San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-03
Drink Stand Owner Killed
by His Former Army
Buddy"
SHOT THROUGH HEART
Thomas c. Stahl Attempts
to Fire Own Gun but
Is Shot Down.


proprietor, was shot down and killed
in front of his place of business, 1924
North New Braunfcls avenue, near the
Army Post at IL 80 Wedne sday morn
ing. ,-
Charles Kicker, %, 1923 North New
BraunfclS avenue, who was StahIs
Buddy, when both were in the army,
was placed under arrest by the police.
charged with the Staying.
\ fight between the two men New
Years night led 10 the tragic end OF
Stahl. Kicker was in the act of enter
ing the Stahl drink stand to apologize
for the trouble, he says, when he was
forced to kill his former army compan-
ion to protect his life.
Eye witnesses to the shooting told
the police and detectives Kicker was on
the verge of stepping into the establish
mcnt, when Stahl stepped out on the
sidewalk and struck him a singing
blow in the face.
Both men, witnesses claim. drew PTS
tolls. Kicker was the first TO fire and
Stahl fell at the first snot Kicker fired
two more shots in rapid succession
Police examination revealed Stahrs gun
had not been fired.
Bullet Over tse Besrt,
bullet wound directly over the
heart caused death.
Kicker was in the custody Of Police
man McCulloch, when Police Chief Van
Ripper. Detective Captain Street and
Detective McCabe reached the scene.
after an alarm had been sent TO cen
trail headquarters Kicker surrendered
his gun TO Policeman McCulloch, as
the latter reached the scene of the
shooting few moments later. The
weapon, 41-caliber. double action
army model, contained three empty
cartridges.
A pistol, small 3S-type. loaded with
four cartridges. which was lying on the
sidewalk beside the form of Stahl, was
taken charge Of by the police.
Immediately after Stahl had fallen
and was in Bcmi-conSciOus condition.
he was lifted into an automobile. driven
by Jene +. Wills, 1925 North New
Braunfels avenue, and rushed to the
station hospital, Fort Sam Houston.
The wounded man expired as he was be-
ing lifted from the car at the hospital.
The bullet, examination disclosed,
had entered the left chest several inches
above the heart. and, physicians be-
lieved pierced the jugular vein.
Stahl is survived by a widow and
child
His body was removed to the Riebe
Undertaking Company.
The dead man was well known in
police circles. Kicker, after his dis
charge, from the army. continued TO re-
side in San Antonio and was an init
mate friend and companion OF Stahl,
according TO information given Off
Gers. The two. it is said, had engaged
in n number of alterations but had al
ways patched" up their trouble and re-
newed their friendship.
Stahi Hit Kicker in Face.
Numerous people. according 10 the
police, witnessed the shooting. though
but n comparative few seemed TO know
what lead to the tragedy.
Pat Smith. who conducts a restaurant
in connection with the Srahl dr;:rk
stand. according TO information given
the police. was accompanying Kicker,
after the latter had expressed to him
desire to apologize TO S;1hl for the
New Years fracas, to Stahfs stani,
when Stahl confronted them in the
doorway.
H. Il. Andrews. 1921 Mason street ::
ID. II. Irwin. Ills Carson street; Tony
Huegele 1910 Carson street, and others
toll the police Kicker was struck a
heavy blow in the face just as bel
reached to open the door TO Stahi's
stand
Stah then dropped his right hand 10
his hip pocket. simultaneously RickCr
is said 10 have reached ior his own
gun as he staggered backward from The
blow in the face. Kicker. witnesses |
said. firCi as Stahl was in the act of
levelinG Lis gun. The men were less
than six feet apart when the first Shot
was fired.
Women Witness Shooting.
Stahl staggered a. the second and
third shots were fired and then fell to !
the sidewalk. One of the bullets, II
was found. shattered plate glass win |
dow of the Smith restaurant The |
other passed through a high board fence !
which joined the WeilbacheT meat mar |
ket. just north of the Stahl drink stand. |
Mrs. Alne DOsS6tt. 326 Sharer |
street. seated in an automobile with |
her daughters. Misses Daisy Bryant |
and Julia Belle SOlek. witnessed .tae |
tragedy. They were within fifteen tCet |
Of the shooting. having stopped in front
Of a nearby oil station.
after three shots had been fired,
saw one kick the other alter he was
down. Mrs. Dossett told the officers.
Investigation by Chief Van Riper
and Captain Street hOweycc. indicated |
this was probably in errOt. as Other |
witnesses declared Kicker, after StGhl 1
had fallen hurried to him and kicked
his tStahl's) pistol out If reach tf
his hand 1t was then lying on the
idaxra1l-