Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-10-28

from the spectacle of seeing her hus-
band fall to the floor and Mrs. Carle-
ton firing the suicide shot. When she
rushed from another room in the house
at the sound of the shots she found
Mrs. Cartoons body stretched IifeIess
across the body of the minister. The
shot that took the life of the rector
entered his left side and left the body
at the left shoulder The suicide bull
LET entered Mrs. Carleton's heart. Mrs.
Christler told authorities that both
We're dead when she reached the room.
Mrs. Christiers Story
Events leading up to the tragedy
We're told by Mrs. christler. Follow
ing services held at the church by the
rector Thursday night, attended by the
Rey Charles Chapman of Butte, Mrs.
! Ghristler said that the three of them.
with several other parishioners. went
to a restaurant for luncheon. The
wife of the minister first went to her
home to obtain some keys and she was
there confronted with the sight, she
told authorities, of Mrs Carleton in
the house tearing up photographs OF
her husband and some papers. Mrs.
Christler said that Mrs. Carleton did
not explain her presence in the home
but talked rather incoherently about
other matters. The two women left
the house together, Mrs. Christier
joining hec husband at the restaurant.
When Mrs. Christler and the rector
returned home, Christler remarked
about the odor of burning paper. but
Mrs. Christler chose not to tell him
of the incident. because of the fact, it
is said, that she did not wish to recall
to his mind reports of secret relation
ship. They had not been home long
when Mrs. Carleton returned and the
three of them sat for several minutes
engaging i'll ordinary conversation.
Finally Mrs Carleton arose as If to
depart and she called to the rector to
come and speak with her. Behind
closed door they conversed for few
minutes and then came the shots.
Testimony Was Lost
When Bishop Faber conducted the
investigation of the gossip circulated
about the rector and Mrs. Carleton,
stenographic report was made of the
testimony given at the inquiry, but it
was reported to have been lost before
the formal presentation OF the report.
Evidence is said TO have been dis
closed during the inquiry that two
women had witnessed meetings of the
rector and the dead woman, a portion
of the testimony referring to an incl
dent in the hills near here. Since the
substance of this report has become
unofficially known, many of the parish
toner's are said TO have withdrawn
from the congregation.
During all of the time that the gos-
sip was in circulation, Mrs. Christler
is said TO have never confided in any
one about what she thought of the
relations between her husband and
Mrs Carleton. In fact, it was said. her
attitude was such as to make it appear
that she suspected nothing wrong.
Mrs. Christler is described by her
friends as woman of reserve, q
phlegmatic type, who would cast off
any suspicious as to her husband $
conduct. She is niece of United States
York and comes from highly respect
ed New York family.
Mrs Carleton, who was separated
from her husband, former District
Judge Frank Carleton of Havre, is de-
scribed as a woman of striking appear
anee and of vivaeious temperament.
She was divorced from her first hus-
band. Charles Lott. several years ago,
when it is alleged, she made an attemRI
on his life.
Following her separation from Car
Teton, who. is now living in California.
she conducted dancing classes here and
later Mt Minot. \. n. Before she re-
turned here n few days ago, she was
identified with an eastern chautauqua
circuit as superintendent. She was
n member Of one of the most prominent
and respected Helena families, her
father being Don Davenport. one OF
the pioneer figures of the state unti
1 e.. fto1ifnrnia