The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-03-31
/. Of Attorney VIII Go Before
texas Court Next Week on the
Charge Of Numbering
Woman.
EALoUsY WAS CAUSE
,oedy Took Place in Crowded De-
partment Store and Was Wit
messed by Many
People.

Tor the first time In many years
oman charged with murder in the
rst degree is to be placed on
hal in this city next Monday. The
efendant in the case is Mrs. T. NJ.
brooks, wife OF prominent attor-
ey, and her trial. upon the charge
having shot and killed Mrs. Mary
binford, department manager of a
ocal dry goods store, is to begin
pext Monday in the sixty-seventh
district court.
The crime with which Mrs. Brooks
charged was committed on Jan
uary lG, OF this year and is believed
% have been prompted by jealousy.
Neither Mrs Brooks nor her husband
have shown any inclination to make
statement that would indicate the
cause of the tragedy, but for some
time there have been rumors strongly
limiting that Mrs. Brooks did not live
happily with her husband and that she
believed her husbands affection had
|been alienated by Mrs. Binford, who
WAS divorced about two years ago
land was considered rather fascin IT.
ling and handsome woman 1t is ex.
|pected that at the coming trial some
light will be thrown upon the rela-
tions between the defendant and her
husband and between the latter and
the victim of the tragedy and this
prospect has greatly intensified the
public interest in the case.
Whatever may have been the mar
ital complications, whether Mrs.
DiooAs jealousy was we'll founded
or based merely upon a tissue of her
own Imagination, is still a mystery.
AT all events, however, It seemed
real enough to the defendant at the
lime of her desperate deed. Armed
with a big, oid-fashioned revolver,
Mrs. Brooks on the afternoon OF
January 16, made her way to the dry
goods store, where Mrs. Binford was
employed. While she passed through
Inc whole length of the lower floor
on her way to the elevator, Mrs
BOOKS met many acquaintances,
she bowed and stopped sew
erai times to chat pleasantly with her
trends, not one of whom suspected
lor moment that a few minutes
aler Mrs. Brooks would be the chief
actor In a tragedy.
Mrs. Brooks took the elevator to
ne second floor of the establishment
shere Mrs. Binford was employed AS
me stepped from the elevator Mrs.
'fooks inquired where she could find
ars. Binford. and as the latter ap-
'ioached, Mrs. Brooks, without saying
single word Or giving any warning,
ulled her big revolver from her muff
dfs. Blnford, realizing her danger,
iappied with Mrs. Brooks and tried
= Wrest the weapon from her Her
Eehgth was no match, however, for
ua' OF Mrs. Brooks and the latter
uickly freed herself and forced the
'aef woman against the wall. In the
suhle, the weapon was discharged,
ie bullet plowing it's way through
'rs. Binford's hand.
with her victim at bay, Mrs. Brooks
,eppea back and fired four times.
ne second ball struck Mrs. Binford
me left shoulder, the third one inch
sher' and the fourth entered the
'se Of the neck, shattering the
ma vertebra. Just before her vic
u sank to the floor Mrs. Brooks
ed again, the bullet striking Mrs
niofd behind the ear, coming out
.ough the top of the head.
mere We're probably a hundred or
~ witnesses to the tragedy Shop
- and clerks alike seemed to be
iaiyzed by hysterical fright and
'nout hindrance Mrs. Brooks passed
,ough the crowd and reached the
I'VE or her husband two blocks dis
~ She handed the revolver TO her
spahd and with the murmured
rus i am sorry" she sank to the
" unconscious. Later she was ar
''eu and after waving a prelim-
nv trial, was released under s1O,-
bail.