AN AMERICAN SENSATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3181, 29 March 1911, Page 9

AN AMERICAN SENSATION.

WOMAN COMMITS MURDER

In a. crowded shop at Fort A oritli, Texas, while the panic-stricken customers, mien and women alike, fled for shelter in every direction, Mrs T. M. Brooks, the wife of a prominent lawyer, shot and 'killed Mrs Mary Binford, who, once a popular and wealthy leader cf society, has for the past two years, following her divorce from her husband, been earning her living as a shop , assistant Mrs Brooks, says the "‘Daily i Mail” correspondent, nodded pleasantly to her acquaintances and showed no traces of excitement as she entered the life and asked where she could find Mrs Bin-ford. She was directed to the second floor. When Mrs Binforcl approached. Mrs Brooks drew, an oldfashioned revolver from her muff. The women grappled, and in the scuffle the weapon was discharged, the ball passing, through Mrs Binsford’s hand. Steppine back, Mrs Brooks, then, it is alleged, deliberately took aim. Though there were manv men present, not one attempted to interfere. Everyone appeared to be seized with panic, and people trampled over one another m their eagerness to escape, while Mrs Brooks calmly fired four bullets at the other woman. As Mrs Binsford’s body fell to the ground Mrs Brooks fired for the last time, the ball entering behind the victim’s ear. Satisfying herself that her vitim was dead, Mrs Brooks quietly replaced the revolver in her muff, and walked out of the shop. No one tried to molest her. She proceeded down the street to her husband's office, handed the pistol to him without any-explana-tion, and said “I’m sorry.” Then she fainted. When she had recovered, Mrs was arrested and taken to the police court. Without any preliminary trial she was released on bail m the sum of £2OOO. Both the defendant and her husband declined to give- any explanation of the incident.