Murder at Keokuk-William Doran 1875

DORAN, EATON

Posted By: cheryl Locher moonenc
Date: 2/22/2020 at 08:44:42

Dubuque Daily Times, Friday, Dec 31, 1875, Dubuque, IA, Page: 10

Murder at Keokuk

Christmas Day at Keokuk was saddened by a fearful tragedy- the murder of William Doran by Albert Eaton. Eaton had formerly been a hard drinker, and when drunk was ugly. This past summer he had reformed, and for months was sober and steady. But on Christmas Day he became hilarious, and towards evening grew abusive. In this condition he met Doran, against whom he had an old grudge, and after some altercation, stabbed him in the neck with an ordinary knife. The affray happened near Doran’s house, and Doran’s wife had followed the couple in anticipation of trouble; and when Eaton struck her husband she interfered, whereupon Eaton struck her with the knife over the eye, exclaiming “G-d d-d you, I’ll let you have it, too!” Doran was helped home by some persons passing by, but the blood spouted from his neck in great streams, and notwithstanding every effort to stop the hemorrhage, he died in about an hour. He was a peaceful, quiet, industrious man, and had married about three months.