Arizona republican., 1918-01-13
CAPTAIN IN NATIONAL ARMY,
 TAKES LIFE WHEN CORNERED
Republican A. P. Leased Wir..l


 With the finding late today of the body | of Captain Lewis R. Whlsler of Sallna. | Aas., in hls tiny office at the national | army cantonment here, the mystery which had surrounded the footing last | night of the army bank and the subse- quent murder Of four men and the | serlous wounding of a fifth, is believed | to have been cleared up The murders l were committed with a hand axe.
 CapIain Whisier kiied himself, firing two shots from an army ser i, vice rifle into his head. The first bunet glanced downward through [ one cheek, but the other lodged in his brain. The suicide followed a general order from headquarters lnstructins all captains at the can- tonment to report and have their finserprints taken. A note was left by the army officer addressed to woman whose name the authorities so far have declined to di- vuIge. The note said:
 l have been thinking of committing suicide for a long time. but I have never had a good reason. Yesterday I went out and made myself a reason"
 Room Blood Stained
 The room in which Captain Whist ler's body was found was smeared With blood spots. Two blood soaked towels were found in the room and the table was spotted with gore.
 Captain Whistler borrowed two hatchets from a supply company yes- terday according to officials, and he borrowed two more today.
 Army officials tonight declined to say whether any of the money which the robber is supposed to have obtained was found in Captain Whistler's room.
 The suicide of Captain Wheeler was the climax of a day of investigation by army authorities who were confident as the day proceeded that the murderer had not left the reservation. Their most definite information was furnished by Kearney Wornall of Kansas City. the fifth man attacked by the robber and whose condition tonight was said to be serious.
 Sole Survivor Talks
 Wornall, who recovered conscious ness this morning, told the authorities that the murderer was an army cap- tain whose face he recognized and who, he said, was close friend of C. Fuller Winters, of Kansas City. head of the army bank, and one of the men killed. As the result of Wornalrs statement, a general check off of army officers was begun. This afternoon the order that all captains should report and have their finger prints taken was issued
 Wornall in describing the murders said a man came to the door of the bank about S:30 o'clock last night and rapped insistently. He was admitted and covering the five five men with his fnrand Nnrnan fo ho hands of the four men after which he tied Wornalfs hands The man then footed the bank safe and had reached the door when Winters said to Wor: nall; You recognize him. don't you?' Wornall anSWered that he did.
 The murderer turned to Winters and said:
 You know me, don't you?'
 Recognition Fatal
 T sure do, you black scoundrel," was Winters reply.
 Wornall says 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. Wornall was the last struck When he recovered consciousness, he managed to unite his hands and made his way into the open air, where he was discovered by a sentry. Relatives and friends of Captain Whistler were unable tonight to ad- vance any theory as to what impelled him to commit the murders and rob- | bery.
 Captain Whistler's former wife, from whom he was divorced about a year ago and a son, Duane, IA years of age reside in Salina, Kas. His parents live at Goodland, Kas.
 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 Kan sas and offer it to the government but the plan was not carried out. Wher the war with Germany came. he en- tered the officers training camp a Fort Riley, Kan, and was commis- stoned captain. He was about 40 year: of age.
 | Writes Former Wife
 Mrs. Whistler today received lette from her former husband in which h. said he was in good health and spirits The letter, she thought, was writer yesterday. although it was undated.
 The body of Captain Whistler was
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