Woonsocket, Rhode Island, USA
1886 - Killed After A Dance - WOONSOCKET, R.I., HAS A SUNDAY MORNING MURDER.

Mitchell Deluge Shot Down by a Man with Whom He Had Been Intimate since Boyhood - The Victim's Ante-Mortem Statement.

WOONSOCKET, Jan. 18. - The bells had scarcely ceased tolling the hour of midnight Saturday when three pistol shots rang in sharp succession on Clinton street. One man fell and a group of nearly 20 others scattered in every direction. The cry of murder and the noise of the shots awoke the people and brought one of the members of the police to the scene. Mitchel Deluge was found, shot in the left side by a man named Lacoste. The murderer had fled and the police were quickly upon his track, but have not yet found him.

Saturday evening a dance was held at the residence of Louis Degre. Beer and liquor were brought in, and before 11 o'clock several of the party were much under their influence; among whom were Deluge and Lacoste. Finally a quarrel arose and about 20 persons left the house. As they crossed the street Deluge put out his foot and tripped Lacoste, when a young man who was with Lacoste cried out: "Shoot the cuss." At this remark Lacoste drew a revolver and

FIRED THREE SHOTS AT DELUGE,
one of which took effect in the left side, lodging near the spinal column. An attempt was made by Thomas Dolan and others to capture the assailant, but he held up his revolver and threatened to shoot the first man who laid hands on him, and the crowd dispersed and Lacoste made his escape. The wounded man was conveyed into the house and Dr. J. C. Maranda afterward probed for the ball, but was unable to find it.

At 7 o'clock Sunday morning Deluge was placed on a mattress and conveyed to the residence of his brother-in-law, Louis Drogan.

ANTE-MORTEM STATEMENT.
Deluge told the following story: "I formerly resided in Woonsocket, but now make my home at Southbridge, Mass. My occupation is that of a shoe-maker. I have been out of work six weeks. I came here with my wife and baby two weeks ago to look for work, but was unsuccessful. I left my sister's house Saturday morning and in the afternoon I met Lacoste, whom I had known since I was a small boy. We visited several saloons and drank beer; do not think I drank enough to be drunk.

At this point Deluge fell over on the bed, having fainted from exhaustion. After half an hour he roused and wanted to complete his story, but it was deemed best to keep him quiet if possible. He, however, gave his age as 24, and stated that he had been married three years, and pointed to a young woman and little girl 18 months old saying, "That's my wife and baby, but I have got to die and leave them."

DEATH COMES.
Deluge died at 3.45 o'clock Sunday afternoon. Lacoste is 23 year of age, about five feet six inches tall, smooth face, high cheek bones and dark complexioned. He resided here several years ago, and went west and only returned to Woonsocket last Tuesday, since which time, it is said, he has been under the influence of liquor most of the time. Lacoste is supposed to bee hid in Woonsocket by his friends.

The Day
New London, Connecticut
January 18, 1886

Visit Woonsocket, Rhode Island, USA
Discover the people who lived there, the places they visited and the stories they shared.