Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-11-06
POLICEMAN BURNS
Sent to Jail NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF HI
Victim Today.

Sent to Jail Observation-Disclosures Of His
Victim Today.
The shooting of Capt. James NJ. Miller by
Policeman Joseph A. Burns subjected the
police to numerous indignities yesterday and
several of the officers heard unkind remarks
made by persons regarding the affair. The
policeman who did the shooting was detained
at the Police Court yesterday until the arrival
OF the prison van, and when Richard Anderson,
the driver, handed out the handouts for him
to put his hands through he begged to be per
mitted to go in the van with his hands free,
but the driver informed him that he could
make no exception, and with the iron bracelets
about his wrists the unfortunate victim of rum
was driven of to the United States jail
AN USLUcKY NUMBER.
Burns number was 364 This number was
created in September, 1880, and the badge was
first worn by Louis Gebicke, who resigned to
pursue his profession. This badge then fell to
r. Burt, who did not live long as police
man. for he got into trouble several times and
was finally compelled to leave the force. The
next person to get the unlucky number was
Burns, who wore it about thirty-five days be-
fore his unfortunate ending yesterday.
The conduct Of Burns, said an officer to a
STAR reporter last evening. demonstrates the
necessity for a change in the laws governing
the appointment of policemen. The army and
navy clause was what he referred TO. and he
thought this case was good illustration of the
danger to be encountered in appointing men
who are strangers in the city or about whom
but little is known, except the fact that they
were either in the army or navy. He suggested
that it would be a good thing to appoint these
men on six months probation, without giving
them pistol or club during that time.
CAPT. MrLLER's CONDITION.
Capt. Miller was resting more quietly this
morning. His wife has been faithful to him.
spending every minute she can at his bedside.
He is receiving every attention possible. though
the attentions do not relieve his suffering.
Mr.. A. i. Hendershott says that Burns did
not get a drink at his drug store, as Burns was
to have stated to his superior officer
The officer asked for drink at the drug store
and was refused by the soda clerk. He returned
later and asked for something to ''stlaighten''
him up and was given glass Of vichy and am
monia-
BURNS RECOMMENDED FOR DISMISSAL
Capt Austin, acting chief of police, sent to
the Commissioners a recommendation that
Policeman Burns be dismissed. Lieut. Amiss
turned in Burns equipments to headquarters
today, and the pistol is held as evidence in the
case.
1t is alleged that Officcr Burns was not
drinking man, and that since his appointment
as an officer he has not been seen under the in
fuence of liquor, but it was stated last even
ing, upon good authority. that the day before
the shooting he was on II street between 18th
and 18th streets and had a whisky flask in his
pocket
1t is stated that he asked boy to go across
the street to Wright's saloon and get him what
he called some Tightening" but the boy re-
fused because he said his father would not let
him go into a saloon. The officer then made
the request of another boy, but be. too. re-
fused. Whether he finally got the liquor or not
could not be ascertained-
THEORIES AS TO TIE SHOOTING.
The statement of tho wounded man put a
different aspect on the affair The fact that he
had seen the intoxicated man at G street and
had followed along until the time of the shoot
ing, it is thought by some. had something
to do with Burns having directed tie
shot at him, while the other hand /,
is thought possible that Burns heard Capt
Miller call Officer Eaton's attention 20 he
pistol. II in the former event Burns knew
that Capt Miller wac paying some atten.
ton he probably mistook him for the
night inspector or q private detective
Is he said he had been followed by the latter
and thinking he was being pursued or watched
he became desperate and used his weapon &c
Gnu tuht bOEt "a Due1uceoL
The police officials are anxious 10 learn who
the two men are who were with the officer be-
fore he fred the shot, as stated by Capt. Miller
II has been intimated that they are policemen,
and il such proved 10 be the case and they were
intoxicated, az Capt Miller stated. there will
probably be two men before the trial board
next week.
Burns was naturalized September z and he
went on duty twenty-three days later.
His age was given as twenty-four years and
six months, and he stated that he was a native
Of Kings county, Ireland, and produced his
honorable discharge from the army.
CAPT. MILLER A LITTLE BETTER.
Capt Miller rested well during the day, and
this afternoon the physicians thought h<
seemed . little better.
Manager Charged With Forgery.
Detective Mahon today arrested james p
Freeman ON two charges OF forgery and tool