The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-20
ANOTHER FIRED THESHOT
BURTON TELLS A NEW STORY of
THE REDMOND TRAGEDY.
Says He VIII Testify at Proper Time
as to Who Killed the
Fireman.

James Burton, who is to be tried next
week for the murder of Fireman Frank
Redmond, yesterday made some damaging
admissions regarding the case. Since he has
been in the Marion county Jail he has re-
peatedly denied having made a confession
to ex-Police Superintendent Colbert at
Nashville, and he has denied all knowledge
OF the case. His first interview was pub
lished in the Journal two or three DAYS
after his return to this city. At that time
ne denied everything. He claimed that he
mac not been in Indianapolis for three
weeks prior to the murder. and that his
hrst knowledge of 1t was gained by read
ing an account of it in a Cincinnati paper
When brought face to face with various
persons who identified him, he looked at
them stolidly and declared he had never
seen them. He denied having been associ-
ated with Phillips and Harvey, and having
been driven by them to Greenwood and
spending night at Mr.. Hoyt's hotel there.
he even declined to recognize Mr. Hoyt.
though he could have done this with bet
ter Judgment, for Hoyt accompanied Col
bert to the Nashville penitentiary.
Yesterday Burton was seen at the Jail
and asked what his line of defense would
be. He said: II intend admitting every
thing except the shooting. / was here at
the time. and did plan with Phillips and
Harvey to rob Job Eldridge, and we three
made the attempt. One of the three fired
the shot which killed Redmond, but it was
not T."
Which one did fire the shot?" he was
asked.
That will tell at the proper time.''
10 you mean to say that you was not
the man who ran across Massachusetts av-
enue from Eldridge's store and escaped
through the alley running north and south?"
No, sir. I say nothing Of the kind. l
did run across that way and escaped that
way, but did not go alone. The man who
went that way with me fred the shot"
Are you aware of the fact that Phillip
hlle, fireman, positively Identifies you as
the one who fired the shot, and goes so far
as to describe how you leaned up against
the building at the mouth Of the alley, and
tells how he saw your face when the pistol
fiashed?"
Yes. know that; but he is mistaken.
and will be able to show that he is l will
show 1t by the States testimony. and not
by any witnesses of my own could not
have done the shooting, and I will show It,
| had no pistol All I ask is fair deal,
and l am satisfied that it will be. given me
pect to be convicted of killing Redmond
Burton admitted that the published &C.
counts OF his travels and doings from the
time Redmond was killed until he escaped
from the State are true. lie purchased q
cap at Buschman g. Co.'s store, on Massa-
chusetts avenue and had his moustache
shaved off at Kleins barber shop, on Mas
sachusetts avenue; afterward met Phillips
and Harvey and was driven by them to
Greenwood, where he spent the night, and
from which place he took train to Louis
vile. About three weeks later he was ar
rested in Tennessee and sent to the peniten-
uary In Nashville. He now admits all this
prosecuting Attorney Wiltsie says the
state does not expect to rely on the confess
sions of Burton to convict him. Ex-Police
Superintendent Colbert, to whom Burton is
alleged to have made his original confess
sion. has gone to California and cannot get
back in time to take part in the trial. Mr..
Wiltsie knew that Colbert was going to
California. The prosecutor feels that the
state can make out its case without the
testimony Of the ex-police chief. Photo
graphs of the MISUNDERSTANDING store,
where the attempted robbery took place,
and of the scene Of the murder, have been
made for use In the trial Prosecutor Wiltse
found this Photographic scheme very USE
ful in the trial Of Ferriter at Martinsville
At Greenfield. q special venre of twenty
four men has been drawn from which to
select a jury. The state does not expect
much trouble In getting jury.