Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1872-06-27
Shot at a Supper Table.

fornia, was the scene of one of the most
horrible tragedies that has ever occurred.
There seems a mystery banging over the
affair, but the facts of the case, SO far as
could be learned, are as follows:
A social club was organized among the
soldiers and nor-commissioned officers of
this camp, and during the winter they
gave series of private theatricals.
Among the members of the club were
several belonging to Company H, under
orders for Camp McDermott; and it was
agreed to give an entertainment and dance,
as q sort of farwell to them. Friday
evening was chosen, and at that time
quite a number of guests were present.
including several from the city, in all
fifteen or twenty couples. Everything
passed off pleasantly, and about 10! O'Clock
they sat down to supper, served in the
mess hall. Among the guests was Emma
Spohr, daughter of one of the men Of The
Twelfth Infantry Band, a pretty little
girl, in her sixteenth year. During the
Sast month she had been on a visit to her
father and mother on the Island, though
much of her time was spent in the city.
During lie evening she had evidently en-
joyed herself very much; she was great
favorite with ALL Another young girl
and she sat side by side at the supper
table, while directly opposite sat her
father and young soldier named Ray.
1t would seem that the conversation OF
the two girls was in relation to this young
man Ray, and they were laughing and
criticising some female characters he had
taken in the private theatricalS of the
club. At this time Fritz Kimmel, First
Sargent of the band, entered the hall,
walked to the rear ofthe chair occupied
by Miss Spohr, deliberately drew Rem
ington revolver, and, as her head partially
turned, without word of any kind fired.
and the young girl fell into the arms of
her companion, her face, but moment
before wreathed in smiles, now covered
with blood.
In a moment all was confusion, and
while the whole company sat as it were
paralyzed at the horrible deed, the mur
derer stepped back few steps, again
raised his pistol, placed it at his own
forehead and fred, and was dead even be-
fore his victim. A physician was almost
Immediately upon the spot. Kimmel, the
murderer, was already dead, but life still
ling in the girl. An examination
showed that the ball had entered just oe-
hind the left ear, and had passed into the
brain, producing fatal wound. She was
unconcious, and lived but about ten min
utes. Her body was removed to the
quarters of her parents, and the company,
appalled, by the sad and sudden conclusion
of their entertainment, went to their
homes.
An investigation into the affair was i'm
mediately ordered by the commandent Of
the station, the civil authorities having
no voice. A number of those present
were examined, but the testimony given
amounted to little beyond the facts given
above Two or three present saw Kim
mel draw the revolver; none dreamed of
his intentions, and when the shot was
fired believed, at first, that the pistol was
accidentally discharged. But further
testimony demonstrated almost to a GER
tainty that the deed was premeditated, !,
though his reasons for so doing remain a
matter OF conjecture. 1t was shown in
the investigation that there existed but a
passing acquaintance between the two.
Kimmel was always ready and anxious
to pay her any polite attentions, and
during her visit on the island was known
to sit and watch the house where she was,
for long periods of time, and seemed at
tackled with spirit of jealousy when any
one of his comrades was with Der. The
night of the party he had invited her to
attend it with him, but heG parents at first
refused, only consenting after repeated
persuaSi0ns. Kjmmel, during the fore
part Of the evening, was engaged with
the band, and it is but charitable TO sup
pose that the sight of the young girl en-
ioying herself with innocent freedom,
dancing first with one and then another
of his companions, excited him really TO
madness. When supper was served, he
allowed her to be escorted to the table by
another, and himself left the hall. He
was seen to 90 to the barracks, where it
is supposed he got the revolver. He then
went 10 tine guard house, where a man
named Summer was temporarily under
arrest, said good b, {" " to him, and with
ont explanation, walked back to the hall,
then to the mess-room, and without
hesitation, committed the murder. Little
further OF interest was elected a. the in.
vestigation, and The decision was in ac-
corclance with the facts as related.
Kinmtl was a native of Germany and
about twenty-five years of age. He never
had heen q tavOrite with his comrades,