Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1909-05-20
FIREMAN KILLED BY
FLEEING FOOTPAD
LIEUT.. JOHN MCNAMARA is SHOT
BY THUG HE TRIED TO STOP.
Tragedy Occurs During an Exciting
Chase Following HoId-Up-
Murderer Is Finally
Arrested.

Minneapolis, May 18.-While trying
to intercept hold-up man. who was
making a desperate effort to escape
from pursuing detectives, John Nc
Namara, lieutenant of truck No. 2
Engine Co. No. l, was shot and fatally
injured at 10 o'clock last night. He
died an hour later at the City hos.
pital.
The man who did the shooting was
later captured after chase which led
through several streets and alleys, and
Ia now locked up at Central station.
He gave the name of Frank Erickson
and says that he is Russian Pole.
Detectives Hansen and Duffy Of the
Central detail were walking up Wash
ington avenue south at about 10
o'clock when they were startled by a
shot which was fred in the Milwaukee
railroad yards, about a block from
where they were. '.'.'.. 80.
They hurried to the place and were
told by a brakeman that a hold-up
had occurred. He pointed out the
man who had fired the shot and the
two officers took after him, with the
result that the suspected man jumped
over the fence between the yards and
Washington avenue and ran up Sixth
avenue south, with the detectives hot
on his trail
Although both Duffy and Hansen
are good short distance sprinters,
they were soon distanced and they
called for citizens to stop the fleeing
man. At that time he had just reached
the fire station at Third street and
Sixth avenue, and Lieutenant Nc
Namara and Fireman Edward Burns
jumped out Of their chairs and tried
to stop the fugitive.
Mcnamara was Just in time to Crap
pie with the man, but before he was
able to throw him, the latter stuck his
revolver into the firemans ribs and
fired. The bullet passed through the
body.
When Mcnamara dropped to the
sidewalk, Burns made an effort to stop
the murderer, but was unsuccessful
Erickson raced down Third street
turned up Fifth avenue and then
lodged into an alley. He was closely
followed by the detectives and several
firemen, the former firing several
shots In the air to stop the fleeing
man.
Throwing away his revolver, Erick-
son crouched behind a drygoods box
where he was found. He consented
to go to the station without any fur
Their effort to escape.
At the station he refused to talk
outside of giving his name. BY de-
grees it was brought out that he had
been in Minneapolis for about three
months, and that he had been living
as best he could, most of the time
sleeping in box cars. He also init
mated that he had come from Duluth
but refused to say what he had been
doing there.
1t is the opinion of the police thai
he is feigning insanity. He acted as
though he did not understand English
but so far forgot himself at times thai
he answered questions shot at him by
Night Chief of Police Riviere and his
detectives. 1t is thought he is play
ing a part.
Lieutenant Mcnamara was taken to
the hospital on the hose cart in or
der to save time, and he was on the
operating table within a few minutes
after the shooting took place. His
wound was of such a nature, however,
that nothing could be done for him
He retained consciousness to the last
and was able to talk to his wife.
Mcnamara Joined the fire depart
ment on Dec. l, 1892, on the same day
that Edward Burns and Captain How.
ard of the same company became
members of the force During the II
years lie has been in the department.
he has on several occasions distin.
guished himself, which led to his rapid
promotion. His home is at 357 Broad
way northeast, and he is survived by
his wife, but no children. He was Al
years old.
Erickson was given a thorough
Sweating" by Chief Corriston last
night, but he refused to commit him.
self. He professed to believe that he
had not fired single shot and that
the only reason he attempted to get
away was because the detectives fired
after him. The revolver he threw away
just before he was arrested was found
and showed that he had fired two
cartridges. 1t was cheap .3S caliber
gun of the bulldog" variety. Moth
ing was found on the prisoner to
establish his identity.
From his appearance, Erickson is
laborer. He is about 80 years old
with a sallow face, blue eyes, tawney
hair, retreating forehead and gen.
eral hang-dog expression.