The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-07-01
FARMER MURDERED FOR $40.
SLAYER CAUGHT IN THIS CITY
TEN HOURS AFTER CRIME.

Young Farm Hand Who Had Been Dis.
charged Shoots and Kills Charles
Lutz, at PawllnE- Confesses and says
He Didn't Think Of Consequences.
Charles Lutz, 80 years old, the manager
OF farm at Pawling, small town on the
Harlem River Railroad, was murdered
and robbed yesterday morning while
returning to the farm in a milk wagon.
Ten hours later George Smith, a discharged
farm hand, was arrested here for the murder.
He calmly admitted his guilt and was
locked up at Police Headquarters He
got only SIS.
Lutz was manager Of farm owrcd by
John Wanzer. Smith, who had been seen
hiding along the roadside, was Immediately
suspected Of the murder. District Attorney
Lee of Pawlng notified Acting Inspector
O'Brien that Smith might go to j. 8. String
hams employment agency, at 1901 Lexington
avenue. Detective Sergeant Carey wns cent
there to watch for him Smith had got his
job at the farm through strngham and
had left his watch with Stringham as So
cuTity for loan Of $3.50.
Smith showed up at Stringham's place
last evening As Carey starp'd for him
Smith started to run, but the dotective
caught him in the street BE ia slim.
smooth faced youth. While waiting for
a atenogIapher at Police Headquarters,
where he confessed, Smith drummed with
his fingers on the arms OF chair and
hummed bits Of popular songs. His right
name was George Granger, he said. He
didn't know his exact age, but guessed
he was about 20.
On Thursday Of last week he went to
work on Wanzers farm az a laborer at
$50 month. He worked until Thursday,
when he gave up TIE job.
Il was not entirely satisfied with the
place." he said. Mrs. Lutz refused to
give me a glass of milk when l asked for It.
/ was glad quit because l learned after
ward from Lutz that he would have dis
charged me on Saturday. He said / was
not strong enough for the work. Lutz
said there was 1895 due me, Of which he
was to send $3.50 to Stringham so l could
get my watch. He gave me the balance
and borrowed 81 .o5 from him. promised
to pawn the watch when l got it and repay
slept at Lutz's house that night.
when Lutz paid me he pulled out a
roll Of bills and when awoke this morning
determined to get that roll. l left the
and walked about mile down the road
had my grip with me and revolver my
brother gave me four years ago in my
hip pocket When 1 reached secluded
place I sat down and waited. About
half past Lutz came along on little old
fashioned cart loaded with milk. When he
saw me he stopped and said:
"'Why, what's the matter, boy? thought
you We're in New York. had to give some
fluff, so told him l had waited to ask him
s9uld st stay y. until Sunday aono 10 send the
money for your watch on the something
train and you'd better go, too Then he
drove off. l didn't want to shoot him
until after he had delivered the milk, be-
cause I'd have a better chance to get away.
He returned in about half an hour.
As he came up he shouted; The boys
are going to get in the hay to-day and you
can go to work. too if you care to. |
shook my head and he drove on. When
he passed me took careful aim with the
pistol and fired The bullet struck him
just back of the right ear and he fell back
without murmur,
Then stopped the horse and went
through Lutz's pockets. l got his money
and an old silver watch and hurried for a
train. On the wsv to New York I counted
the money and found had SIS and a few
pennies.
Smith left the train at 125th street and
took an elevated train downtown. Near
the Mills Hotel in Blocker street he had
bath. shave, haircut and shine. Then he
bought a straw hat. had dinner and bought
two good cigars. one of which he smoked
going up to Stringham's in an open car
Smith said he was sorry he had killed
Lutz but at the time of the murder he did
not consider the consequences, thinking
only of the money.
He said he had been an inmate of reform
home at New Haven for four Years and
hadn't seen any Of his relatives in years.
Recently he had worked in this city as a
belboy. Last fall he had a small part in
the play 'who Goes There?" at the Princess
Theater. When searched Smith still had
s72.s5 In money and I.utz's watch
Smith will probably be taken to Pawling
to-day. There is much indignation there
over the murder.