The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-12-22
Robert Laird, Jr.,
Shot Down and Killed
By Italian Barber
tcontInued From Firs. Paee.)

Continued From First Pase.)
the crowds in front of the Myers
home, instead of abating, continued
to increase, and when old and young
great and small, who had known and
loved the exemplary young man since
his birth in Warrington "a years ago
crowded the home and mingled their
tears and lamentations over the Still
figure clothed in the somberness of
death, it became evident what the
death of Robert Laird meant to the
entire community
There were tears she'd there and
prayers breathed heayenward, which
perhaps will never again be repeated
in the general and heart-rending man
ner which characterized the scene OF
Sunday night.
He had toddled among the Oldest OF
them as lisping child, and they had
watched him grow to splendid and
irreproaehable young manhood with a
pride which, perhaps from the -fact
that the little boy had been left
lnosherless when but two years old.
had become a general and a pardon.
able pride.
He had none of the unfortunate
vices to which some young men
are addicted, but instead, pur-
sued his earnest, God-fearing, Chris
tian way, and died a jevout Catholic.
Robert Laird was ruthlessly snatch
ed from those who loved him best,
who, even though deep in their hour OF
bitter sorrow, have not one regret OF
blush of shame to offer on the past
of the beloved dead.
He wished to live-wished it with
all the fervor, all the hopelessness, all
the agony of dying man-yet the
great struggle left him with a smile
on his face-a smile of triumph for
a weT-fought conflict. s...r-
Funeral is Today.
The funeral will occur this after.
noon, the cortege leaving the house at
8 O'Clock.
Rev. Father Brady, lifetime friend
OF the deceased, will ,oficiate.
The Knights of Columbus, of which
order he was a member, will attend
in body, and many will be present
from Pensacola.
Robert Laird, Jr. was born on June
7th, 1884, in Warrington, and was the
youngest son of Robert Laird, ST., one
of the oldest and most highly esteem
beside the father, two sisters, Mrs
Fred Myers, of Warrington, and Mrs
Burnett, of Gulfport, Miss, and two
brothers, JAS Laird, of Warrington,
and Will Laird, who is in Pennsyl-
vania, and who will not be able to
attend the funeral.
He will he laid at rest in the War
rington cemetery this afternoon by
the side of sainted mother, who, al
though she preceded him to the grave
when he was but a mere infant, has
lived throughout the years that have
passed in the heart of the boy who is
gone, as the cherished memory OF
childhood days. and the glorified ideal
Of beautiful and vigorous young
manhood.
Assassin a Sturdy italian
Vincent, who Is a sturdy. wefl-buiIt
young Italian, in the neighborhood OF
thirty years, is either feigning com
plete lack of knowledge of the Eng
ish language. or, under the stress OF
the present excitement. is unable 20
use his scanty vocabulary.
Although little can be learned of |
aim, it is said that he has been in |
his country for the past .wo years,
coming from Italy to Chicago. and |
rom there to Pensacola, where he was
employed for time in one of the |
South Palafox street barber shops. |
He finally went to Warrington where. |
t is alleged, he has always displayed |
/ fair knowledge of English. He has
/ sister and brother-in-law. Mr. and /
Mrs. Piaggio, living at Warrington,
he former having expressed himself /
Tery vehemently with regard to the |
deed.
1t is said that few days ago, Vim
.ent asked his sister how much a |
.offin would cost, and concluded the /
by giving her the sum OF /
29. which he said would be sufficient |
With which to buy his coffin.
1t is said that he also presented her
With a bottle of cologne on this occa-
ioD- 1t is thought that his plea will
'e insanity, although he appeared to
ealize his crime on Sunday when he
S reported to have cried on several
Instances: They killa me- They killa
mel" II is also said that bad blood
xisted between him and several other
Warrington young men.