The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-04-25
Finally Overcome by n Deputy Mar
q Bullet During the Struggle.
AFFRAY IN A COURTROOM
CHICAGO POLICEMAN SHOT TWICE
BY A RELEASED PRISONER.
Fifty Bullets Sent Flying After the
with Five WOunds-Other Crimes.

PORTLAND, Me-, April 24-One of the
bloodiest tragedies in the history of Port
land, in recent years, occurred this after
noon on the fourth floor of the building oc-
cupied by the New England Telephone Com
pany. The principal actor in the affair was
George III. Brainerd, foreman electrician,
who has been employed by the company for
almost twenty years. For some unknown
reason and without the slightest provoca-
ton, while chatting with his fellow-work
men. he whipped out a thirty -eight-caliber
revolver and opened fire on the party
around him. He was evidently an expert
killed one man outright. fatally wounded
another man, 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 killed outright was l.
H. Farnham, of Boston, the electrical en-
gineer of the New England Telephone Com
pany. Earle Buxton, another victim, died
In the hospital tonight. Elmer 4. Lane, of
Mechanic Falls, and James Wadsworth of
Lewiston, 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
Erainerd 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 new exchange sys-
tenn on the upper floor of the building.
There were fourteen men in the crew and
Brainerd had charge of the work, Mr.. Farm
ham having general oversight
This morning the men went to work as
usual. Just before o'clock this afternoon
I'arnham and Branerd walked over to one
corner of the room, where a carpenter was
at work. Brainerd gave the carpenter few
instructions and then he and Farnham
walked away, talking in a friendly manner.
They passed down by the long switchboard
to the end, where they stopped. Then the
report of a revolver rang out. The work
men saw Farnham fall to the floor with
Brainerd standing over him, revolver in
hand. Brainerd then opened fire on the other
workmen.
TRIED TO DODGE BULLETS.
Some attempted TO escape through hole
i'm the floor, but they were unable to squeeze
themselves through and were then obliged
to take chance at lodging bullets they
ran for the stairway. Some of the men
6cdged behind boxes and benches until they
had chance to escape, but three of them
were unable to reach a place of safety.
When Brainerd shot Farnham. Lane and
Wadsworth were working together direct
ly across the room and before they could
make the slightest move Brainerd turned
his revolver on them and opened fire. Wads-
worth fell TO the floor and Lane, who was
not hit at this time, made dash for
closet in corner of the room.
Buxton was standing at a bench near the
head of the stairway and Brainerd, taking
deliberate aim, sent a bullet straight
through his body. Buxton fell to the floor
but remained partly conscious. He saw
Brainerd come over to the head of the
stairway and reload the revolver and then
start towards the closet in which Lane had
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. Lane made game fight for
life but fell twice wounded, while Buxton
ran down stairs and was cared for.
Brainerd then was alone on the fourth
floor with his three victims but he imme-
diately started down to the operating room,
shouting Send for the police!' Superin-
tendent j. ID. Stanford at this point ran
into the hall and met Brainerd coming
down the stairs, revolver in hand. frantic
ally calling for the police. Stanford knew
Brainerd's revolver was loaded, but he
barred the door TO the crowded operating
room and demanded that the man return
upstairs.
'.Go back, We will fix 1t with the po-
lice!' he said, and Brainerd went back.
telephone message had brought Deputy
Firth and others from the station. The
deputy at the fourth floor met Brainerd
who. with self-control, greeted him pleas
antly, shook hands and then turned If to
go upstairs The deputy saw the revolver
in Brainerd's hand and determined to over
mower him. AS Mr.. Firth attempted TO
seize the weapon Brainerd turned and met
the attack with the revolver leveled at the
deputy. A struggle followed and the re-
volver was discharged. the bullet grazing
the officers side. Then another officer
dubbed Brainerd into submission and he
was taken TO the police station He ap-
peared excited and ugly and was kept
handcuffed. His clothing was saturated
with blood and he paced restlessly up and
down the cell.
In the meantime the surgeons had cared
for the wounded. Wadsworth had bullets
through the left arm and the bowels Lane
was shot in the throat and Buxton had re-
ceived a bullet through the body. The men
were taken to the hospital and tonight
Buxton difd and Lane Is barely alive. The