The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1902-10-24
MlJRD.ER-S R-SLJICIDE.
The Officers Of the Climax Bottling
Company Murdered
BY IT'S FORMER PRESIDENT.

Tho Murderer Thon Kills Himself.
Called Prepared 10 Pay Up
a Shortage, But Used
Pistol.
An awful tragedy was enacted in
the heart Of the city OF New York on
last lfriday Using new automatic
magazine pistol VIM. 9. Turner, for
mcr president and treasurer Of the
Climax Bottlng company, shot and
killed w. j. Mallard, secretary and
treasurer Of the company and Robert
Hamilton, it's president, and then
killed himself with the same weapon.
a second revolver, loaded in every
chamber, was found In Turner's
pocket, and IL is believed lie plannctl
to take more lives than he did. The
shooting was caused by quarrel be-
tween the three men over an alleged
shortage in Turner's accounts, FOR
which he. was threatened with crimi.
nal prosecution. The tragedy occurred
In the Offices Of the law firm Of Cantor,
Adams & Mcintyre IN the heart of the
Wall street district during the busy
noon hour. Turner, who was as years
OF agcand lived ut Mount Vernon, N.
~, was a cousin Of Coy. Odell Of New
York. 4
All or the principals in the tragedy
were married Mallard was 3G years
old, q native OF Atlanta, Ga, where
he was well known In business and
social circles. He was president Of
the Young Mems Democratic League
there. He had been in New York
about four years and lived with bis
wife and two children in an uptown
fiat Mr.. Hamilton lived in Pitts
burg, where he was president of the
}. ~. 4 a. Hamilton glass factories.
lie was about 60 years old. He arriv-
ed in New York Thurday in response
to a telegram from Turner received at
Pittsburg, which said; @
Meet me in New York Friday and
] will settle with you"
The three men met in the law Of
Ices by appointment to allow Turner
to make a partial settlement and he
was asked for u certified check. II
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 Hamilton lived only n few
moments. a number Of other persons
who were In the room, clerks and
members OF the firm, fled in a panic.
After killing Hamilton and Mallard,
Turner SHOT himself IN tho head. Some
moments later, hearing no more shots,
the persons who fled ventured back
into the room and found the three
bodies.
Turner retired us president OF the
Climax l'ottling company last April
when llc was bought out by Hamilton.
After the sale it was discovered, in
examining the books OF the concern
that there was a shortage OF So, 100 in
Turner'S accounts. The Climax com
pany engaged John t. Mcintyre, form
cr assistant district attorney, and NJ.
Goodman, both OF the firm in whose
Offices the shooting occurred, to effect
a settlement with Turner and he en-
gagged Edgar Lcvcntritt to represent
his interests. Some diniculty .ut Nd
been met with in negotiations which,
followed between the lawyers, but it
was finally agreed to accept So, 100
and give Turner a release in full.
Thursday night it was agreed that
the settlement would take place in
the Offices Of Cantor, Adams & Nc
lntVrn Ifrifov NJ 1 1 T,,olocl
Before he left the conference Thurs
day night Turner anxiously asked that
Mr. Mcintyre be present at Friday's
Meeting, and Mr.. Mcintyre has said
since TIE e:shootig he did not like Tur-
ncr's mannr Thursday, as tho latter
seemed, in his opinion, 10 SSas:iir him.
self rccklcssly and with the demeanol
or a man who might do almost any
desperate act. At the appointed ho,ll
| Friday Turner, with his lawyer, enter
cd the law Otlice Mr. Goodman usher
cd Turner and his lawyer into the
private Office OF Mr.. Adams. Lcycn
tritt, 1t Is said, told Turner to remain
outside. Turner refused, saying tina,
ne wanted to close the matter at once
Turner Immediately after entering
asked for MI. Mcintyre and showed
anger when told he would not bc al
the conference.
Negotiations for Il settlement bcgar
at once, Mcssrs. Hamilton, Mallar
and Goodman and Adams being pres
cnt beside Turner and his attorney
The conference at first was In tho
firms general Office, but later Ma)lart
asked to see Mr. Adams and Mr.
Hamilton in Adams private onlcc
Turner having refused certain propo
Sitions. While the conference In tic
private Office was going on Turner
walked In. Ills lawyer asked him fol
his check to be used In the settlement
and Turner said: "Yes, III let 20,
have it,"
Then Turner closed the door OF tic
office. lie was facing Mr.. Malard
who had asked him for the certified
check. In an instant after he hat
shut the door he drew a revolver and
pointing II at Mallard said "pll xii
you, you d" Then ho fired two
shots at Mallard. Instantly there wa.
q wild scramble on the part of th(
others in the room. All except Ham
llton dashcd for the door, but IIamll
ton when Turner fired, sprang, at hin
to grapple. Turner was too tAlick fol
him, however, and drOppinr6Jtts wea,