Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-25
ACCIDENTALLY SHOT
Stephen M. Crocker is Prob
ably Fatally Injured.
AN UNWELCOME GUEST
CORONER HAS BEGUN AN INvEs-
TIGATIoN OF CASE.
Mrs. George Bindloss Did the Shooting
-Crocker Had Terrorized
Whole Family.
AN UNWELCOME GUEST
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW LONDON, Conn. September 25-
BY the accidental discharge of a revolver
in the hands of Mrs. George BfndIoss of ~
School street Stephen M. Crocker a mem
ber of a prominent family of 4OS Ocean
avenue. was shot in the abdomen early yes
terday morning, and now lies In a pre-
carious condition at the Memorial Hospital.
At the time of the shooting Crocker is al
legged to have been terrorizing three women
in the Bndloss residence. which he had en-
tered unwe,comed,
After being shot Crocker dragged himself
to his home quarter of mile away,
where lie was found by his father Edward
n. Crocker. Mr.. Crocker at first thought
his son was intoxica ted and helped him
into the house. He soon discovered a bull
let wound In the pit of the stomach and
sent in a call fer the ambulance. and the
victim was hurried to the hospital, where
an operation was performed.
Coroner to Investigate.
Coroner Franklin II. Brown was informed
of the facts in the case early, and will be-
gin his investigation today.
It is alleged that Crocker who has been
an acquaintance of the family for many
years. went to the Bindloss house about
1880 O'Clock on Saturday night and rang
the door bell Mrs Bindoss. her daughter
Stella, eighteen years old. and Margaret
Alexander the servant were in tie house.
They heard steps the veranda and were
afraid to open the door Finally Margaret
went to the door and opened It, Steve
Crocker, she says. pushed the door open
and brushed past her into the hallway. He
carried three bundles under one arm.
Standing in the hallway, Crocker made ex-
cited ReSttCulatiOQS and tS alleQed IN hav
exclaimed:
George Bindloss has been trying to put
me on the bum. Now I'm going to nut
this place On the bum"
The women tried to demonstrate with
Crocker. and Mrs. Bindloss started to go
to the telephone to send a message to her
husband. She was caught by Crocker and
thrown aside. He declared he would tear
the telephone from the wall and threatened
bodily harm to the women. They were ter
rff1ed and made an effort to bumor Crocker
and get him out of the house. Mrs. Bind
loss said when humored Crocker was peace
able enough. but when coaxed to go out he
became enraged and appeared very strange.
Got Her Husbands Revolver.
About o'clock in the morning Mrs Bind
loss went upstairs to her husbands room
and got out Smith IL Wesson IS caliber
revolver. She heard the noise of a scufffe
ana on reaching small landing saw
Croker with her daughter. The girl had
been thrown into the hallway opposite the
bottom or the stairs. Crocker was beat
ing ana kicking her, 1t is alleged and she
began to scream. Mrs. Bindloss rushed back
to the stairway and grasped the revolver
From the landing Mrs. Bindloss shouted TO
Crocker to desist- Without knowing what
she was doing, Mrs. Bindloss says she fired
the revolver
The un-aimed shot hit nobody Leaving
the girl, Crocker grabbed Mrs Bindloss and
pulled her down the steps to the floor.
hn xt-lf. IL. l.
several times with his hands bruisng her
arms and shoulder against the woodwork
of the hallway. She tried to keep the re-
volver in her right hand away from him.
He tried to grasp it. AS the woman pulled
her hand back the weapon passed close to
Crockers abdomen and graZed his cloth
Ing. with the muzzle pointed diagonally.
Suddenly the revolver went off.
Mrs. Bindloss was aware that the man
had been hurt, and dropping the revolver
rushed through the house to the rear. The
servant girl tried to get the revolver before
Crocker could recover it, but was TOO late.
Despite the pain from the bullet hoe in his
stomach. he picked up the weapon, and
Margaret pushed his hand away from her.
The revolver was then fired by Crocker, it
is alleged, the bullet passing through Miss
Alexander's left forearm.
Crocker.- Walked Home.
After that the wounded man staggered to
his feet and into the hallway again. Mrs.
Bindloss had-been hiding in the cellar, but
came in the back door as Crocker went out
the front. Then he walked up School street
toward Ocean avenue on his way home.
Mr.. and Mrs. BindIoss went to police
headquarters, and Mrs. Bindloss told her
story. friend at once offered bonds to
the extent of 100000 If they were required,
but Prosecuting Attorney Whittlesey
deemed bonds unnecessary.
George Bindloss, husband of the woman.
is past exalted ruler of the New London
Lodge of Eiks.
At the hospital this morning Crockers
condition was trihe improved, but little
hope is held out for his recovery.