The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-03-21
NEGRO BURGLAR
SHOT By OFFICER
Killed After Having FeIIed a Lady
With an Iron Crate in Her
Own House.
Own House.

NORFOLK, March eo-Special.-A
negro burglar, who entered the home
of Mrs, Virginia Pruitt. near the corner
Of Cumberland and Charlotte Streets,
ana being discovered by her. felled her
with . iire-srate, was this afternoon
shot to death by Officer Salyer.
1t was near o'clock when the Officer,
who was on his way to the station
house to report for duty, heard eni-
mating from Mrs. Pruitt's house, No.
81 Cumberland Street, cries for help.
Then negro emerged from the house
and ran up the street. Pursued by
Officers Salyer, Pitt and Coffee he ran
into DR.. Speight's lane. scaled an eight
foot fence and would have escaped but
that he was headed off by Pitt and
Coffee. Finally Salyer oveyhauled, him
and grappled with him. The negro an
athletic fellow, struggled violently and
made frantic attempts, Salyer says, to
get his hand in his pocket. His object
was defeated by the officer, who pin
ioned his arms. Salyer. however, being
unable to get tlis prisoner to keep quiet,
and finding himself firing, decided to
take no more chances, so he drew his
revolver and shot the burglar deal.
The body, which was subsequently iden-
titled as that of Brooks Ramsay, line
man of the steamer Louise, was convey
ed TO the morgue.
Ramsay, who was twenty-three years
old, came from Nanserond county. His
tamily live at Suffolk. He, however,
lived in Norfolk at No. 80 Smith Street,
with his wife he married some three
months ago.
The consensus of opinion is that salyer
did his duty, and deserves commando
ton The verdict OF the coroner's jury,
generating the officer, reflects public
sentiment. AS proving that Salyer did
not oyerestimate the dangerous character
of the burglar was shown when the lat
ter's body was searched. Upon it re
volver was found, and this was ;ully
charged.
That of to-day was about the sixth
rnurderous assault upon White women by-
burglars within the past month. All
have ii is believed, been committed by
negroes, hut this is not known TO be true,
although that the murderous thieves have
beer, in several cases negroes. is known.
The affair of to-day, it is believed, Will
have salutary effect.
Mrs. Pruitt is painfully hurt, but it IS
anticipated that she will soon recover
from her wounds. She was struck on the
arm. and also upon the back oeeo aer
head, hut Fortunately the CRATE winch
was broken by the force OF the blow
did. not iNftlet tnes a4duly NUuiu !tS ap
nearance would indicate.
Ramsay's wife wore. when the police
found her, certain rings stolen from the
horne of Mrs. Cation recently. and in the
dead burglars house were found the
shoes stolen from W. c. Miller's home
when he and his wife We're robbed and
murd erousiys assaulted. and considerable
other property missed from other homes
here under similar circumstances.
Mrs. Elizabeth Jones. beaten recently
hy a negro burglar, identified Ranlsay's
body as that of her assaliant. It was
made apparent that the police to-day
ended the career of the man who has
been terrorizing Norfolk.
There is. talk of a public subscription
toward a fund raised for the purpose of
buying Salyer home.
SUFFOLK. VA.. March Special
Brooks Ramsey, the negro desperate.
who was killed in Norfolk this morn
Ing. and who Is thought to have been
guilty Of many assaults in that city
recently. Is native of Suffolk. where
his criminal career was begun. Ramsey
was given a two years term In States
prison here for an attempted criminal
assault on Mrs, h. January. young
Jewess, whose home !. he entered. IS but
from which he was frightened.
Ramsey's aged ia ther lives in Suffolk.