Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-10-18
HIS AIM WAS TRUE.
Double Murder and Suicide in
New York City.
W. C. Turner Kills Former Business
Associates and Ends Own Life.
Had Check to Settle Shortage, but
Settled All With Bullets.

tomato machine pistol, VIM. c. Turner
former president and treasurer of the
Climax Bottling Co., today, shot and
killed w. j. Mallard, secretary and
treasurer of the company, and Robert
Hamilton. its president, and then killed
himself with the same powerful
weapon. A second revolver loaded in
every chamber, was found in Turner's
pocket and it is believed he planned to
take more lives than he did. The shoot
ing was caused by quarrel between
the three men over an alleged shortage
in Turner's accounts. for which he was
with criminal prosecution.
The tragedy occurred in the offices of
the law firm of Cantor, Adams & Nc
Intyre, in the heart of the Wall street
district, during the busy noon hour.
Turner, who was As years old and lived
at Mt. Vernon, n. Y, was a cousin of
Gov. Odell of this state, and the head
of the law firm in whose offices the
shooting occurred is President Cantor
of the borough of Manhattan. Soon
after the shots rang out in the office
building a wild rumOr was started that
the borough president had been killed.
All of the principals in the tragedy
were married. Mallard was SO years
of age, a native of Atlanta, Ga, where
he was well known in business and So
ciai circles. He was president of the
Young Mems Democratic Club there.
He had been in this city about four
years and it is said lived with his wife
and two children in an uptown flat.
Mr.. Hamilton lived in Pittsburg, where
he was president Of the j. T. & A. Ham,
ilton glass factories. He was about 60
years old He arrived in this city, yes
terday, i'm response to telegram from
Turner.
The three men met in the law offices
by appointment 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
a revolver and began firing. Mallard
fell shot through the heart and Hamil-
ton lived only few moments. A num-
her OF other persons who were in the
room, clerks and members of the firm.
fled i'm panic. After killing Hamilton
and Mallard. Turner shot himself in the
head. Some moments later, hearing
no more shots. the persons who fled
ventured back into the room and found
the bodies.
Turner retired as president of the
Climax BOttling Co., last April, when
he was bought out by Hamilton. After
the sale it was discovered in examin-
ing the books of the concern that there
was shortage of $500 in Turner's ac-
counts. The Climax Co. engaged John
F Mcintyre. former assistant district
attorney and M. Goodman, both of the
firm in whose offices the shooting Oc-
Cured. today, to effect a settlement
with Turner. and he engaged Edgar
JIOventritt to represent his interests.
Some difficulty had been met with in
the negotiations which followed be-
tween the lawyers, but it was finally
agreed to accept $27OO and give Turner
release in full. The settlement was
to take place in the offices of Cantor,
Adams & Mcintyre, at II O'Clock to-
day.
Before he left the conference, last
night, Turner anxiously asked that Mr.
Mcintyre be present at today's meet
ing. and Mr.. Mcintyre has said since
the shooting that he did not like Tur-
seemed. in his opinion. to bear himself
recklessly and with the demeanor of a
man who might do almost any desper-
ate act
At the appointed hour. today, Turner
with his lawyer entered the law Of
fees. Mr.. Goodman ushered Turner
and his lawyer into the private office
Of Mr. Adams. Loventritt. il is said,
told Tuner to remain outside. Turner
refused, saying that he wanted TO close
the matter at once. Turner i'm
mediateIy after entering asked for Mr..
Mcintyre and showed anger when told
he would not be at the conference.
Negotiations for a settlement began
at once. Messrs. Hamilton. Mallard and
Goodman and Adams being present
besides Turner and his attorney. The
conference at first was in the firms
general offices, but later Mallard 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 for his check to be used
in the settlement and Turner said:
Yes. I'll let you have it,
Then Turner closed the door of the
Office. He was facing Mr.. Mallard
who had asked him for the check. An
instant after he had shut the door he
drew q revolver and pointing 1t at
MalIard. said: Il will kill you, you
-.'' Then he fired two shots at
Mailard. Instantly there was wild
scramble on the part Of the others in
the room. All but Hamilton dashed
for the door, but Hamilton when Tur-
ner fired. sprang at him to grapple.
Turner was too quick for him. how.
ever. and dropping shis weapon to a
level with his victims breast. fired.
There is no witness to what followed.
Mr.. I.eventritt at the first appearance
of the, revolver rushed out of the room,
leaving his hat behind him. Goodman
followed Leventritt and Adams jump
ed to his feet as soon as Mallard was
shot brushed past Turner and got out
of the Office. AS they left the room
more shots were heard. followed by
two heavy falls. There was consterna-
ton in the Office among those present.
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