New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-12-25
CAPTAIN A. c. MUTT SHOT DEAD BY N. L. DUKES. A
MEMBER OF THE PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATURE.
TEL pu

CAPTAIN A. c. MUTT SHOT DEAD BY N. L. DUKES.
MEMBER OF THE PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATURE.
Br TELEGRAPH ~ THE rRIBUSE
UHIoNTowN, Penn, Dec. GA tragedy of the
most distressing character was enacted here this
morning. As the people were gathering for service
in the different churches they startled by the
report that Captain A. c. Mutt cashier of the State
Treasury. had been shot and killed in a IN the
jennings Hotel by N. L. Dukes, q member of the
Fayette County bar and member-elect of the State
Legislature. The most intense excitement prevailed
and in few minutes the rooms and halls of the
hotel were thronged with persons eager to learn
particulars of the fatal ARRAY. The Coroner empan
elled a jury at once, and the story told by the
witnesses is substantially as follows: This morn
ing Captain Mutt called on his nephew Clark
Breckenridge, cashier of tho Peoples Bank, of Fay
cite County, stating that he wished to transact
some business at the bank, and for the
sake Of convenience asking that it might be done
this morning. After il had been attended to he
told Breckenridge that he would make a confdant
of him; that he had received two Infamous letters
from Dukes, and desired an interview with him. Tie
asked his nephew to go to his hotel, which is OPP
pOsite the bank and see il Dukes was in his
room. They both crossed the street together,
Breckenridge, when IN the main entrance asked the
porter to show him to Mr. Dukes's room. He and
the porter passed through the sitting room, and
were then joined by j. J. Feather, all three going
upstairs. Breckenridge knocked at Dukes's door,
who responded come i'm He opened the door and
told Dukes that Captain Mutt wished to see HIM.
Dukes replied, "ShOw him in"
At this moment Captain Mutt, who had not wait
ed for breckenridge to return. but had come in by
the private entrance AMI followed the party up
stairs passed into the room closing the door after
HIM, Breckenridge, Feather and the porter remain
ing on the outside. The noise of scuflle heard
Immediately. Breckenridge and Feather
rushed into the room. and found the men
locked III a struggle. They threw themselves be-
tween them, Feather forcing Dukes into one corner
of the room, while Captain Mutt and Breckenridge
were near the fireplace. While Feather still had
hold of Dukes he cried out, I'M shoot you" The
report Of pistol followed. and Captain Mutt fell
unconscious, dying in about ten minutes. Breck-
enridge caught his uncle he was falling and they
both went down together
Mutt had his hard upon his revolver with the
grasp of death, but had not drawn it from his
pocket. The ball entered the outside corner OF the
left eve. passing to the other side of the head
through the brain. Dukes at once delivered him
self into the custody Of the Sheriff
His friends give the following account
Of the affair: Captain Mutt went to his
as Mutt entered the room he began an as
saut on him with bis cane, striking hun over the
head. A struggle Immediately ensued, Dukes cry
ing, "MUrderp He wrested the cane from Nutt,
who withdrew few steps and made an attempt to
draw his revolver. Dukes drew his and fired i'm
nediately, !tb fatal effect From all the clrcun-
stances attending the aifray il seems that both
were expecting and were prepared for an encoun-
ter.
Both were men of high social and political prom
inenCe. and the affair has cast the deepest Z Dom
oyer the entire community. Dukes is unmarried,
and aboat thirty. three years old. lie IS a graduate
of Princeton College OF the class of 1878. lie was
admitted 10 tho bar in 1876 and has since succeeded
IN building up hne practice. lie ls
reported To lie young man of very promising abill-
ties and at the last election successful can
dldate for the Legislature. Captain Mutt was also
a member Of the bar, but never practiced. Tic
served through the war; and for several years was
cashier of the National Bank of Fayette County.
After the election of General Bailey as State
Treasurer he resigned the position in the bank aud
accepted the appointment of cashierOf the Treasury
He has always stood high IN the community and
was regarded as of tie most public spirited citi
Zcus He was about fortY-six years Old and leaves
a wife ami seven children.
The COrOners Jury rendered the following YER
dicts That the SAID A. Q. Mutt came to his ea I'll
by shot fired from a revolver IN the hands of
n l.. Dukes Nothing developed III the evil
dence before the COTouer's Jury showing what
causes lea TO the fatal meeting but is current
the street that Captain Mutt was defending the
honor of his family.