OCR Text |
Show Two Special Detectives of a Railroad Shot Down Detroit, Aug. 12. Particulars of tho shooting of Daniel Vroeland and Frank J. Cook, special detectives for the Lake Shore railroad, who were killed last night by Special Officer William Burnett, of the -Michigan Central railroad, on the Michigan Central tracks, near Junction avenue, show that the men met death ns the result of a joko which they attempted to play on Burnett. They were on the best of terms and mot at tho junction junc-tion of the two roads every nlghL Last night Cook and Vreeland, knowing know-ing that Burnett had had trouble with two car robbers, decided they would hide behind a car and spring out on him as he passed Burnett, not recognizing either of the men in the darkness, drew his gun and shot four times at them, three bullets taking effect Ono went through Cook's heart, tho other two .striking Vreeland in the head and chest Burnett then ran down the tracks to Junction avenue, where he met Patrolman Daniel O'Conner, who was hastening towards the scene of th eshootlng "I've Just shop a couple of car thieves," he said The two men then went back and looked at the bodies. When Burnett saw who the men wore that he had "shot, ho broke down. O'Conner took him to the Fourth precinct station where he was locked up In telling his story, Burnett said "I was walking down the tracks and had just examined a car whe.the t'o men sprang out on me. I fought them off and .stepped back They came at me again saing 'Don't worry, we'll .get voir' I pulled mv gun and shot how many time I don't know. I then ran down the tracks until I met ihe patrolman "When we went back I saw tiiat the men I had killed were Cook and Vreeland I could hardly think, it was such a shock I had never had any trouble with either of them. We were all good friends " Burnett stated to Lieutenant Mc Namnra at the Fourth precinct station sta-tion that he would not have shot at the men had thov iot shouted that they would "get him " He said that about a week ago two prowlers on tho tracks had sworn to "get him." The mon wero so near him when he ilrcd that their clothing was burned by the discharge of the revolver |