OBIT: Walter CHRISTNER, 1932, Garrett, Somerset County, Pa

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer.

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WALTER CHRISTNER

Double Tragedy Shocks Garrett
Walter Christner Murders His Uncle Mahlon Then Commits Suicide

  A combination of murder and suicide took place in Garrett Sunday afternoon 
when Walter Christner, aged 30, son of Lewis Christner, shot and killed his 
uncle, Mahlon Christner, aged 66, then committed suicide.
  The murder and suicide took place on the street in front of the Mahlon 
Christner home and was witnessed by Mrs. Charles Pritts, a neighbor of the elder 
Christner, who was sitting at a window at her home.
  Driving to the home of his uncle at 1 o'clock Sunday afternoon, Walter 
Christner stopped his car in the street opposite the Mahlon Christner home.
  Summoning Alfred Brocht, Jr., a small boy who was playing in the street, 
Christner asked the lad to go into the house and tell his uncle to come out, 
that he wanted to talk with him.  The lad complied with his request.
  Presently, Mahlon Christner was seen by Mrs. Pritts, coming from his home and 
standing talking to Walter, who was seated in his car, for a short time.  
Suddenly Walter drew a double-barreled shotgun from the seat of the car and 
fired twice.  The first shot entered Mahlon's left thigh and almost severed the 
limb, the second shot which followed quickly, entered his chest causing instant 
death.  Walter then got out of the car and took a high-powered rifle from the 
car and placing it under his chin, pulled the trigger, blowing the side of his 
head off, and causing instant death.
  In a very few moments there was a large crowd of excited spectators on the 
scene.  The coroner was summoned as well as two undertakers.  Undertaker J. L. 
Tressler of Meyersdale took charge of Mahlon Christner's body and J. N. Johnson 
& Son of Berlin took charge of Walter's body.
  Incidents tending toward establishing a motive have come to light, it is said, 
and it was been definitely established that Walter Christner, a foreman for the 
Western Maryland Railroad, was living in a house owned by his uncle, and had not 
been delinquent in rent, but on the contrary had his rent paid up to May 1.  It 
is understood that the owner of the property had served notice that the amount 
of the rent was to be increased, which increase Walter decided he would not pay 
and he was arranging to move to another location.
  However, the fact that he had long occupied the humble home and that to move 
meant more than mere financial worry, preyed upon the young man's mind, it is 
surmised, and led him to wreak vengeance.
  Funerals of the victims of the tragedy took place on Wednesday afternoon, 
services for Mahlon Christner being conducted at 3 o'clock this afternoon by the 
Rev. Hilner, of the Lutheran Church at Meyersdale, in the Garrett Lutheran 
Church, with interment in the church cemetery.
  Rev. C. P. Bastian, pastor of the Lutheran Church at Berlin, conducted the 
funeral of Walter Christner at 1 o'clock at his late home, with interment in the 
Garrett Cemetery.
  Mahlon Christner was a retired farmer and lumberman.  His wife passed away 
several years ago.  Surviving are these children:  Edward, Harry and Jacob 
Christner; Mrs. Edward Decker, Mrs. William Martin and Mrs. Walter Brant.  He 
was a brother of Mrs. Harry Griffith, of Somerset; Mrs. Clarissa Marker and Mrs. 
Matilda Morgan, both of Garrett, and Albert and Lewis Christner.
  Walter Christner was employed as a section foreman by the Western Maryland 
Railroad Company.  He is survived by his wife, a small daughter and his parents, 
Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Christner, and several brothers and sisters.

Meyersdale Republican, April 28, 1932