Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-05-13
THREE SHOTS.
Murder of Policeman McGrath
Of Burlington, w.,
By Unknown Prisoner, Who Escapes
No Clue to Identity.
Thought to Be Deserter from Fort
Ethan Allen.

Burlington, VT, May Thames L.
McGrath. newly appointed Policeman
was fatally shot, tonight, by a prisoner
whom he had arrested in the lumber
district and was conveying to the poiice
station. McGrath was shot through
the heart and dIed before medical anu
could reach him. His assailant escaped,
but two hours after the police arresteu
Frank Drake, a deserter from the l5th
Cavalry, who was found hiding in
lumber pile.
From conversation which witness
of the shooting heard between Mc'Irath
and his prisoner just as they were ltaV-
ing the lumber yards the police pelieNt
that the crime was committed by i de-
serter from The fort. Drake however
denied all knowledge of the shooting
and no weapon was found on MS per
son. The police are inclined to beileVe
that he is innocent, but VIII hoid nun
for further examination. tomorrow.
Meantime the police are searching i"i
another member of the 18th cavalry,
name unknown. who was arrested as
desertcr. last night. by McGrath but
who escaped while TWO other desefterS
We're being taken into CUSTODY.
deserters from the fort, as it is there
that they are enabled to take trains
that are made up for the South and Of
ficer McGrath made number of such
arrests. The two whom he succeeded
in landing i'm jail, last night, were Hen
ry Henson and Richard Landon.
1t was learned that still another SOL
dier visited Henson and LandOn at the
Jail today, but had not returned to the
fort at a late hour, tonight. This last
soldier is Davis n cook connected with
Il troop and who. when he visited the
Jail. today. wore a medal on his breast.
The bystander who saw the shooting
and heard the conversation previous to
it. told the police, tonight. that Nc
Graths assailant wore such a medal.
The witness, John LaBarg, who lives
near the scene of the shooting and was
standing al his window, says that when
McGrath and his prisoner came from
the yard, the latter said: what would
you do. go back and give yourself up?'
The officer replied: Yes"
Suddenly the prisoner drew a revolt
yer and fired at McGrath's breast and
the officer reeled slightly, but started
toward the patrol box. Three other
shots were fired and the officer fell to
the ground while his assailant fled.
McGrath was 40 years old, had been
on the force since April "nd leaves IL
widow and two children.
Late tonight the police learned that
Frank Iavalle, the night Waterman in
the lumber yard, saw McGrath i'll the
yard with his prisoner. He heard the
prisoner say that he would not 90 back
to the fort as he was afraid they would
put him in the guard house. Mr.. Lavalle
paid TO more attention to the pair az
they walked up towards the street. few
minutes afterwards he heard the Shots
and saw the man running back through
the yards toward the dock. There he
iumprd into a boat and rowed swiftly ont
towards the lake. 1t is thought that hia
intention was to reach the New York
side.
About midnight, the police took two
bloodhounds to tho lumber yard for tn"
purpose Of trying to pick up the trail OF
the murderer.