The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-11-05
MURDERS HIS WIFE.
Then Sends Bullet Through His Own
Erain.
AWFUL TRAGEDY IN AUGUSTA.
Married Only Fourteen Months, an"
the Young Wife Had Began
Suit for Divorce Because
of C-uel Treatment.
of Cruel Treatment.

Shit tOT Divorce because
Of Cruel Treatment.
\ terrible tragedy was enacted
in Augusta, Ga, last Saturday
morning when Policeman ChaS. II.
Walker murdered his wife in cold
blood. and then blew out his own
brains. The couple had only been
married fourteen months. He was
thirty-two years old and the wife only
nineteen. Last August one year ago
the murdered wife. who was before
her marriage, Miss Stella Speers, ran
away and married the man who
murdered her on Saturday. She come
from one Of the best families in Au-
guSta.
On Saturday morning at the usual
hour Of relief, at the police barracks.
Charlie Walkg assumed his duties
with his fellow officers, and went out
to his beat known as the uDperterrl-
tory. ircIudin;, that portion OF the
civ in w;lich ms mothers residence
is lccated, and where he and his young
wife had lived, Until about three
months ago. when. on accountof some
domestic differences, they left ald
went to board. His intimate friends
knew that there was uneYenness III
the course Of his married life, Of re-
cent development. but none expected
the serious turn affairs rave taken.
Saturday morning, as lie went out on
his beat, he took the same car with
Lieutenant Collins, who was going
home, and talked with him OF the
family troubles be was experiencing.
When they reached the gate Of the
lieutenant's home, young Walker stop
ped and talked further. Fte asked the
lieutenant;
did you see that piece in the
morning paper?''
The lieutenant replied that he had,
and Walker asked his superior officer
is he thought that would bring the
matter before the board of police com
missioners. Lieut.. Collins repliedi
Il do not think so. That is fami-
ly affair, and l don't see why the
beard would take it up"
Walker then said he hoped it would
not that he did not want to go before
the board. He explained TO the lieu
tenant that his intentions had been to
90 ahead with his work and arrange
for the alimony, but that he regretted
exceedingly the publication. the filing
of the divorce proceedings by his wife.
The story published Saturday morn
ING and referred to by Walker is as
follows:
"a sensational libel fer divorce and
petition for alimony filed in the supe-
rior court yesterday, reads Mrs. Stella
S. Walker VS.. Charles II. Walker.
Although married but little over a
year, Mrs. Walker alleges that her
husband. an officer OF the police force.
cruelty and inhumanity beat her re-
peatedly and finally deserted her. She
alleged that as late as the 22d of this
month be choked her into speeches.
ness, and, gathering up his personal
effects. left her home, declaring he
would never return.
The petitioner further asks the
custody of her child, costs OF court,
attorneys fees and temporary alimony
pending the final disposition of the
case.
Judge BrinSon has set Dec. 3 as
the date for hearing the petition for
temporary alimony."
This conversation took place be-.
tween the two policemen shortly af-
ter o'clock, and, as the lieutenant
turned to 90 into his house. Walker
walked Off in the direction Of the car
line.
Charlie II. Walker and Miss Stella
S. Speer, niece OF DR. Speer, were
married about II months ago, and Of
this union a boy was born four months
and three days ago to-day.
When the young couple left the
home of his mother, three months
ago, they went to board, at 1910
Broad street, where they have board
ed together since, until day or two
ago. when, some Of his friends state.
he left there. though this is not sub
stantiated by any Of the family.
About 1890 Saturday morning,
Mrs. Walker, neatly attired in a black
tailor suit, boarded the Summerville
car. in front OF 1240 Broad street, and
rode to Chafee avenue, where she left
the car, and proceeded to th2 house
where she shortly after met her death.
Her husband must have known OF
her presence at his mothers home.
for shortly after he came rolling by
on his wheel and his wife went to tie
gate and began a conversation with
him. Still wearing her hat.
About the gaze iSa arbOr Of vines.
and on the left side Of this stood Mrs.
Walker. just to the side Of the walk
inside the fence Her husband stood
facing her on the outside Uf the fence
What was said no one knows. for
there was no one near enough to see
or hear what was going on. Mrs.
Walker, however. had been talking
with her husband but few seconds
when her sister started out Of the
house toward the gate. Just as she
emerged, Mr.. Walker drew his revol-
yer and commenced firing. Four
shots he fred at his wife and then
putting his revolver to the back OF
his head about two inches behind the
left ear he pulled the trigger on the
last cartridge in the chamber, and
fell backward on the sidewalk, Mrs.
Trpr,a1 down haSiHp