Iowa Old Press

Davenport Democrat
Davenport, Scott, Iowa
Saturday, April 21, 1877

DELIBERATE MURDER
One of the Unfortunate inmates of the "Black Hills" Den Shot by Richard Thomas
Arrest of the Murderer -Coroner's Inquest in Session

     About two o'clock this afternoon a cold-blooded murder was perpetrated at what is known as the "Black Hills" den-a house of ill fame out beyond the fair grounds. We have but meagre details of the affair, which are about as follows:
     A man who gives his name as Richard Tomas, with two others, names unknown at present, went to the house this afternoon, which is kept by the well known Mrs. Heinrichs. It appears, from the story told by the keeper, that the men were indulging in  smutty talk to the girls when they were told that unless they could talk different they must leave. Thomas, it appears, persisted, and began abusing Mrs. Heinrichs, when she ordered him out of the house. He stepped outside the door, when he was followed by one of the girls, who, it is reported was telling him "this is no place for any such talk as that," when it is alleged he turned suddenly, pulled his revolver, and shot the girl right through the middle of the forehead. She fell back dead, without uttering a word. The ball just grazed the head of Mrs. Heinrichs, who at the time stood close to the girl.
     Thomas, just as soon as he did the horrible deed, turned and ran over to the head of Brady, where he got into a street car which was just ready to start, pursued by some parties in the immediate vicinity, and rode down town. Whether he told the driver of the occurrence or not, we don't know, or whether he intended to deliver himself up, is equally in doubt, but when the car reached the corner of Third street, the driver, observing officer Purcell standing there, called him, and told him that " a girl was just shot out at the Black Hills, and the fellow who shot her was in the car!" "Which one!" asked Purcell. "That fellow just getting out, "said the driver.
     By this time the car had reached Second street, and Purcell rushed back to the rear of the car, and arrested Richard Thomas just as he stepped to the crossing. He made no resistance and was at once take into Police headquarters, southeast corner of Brady and Second, and searched. Upon his person was found a revolver, every chamber loaded except one, some papers, a segar holder, $1.40 in currency, and some other little things. Everything but the revolver was handed back to him by officer Purcell, who then took him to jail.- Thomas going along without making any resistance.
     After seeing his prisoner safely locked up, officer Purcell started to go up to the scene of the murder, but on the road met Mrs. Heinrichs, the keeper of the house, coming down to inform the police of the affair, and it is her version of the affair then related to officer Purcell that we publish above. The officer took her up to the jail, and she identified Thomas as the murderer.
     Our reporter proceeded to the scene of the murder at half-past three o'clock. The house or houses are situated a short distance north of the street car depot on the Dubuque road, on the east side of the street. One is the dwelling house, which sets back from the road, and immediately north of it is the saloon-both frame buildings.
     It was in the dwelling house that the murder took place. This is entered from a porch on the south side, which opens into what is called the sitting room. The saloon is closed because Mr. Heinrich is sick. The men went to the saloon, but could not get in, when Mrs. Heinrich told them to come to the house, if they wanted some beer. They did so, and she went to the saloon and brought a bottle of beer which the men drank. The murdered girl, whose name is Minnie Brunnick, was in the room at the same time, and the men made some overtures to her, and used some obscene language, which she resented, when they called her an improper character. This led to a war of words, and Mrs. Heinirchs ordered the men to leave, telling them they were drunk, and that she would have no such talk. The murdered girl said, if they called her such names, she would go for them, at the same time running into an adjoining room and coming out again. By this time the men started out and were standing on the  porch, when the murdered girl went to shut the door. She was standing behind it with her hand on the knob, and made some remark when Thomas, who was standing diagonally opposite here, shot through the door, the ball penetrating it and then her forehead. She fell back dead, as stated above. When our reporter reached the scene she lay on the floor where she fell-a ghastly sight,  the blood oozing from the wound, and the brains protruding.
     Coroner Grant soon after arrived and at once proceeded to impanel a jury, selecting the following: H. Truax, J.C. Balluff and James Baker.
     Mrs. Heinrich's testimony was above related, after which our reporter left.
     The deceased is about 22 years old, an orphan and an American girl. She has resided with Mrs. Heinrich only since last Monday. Some time ago, she stayed at the house about two weeks, when she left, going to Moline, from which place she came back six days ago. There was but one other girl, besides the Madam at the house, but she was not present. Mrs. Heinrichs was the only witness of the murder.
     The murderer, Richard Thomas, is a stranger in the city. The inquest was not concluded when we went to press.