Amarillo daily news. [volume] (Amarillo, Tex.) 19??-current, 1912-04-19
TRAGEDY OCCURS
IN TROOP ARMORY
Roscoe Johnston Shot and
Instantly Killed by
Howard Lauder
AFFAIR IS ACCIDENTAL
Bull ET ENTERS VICTIMS BODY
UNDER RIGHT ARM. RANG
ING UPWARD. BREAKING
SPINAL COLUMN,

Roscoe J. Johnston. aged twenty
seven years and married, son OF Or
and Mrs A. F.. Johnston, was shot
and instantly killed in the armory OF
Troop b, First Cavalry National
Gnard, last night about lO:30 o'clock.
with a revolver. Howard Lauder do
ing the shooting. the act being acct
dental, according TO evidence adduced
before Justice David Derden, at
hearing held in the Griggs undertake
ing establishment shortly after the
tragedy.
steve Ridings, an officer Of the
troop, was the only eye witness TO
the tragedy. and explained before the
coroner that Howard Lauder fired
one shot. and Johnston fell dead. The
bullet passed into the unfortunate
mans body just under the right arm.
ranging slightly upward. breaking
the spinal column and shattering the
shoulder on the left side. death being
practically instantaneous.
The shooting by Lauder, who Is
not a member of the organization and
a chance visitor, was following the
conclusion of a target drill, practi-
cally all OF the officers and members
Of the troop having departed. The
dead man. whose application for
membership in the organization was
on file, had been invited to attend the
meeting and participate in refresh
ments to be served
Lauder came up later ard picked
up a pistol supposed to be empty and
snapped II al Johnston, while he was
in the act of repeating this perform
anoe, Rulings hastily approached him
with the expressed purpose Of pre-
venting a repetition When Ridings
had reached a point within two feet
Of Lauder and reaching for the pis-
tol the hammer again came down AMI
this time there was a discharge, and
Johnston sank upon the floor. dying
without struggle almost. Later
Lauderwas taken In custody upon ad-
vice of Sheriff Brr0ell and brought
before Jrstice Derden for the hearing.
The afcident created CONSERVATION
among the officers and members OF
rroop r.. whose guest Johnston was
at the time Of the tragedy. The
Troop was soon together and every
thing possible was dOre for the dis
tressed ones N. Johnston was call
ed. and within a few minutes was
over the lifeless form OF his son, as-
sisted by nr. LaNler In making an ex-
animation. The mother and the
Young wife we're soon thereafter noti-
fled Of the tragedy. and likewise the
family Of Lauder. whose unfortunate
act proved so disastrous.
None seemed more deeply erieved
at the scene Of the shooting than did
Lauder. He proclaimed himself a
friend OF the dead man, and wept
when he found that the slIst had been
fatal. Relatives and friends OF the
dead man and the man who did the
shooting we're soon on the scene, ani
from what coald be gathered las
evening sa1ness rather than bitter
ness oharactized the Investigation.
Both Roscoe Johnston anG Howard
Lauder have been In Amarillo many
years, and are known to practically
every citizen Of the city. The slayer
Is engaged with the Santa Re general
offices. while the dead man has held
different positions about tho city.
The gloom Of last nights tragedy
extencs 10 every home in Amarillo
Roscoe Johnston had many friends.
and his untimely death carries sad
ness TO all who knew him here and
elsewhere
No arrangement for the funeral
have been announced. As relatives arc
being called from differen. sections
oi the country.