Walla Walla Editor Shoots Brewery Owner
A political leader and newspaper man fires on a local businessman after a dispute over a published critique of the brewery's beer.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
WALLA WALLA, W.T., Sept. 3.—Chas. Besserer, editor of the Watchman and member-elect of the legislature, shot F. E. Kleber, proprietor of the Eagle Brewery, at half-past 6 o'clock this evening, in front of the Watchman office. The ball entered the left breast above and to the left of the heart. Drs. Boyd and Egbert think the chances for Kleber's recovery fair. The trouble grew out of an article in the Watchman reflecting on the beer sold by Kleber. Kleber went to Besserer's office this evening and told him he had to take back what he had said. Kleber then pulled Besserer out of a chair and out on the sidewalk. Besserer told him to leave him alone, as he did not want trouble. Kleber replied he was heeled and that he would shoot. Kleber then took hold of Besserer, who pulled his pistol and fired. Kleber walked half a block and fell. Besserer is in the hands of the authorities.
“The trouble grew out of an article in the Watchman reflecting on the beer sold by Kleber.”
This violent confrontation between an editor and a local business owner highlights the raw, often unmediated nature of civic discourse in the Washington Territory. Today, such disputes might occur in comment sections or via legal threats, but in 1883, the proximity of political power and business reputation often led to physical combat.
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