Article regarding NUGENT, James and daughter Eunice, Feb 1892, Wright Co., MN ========================================================================= USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. If you have found this file through a source other than the MNArchives Table Of Contents you can find other Minnesota related Archives at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/mn/mnfiles.htm Please note the county and type of file at the top of this page to find the submitter information or other files for this county. FileFormat by Terri--MNArchives Made available to The USGenWeb Archives by: Rebecca B Frank Submitted: January 2007 ========================================================================= Clearwater Herald. A Horrible Tragedy. 2.9.1892 James Nugent of Maple Lake Murders His Daughter, Eunice. Shot through the Head and Heart - - A Sorrowful Scene. One of the most appalling tragedies in the history of Wright county occurred at Maple Lake on Monday night last, whereby James Nugent, a well known citizen of this county, shot and killed his daughter, an innocent happy girl of nearly fourteen years of age, in a fit of morbid and insane jealousy, aggravated by a free us of intoxicating drink. Eunice Nugent, the young girl who was shot to death, is the next oldest child of a family of seven, the oldest girl being 15 and the balance of the children ranging from 6 months to 12 years of age, and was a favorite in the family, being a willing worker and a bright child. She was 13 years and 10 months old, but in size and figure a fully developed young lady, and old for her years. Like all young girls she had a boy lover, who corresponded with her, out of which grew the terrible tragedy whereby she lost her life, a father had become a murderer, and a loving , dutiful wife, with six bright, intelligent children, were left in woe and desolation. Nugent, who had been to Minneapolis last week, came home Friday night a little the worse for liquor, that being his normal condition, and found a letter which the murdered girl had written to her friend, Florin Sykes in answer to one which she had received a few days previous. The letter was a purely friendly one, there being nothing in it which any innocent girl might not have written. But the father was mad, and demanded to see the letter Eunice had answered. She did not want to show it, but finally did, and there was nothing in this letter, either but such as an innocent girl might receive. But the father was angry, and abused his child in a shameful manner. Monday night he returned from town with a pint of whiskey, of which he had drank about half, when he commenced to abuse his daughter agin, and she went out in the barn, being afraid that her father would harm her. He demanded of his wife that she go after her, and bring her in the house, whereupon Mrs. Nugent lighted a lantern, it being then about 9:30 p.m. and went out to the barn. As she went out of the door her husband got up, went into the front room, and got a loaded revolver which he kept there, and unbeknown to the wife, quietly followed her. When Mrs. Nugent reached the barn and opened the door, she called Eunice whom she discovered sitting on some hay, saying "Come Eunice, your father wants you to come in the house." Eunice replied, "I can’t, mother, I can’t stand his awful abuse." The mother replied: "Well, Eunice, you come in and I will protect your from him." Eunice meantime had gotten up and started to come out, when the mother was startled by the report of a revolver, which was followed by two more shots, each one taking effect, killing Eunice instantly who never uttered a word after the first shot was fired. One bullet went through the heart, one struck her in the head, and one in the mouth. The mother, with almost superhuman strength, and with the ferocity of a tigress protecting her young, grabbed the revolver from her husband, and gave it to her ten year old daughter, who had followed her out, and told her to run for help over to Mr. Nelson’s a near neighbor. The murdered girl fell forward on her face near the horses feet, and the mother dragged her out, and through the help of Mr. Nelson the body of the girl was brought into the house. About two hours after the shooting Constable John Moore, Dr. O’Connor and Justice of the Peace A. A. Jewett, arrived. Nugent was at once taken to Maple Lake, to await the arrival of the county attorney and Sheriff Carpenter. The preliminary examination was held in the afternoon before Justice Jewett, and the prisoner held to the grand jury. The following is the testimony given, the prisoner making no defense. James Moore sworn, testified as follows: Live in Maple Lake. I know James Nugent. I know Eunice Nugent. I saw those parties last night about 2 a.m. at James Nugent’s house. Miss Eunice was dead lying on the floor. I spoke to James Nugent. He said he shot his daughter. I did not understand all he said. Her mother said she was 13 ro 14. He did not state the reason he shot her. He said she was better off to be dead than to be disgraced. Said she was going to Clearwater to join the A.P.A. It would be a disgrace to him , as he was a good Catholic. He seemed like a drunken man. Dr. O’Connor sworn testified as follows: I live in Maple Lake. I know J. G. Nugent. I know Eunice. I saw her last night –dead. She died from a bullet wound. I saw her between 2 and 3 a.m. I saw James Nugent. He did not say anything to me or in my hearing. He said it was unnecessary for so many to come after him. Johnny Moore would be enough. He called his wife out to speak to her. I shook hands with him. He knew me. Mr. Nelson. I live in Silver Creek across the road from Nugent, who lives in town of Maple Lake, I saw him last night about 8 0'Clock at my house. He wanted me to come over and help him next morning. He stayed one and a half hours. Two daughters came to house to borrow a paper, one was the daughter which was shot. Another daughter came two hours later saying her father was shot. She had a revolver with her. I put it away, and gave it to Mr. Moore this morning. I went over there. He said I killed her, and I expect to hang for it. I then helped to get her to the house. I then came down town as fast as I could. Met him on the road. He knew me. J.G. Moore, constable, sworn, testified as follows: Was at Nugent’s 2 a.m. this morning. I am a constable of this county. I arrested Nugent. I laid my hand on him and said you are my prisoner. He said he killed Eunice and was not sorry for it. Her soul was in heaven and would not be disgraced. He kept saying it over and over. If she had minded when he told her this trouble would not be. It was not whiskey but he had forbidden her going with that fellow and she would not mind him. ...(part missing) Wednesday morning after remaining over night in a cell at the courthouse, Buffalo. When he reached the city Nugent was suffering from mental collapse or insanity. He bewailed his crime when left alone in his cell and paid no attention to questions asked him. Sheriff Ege inquired last evening if he wished to see his brother, who is sheriff of Wright County, and Nugent replied that he though he would know him should he come. A message was sent to the sheriff, who will probably go to Minneapolis today. Nugent will be examined as to his sanity. Sheriff Carpenter who took Nugent down to Minneapolis, said that the fellow realized the enormity of his offence and is so overcome that it is feared he will attempt to commit suicide. Nothing can be learned from Nugent in his cell. He groans and bewails his rash act continually, and is in a distressing condition. The funeral of the murdered girl took place yesterday afternoon Father Savy, of the Catholic church of Maple Lake officiating. There was an immense crowd present. It was a pitiful sight to see the grief stricken mother and her six little children, and the saloon keepers of Maple Lake who sold her husband liquor must have had their conscience touched a little bit. Clearwater Herald. A Mistake Rectified. 3.23.92. Editor News: In reading over your account of the tragic death of my daughter Eunice in your paper of last week, I ffond a few mistakes which I would like to see corrected. 1. Eunice had no boy lover and had see Mr. Florin Sykes once in her life. The truth however is that Mr. Sykes had been keeping company with an older sister but that they had quit going together. Mr. Sykes wrote to Eunice asking her if she would not try to reconcile her sister to him to which letter she wrote an answer. 2. That Eunice wanted to go to Clearwater and away form home in order to join the A.P.A. was never spoken of neither in our house not the expression heard of in our neighborhood and I am convinced that the poor girl or rather child never knew the meaning of the A.P.A. Mr. Nugent may have said that on his way to Maple Lake while he was drunk, in order to find and excuse. By placing this article in your paper you will greatly oblige respectfully yours. Mrs.. Lizzie Nugent. In reply to the above we will say that the testimony given by Moore is reference to A.P.A. was just as he gave it, and the reference to the boy lover was gleaned from parties who professed to know. ========================================================================= Copyright Rebecca B Frank 2007. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm =========================================================================