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| Obituary Index CUSTER, Clayton |
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| SOURCE NOTATION: |
| Johnstown Tribune, 25 Sep 1923, Contributed by Brian J. Ensley |
| CLAYTON CUSTER SHOOTS SON AND THEN KILLS SELF After Firing Five Shots at Youth, Goes to Bedroom and Slashes Throat QUARRELS WITH WIFE Clayton Custer, aged 48, of 364 Beatrice avenue, Oakhurst, is dead, and his son, Fred, aged 19, is in a serious condition in the Memorial Hospital with five bullet wounds in his body as the result of a quarrel in their home shortly before __ o'clock this morning. According to an investigation by the city police the father is alleged to have shot the son with a 38-calliber revolver, and then cut his throat with a safety razor blade, dying a short time after. Clayton Custer and his wife had been quarreling at their home early in the evening and the quarrel was resumed in their bedroom. The wife left the bedroom and started downstairs, followed by her husband, according to the story told the police. She managed to get out of the house, however. It is claimed Clayton Custer than went upstairs to his son's room. Fred Custer was married about three months ago and he and his wife live in the parents' house. Fred was getting dressed and was about to start out to see what the trouble was when his father went into the room. The young wife attempted to prevent the father from firing at the son, but was unsuccessful. Leaving the room immediately, the father went to hiw own room, and cut his throat with the razor blade, it is claimed. Dr. Chal. Craig was called when the police arrived on the scene, but Clayton Custer was beyond help. Neighbors found Fred Custer on the porch of the home and carried him to the Minahan home until the police patrol arrived, when he was taken to the Memorial Hospital. At the hospital this morning it was stated that the patient's condition is serious. Coroner M. W. Swabb was notified and ordered the body of Clayton Custer turned over to Undertaker Carl Davis, of Conemaugh. Besides his widow, six children survive Clayton Custer, all younger than Fred. Funeral arrangements have not yet been made. Custer was a painting contractor and had resided in Conemaugh for a number of years before moving to Oakhurst. It is believed that he was slightly demented. According to the records of Alderman Edward E. Levergood, his wife brought suit against him in December, 1921, charging that he was of unsound mind. Alderman Levergood held him for the December term of court at the time. It is claimed that he was not addicted to drink. |
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