The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-03-30
RITTER'S REVOLVER.
Murder In Newport This
Morning.
Charles Theis' Brains Blown Out by
Joseph Ritter.

Our sister city of Newport, KY, again
comes to the front this morning with an
other murder, the principal actors in
which were two well-known young men
named Charles Theis, Jr., and Joseph Rit-
ter.
These young men had attended ball at
Eclipse Hall last night and at an early
hour this morning Thels was seated beside
young lady who had been brought there
by Robert Brown, who came up and
ordered Theis away. A quarrel resulted,
which, however, was temporarily settled.
On going home at about o'clock the
parties again met at the corner of Jeffer-
son and Monmouth streets, Ritter being
one of Browns party, and the difficulty
was renewed, Brown finally striking
Theis and knocking him down. At this mo-
ment it is stated Ritter rushed up with
drawn revolver, and leveling it at Theis'
head fired twice. one ball entering the top
of the victims neck and the other pene-
trating his neck. Theis was at once car
ried to his uncle's saloon, on Jefferson
street, and thence to his.home, where he
died in one hour and twenty minutes from
the time he was shot,.
Theis is the son OF Charles Theis, the we'll.
known halter on York street, near Jeffer-
son, and always bore good charac-
ter, except for sobriety.
Ritter is brother of Adam Ritter, the
dry goods merchant on Monmouth street.
near Harris.
His character hasalways been OF the very
best-agood, quiet. Industrious young man,
except when under the influence of liquor
and then he becomes reckless. Ritter sur
rendered himself to the officers.
Coroner Schoolfield was notified and ar.
rived at the house about 8 o'clock, and at
1890 had the following jury impaneled:
Stephen Solar A. W. Bodley, r. B. Ca
rothers, George Pagan and John Speck.
man.
The following witnesses were sworn: DIR.
Fred. Davis, J. Gugle, Robert Brown,
Henry Meyer and J. Brutsche.
J. Gugle was the first called. Was at ball
last night; saw Pete Betz with his hand
| tied up and said he was cut; did not say
who did the cutting: we went to Fechter's
drug store and got the wounds dressed
went back to hail and Theis got his over
coat; met Robert Brown and Henry
Meyers; we found the ball was broken w
and came back. Pete Betz and
we're ahead; Betz turned around oc
casionally and spoke to the crowd; Meyers
and Brown were behind quarreling
Betz turned around and said, 'iMeyer, Dc
you want to fight? well, wait till to-mor
row." "No," said Betz, "Let us fgh
now," and they commenced. All got tt
fighting. Theis was knocked down and
was knocked in the gutter, got up and
went to Theis; heard Ritter say "You will
pull revolver on me, will you?' and then
he fired while Theis was lying on his
back; when shot, l took tie pis.
tol out of . Theis' hand and they
carried him on Deitz's cellar door. There
we're two girls present, Miss Fox, and do
not remember the other girls name. The
quarrel was about girl. do not remem.
ber her name. Theis, after he was shot,
called me. / ran to him, but he fell back
and did not speak after that. This wa,
after both shots were fired. I seen Rlttel
fire both shots. There were no threat.
made by either party previou.
to the shooting, that I heard
I did not see Theis strike or make any
threats; l heard the shots, but d. moi
know but from hearsay who fired; Thei.
and Betz followed us down Monmouth
street. live at 1876 Washington avenue
but was seeing my girl home; the girls
names are Miss Lou Fox, residing on Belle
vue street, below Cabot, and Miss Lizzie
Manning, residing at the corner of Taylor
and Columbia streets.
Robert Brown was next called-Mr
Meyers, Ritter and l were at Turner Hail.
and went to Eclipse Hall about IL o clock
Betz got to quarreling, and thought
would join in and have q little fun
There was general row, ir
which all hands took part
After leaving the Hall the quarreling wa
kept up until we reached the corner o
Jefferson and Monmouth streets, when w
stopped. Shortly after seen Theis partly
down and go back in his pisto
pocket and pull revolver. He pointe'
the weapon at Ritter, when the latte
Jumped aside and fired; do not know wh,
struck Theis first; heard no threat
made on either side; they ha,
been the best Of friends previou
to this.
Miss Fox and Miss Manning were called
but were unable to give any particulars a
to the shooting.
The Jury rendered the following verdict
1--WE, the Jury, find that Charles Theis
Jr, came to his death by pistol shot il
the head, said pistol in the hands of Josepl
Ritter, Jr."
| W. vTfx1.