On May 2, 1938, Charles Klein of Pitman, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, shot and killed his wife while having an argument with her on the lawn of her parent’s house. He then turned the gun on himself, but the bullet did not immediately cause his death. He was rushed to the Ashland State Hospital where he later died.
The story was told in newspapers of the time, one of which made it the main, front-page story of the day (see above).
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From the Shamokin News-Dispatch, May 3, 1938:
PITMAN MAN SLAYS WIFE, ATTEMPTS SUICIDE
CHARLED KLEIN, 47, IN CRITICAL CONDITION IN ASHLAND HOSPITAL FROM SELF-INFLICTED WOUND OF HEAD
FIRED FOUR SHOTS INTO WOMAN’S HEAD
Murder and attempted suicide caused a sensation last evening at Pitman, in the Mahantango Valley when Charles Klein, 47-year-old state highway worker, shot and instantly killed his wife, Minnie Klein, 36, and then shot himself in the head with a .32 calibre revolver. H is in a serious condition in the Ashland State Hospital.
The shooting occurred at 6:00 last evening at the home of Mrs. Walter Snyder, where the woman had been residing the past two weeks after becoming estranged from her husband because of his alleged continuous drinking and maintaining a shooting range in the cellar of their home. The residence is but a short distance from the Snyder homestead.
According to John Geist and wife, Marie Rebuck and Lamar Snyder, who witnessed the shooting, Klein had returned from his employment on the highways early last evening and spent an hour in his home. He is alleged to have been drinking during that time.
Proceeding the short distance from his home to the Snyder residence, Klein met his wife in the yard and stood and talked to her several minutes, seeking to effect a reconciliation and have her return to his companionship in their own home.
Loud talking followed a brief interval when onlookers were startled to see Klein grasp his wife about the throat with his left hand while drew a .32 calibre revolver from a pocket with right hand. Holding the weapon less than two feet from the woman’s head. Klein then fired four shots in succession.
The first bullet entered Mrs. Klein’s left eye and as she started to slump toward the ground as he held her against a shed, he fired three more bullets into her head.
As neighbors cried out in alarm, Klein turned toward them, then glanced back at the slumped body of his wife, placed his revolver against the right side of his head and fired. The bullet entered the man’s head near the temple and Klein fell unconscious.
Witnesses and members of the Snyder family hastened to the sides of both victims and carried Mrs. Klein into the home of her parents. A physician was called, pronounced the woman dead and ordered Klein to Ashland State Hospital.
At the hospital surgeons found the bullet, after striking the scull, had taken an upward course and emerged through the top of Klein’s head. His is suffering from severe brain concussion, with little hope entertained for his recovery.
Chief County Detective Louis D. Buono, of Schuylkill County, was notified of the shooting and accompanied by several assistants hastened to the scene to investigate.
From Geist and other witnesses, the officers learned Klein had been addicted to heavy drinking for some time past and in addition maintained a shooting range in the cellar of his home. Mrs. Klein had remonstrated with him against both annoying habits and it was when he refused to yield to her appeals she withdrew from his home and returned to the home of her parents, residing but a short distance away.
At intervals during the past two weeks Klein has sought to have his wife return to his home but she refused because of his continued drinking and the menace of his use of firearms in the cellar of the home.
According to witnesses to last evening’s shootings, Klein was at first peaceful as he conferred with his wife in the yard close to the Snyder home. Later he became boisterous and it was when Mrs. Klein finally refused to accompany him to their home he drew the revolver from his pocket and opened fire.
Klein and his wife had been married about 15 years. He had been engaged as a farm laborer for several years but in recent years had been a state highway employee on projects about Pitman and in the Mahantongo Valley. The couple had no children. Surviving Mrs. Klein are her parents and a number of brothers and sisters.
Dr. George Moyer, deputy coroner of Hepler, was called to the scene immediately following the shooting and authorized Mortician Arthur Rothermel, of Hepler, to take charge of Mrs. Klein’s body.
News of the shooting spread quickly up and down the Mahantongo Valley early last evening and attracted hundreds of persons to the scene. Both Mr. and Mrs. Klein were among the best known residents of the valley.
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From the Mt. Carmel Item, May 3, 1938:
PITMAN MAN SLAYS WIFE, WOUNDS SELF
Mrs. Charles Klein, 38, Killed By Four Bullets Fired Into Her Brain;
Husband Is In Serious Condition in Ashland Hospital
PATIENT HAS BEEN UNCONSCIOUS SINCE SHOOTING LAST NIGHT
A Pitman woman is dead and her husband is in the Fountain Springs Hospital with a bullet wound in the head, as the result of an alleged murder and attempted suicide last night at that place.
The dead woman is Minnie Klein, nee Snyder of Pitman, instantly killed by four bullets fired into her brain.
The husband, who is Ashland State Hospital, with a self-inflicted wound in the head is Charles Klein, 47.
His condition is very serious. He is in an unconscious condition.
Chief of County Detectives Louis D. Buono of Pottsville, who investigated the shooting, said the two had been married for 15 years, separated two weeks ago in quarrel.
Mrs. Klein went to the home of her father, Walter Snyder, at Pitman, to live.
Early last night Klein, in an attempt to effect a reconciliation, went there allegedly under the influence of drink.
He met his wife in the yard of the home and after conversing with her for several minutes, in a fit of rage, pulled a .32 calibre pistol from his pocket.
Holding her by the throat against a shed, he fired one shot, the missile striking her in the left eye and killing her almost instantly.
When she fell to the ground, he fired three more bullets into her brain and then pressed the gun against his own head and pulled the trigger.
The shooting was witnessed by Walter Geist and his wife, Bessie Geist, brother-in-law and sister of Mrs. Klein, who live nearby and also by two other relatives, Marie Raybuck, and Lamar Snyder, a ten-year-old youth. The latter two were only a few feet away when the shooting occurred.
Klein’s body dropped to the ground within a few feet of his wife. He was removed to the Ashland State Hospital.
Buono said Klein had maintaned a shooting range in the cellar of his home and it weas an argument over the continuance of this range that led to the separation and finally shooting.
Buono was assisted in his investigation by Detective Bruce Clayton of Pottsville and Patrolman Rauenrahn of the Pottsville detail of the Motor Police.
The couple have no children.
Deputy Coroner Dr. George Moyer of Hepler, was notified of the shooting and viewed the body of Mrs. Klein.
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From the Hazleton Standard-Speaker, May 3, 1938:
KILLS WIFE AND WOUNDS HIMSELF
Shooting In Schuylkill County Town Described As Murder and Attempted Suicide
Mrs. Charles Klein was killed and her husband seriously wounded last night at the little Schuylkill County community of Pitman in what Deputy Coroner George Moyer said was murder and attempted suicide.
The shooting occurred at the home of Mrs. Klein’s parents.
Dr. Moyer said neighbors found Mrs. Klein, who was aged about 40, dead and her husband, aged 44, seriously wounded. Klein was taken to the Ashland State Hospital, while physicians described his condition as critical. He was wounded in the head.
Dr. Moyer said Klein, a WPA worker, had separated from his wife. They had been married between 15 and 18 years, the coroner said.
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From the Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader, May 3, 1938 (wire service story):
WOMAN KILLED, SPOUSE IS SERIOUSLY WOUNDED
Pottsville, Pennsylvania, May 2 [1938] (AP) — Mrs. Charles Klein was killed and her husband seriously wounded tonight at the little Schuylkill County community of Pitman in what Deputy Coroner George Moyer said was murder and attempted suicide. The shooting occurred at the home of Mrs. Klein’s parents.
Dr. Moyer said neighbors found Mrs. Klein, who was aged about 40, died and her husband, aged 44, seriously wounded. Klein was taken to the State Hospital where physicians described his condition as critical. He was wounded in the head.
Dr. Moyer said Klein, a WPA worker, had been separated from his wife. They had been married between 15 and 18 years, the coroner said.
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From the Sunbury Daily Item, May 4, 1938:
MAN DIES FROM SELF INFLICTED BULLET WOUND
Charles Klein, 44, Pitman, who had been in a critical condition at Ashland State Hospital since Monday evening when he fatally wounded his wife, Minnie Klein, 40, and later shot himself, died at 12:20 o’clock this afternoon at the hospital from a self inflicted bullet wound.
Estranged from his wife the past two weeks, Klein approached her Monday evening at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Snyder, Pitman, where she had been living since the separation, and asked for a reconciliation. Upon being refused he whipped a .32 calibre revolver from his pocket and pumped four bullets into her body and head from close range, killing her instantly.
As Mrs. Klein dropped dead at her husband’s feet in the front lawn of her parent’s home, Klein turned the weapon to his head and shot himself through the ear. He was immediately taken to the Ashland Hospital in an extremely critical condition, regaining consciousness for only a short time before his demise.
State motor police from Pottsville, and Schuylkill County officials investigated, and stated no inquest would be held now that Klein has died.
Funeral services for Mrs. Klein will be held at 1:30 o’clock Friday afternoon at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Snyder, Pitman. Continued services will be held in the Howerter Lutheran and Reformed Church at Pitman, in charge of Rev. James Beam, and interment will be made in the church cemetery. Services for Klein were being arranged this afternoon by undertaker Arthur Rothermel of Pitman.
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From the Shamokin News-Dispatch, May 5, 1938:
SLAIN WOMAN TO BE BURIED TOMORROW
Funeral services for Mrs. Charles Klein, slain Monday evening at Pitman, will be held from the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Snyder at 1:30 tomorrow afternoon with Rev. James Beam, pastor of Howerter Lutheran and Reformed Church, officiating. Burial will be in the family plot in the cemetery adjoining the church.
Arrangements for the funeral of Charles Klein, who died yesterday afternoon in the Ashland State Hospital from a self-inflicted bullet wound of the head, provide for the funeral to be held Saturday. Klein shot and mortally wounded himself after he murdered his wife.
Dr. George Moyer, deputy coroner of Schuylkill County, said today he will make arrangements for an inquest to be held immediately following the two funerals.
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From the Sunbury Daily Item, May 5, 1938:
CHARLES KLEIN, PITMAN – TO BE BURIED SATURDAY
Funeral services for Charles Klein, 44, of Pitman, who died Wednesday afternoon in the Ashland State Hospital from a self-inflicted bullet wound, after fatally wounding his wife, Minnie Klein, 40, will be held at 2 o’clock Saturday afternoon at the undertaking parlor of Arthur Rothermel, Pitman. Rev. James Beam will officiate and interment will be made in the Union Cemetery at Pitman.
Klein, a World War veteran and WPA worker, is survived by his father, Frank Klein, and one brother, Ray Klein, both of Valley View. He spent his entire life in the vicinity of Pitman.
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From the Lykens Standard, May 6, 1938:
PITMAN MURDER VICTIM WILL BE BURIED TODAY
The condition of Charles Klein, 47, of Pitman, charged by the police with the slaying of his wife, Minnie Klein, nee Snyder, 38, at the home of her father, Walter Snyder, Pitman, Monday evening, remains critical.
Klein is unconscious in the Fort Springs Hospital with a bullet wound of the brain. Physicians have little hope for his recovery.
Mrs. Klein was a member of the Lutheran Church at Pitman. Besides her parents, a brother, John Snyder, and two sisters, Mrs. Walter Geist, Pitman, and Mrs. Edward Weist, of Klingerstown, also survive.
The funeral will be held from the home of her parents this afternoon.
Chief of County Detectives Louis D. Buono of Pottsville, who investigated the shooting, said the two, who had been married for 15 years separated two weeks ago in a quarrel.
Mrs. Klein went to the home of her father, Walter Snyder, at Pitman, to live.
Early Monday night, Klein, in an attempt to effect a reconciliation went there.
He met his wife in the yard of the home and after conversing with her for several minutes, in a fit of rage pulled a .32 calibre pistol from his pocket.
Holding her by the throat against a shed, he fired one shot, the missile striking her in the left eye and killing her almost instantly.
When she fell to the ground, he fired three more bullets into her brain and then pressed the gun against his own head and pulled the trigger.
The shooting was witnessed by Walter Geist and his wife, Bessie Geist, a brother-in-law and sister of the dead woman, who live nearby, and also by Marie Rabuck and Lamar Snyder, a ten-year-old youth. The latter two were only a few feet away when the shooting occurred.
Klein’s body dropped to the ground within a few feet of his wife. He was removed to the Fort Springs Hospital where surgeons found the bullet had taken an upward course after entering his head at the top of his scull.
Buono said Klein had maintained a shooting range in the cellar of his home and it was an argument over the continuance of this range that led to the separation and shooting.
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From the Pottsville Republican & Herald, May 6, 1938:
SEPARATE BURIALS FOR SLAYER AND HIS WIFE
Separate funeral services were arranged for Charles Klein, 47, and his wife Mrs. Minnie Klein, 38, victims of a murder and a suicide in Pitman Monday night. Mrs. Klein was buried this afternoon from the home of her parents, Mrs. and Mrs. Walter Snyder. Interment was made in the Methodist Cemetery, Pitman. Charles Klein will be buried from the Rothermel Funeral Home in Pitman, Saturday afternoon. Interment will be in Union Church Cemetery. Klein killed his wife and then took his own life.
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From the Mt. Carmel Item, May 6, 1938:
PITMAN SLAYER TO BE BURIED ON SATURDAY
The funeral of Charles Klein, 47-year-old Pitman man who, according to authorities murdered his wife and then mortally wounded himself with the same gun, will be held in Pitman Saturday afternoon, services in the Union Church and burial in the adjoining cemetery.
His wife, Minnie [Snyder] Klein, 38, was buried this afternoon in the cemetery at Jacob’s Reformed Church near Pitman, following church services at 1:30 o’clock.
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From the Shamokin News-Dispatch, May 6, 1938:
MURDERER-SUICIDE FUNERAL TOMORROW
Funeral services for Charles Klein, 44, Pitman, who died Wednesday afternoon in the Ashland State Hospital from a self-inflicted bullet wound of the head after fatally shooting his wife, Minnie Klein, 40, last Monday night, will be held Saturday afternoon at 2:00 from the Arthur Rothermal Funeral Parlors at Hepler. Services will be in charge of the Rev. James Beam, with burial to follow in the Union Cemetery at Pitman.
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News articles from Newspapers.com.
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