The copper era and Morenci leader., 1920-07-02
DOUGLASyOUN MAN KILLS SWEETHEART
 AND HIMSELF
Unsuccessful In His Courtsnip of Pretty Store Cashier Former Sol dier Plays Leading Role in
 Shocking Tragedy

Douglas, June 29.-William F. Smith, young man recently discharg- ed from the Army at Douglas, and who was employed in the store of the Phelps-Dodge Corporation. at that place, shot his sweetheart in the back and then turned the weapon on him. self with fatal results. Both fell dead on the sidewalk.
 And for the last time I ask: Will you marry me?" These proba- bly, were the words of William F. Smith, clerk employed in the mems furnishing department of the Phelps Dodge Mercantile company, as he ac- companied Miss Thelma Gutke. the girl of his dreams, home from the theatre last night.
 Her answer was "Noi She told him what many a lass has told lad before.'1 will not marry you because I care for you only as a friend" Thel- ma was young-just IT, She, too, was employed at the P-D store, as a cashier in the notions department. She was pretty and sincere. She liked her companion. but not well enough to marry him. It seems the scene had been enacted many times before, but last night Smith added tragedy to romance.
 Smith used to wait for Thelma after the store closed, taking her home, or making arrangements to accompany her to the theater later Tn the evening.
 Waiting last night he met his sweetheart and Miss Billie Turvey, a chum of the dead girl. Smith took his companions to BluementhaPs, where they ordered light lunch.
 During the course of the meal Smith suddenly jumped up exclaim ing that he had forgotten to feed his chickens, which it has been learn ed he fed every evening at o'clock EXcusing himself. he declared he would return in 10 minutes.
 The girls, although considering his actions queer made some laughing remark and went ahead with theil dinner. Smit returned within the promsed 10 minutes and the party was resumed.
 WENT TO GET GUN.
 The theory was advanced today that Smith possibly went out at this time to obtain the weapon he latel used to kill the woman he professeG to love-
 After dinner Smf took the two young women to a theatre, and aftel being seated a short time, again ex cused himself declaring that he fe1 ill. and was going out in the fresf air.
 The girls joked him about having some girl aroung the corner. Whe1 Smith had returned and the theatr' program was concluded and tn, young trio started home, the conveI sation turned to a contemplated out
 ing to be given the store emolpyes. ., When Miss Turvey asked Thelma
 she was going. she replied that sh
 did not think she would be able to gc
 A few moments later she lowered he
 voice and told her companion she di
 not desre to go on the trip as sh , knew Smith intended to go. It is not believed Smith heard tn
 whispered words of his sweetheart {
 Miss Turvey.
 When the trio reached Miss Tu
 vey's home the latter begged he : girl companion to stay all night wit
 her. which Miss The1ma refused
 do.
 So far as police and newspape ; men can ascertain today, Miss Tu vey was the last person to see Mis : Gutke Smith alive.
 NO EYE WITNESS. j. What happened between the peric e Miss Turvey left the couple at tf > steps of her home and the shots rar l. out in the night from the corner e Fifteenth street and B avenue, is su
 position.
 It It is the general oeI1af Smith. WI d is said to have repeatedly express' D. his love in proposals of maria . again appealed for fer hand, a1 e that when she refused. the youl IS wooer in despe:at on or a it 1t lage. jerked the weapon from h d clothing.
 u The fact that the dead girl W Ill shot in the aac ck and side leads to |
 belief that she say the srul, al 'e started to run and was shot down le her tracks Seeing wna. a ghastly a he had committed and all hopes s happiness had been swept away IS his own hand. Smith turned the z y on himself, the tuI]et piercing
 heart.
 7h There were no eye witnesses to t U tragedy. People living in the nei' e borhood, hearing the shots came IT or ming out of their homes only to ii IT. the two bodies lying in the stre nu covered with blood. The girl, shot - the man protesting 70 love her.
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