Norwich bulletin., 1912-04-02
Fatal End of
 April Pooling
GROCERY CLERK KILLS ANoTH
 ER WITH HAMMER.
MADE VICTIM OF JOKE
Quarrel Followed and Fatal Blow Was strucIe-aAssaiiant Attempts to End His Life at the Police Station.

6ound Beach April 1.--Jamas J. Stewart died from g. blow struck by RoQin Hedges, g fellow clerk in the grocery store of Robert Stewart here today, as the outcome of a joke played by one on the other. Hedges is und ee arrest awaiting action by the coroner, who was called to make an inquiry into the fatality.
 The joke was played by James Stewart, as he and Hedges went to hitch Up their horses before making round in Riverside. Robert Stewart, brother Of James, says that the latter came into the store, laughing, while Hedges was very angry and was nut terinS that ne would get even with the other. Neither man gave an inlSl1ng as to tho joke.
 Started With April Fool Joke.
 It was learned later that the trouble began when Hedges sent Stewart into the store with a monkey wrench, say ing that John DOwney, another em- plOye, vented it. Downey said he had not called for it, and Stewart, reaIiz- ing that he had been made the victim of an April fool joke sought out Hedges. It is alleged that Stewart
 
 monkey wrench, and that the latter attempted to retalate by striking Stewart with a shovel He did not succeed and subsequently, the two went into the store.
 Hit Him with a Hammer.
 When Hedges made a remark about getting Stewards blood, Robert Stew art told both clerks to get to work, advising Hedges to go out on his team Hedges did not go at once, but stood about the store. James Stewart had to go to a flour barrel to fill an order While leaning over the barrel with his head inside, to reach the contents, Hedges darted across the store with 6 hammer in his hand. He struck Stewart on the head.
 Robert Stewart fnterfered, separat- ing the men, who were then fighting, put Hedges out and sent for doctor Dr. Austin dressed the wound but fearing there was D fracture, he sent for the Stamford hospital ambulance.
 Hedges Arrested.
 When the ambulance arrived and il was found that Stewart was dead, ar officer who accompanied the vehicle suggested that an effort be made tC find Hedges.
 Being informed that he had gone to Riverside to take orders, the officer had the ambulance driven there Hedges was located, arrested and talk en to Stamford He did not know oi the fatal termination of the quarrel At the Stamford police station he ex- pressed regret that tho trouble had arisen and that he had struck Stew art and hoped that he would not suf- fer any i'll effects from the blow.
 Hedges Paints at Police Station.
 How is he, anyway?" he asked o1 the officer in charge at police head quarters.
 Dead" came the reply.
 Upon that, Hedges plunged to the floor in a dead faint, remaining 1T that condition fer some time. He was finally revived and later was taken by the sheriff to Greenwich, where he 1. held. charged with murder.
 Cuts His Throat in Cell.
 Hedges was discovered this after. noon inAe pool of blood in his cell ir Greenwich lookup, He had cut his throat.
 Dr. William Burke, after making ar examination of Hedges injuries to- night, Said that barring complications he would recover. It has been learned that sedges used a, strip of copper which he tore from an electric 1ight fixture He cut himself just above the Adams apple" but did net sever the jagllar veiR.
 A Guard Over Hedges.
 The authorities have placed a clest guard over the man, fearing that ht will try to tear away the bandages l Hedges has secured the legal services of eX-Mayer Homer S. Cummings O