The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-09-05
AFARMER SHOOTS TWO BOYS.
ONE DIES SOON AFTER AND THE SEC
oND rs BADIY WOUNDED.

They Were Amoue che Ball Player. at
Whom William 1sarrett Fired Because
Their BnIi Wandered on His Lnnd-He
IL Mobbed by Indignant Villagers and
Nearly KiiIed-Heseued by n Policeman.
William Barrett, dairy farmer OF Maspeth,
fred double barreled shotgun into a crowd
OF boys who were playing ball on green in
Blissville. Long Island City about Az o'clock
yesterday afternoon, MORALLY wounding John
Eagan. 10 years old. OF 10 Greenpoint avenue,
and dangerously injuring David Crawford.
10 years old. Of OF Greenpoint avenue.
Eagan died soon after being shot The
ball field was on Star avenue. between Bradley
and Review avenues. and adjoined a field Bar
rett leased from the Calvary Cemetery corpo-
ration as pasture for his cattle. There has
been continual warfare waged between the
village boys and Barrett ever since the latter
obtained the lease OF part Of the common
which formerly served the boys as play
ground. The boys lost no opportunity FOR an
noying tho farmer. and 1t is said Barrett re-
turned their animosity with interest
In addition to tho two boys named. William
Mcbride. Jacob Ahearns. Harry Kearney. and
Jacob Smith were among the players In yester-
days game. From one cause or another. the
ball kept continually flying over the fenoe into
Barrett's pasture field. and the players scam
pered pell NELL among the cattle in search OF It
This was the situation when Barrett ap-
peared on the scene with the shotgun. John
Roach, who lives In Blissville. says he met
Barrett shortly before this The farmer had
ing Tor a m an AIMED Mciee. Who permitted
horse to Craze on the common.
Msas Ra S9M sa 70
him: AS they parted. Barrett said:
ri 6s. sny OF Spe ess on that
Conflicting stories are told as to what hap
pened on the green after Barrett's arrival.
threw stones at Barrett and that he raised his
gun threateningly several times before hrtnE.
tho psyers snd Wth
Easan and era crsx TG" WheD shot. dropped to
IIaGe and told what had happened; The vi.
SSs 81 m soy P ssos. TO- e soa. Ct
the shot ploughed through Crawiord's scalp.
and he was also punetured about the chest
smoking gun after the shooting. and walked
the infurated throns overteek him. ION. they set
upon him without m Grey. He was kicked and
bsn and IN va lied 9S
drowned in the frantic cries for vengeance
sinking helpless beneath their blows when
Policeman John Haggerty arrived.
The policeman tried to rescue the unfortu-
nate man. but the crowd refused to surrender
their PREY Although but recently appointed
equal to the occasion Up Drawing his club he
out path to where Rarrett Law. Protecting
the prostrate man as well as he could.
all sfdes. and finally got his half senseless
prisoner away In safety. Barrett was taken to
the Second precinct station house In Hunters
Point whore his injuries were dressed; His
ported. his skull is fractured When S he re-
covered sufficiently to speak; he denied hav-
He says he simply fired of the gun to SCARE
them away. and that % the boys who were hit
by the charges stood some distance away from
the others, he did not see them.
Several policemen were sent to the scene Of
the shooting later and made wholesale haul
Of Witnesses. who were taken to the Second
precinct station house and paroed
has family It 10 said he was indicted for as
saulting boy fifteen years ago. but was never
tried.