Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-01-17
CAPTAIN KILLS 4;
SHOOTS HIMSELF
Murders Followed Capt. Whis-
ler's Robbing the Bank at
Camp Funston.

CAMP FUNSTON, Kan. Jan. Ia
Identification of Captain Lewis r.
Whistler. by Kearney wornall, the sole
survivor Of Ave men who were attacked
by an army captain, bent on robbery Of
the camp bank Friday night, as the
man who had perpetrated the crime and
Captain Whisler's subsequent death by
suicide have convinced army authori-
ties here that the search for the slayer
is ended
Captain whistler killed himself by
firing two bullets from an army rifle
into his head. His death came after
Wornall had recovered consciousness at
the hospital and told the questioning
army officers the story Of the tragedy
in which the captain had killed with an
axe four men, including c. Fuller Win
ters, vice. president Of the Federal Re-
serve bank of Kansas City. an intimate
friend Of the captain. Then an order
was issued that all captains at the can
Torment report at headquarters to have
their finger prints taken. It was then
that the shots from Captain whislers
office were heard
A note was found with the body. 1t
was written to q woman whose name
the authorities have refused to divulge.
1t said:
Il have been thinking of commit
ting suicide for long time, but I have
never had a good reason. Yesterday I
went out and made myself a reason"
The room in which Captain whi~ sy's
body was found was smeared with
blood spots. Two blocd-soaked towels
were found in the room and the table
was spotted with It.
Captain whistler had borrowed two
hatchets from supply company yes
terday. according 70 officials. and he
borrowed two more to-day.
Army officers tonight declined to
say whether any of the money which
the robber Is supposed to have obtained
was found in Captain whisler's ROOM
Wornall. who recovered consciousness
this morning, told the authorities that the
murderer was an army captain. whose
race he recognized, and who, he said,
was close friend Of Winters. head Of the
army bank. Wornall, in describing the
tragedy. said man came to the door of
the bank about $3.50 o'clock last night and
raped insistently. He was admitted, and,
covering the five men with his revolver.
forced Wornall to tie the hands of the four
men. after which he tied wornalrs hands.
He then proceeded to loot the bank safe.
You recognize him. don't you?" Wor-
nall answered that he did.
The robber turned to Winters and said:
You know me, do you?"
II sure do. you black scoundrel," was
Winters reply.
Wornall says that at this point the man
hesitated, and then suddenly leaped at
them, swinging his hand axe. He struck
the helpless men down, one by one. Wor-
nall was the last struck. When he recov-
cred consciousness he managed to unite
his hands and made his way into the open
air. where he was discovered by a sentry.
Soldiers, entering the bank. found Win
tiers, Carl Opelson and C. L. Hill, bank en-
ployes, and John Jewell. an editor. dead
upon the floor.
Relatives and friends Of Captain Whistler
were unable tonight to advance any
theory as to what impelled him to COM
NIT the crimes. Captain Whisler's former
wife, from whom he was divorced about
| a year ago. and q son, IA years old, reside
in Salina, Kan. His parents live at Good
land, Kan.
Captain whistler fought in the Spanish
American War and later saw considerable
service in the Philippines. During the
! Mexican border trouble he attempted to
form a regiment in Kansas, but the plan
was not carried out. When the war with
| Germany came he entered the officers
| training camp at Fort Riley. Kan, and
was commissioned captain. He was about
| 40 years old.
Mrs. Whistler to-day received letter
from her former husband in which he
said he was in good health and spirits.
The letter, she thought. was written yes
terday. although it was undated.