A RUFFIAN'S CHIME.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2329, 3 September 1880, Page 2

A RUFFIAN'S CHIME.

SECOND EDITION

A sickening murder occurred in Bichmoncl, Ya, on Juue 21. William Burke, a shoemaker, animated by the idea that his wife was unfaithful, has repeatedly of late been beating her. On the night in question the neighbors heard screams in Burke’s house, and ascertained that he was again beating her. The woman’s cries brought a large crowd to the place. The house is a small one-storey frame, built on the ground. Hearing the unfortunate woman’s agonising screams, some of the crowd wanted to go to her rescue. Finally one of them, Patrick Harris, wont to the door, and seeing Burke, advised him to stop beating his wife. Burke said : “ I) you,' I'll shoot you,” and, drawing a pistol, shot Harris in the mouth, inflicting a serious and pcrhaps_ fatal wound.' He then retreated into the house, shut the door, and heavily barred it. His wife begun to scream again, and from the scuffling going on inside the crowd knew that Burke was inhumanly beating her. Harris, his face and hands covered with blood which streamed from his wound, was carried away. The sight of the blood, the cries of the woman and the continued threats of her husband had by this time thoroughly inflamed the crowd, which was increasing in size as each minute passed.' Shouts were heard from every direction ; “ Pull down the door,” “ Kill him,’’ “• Hang him” ; but Burke looked out of the window and said “ I will kill whoever attempts to come in.” In the meantime a policeman came on the scene. His presence seemed to give the mob new courage, and from the front and rear of the house an attempt was imidc to enter, while brickbats and sticks were sent from all directions

througu the window. The policeman vent up to the door and shook it. .nuke yelled: l< If you don’t go away from there I will shoot my wife." This iorn uis infuriated the mob the more and the attempts to get in were renewed. While the angry, murmuring crowd ’urged with fury, Burke’s wife called out to the policeman, begging him not to let her husband kill her. Burke himself came to the window and said : Yes, I will kill her, and I will kill the first man who conics in here, for I am well prepared.” The policeman begged the crowd to go away, as he feared the man would carry out his threat of killing his wife. The crowd at this time numbered 2,000 people. The cry of “ Eorco open the door,” and similar shouts, were heard from men and women. A man flushed his way through the surgingmass carrying in his hands a strong rope. He was followed by several others, and announced his determination to hang the scoundrel. The threat was greeted with applause, and again the pressure on the house increased, and the mob gathered close around it. Burke came to the door, unbarred it, and looked out. At this there was a simultaneous rush from the house on the part of the crowd. Burke shut the door and barred it again. Six more policemen came up, and their presence infuriated the crowd more against Burke. They were intent upon banging him, and did not want him to fall into the hands of the police. They tried to force Burke out by setting lire to the house. It was set on fire throe times, and extinguished by the policemen. A fourth time a burly negro went to the rear of the house with a large piece of sponge, which he had soaked in kerosene oil. This he put under the floor of the building, and set lire to it. Its flames shot up high, and lit up the scene, which in its make-up was wild and animated and picturesque. Men and women wore surging around the building, a-' ’ -ifc the sight of Burke their fury, br--.il. ; afresh, would culminate in curses an i execrations which grew louder ami greater when he brandished a musket and two pistols, and told them in a cod and determined way that ho was well prepared for them. Finally a (all In v . man pushed through the crowd, ar. t with an axe. He began to cut in i.,e door. A party of men attempted to cur, in the rear at the same time. Burko looked out of the window, and said “If you keep on, me if I don’t kill the woman.” The blows fell faster, and the men outside heard the report of a musket and fall of a body. The murderer then looked out of the window and brandishing his empty musket, yelled “D it, ai-c jmu satisfied now; you have killed my wife.” The door gave way, and the police rush- : in followed by the mob. The woman ->as dead on the floor, a load of buck hot having torn her breast to pieces. Before he could draw his pistol Burke was from behind. The policemen then fought with the maddened mob and kept them back from the murderer, who now bogged piteously to be pro tcctcd from their vengeance. With great difficulty the}' got him to the station Men and women fought the ofliccrs in the attempt to lynch the murderer. The affair causes the wildest excitement. Burke is now in gaol, strongly guarded, but it has been surrounded by the mob all da3 r , clamoring for the blood of the murderer. iYeighbors say that the murdered woman was a faithful wile, and there was no cause tor her husband’s jealousy. His counsel claims that he insane.