The Washington herald., 1913-08-31
WRIT IS sought
To FREE FISHER
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.

,raI others. Dispositions were taken from
Mrs. AltdOrfer. Miss Lillian Reese. the
pretty eventeen-year-old adopted daugh-
;-r OF the writer. who is said TO have
been the immediate cause Of the murder.
and Dr.. Poole. At the conclusion Of the
autopsy il was decided that an inquest
would be unnecessary.
Following the tragedy late Friday night
Fisher was taken to Rockville by Deputy
Sheriff Fling, of Chevy Chase. The trip
was made in an automobile. Early yes
terday morning Sheriff Howard and
States Attorney Spates visited the jail
and had a long interview with the .pris
oner. Fisher admitted killing AltdOrfer,
but declared it was done in self-defense,
as he said the writer was making
desperate attempt to choke him to death.
Visited hy Friends.
During the day scores of friends of
Fisher visited him at the Jail and prof
Gered what assistance they could render.
Last night fully fifteen persons called
to see Fisher. Attorney Dawson held a
long conference with Fisher, and then
visited the Altdorfer residence at Chevy
Chase, spending practically the entire
afternoon there. He viewed the scene
Of the tragedy and talked with a number
OF persons in connection with the
murder
Yesterday afternoon the body of Alt
dorfer was taken to the undertaking es-
tabIshment of r. F. Harvey & Sons,
I%25 Fourteenth Street Northwest where
the funeral services will be held prob
ably tomorrow. Detailed arrangements
will be announced today. The interment
is expected to take place in Washing
ton.
i feel certain we shall be able to
nave Fisher speedily released said Mr..
lester last night upon his return from
Rockville Scores of friends have Of
fcred their assistance, and Attorney
Dawson is working hard on the case.
Fisher has been in my office for ten
wears and 1 always have known him
to be a perfect gentleman. In all the
time ] have known him. l never once |
have seen him mad. He is one of the (
most efficient employees in the Office, and |
$ liked and respected by everyone. He /
is a small man. weighing not more than |
llo pounds, and if he had not stabbed |,
NItdorfer when he did, it is certain that |
he drink-crazed newspaper writer would !
ave succeeded in choking him to |
leath"
Tells Story of Tragedy.
Mr. Fisher Yesterday told the story
Cf the tragedy. relating how he had
killed AltdOrfer TO save his own life and
to safeguard the honor of Miss Reese.
lie said that the newspaper writer had
been on a spree for a number Of days,
ana returned to his home Friday night
shortly after dark. He was so intoxi.
Gated that Lewis Turner, a neighbor, was
compelled to help him into the house.
Mr.. Turner tried to induce Altdorfer to
GO to bed. but he refused.
Fisher says he returned to the house
after the storm and went to his room
to change his clothes, which were wet
He heard a oSmmotiOn in the kitchen,
and, rushing there, found that Altdorfer
only partially clad. was attempting to
assault Miss Reese. Fisher, who in
terpOsed himself, finally succeeded in
uuieting AItdorfer.
They went into the dining-room.
where Altdorfer continued TO mutter
and to talk of shooting the boarder,
Fisher said. Then. without the slight
est warning, he jumped at Fisher and !
clutched at his throat. Altdorfer was
4 powerful man, and he seized Fisher 5
with a death-like grasp. The two {
struggled around the room, and, com !
ng near a small table, Fisher reached S
0ut and grasped a pair of long shears. !
Altdorfer frightened his grasp on Fish 4
er's throat and II was then, according I
% the prisoner, that, In self-defense, /
ne commenced stabbing. e
Confirmed by Miss Reese.
Miss Reese yesterday confirmed Mr.. n
Fishers account. n
HE did it TO save himself and to pro- c