The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-10-18
Double Murder and Suicide
in Wall Street.
THECRIME FW.C.TURNER
The Tragedy Followed a Quarrel Over an
Alleged Shortage in Turner's Accounts.
His Victims w. J. MaIIard, Robert
Hamilton AID HimSrf.
(By Associated PressO

New York. Oct 17.-Using a new au-
tomato magazine pistol, William c.
Turner. former president and treasurer
of the Climax Bottling Company, today
shot and killed W. J. Mallard, secretary
and treasurer of the company, and Ro
bert Hamilton, its president, and then
killed himself with the same weapon. A
second revolver, loaded in every cham
ber was found in Turner'S pocket and
it is believed he planned to take more
lives than he did,
The shooting was caused by a quarrel
between the three men over an alleged
shortage in Turner'S accounts, for which
he was threatened with criminal prosecu-
ton The tragedy occurred in the Of
fees of the law firm of Cantor, Adams
and Mcintyre in the heart of the Wall
street district during the busy noon hour
Turner, who was 45 years Of age ana
lived at Mount Vernon, n Y. suburb
of this city, was cousin Of Governor
Odell, of this State, and the head of the
law firm in whose offices the shooting
occurred in President Cantor of the
Borough of Manhattan. Soon after the
shots rang out in nthe office building,
wild rumor was started that the borough
president had been killed.
All of the principals of the tragedy
were married. Mallard was Sc years old,
native of Atlanta, Ca, where he was
we'll known in business and social cir
clcs. He was president of the Young
Mems Democratic Club there. He had
been in this city about four years and
s,s,l Obi n
am uptown flat Hamilton lived in
Pittsburg, where he was president Of the
J. 4 and 4 Hamilton glass factories. He
was about so years old. He arrived in
this city Yesterday in response to a tele-
gram frcm Turner. which said: Meet
me in New ork Friday and I will settle
with you"
The three men met in the law offices
bv arpoictmert to allow Turner to make
a partial settlement and he was asked
for a certified check. Il have it,. he
said. and then he closed the door of the
room. An instant later he drew re-
volver and began firing. Mallard fell,
shot through the heart, and Hamilton
lived only few moments. a number OF
other persons who were in the room,
clerks and members of the firm, fled in
q
Mallard. Turner shot himself in the head.
some moments later, hearing no more
shooting the persons wrO fled Ventured
back into the room and found the three
bodies.
Turner retired as president OF the
Climax Bottlng Company last April when
he was bought out by Hamilton. After
the sale it was discovered, in examining
hot hRT = <
shortage of IS. 100 in Turner's accounts.
The Climax Company engaged John +.
MCINTYRE. former assistant district at
torney, and NJ Goodman, both of the
firm in whose offices the shooting occur
rcd today to effect settlement with
Turner. and he engaged Edgar Leventritt
to represent his interests Some diff
Guilty had been met with in the ncgotia-
tions which followed between the law
vcrs but it was finally agreed to accept
$170O and give Turner a release in full.
Last night it was agreed that the settle
mcnt should take place in the office of
Cantor, Adams & Mcintyre today at II
o'clock.
Before he left the conference last night,
Turner anxiouslY asked that Mr.. Nc
Intyro be present at today's meeting, and
Mr. Mcintyre has said since the shooting
that he did not like Turner's manner yes
terday, as the latter seemed in his optn-
ion. to bear himself recklessly and with
the demeanor of a man who might do
almost any desperate act
At the appointed hour today Turner
with his lawyer, entered the law office.
Mr.. Goodman ushered Turner and his
lawyer into the private office of Mr.
Adams Levontritt it is said. told Turner
to remain outside. Turner refused say
ing that he wanted to close the matter
, at once. Turner Immediately after en-
tering asked for Mr. Mcintyre and show
cd anger whom told he would not be at
the conference.
Negotiations TO ia settlement began
at once Messrs Hamilton, Mallard and
Goodman and Adams being present, beside
Turner aud his attorney. The conference
at first was in the firms general Offices
but later Malard asked to see Mr.. Adams
and Mr.. Hamilton in Adams private
office. Turner having refused certain
propositions. While the conference in
the private office was going on, Turner
walked in. His lawyer asked him for
his check to be used in the settlement,
and Turner said Yes, III let you have
il
Then Turner closed the door of The OF
fec He was facing MIR. Mallard, who
had asked him for the certified check.
An instant after he had shut the door
ne drew a revolver and, pointing it at
Mallard said, will Kill you. you
----- - TAen he fired Two shots
Mallard Instantly there WAS Wild
scramble or the part Of the others in