Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1896-03-12
BROCKVILLE MOURNS
Yesterday's Tragedy Causes q
Suspension of Business.
THE INSANE MURDERER In PRISON
One Man Dead, Two MortalIy Wounded
and Several Others Seriously In
jured, the AIaniacs Work.
He Himself Is Dying

- 'AAN' Oiib'1 lU.-DTOCh-
vile is still in an intense state of ex-
citement over the tragic events of yes
terday Never in its history has the
town been so convulsed. The fearful
crime of yesterday will be stamped
upon the minds of all while life lasts.
1t was one of the most awful tragedies
ever enacted in the Dominion OF Cana
da. The total result of the tragic af-
fair was one man shot dead on the
spot, the chief of police mortally
wounded, another member of the
force seriously wounded, an Indian
hurt and six others suffering more or
less from wounds inflicted by a single
man armed with breech- loading shot
gun And the cause of all the terrible
destruction and suffering is himsel ly-
ing at the point of death from wounds
inflicted by shots fred at him in order
to put stop to his awful work and
effect his capture.
The Excitement Intense.
The town clock had just struck the
noon hour and the streets were
thronged with people on their way to
dinner Suddenly the sharp crack of
a gun was heard in the western end of
the town, followed by other reports in
quick succession. Soon the news spread
that several persons had been shot and
the excitement became intense The
cause of all the trouble was a man
named Lapont, who resides about six
miles north of the town on what is
known as the Perth road He has
usually been looked upon as of not
very sound mind, but generally in
offensive.
Chief of Police Rose Shot.
just about noon he made his appear
ance on the Perth road, walking in the
direction of King street, the principal
thoroughfare of the town. As he
neared King street he suddenly threw
his head back and gave vent to
several loud yells such as fox-hunters
often use in calling their dogs and at
the same time fired couple of shots
IN the air. When he had got within
about twenty yards of the corner of
King and Perth streets he took up his
position alongside high bill board on
the west side of Perth street. Just at
this time Chief of Police Rose happened
TO come up to the opposite corner, and
Lapont, taking deliberate aim, fired,
the charge Of heavy buckshot lodging
in the chiefs chest, throat and head
In falling to the ground, Rose pushed
an old man named Moore forward past
the corner of the building. Lapont
fired again and Moore fell dead. An
old Indian named Dixon, who was
close by, received portion of the
charge in his face and head.
The Murderer Wounded
AS soon as the crowd collected their
| senses plans We're set on foot to cap
ture the murderer. The latter still
stood where he had first stationed him
self, and at each discharge of his gun
could be seen calmly taking loaded
cartridges from his pocket and reload
ing. Constable Tinsley took up posi-
tion behind weigh scale and began
firing at Lapont with a revolver, but
the range was too long and the shots
proved Ineffective. Lapont continued
firing as fast as he could reload and
several persons were more or less in
| jured. Finally Tinsley secured posses
sion of a shot gun and crossed to
grocery store, entering by side door,
In order to get at Lapont Tinsley
stepped out to the sidewalk and Just as
he raised his gun, Lapont fired and the
| constable had to retreat covered with
| blood. In the meantime other persons
armed with guns and revolvers had
| got to the upper windows of diacent
buildings and fired at Lapont. All at
once Lapont was seen to drop his gun
and fall to the ground One of the
/ shots had struck him in the abdomen
and another in the leg. The angry mob
made a rush for him the moment he
fell, and seizing him, dragged him TO
the centre of the road, crying "shoot
him!" Lynch him!" By the efforts of
the more cool-headed, the mob was
prevented from carrying the threat
into execution. He was taken to the
lookup.
Business Practically Suspended.
When quiet had been somewhat re,
stored, the scene that was presented
was agonizing in the extreme. The
body of old man Moore lay on the side
walk cold in death In store adjon-
ing Chief of Police Rose lay suffering
terribly from his wounds. The old In
dian lay on the sidewalk covered with
blood. Constable Tinsley and several
others were also badly wounded
and covered with blood To-day the
town is in mourning, and business is
practically suspended.
Fell Hsadlong Down n Shaft.