The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1880-01-01
PLAYING BURGLAR.
Tragic Result of a Practical Joke.
From the Chicago Tribnne1

LAA0in Tue CIncagO IrlDune.I
The killing of Mr.. Gould at the resi-
dence OF his friend, Gen. Waite, by the
colored man, Joseph Winn, is one of
the most shocking events that has oc-
Cured in Chicago for many years; and
1t does net relieve the painfulness of the
sad affair that the death of Mr.. Gould
was not the result of malice, revenge or
evil intention. On the other hand. the
circumstances make it even more sor-
rowtul than If it could be attributed to
any OF the aforementioned motives.
win the testimony before them, about
winch there could be no question, the
jury OF inquest could not do otherwise
than justify the homicide and dis
charge the prisoner, as no blame at
tacned to hl1 In the premises.
Inns testimony showed that MIR.
Gould and his friend, Gen. Waite, be-
longed to that altogether too-nunerou
class IN the community known as prac-
t1cal Jokers. Visiting the rooms of the
latter, they conceived the idea of play
ing practical joke upon his major
domo, Winn, who had stepped ont for a
moment and carelessly left the door
open, by making him think burglar
had been through the rooms. They
disarranged various articles of furniture
and clothing, and then went into the
bathroom and shut the door, to await
the result when Winn should return.
Wlnn came back, and, finding every
thing IN disorder, naturally concluded
that thieves were in the apartments.
and, securing Gen. Waite's pistol. he
commenced search for them. Find
ing that the bathroom door, though
unlocked, would not open, and that
some one was standing against it, he de-.
manded OF the occupants that thew
should come out. Had their practical
joke ended at this point-had they
opened the door, or had one of them
spoken-the fearful catastrophe might
have been averted; but they only kept
silent and resisted Winn's effort to open
the door. Finding that he could get no
answer from them, and that he could
not make them come out, he drew his
pistol and fired through the door. the
ball entering Gould's head. Gen. Waite
then cried out in alarm, but it was for
over too late. The leaden messenger
had done its work. The practical joke
had resulted in the almost instant death
of Mr.. Gould.
The fate of Mr.. Gould ought to be q
solemn warning TO all practical iokers.
1t is only one more entry in the long
catalogue of pain, misery and death that
has been caused by this very question
able form of diversion. Over and over
again have long and painful sickness,
insanity and death been caused by this
thoughtless and foolish practice. The
joke Of Mr.. Gould and his friend was
not a whit less reprehensible than that
OF the idiot who points what he sup
poses is an unloaded pistol at his friend,
and finds out his mistake by the death
OF his victim, Or Of the joker who
palms himself Of as ghost upon some
tlmid person, and frightens her into in
sanity. There is no harm in an inno-
cent joke, provided it is done in the
proper place, at the proper time, with
out intention Of inJuring a person or
exposing him to public ridicule, and
without the object Of playing upon his
fears, his sensitiveness, Or his personal
peculiarities and beliefs. No practical
joker can be excused for playing his
FRANKS upon one who does not enjoy
them or appreciate them, or whose feel
ings are wounded by them. It seems
to be the peculiar belief Of this class.
that anyone can be the victim of their
fun and has no reason to complain of
the discomfort caused him. If practi-
cal jokers would confne their put-up
jobs " to those of their own class, there
would be no grounds for criticism; but
they are not warranted in going any
further. It they do, they must not
complain at the consequences.