The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-06
OF A CARTOON
PREACHER DEAD AMI AN ATTORNEY
SEVERELY WOUNDED.
Former Shot First and the Latter
Fired After He Had Fallen Trag-
edy Witnessed by a woman

HUNTINGTON. w. Va, Dec. 5.-The
Rev. Mr.. Wohl. pastor of the First Pres
byterian Church, was shot and instantly
killed to-day by S. d. Stokes. a prominent
lawyer. Both men are well known
throughout the State. Stokes was also
shot,. but not fatally injured. Stokes and
Wohl met and quarreled as a result of a
cartoon illustrating the evil effects of the
dance used by the minister in a sensa-
tional sermon preached last Sunday. Call
ing Stokes a liar, Wohl advanced on him
with drawn revolver n shot. seriously
wounding Stokes, who as he fell drew his
revolver and fired upon Wohl. killing him
instantly. Stokes surrendered.
The tragedy took place in front of the
preachers house.. Stokes called there, and
Mrs. Levine. the h-ousekeeper, met him.
Wohl came out soon, and addressing
Stokes, said: Leave the premises"
An alteration followed. Both men ran
to the sidewalk directly in front Of the
house. Something was said, almost in
distinguishable, that drew from Rev. Mr..
Wohl a sharp retort. "You are a liar"
was heard, and in an instant the report of
a revolver was heard. Stokes stumbled,
tried to regain his footing, but fell in the
street. Wounded as he was, he drew his
revolver, and covered the minister, now
within ten feet of him. Again Wohl fired,
and simultaneously with that shot the
revolver in the sinking hand of Stokes
spoke. When the smoke cleared away two
men lay in their own blood upon the side
walk. A crowd ran to the scene. Rev.
Wohl was dead. Chance had carried the
bullet from Stokes's pistol through the
head of the minister, killing him as he
fell. The bullet had entered Stokes's side
below thes heart and passed entirely
In the hall of the minister's home, fac
ing the fearful duel to the death. fallen
across the doorway, was found Mrs. Le-
vine. 1t was at first thought she was
dead. but an investigation showed that she
had only tainted from fright.
Rev. Wohl was recognized as one Of the
most forceful and eloquent of Presbyterian
ministers of this State. Mr.. Stokes comes
from one of the best families of Virginia.
1t developed tonight that the tragedy
was the outgrowth of the strained rela-
lions between the men for a week past.
Mr.. Stokes, who is one of the leaders in
the social set here, saw a cartoon Illus
trating a german given by the Cotillion
Club, which Mr.. Wohl had used in a SER
mon. The cartoon pictured a ballroom
scene, with various paths leading down.
ward to ruin and among the places
shown as a result was a famous resort
In some way tine cartoon had come into
the possession of Mr.. Stokes, who, after
ward meeting Rev. Wohl. had told him
that If it were not for his cloth he would
thrash him. Rev. Wohl retorted that
Stokes need not hesitate on that account.
as he was ready TO meet him at any time.
Late tonight Mrs. Levine was prevailed
upon TO talk, and in her statement she does
much to remove the blame heretofore laid
on Mr.. Stokes. Her version of the story is
as follows: 1.-THE conversation had been
seemingly amiable, and Mr.. Stokes was
about TO return the caricature in his pos
session when Mr.. Wohl remarked: It's a
pity that cartoon is true Mr.. Stokes asked
Mr.. Wohl whether some of the most emf
nent ladies in town had not protested
against the pictures as being personal and
false. Then 1t was that Wohl hurled the lie
into Stokes'S face"
The excitement here is intense, and 1t Is
feared that others may be drawn into the
quarrel, and what now seems only an af-
fray become a feud.