The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1906-03-18
BURNHAM KILLED
NEAR UNION
DEPOT
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compress. He denied that he had any
connection with the shooting, but he
fitted the description and is being
held for further examination. Several
other negroes were arrested during
the night, but most of them are be-
ing held as witnesses.
Large Crowds Collected.
The report of the three shots in
rapid succession caused a large crowd
TO cOngTegate about the union depot.
In less than five minutes the streets
and sidewalks were filled with peo-
pie, all anxious to learn the particu-
lars of the murder When the first
arrest was made the crowd swarmed
about the officers, thinking that they
had captured the murderer and it ap-
peared for a few moments as if there
would be trouble, but this was avert
ed when it became known that the
negro was only a witness.
ArtilIeryman Saw Killing.
An artilleryman from Fort Barran-
cas- was standing on the depot plat
form when the shooting occurred, but
he was too far distant to recognize the
negro. He said that two negroes were
fighting when one drew a revolver and
fired two shots. The officer, he sa d.
mad seen the negroes fighting before
the shots were fired, and was almost
upon them when the strange negro
drew his revolver and fired. The of
ficeT advanced towards the negro, the
Ill.,
within a dozen feet of him the negro
raised the revolver and fired again,
then turned and ran. The soldier said
the officer followed and ne did not
think the latter had been hurt until
he saw him stop and lean up against
the telegraph post, then fall to the
pavement.
Had No Revolver.
What became of the officers revol-
yer if he had one, is a mystery An
empty scabbard was found in his
pocket. It is not believed that the
officer had a revolver with him or he
would have fired at the negro when he
was running after him. It is possible
however, that he drew his revolver as
he was running and it fell from his
grasp and was picked up by some
one.
Found Hat of Negro.
The hat of the murderer was found
on East Wright street, where he had
dropped it in his haste 1t is a black
felt hat, such as are used by negroes
from the country. This hat was tried
on Boykins. the negro under arrest,
and seemed to fit HIM. When arrest
ca. however, he had on a hat, but he
could have procured another easily
enough. as he had ample opportunity
between the time of the shooting and
his arrest to do so.
Sorrow at His Home.
The scene at the home of the dead
officer. when the sad news was made
known to his wife and little daughter
was pathetic. He resided on West
Governme nt street. about three
houses west of DeVillier street. and
when he bid his wife and little daugh-
ter goodbye yesterday afternoon as.
he went on duty. they little dreamed
that it was the last time they would
see him alive. Tho sad newes was car
ried to the family by Thomas Burn
ham. a brother of the dead officer. At
first Mrs. Burnham was so shocked
that she could hardly speak. She
could not realize that the husband
who left her only four hours previous
was now a corpse. Her grief and
that of the little girl was heartrend-
ing. Nothing that could be said or
done could pacify them. There was
another pitiful scene when the re-
mains of the dead husband and father
were taken to the little home later in
the night.
Was Popular Officer.
Officer Burnham was one of the
most popular officers of the depart
ment He was sober. steady and in
luxurious. and always had a good
word for everyone. He was about
thirty-two years of age. had been a
member of the police department for
about two years. and was considered
by the chief as one OF the most relia-