The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-05-21
USED PENKNIFE
ON HIS COMPANION
Frank Walter Plunged It Into the
Breast of George Hartman Mar
rowly Escaping His Heart.

George Hartman, of 500 Cedar ave-
nue., a we'll known South Scranton
barber, was stabbed yesterday after
noon in the left breast, about half an
inch above the heart by Frank Wal
ter, of 9O5 Cedar avenue. The action
took place on Elm street. near the
Catholic cemetery, and occurred about
o'clock. There was no previous quar-
rel between the two, and the stabbng
was the outcome of Walters being al
most frantic by drink, and by a blow
received in a previous quarrel with
another party.
Dr. Albert Kolb is in attendance on
Hartman, and says that unless compli-
cations set in he will recover from the
wound, which is about an inch wide.
Had it gone the least fraction of an
inch deeper, however, it would have
struck the apex of the heart and caus-
ed immediate death. IT will necessi-
tate Hartman's being confined to the
house for several weeks. No arrests
have been made.
Both of the parties are young men.
Walter, who is the son of Mr.. and Mrs.
Jacob Walter, is only 1S years of age.
Hartman is about 20 years old. and is
His father is one of the best known
residents of South Scranton, and Is a
member of the Neptune Engine COM
pany.
Hartman is slight in form, and is so
lame in one foot as to be almost a
cripple. Yesterday afternoon, in COM
pany with a crowd of other young
men, he was at 1.-The Meadows" a
stretch of land some distance from
Meadow avenue. Walter was there
also with another party general
| good time was enjoyed by the men,
bers of both crowds, beer being drunk
and bottles passed around.
The liquor he drank went to Wal
| ter's head, and towards o'clock he
| began to grow ugly A quarrel set in
with his comrades and he was ham
| died pretty roughly, being struck in
| the face, and claiming also that he
was hit in the back of the head with
a club.
The members of both parties had
now started on their way home, when
| Walter. 1t is alleged, suddenly dash I'd
| forward and seizing Hartman by the
| throat, stabbed him in the left breast,
using his pocket knife, the blade OF
which is about three inches long. The
sharp point passed through Hart
mans vest and shirt, piercing the
| flesh, and he fell to the ground. He
was carried into a house near by,
where the flow of blood was partially
stauched and the wound bandaged.
While the lady OF the house was act
! ing the good Samaritan, NAlter, it is
| said, was acting in an almost insane
manner, and finally sprung at the
woman, clutching her by the throat.
| She beat him off, however, and after
| awhile he came partially to his senses.
John and George Hahn and Charles
Rider, three of the young men pres
| ent. led Hartman to his home, where
| DIR. Kolb was called to attend him.
Walter went TO his home, and when
| he came entirely to himself expressed
! the greatest regret for his act, de-
claring that when he did the stabbing
he was unaware of what he was do
ing, and attrlbuting it to the drink
| which had crazed him.
He and Hartman had always been
the best of friends. there was no pre-
vious quarrel between them, and it is
not likely that the Hartman family
| will have him arrested.