Hide Article Text (OCR)
Devoted to the best interests of Pullman and the greatest farming community in the Nlt;VOL. XXXVI.PULLMAN, WASHINGTON, FRIDAY. FKRRl’ARY 8. 1924Avi.51a •dkutlEvidence Indicates That Stakman Shot Girl andThen Turned Gun on Himself, but He StoutlyMaintains That His WifeftShootingMiss Katie Harter, 26-year-old daughter of Mrs. G. W. Harter ofand not his wife, did the shooting.Stakman is about 45 vcars old and has a 10-year-old daughter. He had j been on the Genesee run for about a jyear and a half, coming here from the Camas prairie run. He resided in Pullman and his wife in Lewiston, and he is alleged to have given the impression that he was suing Mrs. Stakman for divorce. He was popular with other trainmen and acquaintances.had an engagement with Stakman for the show at 7 o’clock and the two decided that they would meet him at 1 that time and thresh the thing out. i They stayed together until 7 and started up the hill, meeting him coming down at State street. He insisted upon taking Miss Harter to the show, and showed no deference to his wife, but Miss Harter declined and said that she would believe Mrs. Stakman’st»lct!uuOdIVictim of Circumstancesthis city is dead, and Lawrence Stakman, engineer on the Geneseebranch of the Northern Pacific, is seriously wounded, as a result ofa tragedy at the home of Mrs. Harter on West Main street about9:30 Wednesday evening. Miss Harter was shot six times, twicethrough the heart, and presumably died instantly, while Stakmanhas three bullet wounds in his left breast, all of which missed theheart. He was taken to Colfax yesterday morning at 2:30 and atlast reports had little chance for recovery.Early indications pointed to the theory that Mrs. Stakman, wifeof the engineer, had done the shooting, and he steadfastly main-tineS that she was guilty, but later developments caused the general belief that Stakman himself committed the crime.Says Stakman Had Gun At the inquest yesterday Mrs. G. W. Harter testified that when she entered the residence about 9:30 and found her daughter dead, Stakman’s right hand grasped the butt of the revolver, but that he gathered strength enough to partially rise and toss the weapon, then sank back on the body of Miss Harter.Wife Arrived in AfternoonMrs. Stakman, who came to Pullman from Lewiston 011 the 3 o’clock 'train Wednesday afternoon, was interviewed by Deputy Sheriffs Marsh, Baker and Bartleson and Coroner VV. R..Goodrich at her room at the Russell House about midnight, and steadfastly maintained her innocence, going through a three-hour grilling at the hands of the deputy sheriffs without breaking down and telling a straightforward story of the affair so far as she was implicated.Stakman was unconscious when a physician arrived, but later recovered consciousness and repeatedly urgedthose in the room to “get that woman,” answering questions in a broken way. At times he would lie quiet for a moment then ask, “Did you get that woman?” When asked who the woman was, he replied, “My wife.”story and had produced witnesses to the fact that she had not been out of the hotel after 8 p. ni.. was that Stakman himself had done the shooting. The theory advanced is that he walked up the hill with Miss Harter and that she discussed her conversation with Mrs. Stakman and told of her decision to cease keeping company with him and that he then shot the girl and turned the gun on himself.This theory is borne out by the fact that there were no bullet holes in Stak-man's overcoat or coat, indicating that he thrust the automatic under them before pulling the trigger.The gun was found on the floor, between Stakman’s legs, with one shell, the last in the magazine, jammed. At least nine bullets had been shot.It was a Savage 10-shot automatic.Miss Harter had resided in Pullman since girlhood and for several years past has been employed by A. D. Baum in his music store. Site had matiy friends who were shocked to hear ot her tragic death and who believe that she was the victim of circumstances, and that she kept company with Stakman in the belief that he was divorced, repelling his attentions after her interview with his wife. I lie ^empathy of the entire community goes out to tlie mother, brothers and sisters in their great bereavement.The dead girl is survived by her mother, four brothers. Dr. E. C. Harter of Pullman. George Harter of Spokane, and John and Frank in California. and by one sister, Mrs. David O’Connor, of Pullman.story in preference to his.Stakman finally left and went toward town. Miss Harter stated that she was afraid to go home alone and asked Mrs. Stakman to go with her, but Mrs. Stakman did not want to go, so Miss Harter went alone, Mrs. Stakman returning to her room at the hotel, this being about 8 o'clock. Later she went out to lunch but was accompanied by Mrs. C. IT. Russell. Asked why she was in Pullman. Mrs. Stakman stated that she was on her way to Spokane to hear Shumann-Heinke sing.nhhdcl11TfcLCITYI)otit;GASOLINE BILESIahInquest HeldAn inquest was held at the citv hall yesterday afternoon, and the taking of testimony was not completed when The Herald went to press at 5 o’clock.Dr. L. G. Kimzev was the first witness called and testified to the location I of the six bullet holes in the bodv of$Council Adopts Resolution to Pay for Gasoline Used by City Employes Upon Sworn Statementaa( Upon sworn statement of the users Miss Harter and the three wounds in that the gasoline purchased was forthe breast of Stakman. The exitpoints of the bullets which wentcity purposes only, the city will continue to pay for gasoline purchasedthrough Miss Harter's body were by the city employes, under the pro-slightly lower than the point of entrance, he testified. Dr. Kimzey tcsti-fied that the bullet holes did not piercevisions of a resolution adopted by the council Wednesday night. The action followed an investigation of thethe overcoat or coat worn by Stakman. \ gasoline bills incurred by city cm-41Stakman Stuck to StoryAfter the arrival of the deputy sheriffs and the coioner Stakman stated: She shot me; 0I1, that woman of mine,” and in reply to queries stated that he had gone to the Harter home with Miss Harter and soon after they entered there came a rap at the door. He stated that Miss Harter opened the door and was shot dead, alleging that his wife then turned the weapon upon him. Asked why he did not seize the weapon, he replied that he was not quick enough. He stated that Mrs. Stakman had threatened him many times and when asked if he had seen her that afternoon replied that he had seen her down town and that she said, fill get you.” *When questioned by Dr. E. C.Harter, brother of the dead woman, before the arrival of the coroner, as to whether he had been threatened, he replied, “Oh yes, lots of times,” tfcen “How much longer? Oh, I want to 80. Get that woman, get thatwoman.” rStakman repeatedly asked for water complained that he was freezing. He was apparently fully conscious while talking and answering questions.Mrs. Stakman TalksThe story told by Mrs. Stakman was that she came to Pullman in an effort t0 w«ct an understanding in regard to her husband keeping company with Miss Harter and stated that she con-errc*d with Miss Harter in the afternoon, the two agreeing that the proper thing to do was for the latter to discontinue the associations, Miss Harter Promising to take steps to that end.Her theory, and the theory accepted many others after she had told herDoor Casing BrokenThe door casing on the inside was broken away from the night latch, giving rise to the theory that Miss Harter may have locked the door on Mr. Stakman and that he broke in and did the shooting.Mr. Stakman called at the Harter home about 6 o’clock and inquired for Miss Harter. Upon being told that she was not at home he immediately returned down town, probably to find her. Mrs. Stakman is known to have called at the Harter home late in the afternoon and upon finding Mrs. Harter absent went to the home of a neighbor to inquire where Mrs. Harter was. Here she related that she was seeking Mrs. Harter to ask her to intercede for her and help her break up the associatoins of Mr. Stakman and Miss Harter.Mother Discovers TragedyThe tragedy was discovered by Mrs. Harter, mother of the dead woman, when she, with her granddaughter, returned from a moive show about 9:30 p. m. The light in the*living room was turned on and when she went through the door she discovered the two bodies, that of Stakman lying diagonally across the dead body of Miss Harter, and both within two feet of the front door.Her calls for help attracted passers-by, who entered the house and called a doctor and police officer. It was believed that both Stakman and Miss Harter were dead, but upon the arrival of the physician Stakman was found to be still living. Later he recoveredDeputy Sheriff \V. R. Baker displayed to the jury the vest, with thethree bullet holes through the left pocket, in close proximity, and the coat and overcoat, neither of which was pierced. He stated that the gun used in the killing was a type which requires a press of the finger for each discharge, a steady and continuous pull not being sufficient to discharge the gun a second time.Mrs. Stakman TestifiesMrs. Stakman, an attractive, neat appearing woman of apparent education, was called to the stand and told a straighforward story of the entire affair. She stated that her name wasployes, which have previously been paid upon presentation, without certification by the purchaser of the use to which the gasoline was put. Last year the city paid bills total- j ing $162.70 for gasoline, of which $63.47 was for gasoline used in the private car of Street Commissioner Hooper, $59.53 for the Dodge truck used for city purposes entirely, $26.20 for the private car driven by Chief of Police Bashaw and used for policepurposes at times, and $13.52 for the gasoline used by the fire truck.In 1921, before the city roustabout truck had been purchased, the bills for gasoline totaled only $118.28, of whichS\:lcmFisSBaiPBMaude Stakman and that she had lived amount $31.60 was for the Hooper car.in Lewiston three years and has a I The fire and water committee wasdaughter 10 years of age. She said delegated to investigate the situationthat she came to Pullman Wednesday and their recommendation that all billsafternoon at 3:15, and was in con- for gasoline for city use be sworn to by versation with Katie Harter practically Hie purchaser with withdrawn when all afternoon, discussing the associa- the following recommendation, cover-tions of her husband with Miss Harter, ing the same point, was presented and In reply to a question she stated unanimously adopted:scnlt;clthat she had interviewed Lewiston at-; torneys in regard to a divorce, but that“Whereas, The chief of police and street commissioner are using theirj the proceedings had not been started, I private automobiles for the use and although she and her husband had i benefit of the city, andcome to a property agreement.Mrs. Stakman said that she went to the Baum music store and introduced herself to Miss Harter, the two conversing quietly until 4 o’clock, when“Whereas, By so doing the city saves the wear and tear and gasoline of its own equipment, and in many instances said city’s ’equipment is not suitable for the uses for which saidj 44 I v (I 1J ! 4. 14/1 111 v. Cl t! ?Mrs. Stakman .went up West Main 1 ;i . 4l t. ,, ** .. , automobiles are used, now thereforestreet to the Harter home, intending ]to talk with Miss Harter’s mothertlrctecidlt;Uint!iUIinTaicl1Cconsciousness.II, A . r/ . w Resolved, That in consideration ofabout the affair. Mrs Harter was not * c •• . , .. , . : the chief of police and street commis-at home, she said, so she stopped at , ,lr. . 4l . . . ...4t 4 . . . sioner using their private automobilesanother residence to ask about her * .* , r. , 4l . . A .. , . *r the benefit of the city, that the citvwhereabouts, and explained to the lady I r . 4 .. , 4, 4 Tj 4 . . Pay for their license fee and for allat the door that Miss Harter hadBullet Holes in WallThere were several bullet holes in the wall to the right of the door, indicating that the shots were fired toward the west or northwest, and three of the bullets were found lying on thefloor. They were 32 calibre steeljacket bullets, and had passed through the bodies and into the wall without breaking the jacket. Another bullet hole waif, iound in the davenport, at the other side of the room. Indications were that the shots had been fired from within the room, which added strength to the belief that Stakman,“stolen her husband.ftstPrinofrcgasoline used by them in their car3tm u j j while said cars are being used for cityThen she returned to the Baum . . , 4. 4 * , :, . 4 .. , . - ,r. business, and that on the first of eachmusic store and again talked with Miss t . . «rl . t. . 1. e l • • month they make sworn statement ofHarter, who told of her associations with Stakman, stating that they had talked of marriage and that he had kissed her, she believing that he was securing a divorce from his wife,Stakman Had MisrepresentedThey found, according to Mrs. Stak-I man, that Stakman had misrepresented himself and his conduct to both of them, and Miss Harter stated that she was truly sorry and would do everything in her power to remedy the situation. Miss Harter stated that shethe amount of gasoline used by them on city business during the precedingmonth.” ireotrethptRECEPTION FOR TEACHERSThe Woman’s club gave a reception for the teachers of the town schools Thursday evening of last week in the parish hall which was largely attended. Superintendent Charles Henry gave a short talk. An enjoyable evening was reported by all.Gortoccinecpitorcsci
Newspaper Details
Pullman Herald
Pullman, Washington, US
Fri, Feb 08, 1924
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
John F.
WA, USA 02 Dec 2020
Other Publications Near Pullman, Washington
Pullman Herald
