Bert S. Durham, a disgruntled ex-fireman, killed a firefighter and severely injured two others in a revenge-fueled shooting in San Diego, after which he murdered his wife and child at home.
Durham, known for his quarrelsome nature and suspected insanity, had been previously dismissed from the fire department due to insubordination.
Crazed Fireman Kills
San Diego, Ca., August 2, 1910. — Bert S. Durham, a former city fireman, in a fit of revenge early today turned in a false alarm of fire, and when his former fellow-workmen responded, fired a volley of shots at them, killing one and probably fatally injuring two others. Durham then ran to his home and with a piece of steel wrapped in a handkerchief, beat his wife and baby about their heads as they lay asleep, killing both.
Durham was dropped from the fire department several months ago for insubordination. He has a reputation for being quarrelsome, and the men who worked with him believe that he is insane. Durham had a grudge against Capt. Sampsell, under whom he formerly worked and on whose complaint he was discharged.
Source: The Prescott daily news. (Prescott, Ark.), 02 Aug. 1910.
