Clipping:An explanation for Larkin's behavior
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| Date | Monday, March 31, 1884 |
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| Text | It was in 1879 or 1880 that Larkin pitched for the Chicago Club, and he was at that time a model player, and very popular among his comrades. While pitching that season Anson hit a ball that went with full force at Larkin's head. No player in the country can hit a ball harder than Anson, and this time he fell upon it with full force. Larkin had not time to put up his hands and receive the liner. As a result, the ball hit him on the left side of the head, near the temple, knocking him down. His comrades thought he was killed sure, but he was up again in a moment and playing away as though nothing had happened. Those who know Terry, however, say that the ball left a dent in the side of his head as though it had crushed the skill, and that he was never the quiet, gentlemanly fellow afterward. Instead, he became cross-grained, and more and more of a crank daily, until at last he set out murdering people. It seems strange that at Larkin's trial his attorneys failed to put in the plea of temporary insanity and refer to the Chicago incident, in which he came within an inch of losing his life. Cincinnati Enquirer March 31, 1884, quoting the St. Louis Critic The statement has been made that Larkin, who is now in jail for his murderous proclivities, was once a quiet, gentlemanly fellow and that his acts are the result of mental aberration brought about indirectly by being hit on the head by a ball from Anson’s bat, a couple of years ago. This is denied by Messrs. Anson and Spalding, who say that the ball alluded to struck him on the cheek, and that it was merely a temporary injury. Larkin’s downfall was entirely due to his excessive indulgence in liquor and kindred vices. The Sporting Life April 23, 1884 |
| Source | Cincinnati Enquirer |
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| Submitted by | Richard Hershberger |
| Origin | Initial Hershberger Clippings |
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