Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-11-03
Young Men LOafng Around Stores
With Pistols in Their
Pockets.
A Typical Case Demanding Re-
form.

The GAINESVILLE Tobacco Leaf of the
LIST inst. contains the following story
Of a tragedy which can easily be
traced to the too prevalent customs of
the day, and the loose way Of bringing
up boys. 1t affords a rich field for
suggestion and reform:
We regret to chronicle a difficulty
at ST. Bethlehem, in this county, Sat
urday night, between MantoR Hatch
Grand Geo. Luter, in whichthe latter
lost his life. Many rumors concern
ing the killing are aloat, some of
them contradictory and rejecting Sc
riously on these and other young men.
We give below, however, a statement
from a trustworthy gentleman, and
n who should be as unbiased in the
affair as any one.
From this gentleman we learn that
Mr.. Theodore Walthal, in whose house
the tragedy occurred, after closing up
his books for the week, as is his Gus
tom, retired from the store at 1890
o'clock, leaving it in charge Of his
clerk, Mr.. Charlie Booth, admonish-
ing him that it was time to close for
the night There we're then at the
store Messrs. Hervey NJ. Collier,
Thomas Waugh, and Luter and
Hatcher. We believe Booth closed
the store with these young men in it.
Pretty soon hot words began between
Hatcher and Luter (between whom
an old grudee had long existed), in
which Luter made grave charges
against members Of Hatcher's family.
This aroused Hatcher's ire, and he
showed Luter, who stood neal him,
against the counter, and quickly
Jumping behind the counter he pre-
pared TO defend himself. Luter let
fly at him with a rock that he carried
in his pocket, just grazing Hatcher's
temple, and then commenced TO adj
vance on him, armed, according TO
Hateher's statement, though no one
else saw it, with an open knife.
Hatcher commenced firing. His first
shot missed its mark and broke q jar
Of saltpeter just behind Luter's head.
His second shot penetrated Luter's
left breast a little below the collar
bone. Luter was now behind the
counter and the two grappled fercely.
Hatcher hugging him with his left
arm, while he placed his pistol to
Luter's left side, under the arm, and
fred his third shot, the ball pene-
trating the heart aud causing death in
a few moments. This occurred about
II o'clock. Hatcher then ran up TO
Mr.. Walthal's residence and called
him up, telling him what he had
dcne. Mr.. Walthal at once proceeded
to the store, and with the help of Mr..
Harris and others, the dead man was
carried across the road to the res
idence of his aunt, Mrs. Kyle, and a
coroner summoned. At the examina-
tion Of the body by the Jurors. an
open knife with a three inch blade |
was found in Luters tight pants {
pocket. Hatcher Immediately fed,
though We learn il was his intention
to surrender TO the proper authori- ]
tles yesterday. Luters remains we're /
Inferred in the city cemetery last [
evening at 4 o'clock. !
The above we give as il was given {
to US by reliable party, who denied 3
the report that the parties we're play ,
ing cards, from which the difficulty {
arose. Hatcher and Luter were both {
the ous OF widowed mothers. Hatcher
Is about twenty-five, Luter nineteen
years old. Hatcher at one time bore .
a very bad character, and eighteen !
months ago he was jailed for bad treat. l
ment towards his mother. We are !
told, however, that he had reformed. .
had joined the ehurch and was leading !
an exemplary life. Luter's course !
was not such as to win him the esteem s.
and respect of the community. He !
was said to be Of a indicative TEMPER I
ament, and we are told that be was I
somewhat in liquor at the time Of the |;
sad difficulty. !