The times., 1897-09-03
CUT FIVE WITH A RAZOR
Walter Picketi's Bloody Work
at a Parlor Social.
ONE VICTIM MAY NOT LIVE
Peter Burke, Martha Burke and
Own House-1wo Others Are SerI-
ousiy Cut Pickett Still at Large
All Parties Colored.

The parlor social which Peter Burke
and his sister Martha, both colored, gave
last night at their home, No, 1923 First
street northwest, resulted in the prob
able murder of the man and serious IN
jury OF the woman. Walter Pickett, col
ored. was their assailant, and the weapon
which he used was a wells harpened
razor. which he welded with deadly ef-
feob
The Burkes are q family OF fairly well
to do negroes, and the fathzr is employed
at the Treasury department in the capacity
of laborer Peter, twenty-eight years
old, and Martha, hissister, twenty four, gave
social last night TO a party of eighteen
or twenty friends, and Walter Pickett and
his wife Ida wert among the invited guests.
During the evening the usual means OF
entertainInent We're employed. and tue
eoiorea folks sang and enjoyed themselves.
Everything passed Off pleasantly until
about 10 clock, when the tongues Of
the goSsips began to wag and the female
members OF the party commenced To talk
about their neighbors. That was what
instigated all the trouble. Somehow the
NOiitn ai.u tHe men got Sf.pdEdl"u inUO
different rooms for a time.
quarrel arose among the female mem
bers OF tile gathering. Some one said sou.e-
thing that reflected upon some one else.
aud finally someone was insuIted.
Pickett thought it was his wife
and some of her friends. Then
he rushed Into the room and made matters
worse. His conduct finally became such
IL
to leave his house at once.
This Pickett refused 10 do, and presented
his credentials as a visitor. The host.
| however, seized Pickett by the collar OF
his Sunday coat and thrust him out into
the hall.
Things had by this time progressed 80
| far that Pickett felt war; anted in bring
ing forth that necessity at these parlor
| socials the raZor-and began 70 slash
Burke right and left. During the struggle
Burke's sister. NJ artha, came TO her
| brothers assistance and met with the
! keen edge OF the assaIant's razor. Dur
| ing he encounter several other guests took
| a hand, but all of them had neglected
| to bring their steels except Pickett, and no
! continued To fight the majority OF the
! party. His only aid was his wife, Ida,
| who was accidentally cut.
When time was called and Pickett had
escaped, the summary of the wounded and
wounds Wi as Peter Burke, a cut four
inches long on back Of the head. another
! three inches in length on the forehead,
one under the right eye two inches long
and still {. fourth. an ugly wound ON the
chin. All OF the cuts were deep to the
| bone and severed several arteries. Ee
| VIII probably die.
Martha Purke, five cuts on the left rrn,
three of them exposing the bone, and
| one six inches long. Condition serious.
Mary L. Burke, mother of the Burk es,
deep cut in one hand.
| Ernest Patten, Ghastly cut IN one hand,
| Ida Pickett wife of the assailant, cut
in palm of right hand.
In coming TO her brothers rescue Mar
tina had placed her arm around the man TO
| shield him from the attack, and received
\ the blows herself.
The others were wounded in attempting
to GIEposs ess Pickett OF the weapon
The disturbance at the house attracted
the attention of se1gt. Jordan, Policemen
j. H. Gibson and j. j. Donovan, who
| fastened To the place, but found that
the would be murderer had fled. An am.
| i'tIlhlASe was SuatltiiJ1tQ anu 1elef anu
Martha Burke were taken TO Freedman's g
Hospital Both were very weak from loss
| of blood, and the man was unconscious.
The physicians ataD early hour this morn
| ing did not think he would live but have
hopes that the woman will recover.
The wounds of the other injured ones
are not serious, and were bound up at
home.
After committing his crimes, Pickett
left the house and rushed down First
street, but was seen sometime later hurry
ing toward the Boundary. His home, at
No. 1143 First street northwest, and the
home OF his mother, on street, were
surrounded and searched by the police
last night, but Pickett could not be found
Pickett is twenty-five years old short
and rather black. He wore a snuff -coIored
box coat. striped trousers, tan shoes and
had no hat He is well known to the
Ealice and they expect to capture him
soon.
Messages to look out for the man were
Immediately sent TO all the stations and
all policemen instructed to keep a close
watch for the negro.
Late last night he had not been found.
OBITUARY NOTES.