Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-10-22
SHOCKING TRAGEDY.
+. "A. Burton, Prominent Citizen of
La Crosse, shot Down.
Ehe Murderer Arrested, but an Infuriated
Mob Batter Down the Doors and
Hang Him to a Tree.

r. A. Burton, president of the Blain,
and Logan club at La Crosse, was sho
dead by ruffian, known as "Scotty,
at 8 O'Clock on the evening of the 18th
while the Republicans were forming il
procession on Main Street. Seven shot.
were fired in quick succession. The
murderer was arrested and hurried t.
| Jail before the immense crowd could
realize what had occurred. The bod,
| OF Mr.. Burton was taken TO the drue
store of Mr. {. FL. Spence, where ar
examination showed that life was ex
tinct, every shot having taken effect
Those who stood near the scene of the
murder say the man advanced from the
crowd on the sidewalk to within few
| feet of his victim and fired the first bul.
let into his back. Mr.. Burton fell to the
pavement, and the murderer followed
with six shots into his body and head
He then threw his revolver at his vic.
tim and gave him kick, saying, "That
| is the -- that knows me and
that have been looking for" or words
to that effect. All this was done in a
minutes time and before any one could
realize what had happened
Mr. Burton was p broker and com
mission merchant for 7. II. Lowry &
90, OF Milwaukee, and son-in-law OF
Capt. l. e. Moulton, agent for the ST.
Paul company at La Crosse. He was
one of the best known and most promi-
nent of the young business men of the
Northwest. He was chosen president
of the Blaine and Logan club and was
managing the campaign in that section
The motive Of the murderer is not
known. He was known as q desperate
character who had followed the river for
q living. He had servedsa term in
states prison. After throwing the first
revolver at his victim, it was found that
he had another in his pocket, but he
was arrested before he had an oppor-
tunity to use it. The Republicans were
to have celebrated the Ohio victory
with parade, fireworks and
speeches, but the scene changed as if
by magic to one of terrible excitement
of far different character.
AS soon as the crowd realized what
had occurred, threats of lynching were
heard en- all sides, and although the
more conservative urged, moderation,
and argued that the murderer was
probably insane, their words had no
effect on the mob, who demanded life
for life. The excitement increased I'M
til 10 o'clock, when beams were pro-
cured and the outer doors of the jail
were battered in, and the mob surged
into the building. Twice the sheriff
and his hastily gathered deputies sue
ceeded IN clearing the building, but at
the third attack the officers were driven
out and the mob then had everything
their own way. There were no drunken
men in the mob, the whole work being
done by resolute fellows, who decided
to make the murderer pay the death
penalty before they left the square.
Once in the corridor, sledge-hammers
were used to break in the heavy iron
doors, two in number, that interviewed
between them and the cell-room. These
soon yielded and as each fresh advance
was made the crowd outside was ap-
prised, and constant cheers of encour-
agemenG went up. The prisoner had
been confined In cell No. on the low
er corridor, and the mob had little
trouble in finding their man. He was
taken from the cell and dragged into
the yard, where he was identified as the
man who did the shooting. The officers
when appealed to, declared that they
had the right man.
Everything was now ready for the
execution. At this point in the pro-
ceedings there was a pause. Among
the leaders we're some who wanted the
murderer to make statement, while
others, more impetuous, urged immedi-
ate action. The murderer declined
to say anything except that he was the
man who shot Burton. At this junct-
ure yell went up, @Pun him up"
Hang him." Don't let him live
minute longer" It was understood
that the Light Guard Company, Third
Regiment, W. N. G., had been ordered
out to charge the mob, and there was an
impression that the execution would be
prevented. No rally of the guard was
made, however. The mob seized the
rope and made strong pull, but the
rufian freed his hand and the rope
broke before lie was raised from the
ground. In less than five minutes a
new rope was thrown over the heads of
the crowd and fell within few feet of
the executioner. This was adjusted.
his hands and arms firmly tied, and in
another moment he was hanging in the
air with his face closely pressed against
the limb of the tree. The terrible
tragedy was over.