The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-04-26
MURDERS FOR PAsTlME
Two Men Are Dead and Two Others
May Die.
BHAlNEaED IS ARRESTED AND JAILED
The Men Shot Fellow Workmen With Whom He
Had Been Pleasantly Conversiug Jusr Be-
fore. Was ii an Gu burst Of Hemi-
cda Mania I?
(By the Associated Press

10y the ASSOCldleu ITGSSJ
Portland, Maine. April 24.-One of the
bloodiest tragedies in the history of
Portland in recent years, occurred this
afternoon on the fourth floor OF the build
ing occupied by the New England Tele-
phone Company.
The principal actor in the affair was
George H. Brainerd, foreman electric
ian, who has been employed for the coru-
pany for almost twenty years. For some
unknown reason, and without the slight
est provocation, while chatting with his
fellow workmen he whipped out So
calibre revolver and opened fire on the
party around him. In a brief space OF
time he killed one man outright, fatally
wounded another and probably fatally
wounded two others. Then he made an
attempt to kill Deputy Marshal w. A.
Firth, when the officer tried TO place him
under arrest.
The man who was killed outright was
L. II. Farnham, of Boston, the electrical
engineer of the New England Telephone
Company. Earl Buxton, another victim,
died in the hospital tonight. Elmer T.
Lane, Of Mechanic Falls, and James
Wadsworth, are believed to be fatally
injured.
The only charitable motive that can be
assigned for the crime is insanity, yet
neither before nor after the tragedy did
Brainerd exhibit any marked evidence of
mental arrangement.
The men in the tragedy were employees
of the Telephone Company and excepting
Mr.. Farnham, were engaged in installing
a new exchange system on the upper floor
of the building. There were fourteen men
in the crew and Brainerd had charge of
the work, Mr.. Farnham having general
oversight
Just before 2 clock today Mr. Farnham
walked over to one corner Of the room
where a carpenter was at work. Brain
erd gave the carpenter a few instructions
then. he and Mr.. Farnham walked
ny, talking in friendly manner. They
sed down by the long switchboard to
end, where they stopped Then the
ort of revolver rang out The work
saw Mr. Farnham fall to the floor
h Brainerd standing over him with a
1king revolver in his hand
frainerd then Immediately opened fire
the other workmen. A panic followed
and every man endeavored to get under
cover to escape the bullets which were
flying in every direction.
Some attempted to escape through a
hole in the floor, but they were unable to
squeeze themselves through and were
then obliged to take chance at lodging
bullets as they ran for the stairway.
Some lodged behind boxes and benches
until they had a chance to escape, but
three CT them were unable 70 reach a
place of safety
Lane and Wadsworth were working to-
gether directly across the room and
Brainerd turned his revolver on them and
opened fire. Wadsworth fell to the floor.
while Lane made dash for closet in a
corner of the room. Buxton was stand
ing at bench near the head of the
stairway, and Brainerd, taking deliberate
aim, sent bullet straight through his
BODY Buxton fell to the floor but re-
manned partly conscious. He saw Brain
erd leap to the head of the stairway and
relaid the revolver and then start to-
reload the revolver and then start to-
taken shelter. Brainerd went to that
closet apparently with the deliberate in
tention of killing Lane. and although he
did not kill him instantly. he inflicted
wounds which the physicians believe will
prove fatal. 8
Lane made a game fight for life, but
fell twice wounded, while Buxton ran
down stairs and was cared for.
Brainard then alone on the fourth floor
with his three victims, Immediately
started down to the operating room
shouting Send for the police" Super
intendent j. d. Stanford ran into the
hall and met him coming down the stairs,
revolver in hand, frantically calling for
the police Stanford barred the door to
the crowded operating room and demand
ed that the man return uD stairs. GO
back; we will fix it with the police" he
said And Brainerd went back.
telephone message had brought De-
putty Firth and others from the station.
The deputy at the fourth floor met
Brainerd, who, with self-control greeted
him pleasantly, shook hands and then
turned as if to go up stairs. The deputy
saw the revolver in Brainerd's hand and
determined to overpower him. AS Mr..
Firth attempted to seize the weapon.