The Kevin review. [volume] (Kevin, Mont.) 1922-1929, 1922-11-09

Rev. Leonard j. Christler, ''bish-
op of all outdoors" outstanding
man of his cloth i'm the n~orthland,
was killed at his home in Havre,
n night recently. When Mrs.
Christler, in an adjoining room,
heard the report of the gun, she
rushed into the room. Her hus-
band was lying dead on the floor.
Over his body stood Mrs. Margaret
Carleton, who had confessed her
infatuation for the dead minister to
her husband, Judge Frank Garlic
ton, some time before, with a re-
vOlver in her hand. She pointed
the revolver at Mrs. ChristIer, held
it there for a second, then turning
the gun on herself, shot herself
through the heart.
That is the official version, as
erystalized in the verdict of the coro-
ner's jury, which held that Mrs.
Carleton, while temporarily derang-
ed, shot the pastor dead and then
killed herself.
The only eye witness of part of
the tragedy was Mrs. Christler, wife
of the pastor. She testified that she
had accompanied her husband home
from the Havre depot about one
O'Clock in the morning. Mrs. Carle-
ton came into the room The details
of the conversation between the three
were not made public at the official
inquiry, except that Mrs. Carleton
told her that she (Mrs. Christ1er)
had no place in the minister's life.
Mrs. Christler's Story
Christler went into an adjoining
Mrs. Carleton followed him.
Instantly there was the report of a
Mrs. Christler entered the
room to find her husband on the
floor, with Mrs. Carleton standing
over him with the smoking revolver
in her hand. She pointed the revolt
yer at Mrs. Christler, then put its
muzzle against her own breast, and
sent a bullet crashing through her
heart. Between the flights of the
two souls 20 seconds could not have
elapsed.
That is the story that Mrs. Christ
told the coroner's jury at the in
quest. The jurors believed her.
But Mrs. Joseph Pyle of Butte,
mother of Mrs. Carleton, has taken
with the %coroner's jury. She
to Havre, engaged lawyers, and
an independent investigation.
At the inquest, DR.. Foss of Havre
testified that the bullet which killed
Mrs. Carleton had an upward ten
1ency. Two physicians who examin-
I'd the body for Mrs. Pyle assert that
he bullet which caused Mrs. Garlic
death ranged downward at a.
sharp angle.
Armed with this information, Mrs.
oyle's attorneys have asked that the
,ase be reopened, and the authorities
If Hill county have the suggestion
lnder advisement.
OF Prominent Family
Mrs. Carleton came Of an old Mon
ana family. Her grandfather, Major
Davenport, came to the state In pion-
,er days, and was for many years a
'esident of Helena. Her father is
Don Davenport, also a resident OF
Helena. She attended school In Hell
ma, and was a beautiful and cultured
She married Frank Garlic
on, former judge of the judicial dis
riot in which Havre is situated. She
ad become estranged from her hus-
and, and for the past year had been
ngaged In C~hautauqua work, and
7as in Havre on a visit. In the mean
ime her husband had gone to Los
and opened a law office.
The Rev. Christler vas a very re-
larkable man. He was tall, of COM
presence, and possessed
oise. He was an eloquent speaker
nd a most magnetic man. He was
unconventional and most human. He
ad a large circle of friends and adj
lirers outside the church, and few
lurchmen stood as high in the es-
EN- of the general public as did he.
q aaaantnd Tho ra,1nb Hfn Of tho |