Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-02-07

William Trittle Stands Armed
Guard at Side of His
Aged Spouse,
SHOOTS AT TWO OFFICERS
Who Co to House to Arrest Him
Wife Expires During
Night.

William Trittle, suffering a recur-
renee of mental trouble with which
he has been affected for years. barri-
caded the doors of his home. four and
one-half miles south of Milan. last
night. and stood guard over his dying
wife. threatening death 10 any one who
dared cross his threshold.
Sheriff w G.. Heider and his deputy.
f E. Reynolds, had driven out to ar.
rest Trittle to have him subjected to
an inquiry in the county court asked
in a petition filed by DR.. w. l.. Eddy.
of Milan, who had been the family ply
stefan Trittle is Go years of age and
his wife 10 years his senior. The hus
band refused To allow the doctor to
administer to his wife, and ordered
the neighbors who had come to prof
fer their assistance from the house
Mrs. Tr:ttle died during last night.
Fires On the Officers
That either the sheriff or his dep
uty was not shot was due wholly to
the poor craftsmanship of TrittIe.
When they arrived at his home at Z
O'Clock last night they found the door
of the front windows. Sheriff Hefder
Knocked at the door. Trittle respond
ed and asked who was there and what
was wanted.
The sheriff said that he had business
with him. Then Trittle walked to the
window and holding up a revolver
warned the officers that if they did
not make haste to clear the premises
they would have to stand the conse-
quences. The officers knew with the
light shining through the window
Trittle could not see them, but thev
decided the wiser plan would be to
leave and seek the assistance of some
friend of the farmer.
AS they were driving from the
house Trittie opened the door and
took a shot at them, but the bullet
went wide of its mark
Doctor Accompanied Them.
The officers came to Milan and relat-
ed their experience to DR.. Eddy The
doctor consented 10 accompany them
and try to get into the house through
the ruse of calling to see Mrs. Trittle
When the trio arrived at the home
the light was out 1t was realized that
ii would be dangerous to invade the
premises, as it was believed that Trit-
tie was keeping vigil at the window
armed. He had the advantage, as he
could see his visitors, but they could
not see him. 1t was determined to
take a chance. however, and the three
went to the door Dr. Eddy raped
and there was an immediate answer
from Trittle He was told that it was
the doctor and that the latter had been
summoned by one of the neighbors
who stated that Mrs. Trittle was in a
serious condition. Trittle shouted
back that he was competent to care
for his wife and that he did not want
any outside interference.
Would Kill All Three.
He coolly informed his callers that
they had better move on, for if they
attempted to force an entrance he
would kill all three of them. The doc
tor knew the mans state of mind. and
said that doubtless he would carry
out his threat if the officers persisted
in their mission.
Trittle does not know either Sheriff
Heider or Deputy Reynolds. and was
not aware that they were officers. Had
he known they had come to take him
to jail probably he would have shot
them on their first appearance. 1t was
agreed to leave the house and return
for Trittle this morning.
This morning DR. Eddy received
telephone message from Trittie an
nouncing that his wife was dead. This
afternoon Sheriff Heider Will again go
after Trittle. He says he will bring
him this time. Trittle has been com
mitted to asyIums six times. The cou-
pie lived alone on their farm, having
no children so far as the officers knew.
Aged Woman AdJudRed-
Mrs Susan McAuley. of Moline,
aged 60 years, was adjudge1 insane
by a jury in the county court this
and ordered committed TO the I
asylum. Mrs. McAuley is !
4 widow. Since last Nivember she had |
been a patient at the Moline city hos
Dital. Senile degeneration was assign
I'd as the cause of her affection.