Volume 15 , Issue 36

Charles T. Reuter Killed In His Bedroom (5/4/1912)

It was in the Sunday The Tulsa Daily World, May 5, 1912, that the front page headlines reported: "Reuter Killed In His Bedroom."

Charles T. Reuter, a well known Tulsa attorney, was foully murdered at 1 o'clock in the morning of 4 May 1912. His wife was locked in her room. She heard arguing conversation and thud as husband fell to floor. Death was instantaneous. Mr. Reuter came to Tulsa from Peoria five years ago.

Charles T. Reuter, attorney, and prominent citizen, was shot twice and instantly killed about 1 o'clock the night of 4 May 1912, in his bedroom in his home, 625 North Cheyenne Avenue. The shooting was evidently done by a burglar who was seen to run from the Reuter home a few moments later.

That robbery led to the killing was shown in the fact that the dead man's pockets had been rifled and his diamonds were missing form their accustomed place about his clothing.

When police and neighbors were drawn to the home attracted by the shots and the cries of Mrs. Reuter, a man was seen to run northward from the house on Cheyenne, turning westward on Golden. He was seen by several persons, but no accurate description was obtained.

Struggled With Assailant

Reuter had struggled wight he burglar before he was shot. This was apparent by broken glass from a large lamp shade lying shattered on the floor beside the body, and other unmistakable evidence that he had grappled with his slayer.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Reuter were sleeping i upstairs rooms of their splendid home. The wife was occupying a bed on the set side of a hallway, while the husband was sleeping directly across the hall in another room. Before attempting his night's work, the burglar had closed the door leading into the room occupied by Mrs. Retuer, and had locked it. He then entered the room where the man was sleeping, and probably closed the door behind him.

Wife Heard Arguing

Mrs. Reuter was awakened by talking in her husband's room, Reuter evidently having been disturbed in his sleep by the noise made by his assailant.

After having heard voices for a few moments she distinctly heard the stranger say: "Give me the other one."

This was perhaps in reference to jewelry worn by the dead man. Then she heard the voice of her husband: "All right, you've got me this time, but we'll see about it later."

Heard Body Strike Floor

Indistinct conversation continued until, it was thought, Reuter grappled wight he burglar. Then a shot was fired, followed by another. The wife heard the body of her husband strike the floor as it fell. The murderer left the house, it is thought, by way of the front door.

The shooting was distinctly heard by persons living in the vicinity of Cheyenne and Golden. The night was pleasant and windows were wide open. Some declare that they heard three distinct shots, although the police were inclined to believe but the two shots which took effect were fired.

Fired At Close Range

From the wounds made in the dead man's head, the bullets seemed to have been fro a 38 caliber revolver. They were fired with the muzzle of the gun so close to Reuter's head that the powder burns resulted. One bullet entered the head in the right temple a little below the eye. The other entered from the opposite side, passing entirely through the head at the base of the brain. A scar on the wall of the room was thought to have been caused by this missile.

According to the police, entrance into the home was gained through the basement by way of a ventilator. It was believed that the burglar then went to the first floor, where he opened the front door and made ready his way of escape.

Taken Out On A Ladder

Before having been moved the night of the murder, the body of the dead man lay just inside the door of his room, dressed in a night gown. His pants were lying across the middle of his body. A pool of blood at the head had soaked through the rug and floor and was dripping into a downstairs room.

Mrs. Reuter was shrieking fanatically when help arrived. When it was found the door of her room was locked, a long ladder was procured and she was taken through window. She was then taken to the home of H. W. Stover, 630 North Cheyenne, and almost directly across the street, where she spent the night. She was prostrated by the idling, and was visited by Drs. Crosshart and Brodie, who also saw the effects of the bullet wounds.

Charles Reuter came to Tulsa about five years (1907) ago from Peoria, Illinois. Since living here he had practiced law, having offices in the Bynum building Main and Second. He was a well known politician in democratic circles, and had been a member of the school board for the past two years. He had practiced law in Peoria before coming to Tulsa. He was about 29 hers old, and of a jovial nature, well liked by all who knew him.   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

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