The morning call., 1890-12-25
ON CHRISTMAS. EVE.
A Dispute Over Wages Termi.
mates in BlO0dshed.
Charles W. Lemperle, an Aged Boot Crimper
Fatally Wounds II. J. Mitchell, Who
Had Assaulted Him.

Charles w. Lemperle, boot-crimper,
whose shop and dwelling are in the rear of
726 Washington street. yesterday celebrated
his sixtieth birthday aud the advent of
Christmas by imbibing great quantity of
liquor.
Last night Lemperle was an inmate of one
of the cells of the City Pris.l, while near
by, on cot in the old Receiving Hospital,
was man with a bullet in his brain. The
patient had been up to yesterday evening in
the employ of Lemperle,Iand drunken dis
pute over wages led to the shooting
The name of the fatally wounded
man was M. j. Mitchell, boot-maker, who
is supposed to live at I755 Howard street.
few minutes after o'clock twelve
year-old lad entered the Central Police
Station, and in an excited manner an
n0unced that a man was lying sick in an
alleyway at 726 Washington street. The
patrol wagon was called into requisition to
convey the man to the Receiving Hospital,
but that Institution was unable to accommo-
date him and he was removed to the Prison
Hospital.
BULLET WOUND DISCOVERED.
After casual examination Police Sur
geon Williams pronounced tn e case to be
one of simple drunk" but followed the
man to the City Prison, where he made
closer investigation. He then discovered a
large bullet wound on the lett side of the
mans head, from which brain matter was
ooZing. The surgeon pronounced the wound
a fatal one, and that death was a matter of a
few hours. The case was reported to the
office Of the Chief of Police. and Detective
where he found Lempere sitting quietly in
his Kitchen. His libations had rendered
him lOquacious, and without hesitation he
gave an account of the bloody affair to the
officer.
The boot-erimper said that he did work at
his shop for several large establishments
and frequently engaged help. Mitchell.
who was thrown out of work two weeks ago
by the closing of a factory, came to LEM
perle and requested employment. He was
given bench in the shop, and during the
past week through carelessness spoiled three
pairs of shoes, so that last night when he
was paid off Lamperle deducted the price of
the ruined footwear from his wages. The
men quarreled over the matter and Mitchell
struck his employer in the face.
ARMED WITH A REVOLVER.
The latter went into his house and put
revolver in his pocket. He then approached
Mitchell, who struck him in the chest and
also caught him by the throat Lempere
endeayored TO throw him off and ordered his
assaiIant to depart. Mitchell continued his
assault, and threw Lemperle against a
fence. Lemperle then drew his revolver,
fired one shot at Mitchell and then flung the
weapon into an adjoining yard, where sew
eral police officers made a close search for
it, but without success.
Willie Lemperle. the twelve-year-old son
OF the shooter, was in his home at the time
the shot was fired He went out into the
yard and found Mitchell sitting against the
fence with blood flowing from the side of his
head. Tie boy sponged away the blood and
the wounded man said he ''felt all right"
Mrs. Lemperle stated that she had gone to
market about half an hour before the shoot
ing. Her husband and Mitchell, both of
whom had been drinking heavily all day,
were then having a friendly dispute about
their respective merits as boxers, and when
she left were engaged in sparring match.
MITCHELL WAS MAUDLIN.
Owing to shock and the effects of liquor
Mitchell was in stupid condition when
brought into the hospital, and no statement
could be obtained from him. He is about 40
years of age aud is said to he q WidnWar