The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-08-09

Partially Intoxicated. ,
This morning at 4 o'clock advices
from the hospital were to the effect
that the ball had been removed from
Mrs. Eilers' read but that it had been
impossible to locate the ball in Eilers'
neck. The ball was found to have en-
tered Mrs. Eilers' head just below the
ear, and lodged in the opposite side of
her head. 1t is thought that she may
recover.
The attendants are expecting to
experience considerable trouble with
Eilers who is making ever effort to
commit suicide. He made an attempt
Wilmington last night. 1t is thought
that he will have to be tied to prevent
him from carrying out his purpose.
In a fit Of passion because he could
not get what he wished for supper,
Christopher Eilers on last night shot
his wife and then placed a bullet in his
own neck. Mrs. Eiler's condition is
extremely critical and her death is OK
pected at any time. Eiler's wounds
are not so dangerous.
The shooting occurred last night at
Carolina Beach a few minutes before
Z O'Clock. Eyilers had been in Whining
ton for several days and returned to
the beach yesterday afternoon on the
Sis boat. His wife has charge Of the
Hanover Seaside Club and Immediately
after he reached the beach he went to
the club to get his supper. His wife
was in the kitchen when he arrived.
He has not been on good terms with
her for some time and he seems to
have been in an i'll humor last night
even before he saw her. When he en-
tered the kitchen he enqp.red what
there was to eat, n upon his wife
telling him he became angry because
she did not name anything hat he
desired. With a threatening gesture
and muttering insolent words aDou:
not furnishing him something fit to
eat. Eilers started at his wife, The
Poor woman had felt the heavy hand
Of her husband on former occasions
LII III ISTIOT size llcQ lTOIH Tue DUl.C-
ing. She ran around the building, past
the bowling alley, and had almost
reached the railroad track, which IS
not far from the club, when the brute
overlook her. In a flash he drew his
pistol n sen a bullet crashing into
the head of the wife he mad vowed to
protect. With a LOUD scream the un-
fortunate woman sank to the ground
in an unconscious condition.
For a moment Eilers viewed the
PROSTATE form, AMI realizing what he
had done. he placed the pistol to his
own neck m fired. the bail taking
effect. He fell. but struggled to his
feet in a few minutes.
The pistol used was an American,
Bull Dog. 80 calibre. The bullet en-
tered Mrs. Eilers' head just below the
left a n ranged upward toward
the base of the brain. Tile bullet en-
tered Eilers' neck on the right side.
near the jugular vein and lodged in
the opposite side of his neck. He also
hard a deep cut on the left side of his
neck. which it is supposed was done
with the hammer of the pistol.
Mrs. Eilers' daughter, Mrs. E. B.
Loughlin, was the only person at the
club when the shooting took place,
but she didn't witness the horrible
crime. Eilers makes no denial of the
fact that he shot his wife with the
intention of killing her. The
first ones to arrive upon the scene
n Mr.. Hugo Eilers, SON Of Mrs.
Eilers. and Mr.. E. B. Loughlin, her
son-in-law.' They secured the aid of
Mr.. Alex. McEachern and carried Mrs.
EilerS into h club. They then went
after Eilers. who had walked off down
the beach. When he saw the men
approaching he began walking away
from them at a rapid pace. but he
halted when Mr.. McEachern COM
manded him to do so. He was carried
to the club and remained on the porch
until he left for Wilmington.
There was no physician on the
beach. and it vas hours before one
could there. In the meantime.
Mr.. l.. H. Skinner. Mr.. T. S. McMan-
us, Mr.. McEachern and Mr.. Loughlin
did all in their Owe to relieve Mrs.
Eiiers' suffering. Although not at
once arrested, because there was no
| officer on the beach, Eilers Sat upon
the porch Of the club and conversed
| with those gathered aroun him. He
expressed himself as being sorry he
had shot his wife and said he hoped
she would cover
The first news reached the city a
few minutes after seven o'clock. when
some one on the eac telephoned h
| news to Mr.. Louis Friemuth. foreman
Of Hose Company No. 8. VINO married
a daughter of Mrs. EileTs. Mr.. Erie
muth Immediately began to make
some arrangements for getting a ply
stefan TO the beach. AT first it was
thought that the best way o go would
be to drive through the country. but
in the meantime Captain Harper was
Been. and although he knew it would
take some time to get up e on
the Wilmington. he agreed to go.