Newspaper Tidbits from Rick B Sunday, July 2, 2006 "The Lebanon Daily News", September 7, 1921, pages 1 and 6 ROBT. BERKHEISER SUCCOMBED TO INJURIES AT HOSPITAL Bullet Fired by Arthur Newman Proved Fatal--World War Discussion Terminated in Fight--Newman's Story Corroborated by Others of the Party. Robert Berkheiser, of 334 Pershing Avenue, who was shot in the abdomen, by Arthur Newman, in a squable, early on Sunday morning, at the home of"Bud" Brown, at the corner of Second street and Pershing Avenue, died at 3 o'clock, Tuesday afternoon, at the Good Samaritan Hospital. Although everything possible was done by the physicians to save the man's life, the bullet created such havoc in the zigzag course in Berkheiser's body, that efforts to restore the victim were fruitless. With the excitement out of the (Continued on Page Six) Robt. Berkheiser Succombs to Injuries at Hospital (Continued from Page One) way, and the members of the party sobered up, the police have what they believe to be the real story incident to the shooting. Newman Corroborated Chief of Police Cyrus Nye says that Newman's story of the affair is corroborated in most details by other members of the party, although minor points will have to be cleared up at the preliminary hearing on Friday afternoon, or at the trial at court. Newman says the party drank elderberry wine, and some of the men were under the influence. There was discussion of various matters, including the Irish problem and also the late World War, as several of the men present were overseas with the American Army. Should be Shot Newman told the police that someone said that "all the Irish, Dutch and French" should be shot, the remark being made with profane epithets which aroused Newman's blood, as he is of French descent. When he resented the remark a fight ensued, and Newman's black eye exhibited after the arrest, showed that he was not alone in handing out compliments. As the exchange of blows made a racket and there was danger for all present, the entire party, it appears, scampered out into the open in front of Brown's house, and the fight was renewed. It was here that the shooting took place. All Were Present According to Newman, the story told by one of the party that he and Berkheiser had left the place on friendly terms and that the fight occurred when they were alone was all bosh. According to his story to the police the entire party was present. Brown's Story This version is also corroborated by Brown himself, who stated to Chief Nye, that when the party ran pell mell from the house he closed the door, expecting his friends to go home, but when the fight was renewed and he heard the shot, he opened the door again, and then saw Newman with the revolver, and before he could close the door again Newman pointed the weapon at him, evidently fearing that Brown intended some retaliation. Brown had no such intention, however, and when he saw what had happened, he hitched his horse to a sort of buck-board wagon with which he does business, and hurried both men to the Good Samaritan Hospital. The police, later put Newman under arrest and took him from the hospital to the jail, as it was found that he was not seriously hurt. Victim 36 Years Old. Robert Berkheiser, of 334 Pershing Avenue, the victim of the shooting fray, early Sunday morning in Pershing Avenue, was aged 36 years and had lived in this city practically all his life. He was employed by his brother, George Berkheiser, for a number of years, and was well known throughout the city. He was a member of the Swatara Tribe of Red Men of this city, and was active in lodge affairs. He leaves his mother, Mrs. Emma Berkheiser, a son, Robert, Jr., two brothers, George and Edward, both of this city. The step-brothers, Rank and Harvey Bucks, of Reading and Womelsdorf, respectively, are also left.