The West Virginia News

OLD MAN KILLS NEPHEW.

Family differences and years of brooding on the part of an uncle who believed he had been robbed of his property, led to the killing of Alexander C. Lawrence, a prominent oil and gas operator of Charleston, on Wednesday afternoon at his office on Quarrier street in that city. William A. DeJournatt, 68-year-old uncle of the oil man, from Boone county, did the shooting in Lawrence's office on the sixth floor of the Kanawha Banking and Trust company building in mid-afternoon, firing seven shots into the body of his nephew, and then walked into an adjoining office, saying to C. J. Bumpus, a business associate of the slain man, "I did it, and here's my card."

On the card was printed: "Through rascality I have lost my land, all that I have. In order to keep out of the poorhouse, I am trying to get money to redeem it. What will you give? Any amount will be gladly received and appreciated."

Mr. Bumpus, an eye-witness to the shooting, stated at the inquest that DeJournatt came to Lawrence's office at 1:20 o'clock and was greeted by Lawrence with the words, "Hello. Uncle Bill; go in and take a chair, I will be through here in a few minutes." At that time a number of visitors were in the office. The uncle walked into the room in which Mr. Bumpus was working, but declined to take a chair. He paced the floor, and made several trips into the hall. When invited into the office of Mr. Lawrence, he again declined to sit down. Mr. Bumpus left uncle and nephew together, closing a door to his room. He said he heard them say something about land and the uncle say "this is the only way I know to settle it," after which the shots rang out and he saw Mr. Lawrence grapple with the aged man.

Mr. Bumpus closed the door between the two offices, thinking DeJournatt had lost his mind, and attempted to call the police. After seven shots rang out, the slayer tapped on the door, entered and presented the card mentioned above.

The slayer was taken to jail by police who arrived and is being held for murder. He is voluble with interviews.

The murdered man was a member of the Presbyterian church and had presided as superintendent of the Union Mission Sunday school. He is survived by his wife and a daughter by his first marriage. He was prominent in business and financial circles of Charleston.