Jilted Preacher Threatens to Kill Sweetheart's New Beau and Himself, March 2, 1920

From the Hickory Daily Record, March 2, 1920. The date was given as March 13 in the paper; don’t know the correct date.

Jilted Blind Preacher Takes to the Warpath

Lenoir, March 13—Rev. Albert J. Setzer, a blind preacher, ran amuck with a 38-caliber pistol at Hudson, threatening to shoot the man who won his sweetheart’s affections and then kill himself, several days ago according to news just reaching here

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Setzer was preparing to get married. He had already rented a house and had partly furnished it for what he thought was an appropriate wedded life. Then the girl turned him down and he went on the warpath.

Undaunted by his handicap of blindness, the preacher secured his trusty old “38” and made his way to the girl’s home, where he expected to find his rival.

According to reports, he planned to first shoot is rival and then turn the pistol on himself and end it all.

Upon failing to find the man, he created a bit of excitement with a short sermon, using the pistol in making emphatic certain points, which he wanted to convey.

Friends prevailed upon the preacher to quiet him down. They secured his pistol and carried him to the home of a neighbor.

Rev. Mr. Setzer, though blind, is highly educated. He has been a hard worker in county religious circles and has been held in high esteem.