The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1891-11-23
THIRD EDITION,
A TERRIBLE TRAGEDY.
An Insane Man Brains His Friend With
an AK While He Was Asleep.


an Ak While He Was Asleep.
For the past two years. Amor II.
Burnett. whose wife keeps O boarding
house at No. 4l4H King street, has
shown signs OF alteration of mind.
Burnett Is woodworker and was en-
ployed by the jackson a. Sharp Com
pany for some time, and persons
meeting him going to or coming from
his WORK, were often amused by his
strange and Tightly conversation.
Sometimes he would have very bad
spells at home, and for the time being
was raw ing maniac. During these
periods no one, except P. Frank Shields,
clerk employed by Joseph Fullmer,
Mt No. 5OS Market street, seemed to
have anycontrol over mm. The men
were fast friends, and while Burnett
would pay no attention to anyone else,
Franks voice seemed to act like
charm, and he would obey every word
he said.
Last evening Mr.. and Mrs. Burnett
visited her mother and spent pleas
ant evening. He seemed in excellent
spirits, until after they returned home
when he was seized with one of his
violent spells, and Mrs. Burnett sent
at once for Frank. Although Mr.. Full
mer was very busy in his dining rooms
he allowed him TO go, and he reached
the house about 10 o'clock. He found
Burnett very wild, and with disposi-
ton to do mischief, but soon succeed
ed in calming him down, and about II
o'clock induced him to go to bed
After Frank thought he was asleep,
he laid down alongside of him,
and being very tired soon fell into a
sound slumber. In the meantime Bur
nett was only feignlng sleep, and after
waiting several hours, until he was
fully satisfied that his victim was I'M
conscious to anything that was taking
place, he slipped out of bed with all
the cunning of maniac, and hasten,
cd to the cellar. After securing heavy
AK he quietly returned to the bed
room, and looking at his victim for 0
moment to be sure that he was still
nsleep, raised tie ax and brought IL
down with ell the force In his body or
Shields head, crushing in the skull
and causing the blood and brains tC
nun out on the pillow.
Tho noise awakened some Of The
family, and help was secured at once,
and the maniac secured. He was TAX
en- TO the police station and locked up
Or. Baird was summoned and reached
the house about 8 o'clock, probably
half an houFafter the tragedy occurred
He found the skull badly fractured
and pieces crushed into the bruin con
sequently, he did not attempt al
operation, but ordered his removal tt
the Delaware Hospital.
After reaching the institution Shield:
was operated upon by Dr.. Bradford
but very little hopes are entertained
of mis- recovery. Shields Is IL very es
tmable young man, and having beer
In Mr. Fullmor's employ for n long
ffDap il wall In, Al
the place He is about - years of age
and highly respected.
Burnett was through tho courtesy
OF Chief of Police Blackburn, inter
viewed In his cell this morning by d
reporter of the REPUBLICAN,. Although
he talks coherentlya glance is sum
cient to show that his mind Is affected
His eyes betOken all tho cunning auC
deyilishness OF maniac, and 1t seem
a wonder that his friends did not have
him taken care Of before this.
Upon being asked: why did YOU
commit this terrible deedf' he replied
al did it in self defense"
There could not have been any self
defense in it, as the man was sount
asleep.
But you don't know all" he said
stills man came to my house about II
O'Clock last night, but what for, / dt
HUI huOW. Ilt lISiSLtu On blttIllllt
with me, and after we went up to my
room he drew arevolver, and pointing
II at me told me had but one day L
Hive, as he intended to kill me, AMI II
had anything to attend to had bottel
do It at once. He then ordered me tt
go to bed, which / did, and feignet
sleep. laid and waited until abuu
4 O'Clock this morning, when Statistic,
that ho was in sOunI sleep SLIPPED
out Of bed and went to the cellar fol
the AK. When lcamn lack to the room
ho was still asleep, and struck him"
How did you hold tho AK
with both hands, and | raised
over my head, rs | wanted to malli
sure work, for man must delcrt
himself In his own hono'
You and Shields were good Friends
were you not = inquired thu reporter.
--Oh es.wc always huye been friends
and do not know what mHde him z
back on me lust night, and tell m
that he Intended to kill mo. Ii ] ha
not struck him lie would haze kills
me us soon us he woke up"
During the interview Burnett was q
calm and uneoucerned as thuugh nntl
ing had happened, lie did not ol
press the slightest regret for his aCtio
but seemed to feel throughout that h
hnd been fortunate in saving his ow
HE by endangering the life OF h
friend.