New-York tribune., 1902-05-15
BROOKS INQUEST BEGINS.
A WITNESS SWEARS THAT FLORENCE
BURNS STOLE

Coroner Brown and jury yesterday began an
inquest in the of Walter 5. Brooks, who was
shot on the night of February H. in a room of
the Glen Island Hotel. in Cortlandt-st., and died
the next day in the hospital in Hudson-st The
testimony taken the inquest part of the tes-
timony taken in the long examination OF Florence
Burns, who arrested on the charge OF shoot-
ing Brooks. and was discharged last month by
Justice Mayer OF the Court of Special Sessions
Miss Burns did rot appear at the inquest, but
Foster L. Backus, her counsel. watched the pro-
ceedings. Assistant District Attorney Schurman
sat With the coroner to aid in getting the testi-
mony before the jury.
DR. Weston the coroners physician. described
the shot wound that killed Brooks. and produced
the bullet which had been taken from the brain.
tlngJohn Earl hotel clerk. told about Brooks 60
ing to the hotel with young woman. and regis
terlnE under an assumed name the night of
the shooting w c. Weibe. conductor on an ee-
waited train in Brooklyn repeated his story about
seeing Miss Burns his train late on the night
of the shooting. Mr.. Backus asked to have the
witness describe Miss Burns.
The best evidence of Miss Burns's appearance
is Miss Burns" objected Mr.. Schurman. IF Mr..
Packus desires the jury to learn her description
he should produce her
You accuse Florence Burns" retorted Mr..
Backus and she'll be here all right"
George Washington. the colored bellboy Of the
Glen Island Hotel who identified Miss Burns after
her arrest the who with Brooks at
teh hotel repeated his story and gave descrip
tion Of Miss Burns, which did not tally with her
appearance.
Alfred +, Tostevin. of No. 1877 Ralph-ave.. Brook
lyn was a new witness in the case He was called
under the name OF 'LenoN." but the jury insisted
having his real the record. He iden-
uNed a comb which said have been found
in the where Brooks shot a comb
that had belonged 10 Florence Burns Miss Burns
had boarded at his mothers house. he said. and
had left the comb in the house several times.
Members OF the jury examined the witness after
this fashion
girl? A-Nothing: l always avoided her.
Q-Why2 A-Btcaus | saw the character of
the girl
Q-Is Il usual for women to leave their combs
Adherence Burns did.
Q.-HadE't she a room OF her own? A.-She had
but she combed her haid all over the house
Q-And left the comb behind her? Al saw
the comb several times
Q-What did you md wrong with the girls
character? A.-She stole things.
Odd you have her arrested? A.-No
Q-Make any complaint before this? A.-No
I tried TO avoid her
Replying Mr.. Schurman, Tostevin said he be-
heved he could recognize the other comb Miss
Burns The District Attorney showed him
those taken from the girls hair when she was ar
rested, and Tostevin said they looked like those
she wore
Then she sad a good comb" said the foreman
of the jury. and yet she used that broken thing
"es." replied the witness
Mr.. Backus wanted TO know II Tostevin had not
been present at the hearing before Justice Mayer
when the prosecution failed to identify the comb
and II he had not talked with Mr.. Brooks about
the necessity OF having IL identified TosteVIn said
he could not remember