The Enterprise, White Salmon, WA., October 12, 1934, page 1
BINGEN WOMAN SHOT; MURDER SUICIDE
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DAUGHTER OF MR. AND MRS. R.C. CHARTERS MURDERED LAST
NIGHT
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Frank B. Scott, Returns From Portland Wednesday Night On Late Train - Ends
In Tragedy
BINGEN, WASH., Oct. 12, (Spec.): -- Mabel Charters, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R.C. Charters of Bingen, Wn., was shot to death last night, about 6:30 p.m. by her divorced husband, Frank B. Scott, while attempting to flee from him in the alley way north of the Evergreen Hotel, where she was working. Her murderer, Frank B. Scott, then turned the gun and shot himself twice through the heart. Miss Charters was shot in the back through the kidneys. Coroner Smith and sheriff House were on the scene immediately.
Has Sawed-Off Shot Gun
Scott, who returned to Bingen late Wednesday night on
the 11:33 train from Portland, acted strange, several Bingen residents stated
last night. It was reported that he stayed in the jungle east of Bingen Wednesday
night, and kept aloof from everyone.
He was well-armed, with a sawed-off shotgun and an automatic
revolver on his person.
Elsie Moses, Indian Witness
Elsie Moses, Indian woman, was the only witness of the
tragedy. Coroner Smith and Sheriff House stated. She saw the entire affair.
Scott entered the Evergreen Hotel in the front door she said, about 6:30.
Mabel Charters was in the room sewing. She said, Scott entered the hotel
mumbling something, soon Miss Charters came running out of the front door
and up the dark alley north of the hotel calling out for "help". She reported
Miss Charters then turned quickly in the alley where it was almost too dark
to see her to hide from Scott close by. He stopped and turned and shot her
through the back. Miss Moses said she saw Mabel Charters fall to the ground.
She then ran in the hotel and told Miss Charters' grand parents of what happened.
While on her way she heard two more shots. Scott shot himself through the
heart. He fell about ten feet from his victim dead, and was the left there
by request from Sheriff House.
Miss Charters was rushed immediately to the Hood River
hospital by the Gardner's Ambulance service, where she died about three minutes
after her arrival. The body was then returned here, reported Oscar Gardner.
Large Crowd On Scene
A large crowd of people were on the scene quickly after
the report of what happened.
Mayor Shipley of Bingen, reported he heard the shots
also. He was told that Scott was attacking his former wife, and rushed to
get his gun but it was too late then. Amos Larson, Bingen merchant, saw Scott
just before the fatal shot. Mr. Larson said Scott turned on him with his
guns, and he moved away quickly. Several children were playing about there
at that time.
Coroner Questions
Many people in Bingen who knew Scott said he acted strange when he entered town the evening before. It was so sudden that everyone was practically stunned.
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© Jeffrey L. Elmer