THE TRAGIC 1959 DEATH OF THE LITTLE RASCALS' CARL 'ALFALFA' SWITZER
By AARON HOMER
History - Science
As a child, the Illinois-born Carl Switzer stopped by the Hal Roach Studios while on vacation with his family in Southern California, and he soon was playing the lovable but dorky Alfalfa in the "Our Gang"/"Little Rascals" shorts. However, once he was no longer an adorable child, he had a hard time finding roles and had to work odd jobs like training dogs.
Sometime in late 1958 or early 1959, Switzer agreed to train a hunting dog for Moses Stiltz — but the dog ran off, and either Stiltz or Switzer offered a reward for the return of the lost animal. When the dog was returned to the bar where Switzer was working, Switzer paid the good Samaritan $35, plus about $15 of drinks on the house.
At some point, Switzer and his friend, Jack Piott, decided that Stiltz should pay back Switzer the $50 (about $400 in 2022 dollars), and on January 21, 1959, the two became intoxicated and went to Stiltz's home to collect the money. Stiltz wasn't interested in paying, and a fight broke out.
During the fight, Switzer allegedly assaulted Stiltz with a clock and then produced a knife — and that was when Stiltz shot Switzer, who died en route to the hospital. Later on, a coroner's jury cleared Stiltz of any wrongdoing.