The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-05-28
SHOT BY HIS FRIEND.
Louis Kuntz Accidentally
Kills Charles Rose in
the Peoples Palace.
WERE EXAMINING REVoLvERs
Bullet Strikes Kuntz in the Fore
head and He Dies Instantly
-Kuntz Locked Up.
Brutal Police Outrage in the Lock-
ing of an Innocent Witness
in a Cell for the Night.

A sad accident occurred last night in
the Peoples Palace. No. 1888 Grand street,
when Louis Kuntz. sixteen years old, of
No. 245 Monmouth street, accidentally
shot Charles Rose, twenty-one years old.
The shooting occurred about S:l5.
Kuntz was examining revolver which
Rose had shown him, when the weapon
exploded. The BAH crashed through
Roses brain, causing almost instant
death.
The shooting caused CONSERVATION in
the Palace. AS quickly as practicable
Roses body was removed to Duff's under
taking establishment. kuntz was ar
rested and with him Ernest Beutell, of
No. III Mercer street, who witnessed the
accident.
The Peoples Palace is situated on the
north side of Grand street about one hum
dred feet south of Henderson street. 1t
is an adjunct of Mr.. Scudder's Taber-
nacle Church and comes under the direct
supervision of the Rev. ]. Lester Wells.
In every way within his power Mr.. Wells
has made the Palace an attractive place
for boys and young men to spend their
evenings in. He has succeeded to such
an extent that the gymnasium part of
the Palace is visited by at least hun
dred boys nightly. Never before has an
accident occurred there and it was with
deep regret that both Mr.. Wells and Mr..
Scudder learned of the shooting which
cost young Rose his life.
About January of. this year. Rose,
who was a particularly bright, sober and
Industrious young man, left his country
home at Burnside, Orange county, New
York. His father was engaged in the
grocery business there in addition to
being the station agent of the New York,
Ontario and Western Railroad. Rose saw
, no prospects ahead by remaining in the
little town of Burnside and finally much
against the wishes of his parents, he came
to New York to find employment He was
accompanied by his companion, Henry
l.. Moffatt Arriving in New York they
were fortunate enough to find employ
ment with the Brotherhood Wine Com
pany at No. II Watts street. Rose was
made packing clerk. In order to be near
his work Rose secured board at No. II
Charlton street. Moffatt having acquaint-
ances in this city came here and found
a boarding place with private family
at No. 6s7 Jersey avenue.
Moffatt Joined the Peoples Palace in
order to gain recreation and exercise and
to meet young men who were identified
with some church. The Palace afforded
SO many attractions in the way of bowl
ing alleys, billiard and pool tables and
the like that Moffatt finally induced Rose
to join the Palace Rose became a fre-
Quent visitor and usually spent two even
ings a week there. He became acquainted
with the other members and was soon
exceedingly popular. He was consulted
about all the games and his companions
looked to him as their leader
Last night Rose arrived earlier than
usual and was in the gymnasium dressing
room waiting for his chum, Moffatt when
Louis Kuntz, who is messenger boy en-
pIoyed by the Postal Telegraph Company,
approached him and showed him a re-
volver that he had just purchased.
Il paid s2.25 for it, said Kuntz, land
think it's bargain
The revolver was not loaded and Rose
after examining it carefully remarked
Louis. I think you were stuck. It is
not a Smith & Wesson make and I am
sure you could have found a better one
for less money"
Ernest Beutell, who stood in the group,
expressed a similar opinion.
Handing Kuntz his revolver Rose said
Wait until i show you one that cost
a dollar less.''
Throwing his coat aside he drew
highly polished revolver from his pocket
and proudly displayed it, Kuntz took the
weapon and was handling it rather reck-
lessly when Rose informed him that
every chamber was loaded.
It breaks in the middle, don't tt?" in
CURED Kuntz as he turned the revolver
over and over. 1t is said that Rose was
standing at Kuntzs right, that Kuntz
held the pistol pointing to the left and
that as he tried to break 1t Rose walked
around behind him and stood at his left,
1t is supposed that in trying to break the
revolver at the barrel Kuntz touched the
trigger. There was an explosion and Rose
throwing his hand to his head sank to
the floor.
Kuntz and Beutell looked on horror
stricken. They did not move until boys
and young men from other parts of the
building rushed in. Kuntz dropped on his
knees beside the PROSTATE form and in
agonizing tones tried to make Rose speak
to him.
Tell me you are not Gead, Charlie" he
walled.
Some one said GO for physician and
Kuntz rushed out for DR.. Loomis, who
attends him. He could not make DR..
Loomis understand what was the matter,
but saying Something dreadful has hap
pened at the Palacei You must come!''
he fairly dragged the doctor down to the
Palace About fifteen minutes had been
consumed in getting the physician and
when he arrived Rose was dead. A
policeman was already at the door and
he at first refused to admit Kuntz with
Dr. Loomis. At his refusal Kuntz cried
widely: You must let me in. Why.
have more to do with his death than any
one He was admitted and stood near
when the physician, after making a hasty |
examination directed that the body be
removed. Young Kuntz was overcome |
with grief He refused to look at the |
body. hut asked where he had been hit.
There were thousand people outside
Z