Ernest Evans

HUMBOLDT STAR

October 18, 1907

KILLS OFFICER AND HIMSELF

A Sensational Tragedy at Palisade

H.L. Brooks Murders Constable Evans Then Comments Suicide

A sensational double tragedy occurred early yesterday morning at Palisade when H.L. Brooks, a waiter from Winnemucca, shot and killed Constable Evans, then turned the pistol on himself and blew out his brains.

From the details of the tragedy which are obtainable, it appears that Brooks and a companion named Curtis Marrows, went to a house in the red light district of which a woman named Nettie Carleton, with whom Brooks had been living was an inmate. Brooks upbraided the woman for trying to break off relations with him and after striking her forced her to give what money she had to him. Then Brooks and Morrows left the house and went to the depot, presumably with the intention of boarding a train and leaving town. At the depot they were found by Constable Evans, who had been notified of the previous robbery. Evans covered Brooks with a gun and commanded him to throw up his hands, but the latter, with a quick movement, knocked the officer’s arm aside, drew his own gun and fired four shots, one of which pierced the officer’s heart, and he fell dead. The killing of Evans is said to have been witnessed by a woman who was in the waiting room of the depot at the time.

After the shooting Brooks went to the house where the Carleton woman was and told her what he had done, adding: “I have got two bullets left and will use them on you: He tried to make her leave the house with him, but she broke away from him. Brooks then started down the railroad track and after going a short distance, placed the pistol to his head and blew out his brains. His body was found lying beside the track next morning.

Morrows who was with Brooks at the time he killed Evans boarded a passenger train, but he was apprehended at Battle Mountain and taken back to Palisade.

Brooks and Morrows had arrived in Palisade from Winnemucca on the evening preceding the tragedy. Brooks had been working here as a waiter at the Busch hotel. He is said to have been living with the Carleton woman here before she went to Palisade. Wednesday afternoon he received a telegram from her which was evidently one of the leading causes of the tragedy as he and Morrows boarded No. 10 at once and went to Palisade. Before leaving Winnemucca he borrowed the revolver with which the shooting was done.

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