The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-08-01
He KILLS THREE.
A San Diego Fireman Takes a
Terrible Revenge.
Turns in False Alarm and Waits
for His Fellows.
OPENS FIRE ON THEM.
OPENS FIRE ON THEM.
Kills One, Wounds Two and
Then Runs Home.
Beats Wife and Baby to Death
With a Bludgeon.
Murderer Then Shoots Himself
Through the Head.

San Diego, Cal, Aug. AFTER kill
| ing three persons. including his wife
and child; mortally wounding a
fourth, and seriously wounding a fifth,
Bert S. Durham, a discharged employe
of the local fire department, ended a
man hunt that begun at 1 O'Clock this
morning by shooting himself through
the head.
Durham, who had been hunted re-
lentlessly for hours, lodged his pursu-
ers, leaving them without d clew,
boarded a car in the residence section
of the city and rode quietly to the
district, where he put a bullet into his
brain. He recovered consciousness
later, but the coroner says he will die.
His victims We're:
Donald f. Grant, engineer. engine
company No. 8, San Diego fire depart
ment, shot dead.
Mrs. Bert S. Durham and child,
beaten to death.
Peter Sampsell, captain hose com
pany No. 8, dying from bullet wound.
Guy Elliott, driver hose company
No. s, who has a chance to recover.
Mrs. Durham and her child were
beaten to death while they lay asleep
in their room in a downtown lodging
house, the murderer using a steel bar.
The firemen were shot down as they
by the murderer shortly after mid
night. Durham's motive in killing the
firemen was revenge for his discharge
from company No. 3, after repeated
Quarrels with his captain. That was
some months ago. Why he killed his
ham had feared for her life for some
time
Fearing the crazed man might make
an assault upon his parents Chief of
Police Wilson placed guard about
their house. A guard was also placed
about DurhaTn's home on D street, TO
prevent the murderer from returning
and firing on those attending the
bodies of his wife AID child
Several months age Durham was dis
charged from the fire department for
characterization. He was said to be
quarrelsome. Durham was wagon
driver His DISMISSAL is said to have
preyed upon his mind until he con-
cocted a plan for obtaining revenge.
After midnight he turned in a false
alarm of fire in a dark and distant
Quarter of the city. Durham lay. in
ambush awaiting the response of the
fire company. Upon their arrival he
opened fire with a revolver.
At the first shot Driver Don Grant
fell to the ground dead. with bullet
through his head. At the second shot
Hoseman Guy Elliott fell with a bullet
| in his stomach. Peter SampSen was
shot through the lung. Two more shots
were fired at the members of the crew
but they went wild. At this instant AS
sistant Fire Chief Snedecor drove up
Covering the assistant chief and mem
| bers Of the fire company with his re-
volver Durham made his retreat. AS
he disappeared in the darkness he call
ed back to the men:
Tell my wife 1 am going to commit
/ suicide"
Within a few minutes the police
were notified and a score of officers in
! automobiles were on the scene search
| ing for Durham. When they went to
his home the second tragedy was dis
covered. Durham had locked the
doors of his home after him Nc
trace was found of the triple MUIR
derer.
At st. Joseph hospital it was said
that Samspell will die and there may
be some hope for Elliott.
Mrs. Durham, according to the
neighbors, had been afraid of her hus-
band for some time and recently sent
a warning to Chief of Police Wilson
She is also said to have taken revol-
vers from Durham on two different oc-
casions.