115 Years Ago, 1911 transcribed as originally published in the Youngstown Vindicator:

“Local musician murdered in Texas. Frank Richard shot and killed by policeman in Chinese restaurant. Was with officer’s wife when shots were fired. Victim, young and handsome enlisted in the army at Youngstown five years ago. Will be buried here. Body to be brought to the home of dead man’s parents in Calvin Street – slayer released on $1,060 bond.”

“Shot by an enraged and jealous husband, Frank Richard, a local musician in the army of Uncle Sam, idol of his mother’s heart and handsome hero of the Briar Hill Italian colony, is dead at El Paso, Texas.

“Richard was a corporal and alto horn player in the band of the Twenty-third infantry, stationed at Fort Bliss, near El Paso. A special from El Paso says Richard was in the company of Mrs. Henry C. Bernauer, wife of a policeman, in the Eastern grill room, an El Paso Chinese restaurant, Thursday morning at 1 o’clock when the husband found the pair together and shot three times at the soldier, two of the bullets taking effect in his head, killing him instantly.

“Mrs. Bernauer fainted and fell under the table where she and Richard were drinking. The bullets passed over her body. Bernauer attempted to shoot another policeman who arrested him and admitted the shooting when he was arraigned Thursday. He was released on a thousand dollar bond pending trial.

“Mrs. Bernauer stated Thursday morning that Richard took her to a dance the evening of the tragedy with her husband’s consent and that when the dance was over they returned to her home, the soldier getting a can of beer…. The woman said that her husband came in and the three drank beer together. Bernauer, according to his wife, left to patrol his beat and she and Richard went to the grill room in the same block to get a sandwich. Her husband found them there and began to shoot.

“The policeman made no statement in explanation of his act either at the hearing or to the police.

“Richard was twenty-three years old and the son of Emmanuel Richard, 131 Calvin Street. He enlisted first five years ago in Youngstown, and is on his second term of enlistment. Richard saw service in the Philippines as well as in this country.

“The young man came to Youngstown from Italy with his parents when he was eleven years of age. Musically inclined, he joined Pascarella’s band although only a boy. Frank was the youngest son, very handsome and his mother’s favorite….

“The father received a telegram Thursdays afternoon at 1 o’clock telling of his son’s death but with no explanations. As soon as they recovered from the shock Emmanuel Richard and another son went to Sergeant Claude Croft, the local recruiting officer, to see if the body could not be brought back home…. It is expected here Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning.

“Meanwhile a cloud of grief hangs over Calvin Street…. Emmanuel Richard, his son and his nephew were… told of the circumstances of Frank’s death by a Vindicators reporter. They were too stunned to state what they proposed to do, but there is a cry in their souls for vengeance if vengeance is due and if the money is available some member of the family may go down to Texas to see that the alleged murderer receives his just desserts at the hands of the law.

— Compiled by Dante Bernard, museum educator at the Mahoning Valley Historical Society.