Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-14
THROUGH
LETTER TO GIRL
MURDERER CAPTURED AFTER
SIX YEARS CHASE
Man Wanted In Louisiana for Killing
Brother-in-Law Is Arrested
at Fresno OIL
Fields

A letter written to his sweetheart
was the cause of Alvin Carter, a self
/ confessed murderer, being caught in
the meshes of the law after a pursuit
which lasted more than six years, dur
ing which time nearly every country
in the western hemisphere was COW
cred.
Carter was brought last night to Los
Angeles by Sheriff John Seal of Amite,
La, having been arrested Saturday in
the oil fields adjacent to Fresno. To-
day Carter will start on his journey
to Louisiana to face the charge of
numbering his brother-in-law, John
Wall.
The story of Carter's crime has been
published several times. The fight
that resulted in the death of his broth
er-in-law occurred Sunday August g.,
1908, and the fact that both were just
leaving church services added interest
to the affair.
Carter was but sixteen years old. He
drove to the parish church in Tangi-
pahoa, La, on horseback, and before
entering the church tied his horse to
the wheels of the carriage of his broth
er-in-law.
FIees to South America
Inc morse DbCdlle excited anu III IT'S
endeavors to get away wrecked the
buggy of Wall. Wall on discovering
the damage demanded that Carter pay
him, and it is alleged that after few
hasty words Carter drew his gun and
with the remark, II will settle with
you now" shot Wall, inhicting a fatal
injury.
Carter escaped in the excitement and
fled to Central America, thence to
| c. I,.rt n cr
the charge had been forgotten, re-
turned to the United States and came
to Los Angeles
Unable to find work In Los Angeles,
Carter went to Fresno, but did not
stay but O. few short time, returning
to Los Angeles, where he had become
acquainted.
Hearing that men were wanted In
the oil fields near Fresno, Carter again
went there and obtained work. He
passed under the name of H. d. Hun
terfoot.
During all the years Sheriff Saal
was on the track of the man, and at
one time in South America had made
all arrangements for his arrest, but
Carter slipped through the meshes of
the law and sailed for Central America.
Traced to United States
The relentless pursuit of Sheriff Saal
continued and he traced Carter to the
United States and at Omaha, Neb.,
located his man. but Carter disappeared
before an arrest could be made.
For a few months all track of Car
ter was lost, but Sheriff Saal, hearing
his man had come to California, sent
word to the sheriffs of the various
counties, giving description Of Carter.
While at Fresno Carter was heard to
make chance remark about his life
near New Orleans, which led to sus-
picion and when he mailed letter to
his childhood sweetheart, the evidence
was deemed sufficient, and Sheriff r.
D. Chittenden of Fresno placed the
young man under arrest.
Carter stoutly denied his identity,
but on the arrival of Sheriff Saal adj
mitted he was the person wanted.
Reduisition papers were obtained and
today Carter will start for New Or
leans to face a murder charge.
When seen at the county jail last
night Carter appeared unconcerned as
to his own welfare, but regretted his
mother and father and the 'little girl
would have to share his shame
VIII Plead self-Defense
"I think can prove that I acted In
self Defense" said Carter, "and there
ia moro to the story than has been
told. I admit I shot Wall. but it was
a case of self defense. We had trouble
before the affair at church that Sun
| day morning, and 1t was during a
struggle over the gun that shot him.
II thought everything had been for
gotten, but / believe I have good
case. I am glad the chase is over, for
want to see my father and mother
again. and there is some one else"
| Sheriff Saal stated the murder Of
Wall was cold -blooded and without
provocation, although he admitted
there might have been previous trouble
! between Carter and his brother-inlaw
Carter is but % years old, and for
six years has been a fugitive from
|