The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-04-02
Detectives Have New Theory In
Mysterious Burns Case.
If NE SPOKE TO FITzsIMMoNs
Slayer Might Have Been Deferred Brook.
gn Merchant Says Burns Girl Was on
Late Car That Raa Toward Home

New York, April 2-Another witness has
been found who saw Florence Burns on
the Brighton Beach train late on the
night OF Feb. IL. after Walter Brooks
had been shot In the Glen Island hotel.
This is In confederation OF the testimony
given by Arthur Weible, the conductor
of the train, who said that the girl rode
In his car from Brooklyn Bridge to her
home station in Flatbush, which she
reached about 20 minutes of I2 O'Clock.
In her own behalf Florence Burns said
that she reached her home that night be-
fore o'clock.
In this new witness the detectives, who
are at work on the case, believe that they
have made find that will result in so
strengthening the case against Florence
Burns that she will be held by the coro-
ner's jury and indicted by the grand jury.
The witness Is merchant OF high
standing In Brooklyn. His word will be
accepted as beyond dispute, but Il will
be strengthened by the testimony OF two
other men, for whom the detectives are
now looking. The merchants attention
was first called TO her by two young men
who sat near him. One of these young
men commented upon the appearance of
Miss Burns, who he had never seen be-
fore.
His companion knew her, and replying
10 what had been said TO him called her
name and related an anecdote concerning
her
At the request OF Captain Titus, an an
alysis of the contents of the stomach of
Walter Brooks, is TO be made by a we'll
known chemist. This will be done for the
purpose of discovering whether the young
man had been given Knockout drops before
he was shot.
IL is also possible that II will be dis
covered what kind OF food the young man
ate for dinner the evening before he was
murdered. If this can be done Il may
assist In learning where he ate.
In the opinion of Captain Titus, a wink
cost Walter Brooks his life. Jorn Y Fitz-
simmons saw Brooks and his companion
in the Glen Island hotel. Brooks and
Fitzsimmons were acquainted. and, not
wanting 10 be recognized. Brooks winked
at his friend not to notice him.
Captain Titus believes that IL Fitzsm-
mons had spoken 10 Brooks his COM
panion would have been deferred from
numbering him because OF the fear that
she too. had been recognized.
Another matter that the detectives are
now attempting 20 clear up Is the story
told by Florence Burns concerning the
whereabouts Of her parents on the night
OF Feb. IL. She has said that when she
reached her home she found that her
father and mother had gone TO an enter
tainment. Mr.. and Mrs. Burns are we'll
known I'm Brooklyn, but no person has
been found who saw them at any enter
tainment and although inquiry has been
made the detectives have learned of no
theatre where they could have been with
out being noticed by acquaintance.
Detectives, acting under the instructions
OF District Attorney Jerome, are now I'm
New Jersey and are keeping Florence
Burns under strict surveillance. She is
still at Echo Lake. where her father and
mother are also living. Mrs. Burns was
seen there yesterday by reporter. She
admitted that her daughter was with her,
but refused to permit her. to be seen. Mrs.
Burns said that Florence will be guided
by Mr.. Backus in her actions regarding
the future inquiries into the murder OF
Walter Brooks. She said that Florence
would not testify at the coroner's inquest
Still another witness OF Importance, in
the opinion OF Captain Titus, is a mys-
terious Miss Brown, who is believed 10
have knowledge concerning the move
ments of Walter Brooks during the even
ing of Feb. IL. Captain Titus refuses to
say what has been learned from Miss
Brown.