The sun., 1902-02-17
FLORENCE BURNSTOTHH TOMBS
GIRL ACCUSED OF HER LOVERS
MURDER COOL IN PRISON.
Slept soundly In Her Cell. but Wept little
Under sympathy fearful Interview
with Her Mother-"You Don't Be
meye Killed HIM" Says She Defence
to Brooks Homicide VIII he an Alibi.

girl who IL suspected OF the murder Of her
lover, Walter S. Brooks. In the Glen Island
Hotel, at Cortlandt and West streets, last
Friday night, was arraigned before Magis-
trate Cornell In the Centre street police
court yesterday morning The prosecution
was represented by Deputy Assistant
District Attorney Paul Krotel and the
prisoner by Foster l.. Backus. former Die
trict Attorney Of Kings county.
The young woman. who has always had
all the comforts and some OF the luxuries
OF life. had passed the night In cell ss
the Church street police station. There
are not even cots In the cells there. only
narrow wooden benches. upon which the
characters who usually make up the
lodging lists at police stations must sleep
as best they may, The bench in ono Of
these cells was made as comfort
able with bedclothing as the matron could
make it, and there the girl slept-slept
soundly and restfully, according TO the
crime OF murder.
When she awoke TO find the matron look-
ing at her, about 7:30 yesterday morning.
she said that she was hungry.
That's just what thought you'd b
saying after the fine sleep you've had
said the matron. Now, you just dress In
a jify and well have something for you
TO eat
you're very kind to me- said the girl.
with what the matron characterized as
bonnie wistfulness in her voice. but how
do you know l slept well?'
"Ah, that's one Of my secrets replied
the matron, "but when girls are away from
their mothers. they must have some old
woman to take peep at them now and then
while they sleep
The interest in her which the woman's
words suggested filled the girls eyes with
tears and she had a good cry.
sThere, there! You must stop that, right
off, like bonnie good girl said the matron.
"or, after you leave here, some Of your
friends will he saying l didn't treat you
we'll"
Miss Burns made fairly hearty break
fast OF toast and coffee and eggs. She
rode up TO the police court in a patrol
wagon, in custody OF Detectives Schultz
and Colby. The only thing she said on the
way was TO respond TO Schultz's question
as TO whether she had taken breakfast.
-Yes. thank you." was the answer. y
had breakfast with the matron."
In the court room she found her father
and mother, the latter heavily veiled, and
her counsel. The father spoke briefly, but
when mother and daughter met there wers
embraces and tears, but few words. The
girl surrounded by the ordinary crowd OF
police court prisoners, made striking
figure. Her unusual height. her big. blue
ewes and her slender. graceful figure would
make her noticeable anywhere. Put any
young woman in police court on Sunday
morning clothed as Miss Burns was, in a
well-ftting tailor-made gown and coat.
with furs and big hat OF velvet and ostrich
plumes. and she would attract the eyes OF
every one.
When her case was called she stepped
up 10 the bridge, at gesture from Mr..
Backus, and stood there, apparently the
most composed person in the room. while
the Assistant District Attorney requested
that she be remanded for forty-eight hours
"to make possible the proper preparation OF
the case against the accused.
we have no objection 70 any reasonable
postponement, =" said Mr. Backus. but we'd
like to know with what we are charged.
Perhaps the District Attorney will be gooc
enough 10 tell us.
SIS a tentative one. This short affidavit,
made by Detective Sergeant Colby, will
show that the prisoner is charged now with
suspected homicide
Mr. Backus examined the affidavit.
Then he consented TO the adjournment.
adding
Il want II understood, hewever, that
when we are brought here again we shall
be confronted with such evidence as shall
lead your Honor TO hold or discharge the
prisoner. We want 10 have the case tried
out before the Magistrate"
@Such n proceeding | think only fair
to the prisoner said Magistrate Cornell.
Il am anxious to give hearing In this
case"
Mr.. Krotel promised TO be ready 10 pro-
ceed when the case waH called again, and
an adjournment was taken until Tuesday
afternoon at i3O O'Clock. Then, az the
request Of NJ Backus, tho prisoner was
allowed to have a talk with her mother
in the Magistrates room. The two women,
the mother carrying small bundle, went
into the room together, a detective closing
the door and mounting guard over II. The
talk lasted nearly an hour, and when mother
and daughter came out Of the room tho
eyes of both were wet with tears. Later
in the day. in the presence OF Mr.. Backus,
Mrs Burns said hat, among other things.
her daughter had said:
Mamma, tell me; il Walter dead1'
Mrs Burns said 1t was true that young
Brooks was dead and then the daughter
said
but you don't think killed him, Dc
Won. mamma? You know that i didn't
And / told my daughter, said Mrs.
Burns. that ! know she is innocent OF
This terrible charge And do
Detective Schultz took the young woman
over the Bridge of Sighs' TO the Tombe.
The detective said that as they were going
over the bridge the girl said
where are we now and where are we
going? ] don't know what Is the matter
With me. ] seem to be in a trance
schultz said his prisoner then gave 9
little shrdder and took a deep breath as n
she mt forth n great effort to control her.
.seIr and succeeded Once inside the gray
prison, Mise Burns gave her name, age and
address. explained that the bundle che
carried contained clothes, and was taken
10 the women's section. On Sunday the
female prisoners in the Tomhs have the
freedom Of three corridors from in the
morning until 8 at night.
Florence Burns was turned in among
the twenty-odd other women. mostly old
offenders and hardened characters rang
ing in age from 20 years to 20. Most OF them
are held on charges OF larceny. The girl
walked in, with apparent unconcern, ana
after looking around a moment, stepped
up 10 the matron and said something. The
two went away together and, after a little
Miss Burns resppeared wearing short
gray skirt Of the rainy-day cut black
corduroy waist belted with black ribbon
having a gold buckle at the back, and patent
leather shoes.
Al II O'Clock the Rev Mr. Munro. Pres