The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1915-01-02
Robert Burke, Police Character,
Shoots Rival and Swsetheart
and Then kills Himself

Salt Lake, Dec. 31.-Jealousy
caused when another man succeeded
him in the woman's regard is believ
ed IN have been the cause Of the at
tempted double murder and suicide
nv Robert J. Burke at Marguerite
court at S.45 o'clock last night.
Burke is dead as the result of self
inflicted bullet wound through the
right temple. Luevernia Smith. also
known as Mrs. c. A. Schurley, whom
he shot, is at the point Of death in
the county hospital and Bert Gala
fent who was in the Smith woman's
company at the time of the shooting
is in the county hospital with Sc
rious head wound inflicted by Burke
Burke was known to the police and
had been released October from
the city jail, where he had been held
on a larceny charge. Since his re
lease he had spent much time In sa'
looms and at $50 O'Clock last night
he told . group OF loungers he had
nothing to live for. - another man
had stolen the only woman he ever
loved.
"I see nothing left but to go down
and bump 'em both off," he Is al
legged to have said.
Fifteen minutes later he waikeo
in the back door Of Marguerite
court. where .Luevernia Smith, ROD
ert Gallafent of GA South Second
East. Mr.. and Mrs. E. b. watson OF
PIG Second East were at supper.
81 guess I am not welcome here
he said. according to Mrs. watson
who is a sister to the Smith woman
and fred a revolver at the Smith wo
mans back shouting:
You're first"
He was Last
You're second" he continued, am
shot Gallafent in the forehead ano
in the left arm, Gallafent oeing
ono armed man. Thel after a strus
,,e with Mrs. Watson he ran out the
hack door and shot himself in TIE
right temple, death being insta''ahe'
GUS. The Smith woman's woued Is
ON the right side and the bullet Is
lodged In the abdomen. An OPP ration
will be necessary ~, its removal. T.
bullet entered G,Ilasert's scalp a"ove
the right eye and glanced OIL the
skull. making a dangerous wound :.
His arm wo1pb Is not serious.
Neighbors who heard the shooting
crowded in and the police were mott
fed. r. Marchant, patrolman, heard
the excitement and arrived before the
patrol wagon. He found Burke dead
hack of the house and the smith
woman on a bed on the front ROOM
where she had been carried Inc
kitchen was in disorder.
Burke's body was taken to E. w.
Halls undertaking parlors and the
two wounded persons were taken 10
the county hospital. Luevernia sm''p
q. aid to have been married but 10
have left her husband.
urs. n. D. Watson, sister OF tAo
wounded girl with her HUSBAND Wa
in the party which Burke interrupt
A With disastrous results and gave
.r.nh,c report of the shooting.
Fought Fer Her LIE
TT was in my sisters home" said
Mrs. Watson. and We had gone
over there for q little supper with
her and Gallafent and another girl.
Our mother left but few days ago
and It was Just little family par
ty. We were eating in the kitchen
when the back door suddenly was
opened, and Burke, who kept COM
pany with my sister before she
found that he was drug fiend, step
ped inside.
81 guess I am not welcome here"
Burke said briefly as he slammed the
door behind him.
yes you are" said Gallafent just
as Burke began firing. =
81 do not know how many times
Burke fred. but he shot my sister
and Gallafent with the first two shots
l was trying to hold my sister. who
had started to get up and was falling
back when he said: "You are next"