New-York tribune., 1922-10-28
Woman Stays
Rector, Then
Kills Herself
Bodies of Rev. L. J. Christ
Ter, Bishop of All Out
doors,' and Parishioner
Found i'm Montana Home
Love Motive Discarded
Widow Is Niece of Senator
Wadsworth ; HusbandWas
Native of Waterloo. N. Y.

HAVRE. Mont, Oct. 27.-Mystery
hangs tonight over the killing of the
Rev. Leonard Jacob Christler, rector
of st. Marks Episcopal Church here,
widely known as the. "Bishop of All
Outdoors" and one of the most pic
turesque figures in all Montana
churchdom. by his parishioner, Mrs.
Margaret Carleton, a resident of Cali
fornia and wife of former district
judge, who then committed suicide at
his side.
The revolver which the minister's
wife-who was in an adjoining room
at the rector's house when the shoot
ing occurred in the early hours Of the
morning, and rushed out and found
the bodies-discovered clutched in Mrs.
Carleton's hand is of large caliber.
Mrs. Carleton possessed revolver. but
it was not like this one. It was of
small caliber.
The deaths were SO plainly case of
murder and suicide by the woman,
however, that no inquest is likely to
be held, the coroner 'and sheriff's of
flee announced tonight. The nistoI
with which the two were killed was
still clasped in Mrs. Carleton's hand
and her finger was still on the trigger
when he arrived in response to Mrs.
Christler's call, Dr. Mackenzie told
the coroner.
Was Native New Yorker
DR.. Christler was native of Water
loo, N. T., and had always been ex.
tremely popular. The love motive.
which was the first that engaged
police attention, has been dismissed bv
Bishop Faber, of this state, who de-
ciared that reports as to improper
relations between DR.. Christler and
Mrs. Carleton had been made to him
and investigated, and that they had
been found to be without foundation.
The authorities, however, are still pur-
suing this line of inquiry.
The prelude to the double killing
was OF strange, uncanny nature, ac-
cording to che dead minister's wife.
Upon completion Of church service,
she said, she went to her home and
found the house lighted and Mrs.
Carleton inside, tearing up and burn
ing the Rev. Mr.. Christler's photo
graphs.
Mrs. Carleton, she said gave no ex-
planation and talked incoherently. The
two women left the house together,
Mrs. Christler going to restaurant,
where the Rev. Mr. Christler, q visit
ing clergyman and several men church
members were dining. They remained
at the restaurant until late. Mrs.
Christler said.
Returning to the Christler home
with his wife, the rector commented
that he smelled smoke. Mrs. Christier
declared she did not tell her husband
Of Mrs. Carleton's visit
The Christlers had been in the house
only a short time when Mrs. Carleton
entered, according to the minister's
wife. The three engaged in ordinary
conversation for some time, Mrs.
Christler said.a
Two Shots Fired
When Mrs. Carleton arose to leave
the house Dr.. Christler accompanied
her into the halls and closed the door.
A moment later two shots rang out,
according to Mrs. Christler.
The minister's wife said she opened
the door and found the bodies. Mrs.
Carleton's body had fallen across that
Of the minister. Examination of the
ministers body disclosed that bullet
tC0ntlnued on usxt saacl