The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-05-23
BROOKS FLED WITH
POLICE PURSUING


and Known to &c Oesper-
ate Character-ln-
quest To- Day.
Charles n. Sweetman, OF No. 715 West
Cary Street, a yard engineer for the
Chesapeake and Ohio. was shot and al
most instantly killed last night at 9:3o
o'clock, In the Second Street yards Of the
company, by Daniel Brooks, negro
brakeman. The wound from which the
engineer succumbed was inflicted by a
3s-calibre pistol, the bullet entering the
left side, Just over the heart. He died
within thirty minutes after he was shot.
although DR.. Crump, OF the ambulance
corps, did what he could tossaye him.
Immediately after the shooting Brooks
escaped up the railroad tracks, and now
every policeman and detective IN the
city is busiIy engaged in trying to place
the negro under arrest. He Is known
as a desperate character, and 1t is said
will not surrender without fight for his
liberty.
Little is known OF the causes which led
Z to the tragedy, although the murder Was
witnessed by two persons. both OF whom
will be called upon to testify at an In
quest by Coroner Taylor this afternoon
at $3.50 o'clock, which will be held in the
undertaking establishment OF Billups,
Fifteenth and Main Streets. The body
OF the murdered man was removed to
this placr at the direction OF Pr. Iaylor.
C:OLD-BLO0DED MURDER,
From, 7ghat eviGtnce that was gathered
by the coroner last night. II loptss yes,y
much as IL the murder was cold-blooded
and possibly premedttated. despite that
the two men had had number OF un-
pleasant words.
over some trivial matter the engineer
and brakeman became involved in dis
pute. but Just what the trouble was NO
one has yet been found who knows.
The latter was on the ground. near the
engine, and the former was seated in
his cab, near the throttle OF the locomo-
tive. One word brought on another,
and finally Sweetman climbed down from
the engine with monkey wrench in MS
hand. He advanced towards Brooks, but
his attitude was not regarded as threat
ening by eye-wltnesses, who had been
attracted ere this.
AS the doomed man approached the
ne gro Crooks drew pistol from his
pocket, demanding him to halt. sweet
man stopped stock still, and was only
four feet from his adversary. when BROOKS
fired point blank twice in rapid success
sion. One of the balls struck the mark
intended. but the other missed and nat
tened itself upon the locomotive, Whlch
was standing only short distance from
the round-house.
Immediately the pistol was fired, Sweet
man threw up his hands and with a
groan fell to the ground. Brooks turned
to run, realizing the havoc he had done.
The smoking revolver was still IN ms
hand.
THREATENED TO SHOOT ANOTHER.
samuel Holman. also colored, another
brakeman. had witnessed the shooting,
and endeavored to stop the fugitive. In
dong SO he struck him over the head
with his lantern, whereupon Brooks
turned upon him with the pistol, and the
brakeman darted under a nearby car
for protection. The murderer continued
on his flight, and soon disappeared in the
darkness.
Tho ambulance was called and the Sec
ond Police Station notified of the tragedy.
DR.. Crump responded from the hospital
and Sergeant Taley dispatched PATROL
men Neisz and Bradley to the scene. And
tho wounded man the officers wore giving
chase to the negro murderer. The efforts
of the man of medicine and the policemen
were alike unsuccessful
Sweetman was at the point of death
when DR.. Crump arrived, and no amount
of medicine or restoratives had the de-
sired effect. He passed away while tho
physician was yet bending over. him, and
when death seized upon the unfortunate
fellow Coroner Taylor was notified.
The scene of the tragedy was visited
by DR.. Taylor. the body examined. and
such witnesses as could be found inter-
rogated. after which he ordered the body
removed to the undertaking establishment
OF Blllups, where 1t will be prepared for
BURIAL which will doubtless occur Sum
day. the funeral being conducted from
tho late residence of the deceased.
boH haop nv ha
Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad for twelve
gradually up the ladder to tho position
which he occupied at the time of the
tragedy He was thirty-Nve years of age
and universally popular with his fellow
employees.
HEkRT-BRoKEN WIDOW.
sweetman is survived by wife, who
was heart -browen last night when fnform-
ed OF the untmely death of her husband.
Brooks has heen employed about the
Second Street yards for some little time.
working in various capacities. Last night
he was acting as brakeman for yard en-
gine No. II, the one on which Sweetman
worked as engineer.
with the G. & o. enjoyed the reputation
of being obstinate, unruly and impudent
To- his superiors. 1t Is supposed the row
which hesulted In the death OF the en-
pineer was due to imprudence on the
mart of Brooks. He is said to have had
innumerable troubles With fellow em-
ployes
~ catching Brooks late last night, and
no stone will be left unturned to bring
him before the bnr of justice. Every po-
lice district In the city has been notified
of the murder and all of the officers are
on the alert for Brooks