The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1914-12-25
THREATENS TO KILL
CHARLES F. EYLER SHOOTS AT Mr.. W.
H. HARBAUGH ASSAULTS MRS.
HARBAUGH = SHOOTS THROUGH
DOORS AND WINDOWS - OFFICER
STEM AND DEPUTY SHERIFF FIRED
AIT TWICE-EYLER CAPTURED
WITH GUN.

WITH GUN.
The citizens OF John street and
vicinity were put into a state or eX-
citement on Monday evening about
$50 o'clock, when Charles X. Eyler, 2S
years old, an iron molder, feloniously
assaulted Mrs. Fannie Harbaugh, wife
Of William H. Harbaugh, and tried an
assault with intent to murder upon
Mr.. Harbaugh.
Mr.. Eyler was given a hearing be-
fore Justice Brown on Tuesday after
noon at o'clock and was held under
bond of $1,000 for the May term Of
grand jury. In default of bail he
went to Jail.
Mr.. Eyler was boarder at Mr..
Harbaugh's home, and had been for
about months. On the above even
ing, after supper, Mr.. Harbaugh and
Mr.. Eyler left the house to come up
on Main street for a walk. After walk
ing around for short while Eyler re-
turned to the house where he found
Mrs. Harbaugh making her bed, and
assaulted her before she could get out
of the room to make an alarm.
Eyler afterward went down stairs,
followed by Mrs. Harbaugh, just as
they reached the room below MIR.
Harbaugh was entering the door, and
said What is the matter Fannie?' n
She said II have been assaulted by
Charley, and that he has gone for a
gun and is going to kill us all"
Mr.. Harbaugh went to phone and
called Officer John A. Stem, while his
wife and three children ran out in a
field back of the house where they
stayed for two hours. 1t was not long
before Officer Stem, accompanied by
Officer Helm and few citizens left for
Mr.. Harbaugh's house, followed by a
crowd of curious people. On reaching
the house Officer Stem found Eyler
standing on the porch, placed his hand
on his shoulder and said, Il have
orders to arrest you!" Eyler said IT
will take three like you to take mel
After Eyler found out from Officer
Stems talk that he would have to 90
to Jail with him under all conditions,
said Let me 20 upstairs and get my
overcoat," which was granted him.
Eyler being upstairs for some time
and Officer Helm and Joseph Hahn,
who were guarding the premises out
side, heard a thud on the ground, and
surmising that Eyler was making his
escape, ran into the house and notified
officer Stem that Eyler was getting
away The officer went upstairs and
found that Eyler had jumped through
the screen in the window, head first
to the porch below.
A hasty search was made around
the premises but no trace of him could
be found at that time. Eyler would
never have made his escape, but Off
Ger Stem had no warrant for his ar
rest, and did not want to take any
chances of doing any injury to him
without a warrant.
The search was given up until
Joseph Hahn was coming up the alley,
which crosses John street, and espied
Eyler lying on the ground with a
breech-loading gun in his hand. Eyler
cried out Don't you come any nearer
or I will kill you"
MIR. Hahn hurriedly notified officers
Stem and Helm, who went in search
Of Eyler but did not find him, a. he
had moved to a more secluded place,
and the officers returned to their
homes for the night.
About III o'clock Eyler returned o
Mr.. Harbaugh'B armed with gun and
called for Mr.. Harbaugh to open the
door, which was refused.
Eyler then shattered the front win
dow with a shot from the gun, crawl
ed in and started up the steps firing
his gun three times, the loads entering
the doors, wall and floor, tearing large
holes in them.
hi xfTif in 10
meantime. had made their escape
through the second-story window. The
Harbaughs jumped to the ground and
found refuge in the home of a neigh
Dor, Frank Reynolds and telephoned
Officer Stem that Eyler had returned
and was shooting at them. officer
Stem with Deputy Sheriff Arnold hur-
ried on their way to the house with
Eyler waiting at an upstairs window
with his gun loaded ready to shoot.
A. the officers approached the house
Eyler fired through the window. See-
Ing that he missed his mark, he fired
directly at Officer Stem and again
missed The two officers with their
nerves keyed to the highest pitch,
made a dash for the front door or the
house, entered and went To the room
where Eyler was holding fort. Eyler
exclaimed a. Officer Stem took hold OF
the door knob to enter, II will kill
the first one that enters the door"
After pleading with Eyler to unlock
the door, he consented, as he did so
Officer Stem pushed the door and
grabbed him before he could shoot,
while Deputy Sheriff Arnold put pair
of bright bracelets on his wrists. Eyler
asked to get his hat but he was told
different.
On his way to Jail officer Stem asked
Ey1er where he got the gun and shells.
He said Il borrowed it from Benz.
Miller and told him | was going to kill
some one" Miller furnishing the gun
and ~ shells.
Eyler also stated to Officer Stem,
and took a pleasure I'm repeating it, IL
could have blown your d head Off
when you were looking for me in the
alley, a. \ was lying nearly at your
feet with the gun barrel straight at
you" This was back of the John
Mcdonald property On John street,
when the first search was made for
lim. The alley was % icy that the
officers had to hold to the fence to
Keep from falling.