Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-10-30
ARMED GROUPS CONTINUE HUNT
FOR SLAYER OF ALLEN AT RILEY
WIDOW OF PASTOR
CnRISTLER TELLS
OF DOUBLE KILLING

hdNies NUM-, Oct s5-DTdIndtlC
details of events that lead to the
deaths of Mrs. Margaret Carleton
and the Rev. Leonard Jacob Christler,
pastor OF ST. Marks chruch OF the
Incarnation, were recited to a coro-
ner's jury by the minister's widow
previous to verdict returned early
today. that the tragedy was brought
about by temporary mental derange-
ment on the part of Mrs. Carleton.
The widow, Mrs Anna w. Christler,
in calm modulatCl voice, described
how she returned to her home about
10 o'clock Friday evening. TO find a
light. Calling Q. c. Hague, a neigh
Dor. she said, she stationed him on
the front porch while she entered.
She testified that she found Mrs.
Carleton. wife of former District
Judge Frank Carleton. destroying a
picture of DIR. Chrstler and admon-
ishcd her for the act. The witness
added that Mrs. Carleton seemed
anything but in her right mind"
Finally. the witness said, she per-
suadod Mrs. Carleton to leave with
her, walking toward the towns bust
ness section, where they met Rev.
Christlor. Mrs. Carleton was left
down town. she continued, the others
returning home. Shortly afterward.
the witness said. Mrs. Carleton re-
turned to tho Christler house. The
witness hcsitatcd in describing the
conversation after Mrs. Carleton re-
Joined them. but in answer to qucs-
tons replied that Mrs. Carleton had
declared that
II (Mrs. Christlcr) had no place in
Mr.. Christicr's life" she said that
while Mrs. carleton made no threats
she did most OF the talking.
Mr. Christlcr arose and started for
hs sleeping room. Mrs. Christler said,
ard Mrs. Carleton, also arose IS if to
depart. Mrs. Christlcr said she had
opened tho front door with her back to
Mrs. Carleton. who had followed Mr.
CLristlcr.
Then came two quick revolver re-
ports Mrs. Christler said. She turned
&, see Mrs Carleton fall in the door
way OF small hall leading into the
hrthroom and into Mr.. Christlcrs
room. she testified.
Mrs. ChriStlcr said she saw that
Mrs. Carleton was dead and stepping
over the body tried to get to Mr..
chriStler. but the woman's body had
fallen So "a 10 partly block the door.
She then called the police and physi-
ciapp. she stated
Mr. Hague confirmed Mrs. Christler's
rt,rv that she had asked him to stand
on his porch until she went into the
house. He added that she afterward
stepped out again and said: Every
tlng is all right"
Nh Hague said that last Sunday
atout o'clock he had seen Mrs. Garlic
ton trying to enter the Chrstler home.
on the night of the shooting. short
~ after 10 o'clock, he said, he had
seen Mrs Carleton turn out light in
tho Christlcr homo.
Mrs. +. T. .Maftin. librarian, and a
personal friend Of Mrs. Carleton, de-
scribcd Mrs. Cartoons condition Fri
day night Going to her hotel, where
Mrs. Carleton also roomcd. she said
she went to Mrs. Carle.on's room in
response to a call and found her in
bed suffering from sort of hysteria.
The Rev. Mr.. Christler was there,
trying to quiet Mrs. Carleton. the wit
ness testified.
According to Mrs. Martin. Mrs
Carleton told her that she had taken
an overdose of sleeping powders and
lad just awakened from sleep of 80
hours Mrs. Martin said size had
judged Mrs. Cartoons condition as
very bad" Mr.. Christler left shortly
after she had prepared food for Mrs.
C"rloton. she said.
There was nothing improper In the |
relations of the rector and Mrs. Garlic |
ton while she was in the room Mrs. |
Martin said.