William Peters, a Cincinnati dude, tries to mash Maggie Bolton but gets mashed instead. [more]

William Peters, a Cincinnati, O. masher and dude was badly mashed the other night at the Harris’ Theatre. First, Peters was mashed by Maggie Bolton, an actresses playing at the house, and later he was mashed by the woman’s husband, W. Tre Deunick. The dude had managed to get through the door leading to the stage. Like a Peeping Tom, he stole to Maggie’s dressing room and opening the door, took one sly peep at the lady, who was changing her costume. Her husband, who was near, saw the masher and pounced upon him, and in less time than it takes to write it had done up the dude in a most beautiful style. Peter’s lip was split and his face badly disfigured. He escaped further punishment by flight. He lives at No. 77 York street.

Reprinted from National Police Gazette, November 12, 1892.

A Well-known photographer of Albany, Vt., Successfully takes a picture of his own suicide.[more]

Miles Pierce, a prominent photographer of Albany, Vt., posed himself in the big plush chair in his gallery with the utmost nicety one day last week. He presented a three-quarters view to the lens of the camera, which was focused upon him at close range. A drop shutter was attached to the instrument and an instantaneous plate was in the holder.

When the photographer had adjusted himself to his liking he picked up a big revolver that lay on a table conveniently near, cocked it and held the muzzle against his temple.

In his left hand he gripped the bulb connecting with the camera.

As the forefinger pf the photographer’s right hand pressed the trigger his left contracted upon the rubber bulb. Simultaneously with the report of the weapon the eye of the camera winked, and that was all. The body of the man collapsed in the red plush chair. The pistol fell with a clatter to the floor, a cloud of white smoke eddied up toward the sklylight and slowly dispersed, and all was silent.

An hour or two later the body of the man was found.

There was the usual wild excitement in the village, the constables were called, and then the coroner. The camera was shoved out of the way. The verdict was suicide by reason of temporary insanity. The real reason is that nobody in Albany wanted to be photographed, and that Miles Pierce had no more money.

The man who had purchased the photographic outfit found the plate in the camera. He had the curiosity to develop it. When the image on the negative sprang into view he was so startled that he let it fall and smashed the glass. It was piece together and a few proofs printed form it. The owner has exhibited them only to a few persons, and will not part with nay. The drop did its work and the picture was recorded the instant when the bullet had pierce the photographers’s skull.

Reprinted from The National Police Gazette, January 16, 1897.