The herald., 1897-04-29
MADE LOVE WITH A GUN
WOUNDED A GIRL AND KILLED
HER MOTHER
A Fresno County Demon Concludes
His Awful Crimes by Burning
Himself to Death

FRESNO, April 2S.-A triple tragedy
occurred at Redbanks, a small town in
this county, about nine miles north of
Sanger, this morning, the result of which
is that Mre John Qualls and her daugh-
ter Lulu are lying at the point of death
and James Brooks, a farm laborer, is
dead.
Several months ago Brooks was en-
passionately in love with Miss Lulu but
the girl rejected him. After repeated
professions of affection, without avail,
Brooks, enraged at failure, threatened
to shoot the object of his affection and
her mother unless she consented to be-
come his wife. The girls father came
to Fresno and preferred charges against
Brooks, and the latter was convicted
and cast into Jail under a six monthe'
sentence.
Before the expiration of his term
Brooks was released upon bonds fur
nished by Qualls under promise that
he would not further annoy Miss Lulu.
Upon being released, Brooks secured
employment on a ranch about ten miles
From Qualls' place, and for several
weeks did not appear at the latter place.
This morning at o'clock he visited
the Qualls residence, armed with
hatchet and shotgun. He effected an
entrance through the rear door.
Mr.. Qualls was absent in the noun
tains. Miss Lulu heard the noise and
arose to investigate. She found herself
face to face with the man who had pre-
viously threatened to take her life.
Say your prayers" demanded Brooks,
adjusting his gun, I'm going to kill
you" While the girl was pleading for
mercy her mother, aroused by the loud
voice OF Brooks, entered the room.
Brooks Immediately leveled the gun
upon the mother and fired, the charge
taking effect IN the left breast The
woman fell to the floor, mortally
wounded.
Lulu then ran to her bedroom and
bolted the door, but Brooks followed,
breaking down the door and entering the
room with gun and hatchet in hand.
Say your prayers, - you," he
shouted. II am going to kill you"
Again the girl appealed for her life,
but the infuriated brute refused to listen,
and, raising the gun, discharged the re-
naming barrel at the girl, nearly tear
ing her right arm from her body.
Seeing he had not succeeded in kill
ing his victim, the demon raised the
hatchet and proceeded to finish the
bloody work. With the weapon raised,
he approached the PROSTATE FORM
Don't kill me, JIM" she pleaded,
with outstretched hands. IF you love
me, Jim, don't kill me-
Brooks hesitated for a moment "Well,
Lulu" he said, kiss me and won't"
kneeling beside her PROSTATE form,
Brooks received the price of his COM
promise and, turning away, left the
house. On reaching the outside Brooks
set fire to the house, and mounting his
horse. rode away in the darkness. Co
ing to neighboring house, he set fire
to that structure and entered. This
morning his charred remains were found
his gun and hatchet lying at his side.
AT the coroners inquest held today
upon the charred remains of the dement,
ed fiend, James Brooks who attempted
to Kill Neoma Qualls and her mother
early this morning because the former
refused to marry him, no important facts
were brought out beyond those received
in the first reports from the scene of the
terrible crime. The inquest was held a;
the Qualls' residence. sixteen miles east
of Fresno, where the mutilated mother
and daughter are now under the care -
neighbors and friends. 1t is believed
tLat both will recover, although the
mother is very seriously wounded. The
daughter was able to testify. The body
of Brooks was nearly consumed in the
burning barn. 1t is not believed that he
set the barn on fire and then shot him
self, but that the hay in the barn was
ignited by firing the gun.
The Qualls family are estimable peo-
pie and nothing has ever been known
derogatory to Brooks excepting his mad
ir.fatuation for Miss Qualls. That he
had become insane brooding over his re-
jected love is evident.