The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-10-06
Theodore Driven to Deed by
Abuse She Suffered, He
Says.
SISTER GAVE HIM PISTOL
AND SAID, PROTECT US"
Listened to Angry Words and
Got Weapon as Enraged
Man Struck Wife.

with possible charge OF murder
hanging over his head. Theodore Eiler,
10 years old, sits unconcerned in cell
in the Fifth Precinct Police Station.
awaiting the result of the injuries of
his father John Eiler, whom he shot
last night in their home, SO Littleton
avenue, in defense of his mother The
father is in a critical condition in the
City Hospital, with his wife. whom he
is accused of beating, at his bedside
Eyes. I shot my father said Theo-
dore today. II can't say I'm sorry for
it, either"
With the exception of the wife an1
mother who weeps at the bedside of
the wounded man, members of the
family sympathize with the prisoner
dc claring that they are not sorry that
their father was shot, and even saying
that Theodore should be commended
for the course he took. They declare
that the members of the entire family
had been living In dread for their lives
for some time past. through their
father, owing to his heavy drinking,
and they are not in the least worried
over his critical condition.
Fourteen-y -year-old Clara Eiler, daugh-
ter of the man shot and sister of the
prisoner, said: Something had to be
done with pop, or he would have killed
us ALL"
Mrs. Salna Prestler, John Railer's
married daughter, handed Theodore tha
pistol with which her brother did the
shooting. several hours before the
tragedy. At the time her admonition
was:
Here, Theodore, take this and pro-
tect your mother and sister!"
Theodore Eiler says that "his duty to
defend his mother" came soon after
wards. Shortly after 8 o'clock his
father and mother quarreled in the
kitchen. Theodore was in the house,
and he thought of the revolver lying in
bureau drawer where he had placed it
two hourse before. The boy went into
room adjoining the kitchen, where he
could hear every word
The account given by the rest of the
family is that the elder Eiler became
very abusive, even to the point of using
vile language. His married son, Frank.
who lives at so South Seventh street,
entered and tried to calm his father.
Instead, the old mans fury increased,
and he drove his son from the house.
shoots Over Mothers Shoulder.
Theodore then demonstrated but, it
is said, without avail. Finally, it is
said, the elder Eler threw match box
at his wife, followed closely by coffee
pot containing hot coffee which he
snatched from the stove. After that, it
is said, he started to kick his wife.
Theodore rushed upstairs and got the
loaded revolver, and returning found
his mother in the dining room with q
door closed between her and his father.
The latter, 1t is alleged, was endeavor-
ing to break the door down.
Two panes of glass in the door were
broken, and through these Theodore
aimed his pistol over his mothers
shoulder. Two shots rang out, and his
father dropped to the floor with
groan. The click of the hammer was
heard on a third cartridge, and then
there was silence, broken by the shriu
cry of Mrs. Eiler, who had all but
tainted.
The police were notified. Mrs. Eiler
fled to the house of q neighbor and
rapidly grew worse. Theodore Eiler
was locked up in the Fifth Precinct
Police Station. There, after being told
that anything he might say would be
used against him, he made the follow
ing statement:
"I shot my father ard feel that II
was no crime, for I only did what any
faithful son would do for his mother
I believe if I hadn't shot him he would
have killed mother. I couldn't stand It
any longer witnessing him abusing.
kicking mother, and making life miser-
able for all of us, If he had let strong
drink alone nothing would have ever
happened, No, l can't say am sorry
for what 1 did"
Eilcr Accuses son-in-Law.
EiIer made this statement in the hos
pital in the presence of Detective Ser
geants CORDIALLY and Fallon and Or.
William Douglass;
IT had quarrel with my wife over
my SON i'm law when / came home from
work. My wife, daughter and her has
band, Frederick Prestler, and my son
Theodore were present.
my son-in-law said to my son ne
ought to shoot me.
Theodore then pulled the revolver
and left me in this condition. did not
see the revolver until he shot me-
When Theodore was brought into tho