BRISTER-BURNETT MURDER ( Story )

HIBBARD, BURNETT, BRISTER

Posted By: David (email)
Date: 3/11/2004 at 11:55:34

The Chariton Patriot, Chariton, Iowa
Wednesday, August l9, l874

'MURDER AT CRESTON'

Particulars of the Horrible Deed.

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From the Afton News of August l2th, we get particulars of the murder at Creston, mentioned briefly in The Patriot last week:

At three o'clock on Monday morning, when the stillness of doom lay on street, alley and square, and the drowsy watchman nodded on his weary round; when even the scream of the omnipresent engine, and the rattle of cars were hushed; just at that dread hour when the angel of death wings his flight lowest and spreads his pinions darkest; ere Aurora scares him back to Hades; at that hour, on a doomed street in the City of Creston, was heard, sharp on the dark air, a child's scream.

'A WOMAN'S CRY OF MURDER'

and an inarticulate gurgling of blood from a ghastly, gaping throat that strove to cry from an open upper window 'Oh God! murdered; and by my father's hand!' That man with throat cut from ear to ear, jugular vein and windpipe severed, was J.L. BRISTER, aged about thirty-five years, the woman was his wife and the child a beautiful girl of l2 years. There was also a boy of 8 years and an infant child all made orphan by the hands of JAMES S. BURNETT, a man of about 45, who resided in the family. The parties have only been in Creston about two months, BURNETT, MRS. BRISTER and children came first. Then soon after came BRISTER who was formerly a resident of Cambridge, O., and lately from Ill. He was well known by several of our citizens as an upright, energetic man, a member of the M.E. Church.

The two men commenced the erection of a building to accommodate their work, which was marble cutting, and they passed among the people of Creston as brothers-in-law. The murder however, brought out the fact that BURNETT had been married to BRISTER's mother, that they had quarreled and separated, that the two men had made an arrangement in Creston shortly after the arrival of BURNETT that BRISTER should have no more communication by mail or otherwise with his mother, and that BURNETT should pass for a single man. The building was erected and the business prospered. But BRISTER still 'RECEIVED LETTERS FROM HIS MOTHER' and answered them; upon the knowledge of which BURNETT remonstrated and threatened his life. Other domestic complications are reported but await confirmation.

The cries being heard, several men rushed to the building and finding the outer door locked, forced it open. In the front room were the members of the BRISTER family, MR. BRISTER was reclining partially on the front window sill (the window was open) and he was partially supported by MRS. B. -- life was nearly extinct. The floor of the bed room and front room, the bed, and clothing of the family were all covered with blood. The door of

'BURNETT'S BED ROOM'

was locked, and when forced open his clothing was all found, his watch ticking on the table, his money in his pocket, but the man was gone. He had fled 'en dishabille'.

The following is the murderer's confession, which with the statement that he is now in jail at Afton to await his trial, will be sufficient in regard to this revolting tragedy:

'BURNETT'S CONFESSION'

I am 46 years old, was born in England, came to America in l853 was then a married man, my first wife died in l855 and in l856 I married mother of J.L. BRISTER. He was her illegitimate son; our married life rather unhappy although we continued to live together until this spring. In January last we were all living in Chicago together. I had about $6,000 in money and early in the spring we moved to Savannah, Mo. While in Chicago, opportunities were presented and MRS. BRISTER and myself became illicitely intimate, MR. B. must have known it for during the time we lived at Savannah, he spoke to me about it and said it was all right. We then entered an agreement by which my wife should be sent back to friends in Illinois and that we should go into business together and that my money and his wife should be ours in common. Not long after this we removed to Bedford and my wife went east. BRISTER was away from home and I enjoyed the fruits of our contract constantly. MRS. B. and mys!
elf came to Creston, later he returned. On his return he asked me if I had bought property, I told him no. He then urged the purchase of a lot and the erection of a building and asked for money to go east and purchase lumber and marble. I gave him $l,000 and an order to collect $800 which was due in Chicago. On his return from Chicago and while our home was being erected, he seemed dissatisfied and finally told me I must desist from my approaches to his wife -- was not even to speak to her. I reminded him of our contract but finally told him that I would desist -- I wanted to make my home with them while I lived but I would speak to MRS. B. no more. Since then he asked me several times for money, I would reply that he had gone back on his contract and I was not bound. I found not long after that he was writing to his mother in Ill. and received letters from her, I remonstrated and some words followed. Last Sunday afternoon I placed my hand upon a letter which he had just wri!
tten. On examination I found it was to his mother, urging her to sue me for adultery and obtain a divorce. This convinced me that I was to be ruined by the plotting of BRISTER and his wife and after studying the matter over on a sleepless bed I rose and with my razor, committed the deed for which I am now being accused.

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Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
October 8, 2003