The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-01-05
SHOT THROUGH THE HEAD.
Thomas Slater Instantly Killed by
Charles S. Clark.
They We're Partners in the Dairy Bus
ineSs-The Cause of the
Killing.

Thomas Slater was shot and killed al
$50 O'Clock yesterday morning by his
partner, Charles S. Clark. The killing
took place on the Klotz ranch, near East
Park, where Clark and Slater conducted
dairy business.
Clark drove into town Immediately
after the shooting, and first visiting his
attorneys, Bruner IL Bruner, went to the
Sheriff's Office and surrendered himself
Clark and Slater had been partners
since July, 1890, but a few months ago
had a falling out. Clark sued Slater for
dissolution of their partnership and
for an accounting. The case was partly
heard in the Superior Court and is still
pending decision.
CAUSE OF THE KILLING.
Clark is married and has daughter, 16
years Of age. Slater lived at the ranch
and occupied room on the second Il DOR
of the house. He seemed to be infatu-
ated with Clark's daughter, and as his at
tentlonS were unpleasant to both the
young lady and her parents, very natu-
rally bad blood arose. Matters have been
growing worse and worse for several
months, and the lawsuit did not tend to
smooth matters over by any means
On Sunday, 1T is said, Clark notified
Slater that he would no longer be allowed
to eat at the family table. Slater became
quite angry and, SO Clark and his wife
say, threatened to kill Clark
Yesterday morning Slater walked into
the dining-room and demanded his
breakfast. Upon being refused by Mrs.
Clark he seized her and attempted to take
the co1ee-pot from her. She resisted and
while they were struggling Clark came
into the room and ordered Slater to de-
sist. The latter, it is said, obeyed, but
Immediately rushed at Clark.
DREW A REVOLVER.
They clinched and struggled over the
kitchen floor for some time. Slater
managed to free his right hand, and
reaching into his coat-pocket, drew a re-
VolYer. Mrs. Clark saw the movement.
She screamed to her husband to look out,
and at the same time tried to pull Slater
away. The latter kicked her, however
and rendered her helpless.
It appears that during the struggle
Clark managed TO get hold of the pistol
Slater could not use it, and Clark soon
Wrenched 1t from his grasp. Instantly
Clark leyeled the weapon at Slater's
head and fired. Slater fell into the din
| ing-room a corpse, the bullet having
passed directly through his brain.
The pistol was a 38-caliber Smith q
Wesson, self-cocking revolver, and APP
p6dfeU 10 De quite new. clark delivered
1t to the Sheriff when he surrendered
himself.
Sheriff Stanley and District Attorney
Ryan went out to the scene of the trag-
edy, and made a thorough investigation
They found the facts to be substantially
us given above. 1t was also ascertained
that Slater only recently borrowed the
! pistol from friend, and had been prac-
ticing with it about the ranch.
Miss Winnie Clark, the prisoners
! daughter, says that about a week ago
Slater 1ourished the pistol in her pres
cnce, and said he had gotten it ''for his
protection"
The remains of the dead man were
| brought to this city and placed in the
Morgue. Slater was large, powerfully
/ built, handsome young man, about 70
| years of age. He had resided on the
ranch several years before entering into
the partnership with Clark. He came to
Sacramento from Worcester. O.. several
years ago, and has relatives residing
! there.
! Clark, the slayer of Slater, is confined
/ in the County Jail, and refuses to talk
about the tragedy further than to say that
/ he did what any other man would have
/ done under the circumstances. Clark has
/ resided here many years, and has always
/ been regarded as quiet and peaceable.