The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1918-01-14
Capt. Whistler, Who Took
His Own Life, Was a Rob-
Der and a Murderer
WHAT IMPLIED
HIM is A MYSTERY
Was a Spanish War Veteran
and Previously Had Borne a Good
Reputation-Realized That His
Identification Would Take Place.

CAMP FUNSTON, Kansas, JAM IL
Capt. Lewis r. Whistler, identified as
the robber who killed four men Fri
day night in robbing the army camp
bank here, committed suicide Satur-
day. He fired two bullets from a serv
ice rifle into his head kearney Wor-
nall, sole survivor of five men who were
attacked, recovered consciousness at
base hospital and told the questioning
officers the story of the tragedy in
which the captain had killed with an
AK four men, including c. Fuller Win
tiers, vice-president of the federal re
serve bank of Kansas City, an init
mate friend of the captain. Then an
order was issued that all captains at
the eantonment report at headquarters
to have their fngerprints taken. 1t
was then that shots III Capt. Whistler 3
Office were heard.
A note was found with the body. 1t
was written TO a woman whose name
the authorities have refused to divulge.
| 1t said
| navy ptNI thinning VI COiuIlIb-
| ting suicide for a long time, but |
never had good reason. Yesterday
| went out and made myself a reason -
The room in which Capt. Whistler 8
| body was found, was smeared with
blood spots. Two blood soaked towels
were found in the room and the table
was spotted with it. Capt. Whistler
| had borrowed two hatchets from sup
ply company Friday, according to Off
cials, and he borrowed two more yes
terday. Army officials last night de
clined to say whether any of the money
which the robber is supposed to have
obtained was found in Capt. Whistler S
room.
Wornal told authorities that the muir
derer was an army captain whose face
he recognized and who, he said, was a
close friend Of Winters. head of the
army bank. Wornall, in describing
the tragedy, said a man came to the
door of the bank about $50 Friday
night and raped insistently He was
admitted and, covering the five mer
with his revolver, forced Wornall tc
tie the hands of the four men, after
which he tied Wornall s hands. The
man then proceeded to loot the banf
safe, and had reached the door whet
Winters said to Wornall, "'You reeog
E nize him, DON you?' WornaH an
: swered that he did.
The murderer turned to Winters, am
, said, ''You know me, do you?'
- sure do, YOU black scoundrel,
was Winter $ reply.
Wornall says at this point the ma
hesitated, and then suddenly leaped a
them, swinging his hand AK. He struc
: the helpless men down, one by one
: Wornall was the last struck. When h
recovered consciousness he managed t
unite his hands and make his way int
: open air, where he was discovered b
= a sentry.
Relatives and friends of Capt. Viii
r Ter were unable last night TO advanc
any theory as to what impelled him t
commit the murders and robber,
Capt. Whistler s former wife, fro
f whom he was divorced about a yes
- ago, and a son, IA, reside in Salin
;. Kan. His parents live at Goodlan
Kan.
IL Capt, Whistler fought i'll the SPANS
= American war and later saw conside
l. able service in the Philippines. Du
n ing the Mexican border trouble he a
lie tempted TO form a regiment III Ka
re S2s but the plan was not carried OF
j. When the war with Germany came
70 entered the officer S training camp
~ Fort Riley, Kan, and was commission
- captain. tie was about 40 years old
( Mrs. Whistler yesterday received
H. letter from her former husband.
nc which he said he was in good heal
1T and spirits. The letter, she though
es was written Friday, although it W
al undated.
,p-