Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-02-04
TRAGEDY AT H0L YOKE.
Policeman Deyereaux Shoots Police
man Fenton Without Cause.
Then Turns Revolver 10 Mis- Own Head and
Falls . Corpse.


which cannot be explained occurred Sat
urday morning in the police statioA N
this city. Officer Patrick j. Devereaux
shot and mortally wounded ex- Police Gap
tain Maurice d. Fenton. He then turned
the weapon on himself and drove bullet
throneh his own brain, which killed him
instantly.
Fenton died in very few minutes. The
cause cannot be definitely stated now, ou'
it may be found that Officer Deyereaa1
was temporarily insane.
The affair occurred n-the patrolman'
room in the city building, just about
o'clock in the morning. The officers were
assembling at their customary time IA
trolman Devereaux entered the hallway
and passed Lieutenant P. E. Sullivan. lie
spoke a pleasant word with him, and after
a bit of conversation Devereaux entered
the patrolman's room. There he found
Officer Fenton seated next to an iron
post and leaning his head against the pill
lar. So far as known no word passed be
tween the two men.
Devereaux hesitated not an instant. He
marched up to the sitting man. drew M
revolver from his hip pocket and shot mn
in the head, the ball striking the temple
Then, without waiting to see the result o.
the shot, he placed the muzzle OF thu
weapon to his forehead, pulled the trigger
again
And Blew Out His Own Brains.
Both men fell PROSTATE to the floor. Tht
officers in tine adjoining rooms heard inc
pistol report and quickly rushed to thu
scene to ascertain the cause They 1ouno
the two bodies lying on the floor, Will
bloody wounds on the head. Fenton was
still living, though unconscious. and NJ
breathed his last in few minutes
So far as is known, no personal quarrel
of any sort existed between the two mer
previous to the shooting. Both. however
were witnesses in the case Of Patrolmar
Reilly, which was heard before the boare
of aldermen some time over week ago
At that time these officers corroborated
the testimony of Mr.. Reilly and did MOI
make statements which conflicted will
each other. What they said seemed tc
agree perfectly, but it was of such unusual
character as to create comment through
out the city, and many citizens were
heard to express surprise that Fenton ana
Devereaux should become mixed up in ar
affair of that sort. There is, however, In
the circumstances surrounding this hear
ing nothing which can explain the tragedy
of Saturday morning.
So far as is known, the two men
Bore Each Other No Personal 1ll-WH
on account of the events of the Reilly in
yestiQation. The absence. also. of any
personal spite or grievance complicates
the mystery which Holyoke people are try
ing to solve. Every circumstance con
nected with the lives of the two unfortu
nate men is being scrutinized, and it il
hoped that some adequate explanation O.
the tragedy may be found.
Captain Fenton lived at ia Sergeant
street. He was the oldest man on the
force except Patrolman Shine. Fentor
leaves widow and four children. He was
married for the second time about thret
years ago.
Patrolman Devereaux lived at Hamp
den street. He leaves widow and eigh
small children. He had always been {
distinctively home man, remaining witt
his family when off duty. He has enjoyed
reputation of being quiet and orderly
citizen.
The weapon with which the deed was
COIuIllUutu IS u hNO ohoo1 oSAA
acting Smith and Wesson revolver Al
present there are three cartridges in the
weapon, the other two having been Sent
ON their deadly mission. The revolver IL
covered with smoke and is now in posses
sion Of Marshal Twaddle.
In the room at the time of the shooting
were ex-Lieutenant Davis, PatrolmaI
Patrick Ryan, now on duty in ward T.
Patrolman Peter Cullen. brother oil
George Cullen, who was the principa
witness on the board of license commits
sion in thshearing of Patrolman Reilly
The bodies were examined by Medica
Examiner Tuttle, City Physician Ma
honey and DR.. Donoghue One Of these
doctors expressed his opinion to police
officer that the deed had been committed
in fit of insanity.
The terrible tragedy occurred in less
time than it takes to tell it, and it pro
duced sensation most profound. The
news spread with great rapidity over the
city and in short time scores of people
were flocking to the cite hall intent upor
finding out every detail about the shooting
and the cause of the terrible tragedy.