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Story
June 9, 1879
The Daily Gazette
Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware
What is this article about?
In Morton near Chester, Pa., on June 8, an 80-year-old woman and her daughter are targeted by a colored tramp who attempts robbery and murder by firing shots at her, missing both times. Neighbors search for the assailant, tracking him to Darby.
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Full Text
Attempted Robbery and Murder.
CHESTER, Pa., June 8.—The little village of Morton, on the West Chester railroad, five miles from Chester, was thrown into a state of intense excitement by an attempted robbery and murder by a colored tramp.
At about 1:30, while Mrs. Jane Burns, a lady aged 80 years, and her daughter, residing on the Baltimore pike, near Morton, were eating dinner, they became aware of the presence of somebody in the adjoining room. Mrs. Burns arose to investigate, when she found a stalwart colored man, who, at her appearance, jumped through an open window, and went toward Morton, firing a shot from a revolver at her as he ran. An hour later he returned, and, getting beneath a window, was discovered by Mrs. Burns, when, with an oath, he drew a revolver from his pocket and fired three shots at the old lady. Luckily, none of them took effect. Mrs. Burns, frightened nearly to death, hurried from the window, and the colored man disappeared. Mr. Wells, a neighbor, was notified of the affair, and, heading a party of a dozen men on horseback, a search for the scoundrel was begun. They tracked him to Darby, where it is thought he jumped aboard a south bound freight train.
The scare and excitement so prostrated Mrs. Burns, that she was obliged to go to bed.
CHESTER, Pa., June 8.—The little village of Morton, on the West Chester railroad, five miles from Chester, was thrown into a state of intense excitement by an attempted robbery and murder by a colored tramp.
At about 1:30, while Mrs. Jane Burns, a lady aged 80 years, and her daughter, residing on the Baltimore pike, near Morton, were eating dinner, they became aware of the presence of somebody in the adjoining room. Mrs. Burns arose to investigate, when she found a stalwart colored man, who, at her appearance, jumped through an open window, and went toward Morton, firing a shot from a revolver at her as he ran. An hour later he returned, and, getting beneath a window, was discovered by Mrs. Burns, when, with an oath, he drew a revolver from his pocket and fired three shots at the old lady. Luckily, none of them took effect. Mrs. Burns, frightened nearly to death, hurried from the window, and the colored man disappeared. Mr. Wells, a neighbor, was notified of the affair, and, heading a party of a dozen men on horseback, a search for the scoundrel was begun. They tracked him to Darby, where it is thought he jumped aboard a south bound freight train.
The scare and excitement so prostrated Mrs. Burns, that she was obliged to go to bed.
What sub-type of article is it?
Crime Story
What themes does it cover?
Crime Punishment
Misfortune
What keywords are associated?
Attempted Robbery
Attempted Murder
Colored Tramp
Gunshots
Morton Pa
Neighbor Search
What entities or persons were involved?
Mrs. Jane Burns
Colored Tramp
Mr. Wells
Where did it happen?
Morton, Near Chester, Pa., On The Baltimore Pike
Story Details
Key Persons
Mrs. Jane Burns
Colored Tramp
Mr. Wells
Location
Morton, Near Chester, Pa., On The Baltimore Pike
Event Date
June 8.
Story Details
A colored tramp enters the home of 80-year-old Mrs. Jane Burns and her daughter near Morton, Pa., during dinner, flees after firing a shot at her, returns an hour later to fire three more shots missing her, then escapes as neighbors led by Mr. Wells search and track him to Darby.