The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-01-13
TELLS FEMALE FRIEND he LONG CONTEMPLATED
SUICIDE, BUT HERETOFORE HAD NO VALID REASON

Camp Funston Kansas, Jan. 12-Wih the finding late To-
day of the body Of Captain Lewis R. Whistler of Sana Kansas
his tiny office at the national army cantonment here the
last chapter written in the bloody story of the oong last
night of the army bank and the subsequent murder of four
men and serious wOndng of fifth The murders were COM
United with hand-aXe
Captain Whistler killed himself firing two shots from reg
uaton army service rifle into his head The first bullet
glanced downward through cheek but the other went
true, and lodged his brain The suicide followed general
order from headquarters nsrucng all captains at the
torment report and have their finger prints taken
A left by the army officer, addressed to woman
whose the authorities far have declined to dVulge
The note said;
81 have been thinking of committing suicide for long time
have had good reason Yesterday went out ahu
''''0' Room smeared With Blood.
The in which Captain Whiser's body was found was
smeared with blood spots Where he had washed himself ap
pareny after the murders last night there was much blood
Two blood soaked towels found the and the table
was spotted with it.
Captain whistler borrowed two hatches from a supply
company yesterday according to officials and he borrowed
two today.
money which the robber is supposed to have obtained was
found in Captain Whislers room.
The suicide of Captain Whistler was thee lmaX of day OF
tragic investigation by the army authorities who were con-
den the day progressed that the murderer had not left the
reservation and that his detection assured Their most
definite information furnished by kearney Wornali OF
Kansas City, the fifth attacked by the robber and whose
condition tonight said to be serious. Mr.. Wornal IS
Call to Captains to Report
Worna who recovered consciousness this morning told the
authorities that the murderer was an army captain whose lace
he recognized and who he said close friend of g. Fuller
Winters of Kansas City head of the army bank Of the men
killed AS result of WOrnalls statement general check OF
army officers begun This afternoon the order that all
captains should report and have their finger prints taken
issued
i Worna in describing the MURDERS said to the
door of the bank about $3.50 o'clock last night and raped IN
ssentv He was admitted and covering the five men with
revolver forced Worna to tie the hands of the four after
which he tied Wornas hands The then proceeded t
loot the bank safe and had reached the door when Winters sale
Ito Wornall: "You recognize him, don't you?"
Worna answered that he did. The murderer turned tc
Winters and said "You know me- do you?"
81 do, you black scoundrel" Winters reply.
Leaped Them With Axe
Worna at this point the hestated and then sud
struck the helpless down, by Wornal the
last struck When he recovered consciousness he managed
unite his hands and made his way into the open air. where h
was discovered by sentry.
Relatives and friends of Captain Whistler unable to
night advance any theory to what mpeed him commi
the murders and robbery Captain Whers former wife, from
whom he divorced about year ago. and Duane
fourteen DID, reside in Sana Kansas His parents v
e at Goodand, Kansas
Captain Whistler fought in the SpanishAmerican war;
later considerable service in the Philippines. During tn
Mexican border trouble he attempted to form regiment
Kansas and offer to the government but the plan
le carried out
a. Was Commissioned Captain.
When the with Germany he entered the officers
training camp at Fort Riley, Kansas, and commissions
to captain.
., Captain Whistler about forty years old.
Mrs whistler today received letter from her former hu
band in which he said he good health and spirits Tn
letter she thought written yesterday, although it wa
undated.
Whether the body of Captain Whistler would be taken I
On Salina for burial could not be learned tonight.
go Wornall Identifies Whistler
n Worna tonight identified Captain Whistler the wh
committed the murders announced by army official
who said that his Identification would be taken concusy
and that the would be regarded closed Idenao