The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1922-10-28
The Rev. Leonard J. Christler
Of Havre, Mont, Is Slain
by a Woman.
WIFE HEARS SHOTS FIRED
Bodies Found Side by Side
With Pistol Held in the
Slayer's Hand.

HAvRE. Mont. Oct 27-The Rev.
Leonard Jacob Christler, rector OF st.
Marks Church Of the Incarnation here,
widely known in the West as "the
Bishop of all outdoors was shot and
instantly killed in his home at / o'clock
this morning by Mrs. Margaret Garlic
ton, wife OF former Judge Frank Carle-
ton of the District Court of Hill county.
Mrs. Carleton committed suicide.
The deaths were so plainly case Of
murder and suicide BY the woman that
no inquest probably will be held, the
Coroner and Sheriffs office announced
tonight. The pistol with which the two
were killed vas still clasped In Mrs
Carletons hand and her finger was
still on the trigger when he arrived In
response 10 Mrs. Christler's call. DR.
Mackenzie told the Coroner.
Two shots Were Heard.
The double killing occurred. according
TO Mrs. Christler, after DR. Christler ac-
compsnied Mrs. Carleton to his home
Mrs. Christler said DR.. Christler closed
the minister. Mrs. Carleton and Mrs.
Christler had been sitting and a small
tall. a moment later. she said. two
shots were heard and she opened the
door, finding the two bodies. Mrs.
Carletons body had fallen across that Of
the clergyman.
Immediately after the shooting Mrs.
Christler called two physicians. friends
OF The family and notified the police. She
then sent kilograms concerning the
shooting TO relatives Of her husband and
OF Mrs. Carleton. She placed the bodies
in care OF an undertaken and an
nounced that burial OF her husband
would be in the old home. In Cayuga
county. n. Y. and that burial of Mrs.
Carleton would be wherever relatives de-
sired. Mrs. Christler assuming all nnan-
cial arrangements IN connection with
both funerals
Chief Of Police Moran said he
noticed Mrs. Carleton standing be-
fore the restaurant where the Christ
lers were dining last night. and her
peculiar actions SO impressed him that
he watched her for some time. Exam
lnation OF her effects indicated she had
destroyed a large number OF letters and
kilograms before the shooting.
phNkhttF
Mrs. Christler is the daughter OF the
late David Wadsworth, wealthy manu-
facturer OF Auburn. n. Y. She is said 20
be a relative OF United States Senator
j. W. Wadsworth. Jr.. OF New York
states. The Christlers were married In
1914. Mrs. Carleton was native of
Helena, Mont. She has a grown daugh-
ter by former marriage.
The Rev. Dr. Christlsr was one Of the
picturesque figures OF Montana church
DOM lie stood feet I inch and had
a mass OF brown curly hair. His oratory
carried beyond the pulpit and as a
member Of the Montana Legislature his
frequent rhetorical flights brought him
the title In Western newspapers of the
Orator magnificent"
Mrs. Carleton. wife OF former dis
trict Judge OF Montana, was regarded
as ono Of the prettiest women in Mon
tana. She vas scarcely more than
feet in height She was a member Of
Or Chrstler's congregation and her
self public speaker. For a number Of
years she had been engaged in Chau-
tauqua work.
Or Christler was IS years old. Gradu-
ating az ST. Andrews Seminary, Syra-
cuse, ~. y. In 1895. he was for four
years rector OF Calvary Episcopal
Church, Homer. y. j. lie served as
curate OF 81. Peters Church OF Au-
burn. ". y. from 1900 to 1907. coming
70 Havre IN tho latter year as mis-