The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-18
A BILLIARD BALL BLOW
CHARLES s. DOUGE DIES AS A RE-
suit OF HIS INJURY.
Harry Fitzpatrick, Who Hurled the
Missile, Causing a Peculiar Frac-
ture, Has Escaped.


day evening, Harry Fitzpatrick struck
Charles s. Douge with a billiard ball and
inflicted injuries which resulted in death
early yesterday morning. The men were
both frequent visitors at P. B. Gallaghers
saloon. 1863 West Washington street, where
the affair occurred, and quarreled over
point in the score of the game which was
on. 1t was not thought at the time that
Douge was seriously injured, as he was able
to ride to his home, nearly mile distant,
on his wheel. Fitzpatrick, however, disap-
peared.
Douge, who is a carpenter, has been
without work for the last two weeks, and
has spent much of his time at Carpenters
Hall. Tuesday evening, after leaving the
hall, he started for his home, but on the
way stopped at the saloon to drink a glass
of beer. Several young fellows with whom
he was acquainted were sitting about, and
a game OF pool was proposed by Fitzpatrick,
one of them. The game began but the men
were unable to agree, and loud talk was
INDUCED in at several stages of the game.
Finally Douge became disguised, and,
reaching for his coat, prepared to leave the
place. Fitzpatrick, thinking. so it is
claimed. that Douge was reaching for a
weapon, grabbed a pool ball with which
lodged, but the ivory ball struck him
slightly above the left ear and floored him.
Whisky and cold water soon brought him
to, and apparently no serious injury was
done. He remained about the place almost
half an hour after the fight, spending part
of the time in the barber shop, which is
in the front part of the pool room. With
a farewell to the bartender, he left the
place, and mounting his wheel, rode away,
presumably to his home, at 1913 South West
street. Here he told his wife that he had
been struck by a billiard ball, explaining
that he had merely stopped for glass of
beer at the saloon, and that while there a
fight had taken place, in which pool balls
had been thrown promiscuously about the
room. One of them, he said. had acct
dentally struck him on the head. A doctor
was called, and his examination only re-
vealed slight scalp wound, which was not
considered serious. The man was put to
bed. and no more was thought of the oc-
currence for a short time. Later in the
night, however, he was found in an uncon-
scious condition, from which he never re-
covered Medical aid was called, but the
man died at about o'clock yesterday morn
ing.
The coroner and police were notified ct
about o'clock, and work at once began
toward experimenting the assailant. De-
tectives Splann and Wilson fastened at
once to the saloon in the Capital House,
and from Patrick Hagerty, the bartender,
who was on duty at the time, learned the
story which is given above. One man was
found who declared that Douge and Fitz-
patrick had met outside the saloon and en-
tered together for the purpose of playing
IA
Fitzpatrick hurled the ball, and that he re-
manned but short time after the fight oc-
CURED, some saying that he left before
Douge, and others that he went out imme-
diately after. 1t is certain that the affair
was discussed and every eventuality consid-
cred by Fitzpatrick and his friends. He
explained that he thought Douge was
reaching for revolver and that he threw
the ball in what he thought was self-de-
tense. The police believe that it was ar
ranged he should leave the city until the
affair blew over. When he left he did not
know the proportions his crime had as
sumed. Descriptions Of the man were sent
Immediately to all the little towns in this
vicinity and more extensive advertising will
follow. Fitzpatrick is what the police term
a 'jewelry fakir," and works the small
county fairs through the State. He is be-
lieved to be crooked, although he has never
been arrested by the police here. From his
father, who lives at $50 Indiana avenue, it
was learned that Fitzpatrick was about to
depart for Edinburg on business One of
his companions at the saloon said he had
gone to Muncie Both of these suggestions
were followed by the police, with no ma
terial result. While ordinarily of a peace
able disposition, Fitzpatrick Is reported to
be possessed of hasty temper. The father
expresses confidence that the affair was en-
tirely accidental and that 1t will be proven
thus.
HIS SKULL WAS THIN.
The coroner held an autopsy yesterday
afternoon and decided that the blow from
the billiard ball caused the mans death.
The investigation developed peculiar cir
cumstatnces. The mans skull was unusu-
ally thin. and the force of the blow made
a fracture extending from several inches
above the ear to the bore of the skull,
where the tube enters. Several of the sur
and a clot of blood the size of the palm
brain. 1t was remarkable case as the
ooZing of the blood from these arteries
caused slow paralysis. Consequently the
victim was able to ride to his home, and
Inconsistencies. The fracture itself was
unusual, in that there was no surface indi-
cation OF it, The skull did not move readily
where it was broken. Had there been no
autopsy the case might have been consid-
cred heart trouble and have excited no sus-
picion.
Douge leaves a wife and one child. a boy
eight years old. He is well known in labor
here for many years and an active member
of the Carpenters Union. This union will
have charge of the funeral and will send
the, remains to Douges old home at Modoc.