Delaware gazette and state journal., 1902-10-23
MONEY CAUSES CRIME.
Three Lives Taken in the Heart Of tn
Wall Street District.

Three Lives Taken in the Heart Of the
Wall Street District.
New York, Oct. Is. Using a new
automatic magazine pistol, William Q.
Turner, former president and treasurer
of the Climax Bottiing Co., yesterday
shot and killed W. j. Msllard, secre-
tary and treasurer OF the company, and
Robert Hamilton, its president. Then
he killed himself with the same weapon.
A second pistol, loaded in every
chamber, was found in Turner'S pocket,
and it is believed no planned to take
more lives than he did The shooting
was caused by quarrel among the
three men over an alleged shortage in
Turner's accounts, for which he was
threatened with criminal prosecution.
The tragedy occurred in the offices Of
the law firm of Cantor, Adams Il Nc
Intyre, in tho heart Of the Wall atreet
district, at the busy noon hour. Turner,
who was 40 years old and lived ut
Mount Vernon, N. Y, suburb OF this
city, was cousin Of Gov. Odell. 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 a wild rumor was started that the
borough president had been killed.
Mr.. Mallard was 36 years old and a
native of Atlanta, Ca, where be was
we'll known in business and social
circles. He was president of the Young
MEMS Democratic Club there. Mr..
Mailard had been in this city about
four years, and lived, with his wife and
two children, in an uptown fat.
The second victim, Mr.. Hamilton,
lived in Pittsburg, where he was presi-
dent of the j. L. and A. Hamilton
glass factories. He was about 60 years
old. Mr.. Hamilton arrived in this city
yesterday 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 Offices
by appointment TO allow Turner to
make partial settlement He was
askedsfor certified chesk.
II have it," he said.
Then he closed the door of the room.
a short time later he drew pistol and
began firing Mr.. Mallard fell, shot
through the heart. and Mr.. Hamilton
lived only few moments A number
OF other persons who were in the room
clerks and members Of the firm fed
IN panic. After killing Hamilton and
Mallard Turner shot himself in the
head. Some moments later, hearing no
more shots, the parsons who fed ven-
| tured back into the room and found
the three bodies.
Turner retired as president of the
| Climax Bottling Co. last April, when
be was bought out by Hamilton. After
| the sale, it was declared, in examining
the books of the concern, that there
was shortage of 55, 100 in his ao-
| counts. Tue climax company engaged
| John +. Mcintyre, former assistant
| district attorney, and NJ. Goodman,
both members of the firm in whuse
offices tho shooting occurred, TO effect
a settlement with Turner He engaged
Edgar Leventritt to represent his in
terests. Some difficulty had been met
\ with in tine negotiations which fol-
lowed between the lawyers, but it was
| finally agreed to accept 81, 200 and give
Turner release in full 1t was agreed
| that the settlement should take place
in the ofhces of Cantor. Adams d Mo
Intyre at IL a. M, yesterday.
At the appointed hour Turner, with
| mis- lawyer, entered the Offices. Negotia-
tions for a settlement began at once.
| His lawyer asked him for his check, to
be used in the settlement and Turner
said: ''Yes, have it. -
Then Turner closed the door of the
office. He was facing Mallard. An in
| slant after he had shut the door he
drew a pistol, and, pointing it at Nal
lard, said 81 will kill you, you ="
| lie fired two shots at Mallard. In
| stantly there was a wild scramble on
the part of the others in the room. All
except Hamilton dashed for the door,
but Hamilton, when Turner fred,
sprang at him to grapple. Turner was
too qlick, however, and, dropping his
weapon to a level with the victims
breast, fred. There is no witness to
| what Immediately followed.
When persons connected with the law
offices ventured back into the room
they found on Turner's body certified
check for %, zoo. This is regarded as
throwing a peculiar light on the case
for it is thought to indicate that Turner
won't to the Offices with the probable
intention OF paying the money which
was to have settled the difficulty. II he
cid intend to pay it is argued he
changed his mind suddenly and decided
to kill.