The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-08-30
KILLED BY ENEMIES.
Politician Louis B. McWhirter
Assassinated at Fresno.
HE LEpADEMockATic FACTION.
Two Men Made . Noise Outside His
House to Draw Rim Out, Then
Shot Him Dead.

FRESNO, CAL, Aug. s9.-Louis B. Nc
Whittier, prominent citizen, was assas-
sinated at the rear of his premises at 8
O'Clock this morning. McWhirter heard q
noise about the house, and stated to his
wife that he would go into the yard to
learn the cause He arnaed himself with a
revolver and left the house by front door,
going to the back yard by path on the
south side of the house. About fifty feet
from the rear of the house he must have
seen the men, and an exchange of shots
took place, McWhirter falling in the path
mortally wounded. From an investiga-
ton of the premises and the revolver of
McWhIrter and that of the assassin it APP
pears that six shots were fired, three by
each. Three bullets entered the fence, two
in an clubhouse and one lodged McWhir-
ter's heart. Two bullets in the fence and
one in the cornice of the clubhouse were
probably fired by McWhirter, the fest by
the assassins. 1t is supposed there were
two of the latter, because two clubs were
found on the ground, also the revolver
mentioned and mask of red flannel.
After the shots were fred McWhirter's
wife ran out into the yard and aroused the
neighborhood with screams. He died in a
very few minutes after the shot, and did
not regain consciousness;
A number of people believe that bur-
glars did the deed. but majority are of
the opinion that the tragedy is the culmi-
nation of political turmoil in this county.
There are two factions in the Democratic
party here. one of which is lead by Nc
Whittier. He was very outspoken in his
arraignment of some methods of the other
faction. Only about three months ago
he had his life insured for about
5000, and stated frequently that he be-
lieved his political enemies would not hes
itate to have him put out of the way.
He went armed, but said he did not ex-
pect to be attacked openly.
McWhirter was born in Kentucky, but
spent most of his life in Tennessee. He
comes of good family, AID took promi-
nent part in politics i'll Tennessee. He
was at one time member of the legisla-
ture there. He came to Fresno some six
or seven years ago and at once took a
prominent position on account of his tai
ents. He, in company with others,
started daily paper, The Democrat, in
this city four years ago, hut later 1t sus-
pended. McWhirter was editor, and al
ways expressed his opinion freely. He
leaves a wife and child.
LATER-Close inquiry into the circum-
stances surrounding the murder is be-
lieved to dispose completely of the burglar
theory. Unless good proof can be shown
that he had deadly private enemy
the conclusion Is general that
his death was the result Of political ami
mosities he had aroused. Preparations for
bn rrivoo do In a boil Nd
careless manner. There IL no doubt that
there were two assassins. They made as
much noise as possible without
rousing the whole ne:ghborhood, to
attract the attention of: the inmates
of the house. They knocked out two
big board fence rails with hammer and,
judging from the marks, must have hit
some hard blows. One Of she clubs found
had a piece of clothes line tied around
it, and in order to better fasten it nail
was driven through the line into the wood.
Two pistols were found, both Colts of
4l-caliber. One was improved and belonged
to McWhirter. The other, old style, be-
longed to the assassins. Che latter had
the number Of the weapon scratched out.
McWhirter's life was insured for $50, 900,
nearly all in his wife's name. There is
great excitement here over the affair, and
every attempt is being made to apprehend
the murderers.
Citizens met this afternoon and con-
tributed $4,000 to be paid for the arrest
and conviction of the assassins of Nc
Whittier. There was q rumor that there was
man arrested this evening with wound
in the hand. This was denied at the
sheriff's office. Feeling is very high here,
and if the assassins were caught it is pos
sible an attempt to lynch them would be
made. A number of persons who were in
cautious enough to exult at McWhirter's
death are being closely watched.