William J. Burns
January 27, 1902
Arizona Republican Newspaper

William J. Burns, a United Verde miner, committed suicide 
Thursday night at Jerome by the morphine route.  While 
employed as a cook at McCabe he became infatuated with a 
Mrs. Norris, the wife of a showman.  The infatuation of 
young Burns was not displeasing to the woman and it 
finally led t othe divorce court and her taking quarters 
with Burns.  Lately they came to Jerome he securing work 
at the mine, while the woman obtained a position in one 
of the saloons as a singer.  Recently another man 
supplanted Burns in the good graces of Mrs. Norris. 
It is learned says the Jerome Reporter, that the 
discarded lover contemplated suicide in several forms, 
in all of which he and the woman were to play the 
leading roles.  He seemed possessed with the idea that 
if he could take the woman on the journey with him, his 
cup of earthly bliss would be filled to overflowing, 
while the woman objected to the part assigned her.  
Early Thursday night he went to her room armed with 
50 cents worth of morphine and not finding the woman 
at home, he took half the drug.