Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-05-25
Druggist Suspected of
Killing Berry Shoots
Himself.
ASKEDABOUTR REVOLVER
Act Taken as Confession OF
GuiIt---Circumstances Indi-
Gated by Witnesses.

Savanna. Ill, May 25.-Bothwell Pull
ford. reputed To be the wealthiest citi-
zen of Savanna. committed suicide to-
day a few moments after being ques-
toned by a newspaper man regarding
the whereabouts of the revolver with
which he was suspected of having slain
Attorney Daniel s. Berry. the former
leading member of the Illinois legisla-
ture.
Denied Knowledge of Crime.
Pulford has denied any knowledge
of the killing of Berry, but became agi-
tated when questioned concerning the
revolver. The story has been widely
circulated that Berry was killed as a
result of attention paid by him 10 a
married woman.
Waiting for Him.
Pulford, on arriving at the store,
found the reporter waiting for him
with queries as TO the revolver AS
soon as the interviewer had left. Pull
ford hurried home. going to the hay
loft Of his barn. and shot himself dead.
showed Mental strain.
For two months Pulford had shown
signs OF mental strain. When Berry
was killed in Pulford's opera house
last Monday. and the authorities began
TO question Pulford. it was evident to
those who knew him best that Pul.
foTd's mind was giving away.
Was Poor Boy.
PulfoTds death ends the life Of a
man who rose from poor boy 10 a po-
sition as one of the wealthiest in this
section of Illinois. Besides owning
much valuable real estate in Savanna
he was president of the Commercial
bank and owner OF the electric light
system.
Arose Early.
Pulford arose early today and went
10 the store He appeared TO be work
ing under "a great strain After open
ing the store. he placed the money in
the cash register and was leaving by
the back door when the newspaper
correspondent stopped him.
MIR. Pulford. | would like to ask you
one question in regard to your revol-
ver." he said.
Il can't talk To YOU now" said Pull
ford. Il am going to the house To get
breakfast but | will be back in just
a minute"
Dead In ~ Minutes.
Pulford turned quickly and walked
toward his home. Fifteen minutes la
ter a report was heard. and when an
investigation was made Pulford was
found dead. He had ended his life
with a single bullet. Climbing TO the
loft of the barn, he pressed the muzzle
of his revolver against the right side
Of his forehead. fired. and fell dead.
Al the sound OF the revolver Mrs. Pull
ford become hysterical. When neigh
bors reached the house she was wait
ing frantically. her two daughters at
her side
Clears Doubt.
In the minds of nearly everyone the
suicide of PulfoTd puts an end to what
ever doubt previously existed that he
killed Berry from jealousy engendered
by attentions of the former repreSen-
tative to Pulford's wife.
The supposition is that Pulford.
knowing the usual hour when Berry
arrived AZ his Office went out OF his
drug store, which is but a short dis
tance from the building in which Ber-
rvs office was on the second floor. and
gained entrance TO the hallway from
the rear. After the shooting he fed
back through the unfinished portion Of
the Office building. regained his store
from the rear, and in a very short
time stepped out from behind the pre-
scription case, leading those in the
room at the time TO believe be had
been occupied in compromising a pre-
scription when the shots were heard
Told of Stranger.
Apparently in an effort TO divert
growing suspicion from himself. Put
ford yesterday told of seeing a mys-
terious stranger lurking in the alley
back of the opera house on the morn
ing of the tragedy. He said the man
looked like tramp and evidently was
a stranger in the city. He paid no at
tention 10 him, he said and thought
nothing more OF the man until after
the assassination of Berry
This story of Pulford's was evidently
intended to be used TO advantage in
his defense should be have been called
upon in a court TO clear himself of any