Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1918-01-16
ARMY CAPTAIN WENT TO BAD.
Attempted Robbery, Committed MUIR
der, Ending All by Suicide.

4 Camp Funston, Kan, Jan. Ia
Identification to-day of Capt. Lewis
B. Whistler, by Kearney Wornall. the
sole survivor Of five men, who were
attacked by an army captain bent on
robbery of the camp bank last night,
rs the man who had perpetrated the
crime, and Capt. Whistlers subse-
quent death by suicide. have convinc-
ed army officers here that the search
for the slayer is ended.
Capt. Whistler killed himself by
firing two bullets from an army rifle
into his head. His death came after
Wornal had recovered consciousness
at the base hospital and told the
questioning army officers the story Of
the tragedy In which the captain had
killed with All axe four men, includ-
Ing G. Fuller Winters, president of
the Federal reserve bank Of Kansas
City, an intimate friend OF the cap
tain. An order was issued that all
captains at the cantonment report at
headquarters 10 have their finger
prints taken. 1t was then that the
shots from Capt. Whistler's office
we're heard. A note was found with
the body. It was written to a woI'
man whose name the authorities re-
fu"ed to diYulge. 1t said:
Reason for Suicide.
Il have been thinking OF commit
ting suicide for long time, but
have never had good reason. Yes
terday ! went out and made myself
reason"
the room In which Capt. Whist
ler's body was found was smeared
with blood spots. Two blood-soaked
towels were found in tho room and
the table was spotted with It, Capt.
Whistler had borrowed two hatchets
from supply company yesterday,
according to officials, and he borrow
ed two more to-day.
Army officials declined to say whe-
ther any OF the money which the
robber Is supposed to have obtained
was found In Capt. Whistler's room.
Said He Recognized Him.
Wornall, who recovered conscious
ness this morning, told the authori-
ties that the murderer was an army
captain, whose face he recognized, ),
and who, he said, was a close friend
OF Winters, head of the army bank.
WoEnall In describing the tragedy,
sah s. isst ha aasI s
ped insistcntly. He was admitted,
and covering the men with revolv-
err forced Wornall to tie the hands OF
the four men, after which he tied
Wornalls hands. The man then
! proceeded to loot the bank safe and
had reached the door when Winters
said to Wornall
"You recognize him, don't you?'
Wornall answered that he did
The murderer turned and said:
You know me, do you?"
II sure do, you black scoundrel," 1"
was Winters reply.
Felled Them With Axe.
Wornall says at this point the man
hesitated and then suddenly leaned
| at them swinging his hand axe. He
| struck the helpless men down, one
by one. Wornali was the last struck.
| Capt. Whistler's former wife, from
whom he was divorced about a year
ago, and a son IA years old, reside
IN Salina, Kan. His parents live at
Goodland, Kan.
Capt. Whistler, who was about 40
years old, fought in the Spanish
American war and later saw consid-
cradle service in the Philippines.
Mrs. Whistler to-day received a
letter from her former husband in
which he said he was in good health
and spirit. The letter, she thought,
was written yesterday, although 1t
was undated.
VVI A rHISpH Nsu,xlp ysyuSc,y.>x r = ~,e,,,,,,v>