The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1884-10-25
SHOCKING TRAGEDY.
f. A. Burton, Prominent Citizen of
LA Crosse, Shot Down.
The Murderer Arrested, but an fnfuriated
Mob Batter Down the Doors and
Hang Him To "A Tree.

f. A. Burton. president of the Blaine
and Logan club at La Crosse, was shot
dead by p rntfian, known as "Scotty," at
8 O'CLOCK on the evening of the 10th,
while the Republicans were forming in
procession on Main Street. Seven shots
were ,red In quick succession. The
murderer was arrested and hurried TO
jail before the immense crowd could re-
allze what had occurred. The body of
Mr.. Burton was taxed to the drug store of
MIR. L. ID. Spence, where an examination
showed that life was extinct. every shot
having taken effect. Those who stood
near the scene of the murder say the
man advanced from the crowd on the
sidwalk to within few feet of his vic
tim and fired the first bullet into his
back. Mr.. Burton fell to the pavement
and the murderer followed with six
shots into his body and head. He then
threw the revolver at his victim and
gave him kick, saying, THAT is the
- --- -- that knows me and that
| nave been looking for" or words to
that effect. All this was done in min
ute's time and before any one could re-
dlIZo Wudb uhu ldDp6neu.
MIR. Burton was broker and commits
sion merchant for 1. IL. Lowry & Co,
of Milwaukee, and soninlaw of Capt.
|. ii. MOulton, agent for the st. Paul
company at La Crosse. He was one of
the best known and most prominent of
the young business men in the North
west. He was chosen president of the
Blaine and Logan club, and was man
aging the campaign in that section.
The motive of the murderer is not
known. He was known as desperate
character who had followed the river
for living. He had served a 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 opportun-
ity to use it. The Republicans were to
have celebrated the Ohio victory with
a 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
beard on 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 incre sed 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 be'ore they left the square.
Once in tie corridor, sledge-hammers
were used 10 break in the heavy iron
doors, two in number, that intervened
between them and the cellroom. These
soon yielded and as each fresh advance
was made the crowd outside was APP
prised, and constant cheers of encour
agement vent up. The prisoner had
been confined in cell No. 3 on the low
er corridor, and the mob mad 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 night man.
Everything was now ready for the ex-
ecution. At this point in the proceed
ings the.e was a pause. Among the
leaders we're ONE who wanted the
murdere. to makea statement, while 9TH
ers, NOR. impetuous, urged immediate
action. The murderer declined to say
anything except that he was the man
who shot Burton. At this juncture a
yell went up, Pull him up" Hang
him." Don't let him live minute long
er" Itwas understood that the Light
Guard Company, Third Regiment, W.
n. G., had been ordered out to charge
the MOP, and there was an impression
that the execution would be prevented.
No rally of the guard was made, AAow-
ever. The mob seized the rope and
made a strong pull, but the ruffian
freed his hand and the rope broke be-
fore hs was raised from the ground. In
less tlan five minutes a new rope was
thrown over the heads of the crowd and
fell within few feet of the executioner,
This vas adjusted, his hands and arms
firmly tied, and in another moment he
was hanging in the air with his face
closely pressed against a limb of the
tree. The terrible tragedy was over.