay ebed late. \ peep through
the key-hole and Bassett recognized the
sleeper. Rat. tat. tat. tat" on the door.
moment later Morgan was under arrest,
writ of habeas corpus was also served
on Morgan, requiring him TO produce the
child in court before Judge Valiant. He
was released on bond, with j. g. Calhoun
as security. Twenty-four hours aud moth
ing developed.
Tonight on Esston avenue Barrett and
Morgan met. The natural result followed;
there were words. hot and angry, Morgan
drew pistol and fired. Barrett fell
wounded as already told. moment moro
and the police at hand, and had Morgan
under arrest He is now In the city prison.
Mrs Morgan will institute suit for divorce
tomorrow. Desertion, neglect. cruelty and
lndignIties will be the grounds for the ac-
tion. Suit for the possession or the child
will also be brought in connection with the
habeas corpus proceedings. 1t Is expected
that the sensational allegations made by
her husband Will then take the form of q
cross bill.