New-York tribune., 1902-03-16
DR.. Jim. "
MISS BURNS'S THREATS
MRS. BROOKS SAYS SHE
TALKED OF SHOOTING.
WITNESS FAINTS WHEN SONS WA~~H IS
SHOWN HER-IDENTIFIES COMB
AS FLORENCE BURNS'S.


AS FLORENCE BURNs'S.
The examination of Florence Burns. the young
accused of shooting Walter s. Brooks
in the Glen Island Hotel. in Cortlandt-st, on
the night of February II. was continued yes
terday before Justice Mayer in the Court Of
Special Sessions, but not finished. District
Attorney Jerome who had taken psraonal
charge Of the case, was present during several
hours Of the examination, but permitted his
assistant Mr.. Schurman. 10 exarline witnesses
He had hoped to complete the testimony for the
prosecution and ask for the holding Of Miss
Burns for the grand jury, but it became evident
late in the day that there would have 10 be
other adjournment.
The result Of the session yesterday was to
add a little evidence not already known 70
sustain the charge that Miss Burns went to the
hotel with Brooks and shot him when they were
alone together. The testimony given yesterday
was mainly that Miss Burns had made threats
to XIII Brooks If he failed to keep his promise
to marry her
There was a great crowd in the courtroom
yesterday. many wen dressed people Joining in
the scramble for seats IN the room. Through
out the examination Miss Burns retained her
appearance Of coolness and confidence.
The mother OF Walter s. Brooks was a dra-
matte witness in the examination. Her story
that Florence Burns had threatened 10 kill
young Brooks If he did not marry her produced
a profound impression in the courtroom. al
though il had been told before in the news
papers Still more damaging 10 the accused
girl the declaration OF Mrs Brooks that
the comb found in the Glen Island Hotel where
Brooks shot a comb she had seen
Florence Burns wear.
Mrs Brooks began her testimony with a state
MOI tbats first in
Der. 1901. Then. answering the questions Of
Assistant District Attorney Schurman. she testi-
fed follows:
Q.-When did you last have conversation with
Florence Burns2 AIN DecembeT 1901 told the
wae1 m 6o 6d 3hs say s 65 sag bo64 4a 5
And If I shoot" she said Il will shoot Kill. be-
not both Psr my mo9eT @ and LIZ are good oa
that II she shot Walter | would shoot her.
SAYS THE GIRL TAINTED HIM.
Mrs. Brooks said that the girl went 10 the
Brooks house on December - when Walter
was i'll in bed and delirious with pain. In that
condition he said; Mother. If leave you for
one month I would die" The girl was standing
at his bedside, and she said, He is a kid"
While Florence Burns was in the house, Mrs.
Brooks said. there was opportunity 10 see how
the girl dressed.
Schurman. handing to the witness the comb
which was found in the room at the Glen Island
Hotel, where Walter Brooks shot.
Yes sir" she replied that's her comb.
know it, because one day she came to me and
showed me the comb. She told me she had
heated it and pierced holes in it TO fasten the
silver trimming at the top, which
ing off a"
The comb was marked for Identification.
The TS Ras RasnS e y yo he hGfi G FoT
ence Burns came TO my house on November p and
on the following Tuesday Mrs Burns came.
Mrs Brooks was not allowed to tell all OF a
conversation which Mrs Burns and Florence
had. but she said that she had heard the girl tell
her mother; You know papa pulled out hand
full Of hair from my head and he also pulled
the hair from my sisters head. And you never
gave me anything, mother" The mother re-
piled that she couldn't afford it.
Mrs Brooks said she heard many conversa-
tlons between her son and Florence Burns
They talked about marriage every day al
most" said the witness. "On December s I
heard them talk about marriage If we are
married where shall we live? asked Walter I
don't want to leave my father and mother. The
girl replied that he was "a kid and that he
seemed to think that he was welded to his
father and mother"
DO YOU recognize this as your sons watch ?"
asked Mr. Schurman, handing TO the witness a
plain silver watch.
Mrs Brooks took the watch, kissed it and
turned pale. She swayed in the chair. and
would have fallen to the floor if a woman friend
who sat near by had not rushed TO her aid.
Amid much excitement she, carried from the
room in a faint by couple of officers, The
coolest person in the courtroom seemed to be
Florence Burns.
QUARREL AT A THEATRE.
In the absence of Mrs. Brooks from the court
room William Eyre. Of Bayonne, N. J., told of
being at theatrical performance in this city
with Brooks and Florence Burns in September
last When a stage dover who had deserted his
sweetheart was killed in the play, Eyre said.
Florence Burns turned to Brooks and said: IF
YOU leave me will do the same to you
On the way to the theatre. Eyre said. he
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