Saint Augustine Evening Record "Shooting of John Papino" October 31, 1902
Marshal Benet Shoots a City Coucilman. John Papino Colored, Painfully Wounded. A Wild Scene of Excitement and Confusion Follows. The Wounded Man Rushes Bleeding and Screaming through the Streets. Benet Gives Himself Up.
Without a word of warning and with nothing on the surface to indicate the cause of his act according to the testimony of those present, Marshal Charles Benet drew a revolver at a meeting of the City Council last night and shot Alderman John Papino.
Immediately the room was in an uproar and several of the members of the Council made a hasty exit from the chamber fearing, perhaps, other shots might be directed at them. Others remained and Alderman Blanchard assisted the wounded man from the room. Meanwhile Papino was making a great outcry and went screaming through Saint George Street leaving a trail of blood behind him until he finally met a carriage which conveyed him to his home.
The news of the shooting quickly spread and the streets were soon filled with excited people. Meantime the Marshal was taken in hand by friends, and taking their advice he drove to the county jail and placed himself in the custody of Sheriff Perry.
Doctors Roberts and Rainey were called in to attend to Papino who by this time had lost a great quantity of blood. It was ascertained that the ball a thirty-eight calibre cartridge had entered his right cheek and passing downward lodged in the side of his face. An effort to locate it failed. Both doctors say that the wound is not fatal and unless complications set in, Papino will recover.
How it affected the Council To say that the sudden onslaught of the infuriated Marshal created a sensation would be putting it mildly. While Papino was dodging to escape the bullets, Alderman Center is said to have made record time to the door. He was followed by Alderman Pacetti who suddenly remembered an important engagement at a union meeting. Clerk Carrera devoutly crossed himself and executed a rapid descent to the street. President-elect McBride remained perfectly still, not knowing whether or not the marshal would turn his batteries on Him. He stayed here until someone asked him for a match and then he too skedaddled.
Cause of the Difficulty While it is said that bad blood existed between the Marshal and the Alderman, the immediate cause of the difficulty arose out of a dispute regarding the following communication, which the Marshal had sent to the Council:
"I beg leave to report to your honorable body that the police force is in need of four new uniforms, which will cost about $15 a piece. I therefore beg your honorable body to allow each one of the police force that amount for the purchase of new uniforms. Respectfully, CH Benet"
Alderman Papino protested against the allowance, and on getting up the second time to speak was interrupted by the Marshal; a moment later the shot was fired.
Alderman McBride made the following statement: "I was seated in the President's chair facing both the Marshal and Alderman Papino when the affair occurred. A communication had been read by the clerk regarding the purchase of uniforms for the police, and the Marshal asked and was granted permission to speak on the subject. He said what he had to say without interruption, and then Alderman Papino spoke. Alderman Capella then said a few words, when Alderman Papino again rose and began to speak. Marshal Benet interrupted him telling him to shut up. This he repeated twice. Alderman Papino then told the Marshal that he would not shut up as he had a right to speak and that the latter was simply a Sergeant-at-Arms and had no right to tell him to shut up. At this juncture the Marshal rose from his chair, drew his revolver and fired at Papino as the latter crouched behind his desk to avoid the shot. He then advanced around the desk and continued to snap his pistol at the prostrate man. I heard no words of abuse passed on either side except that the Marshal ordered Papino to shut up."
Alderman Center and Blanchard corroborate the statement of Alderman McBride in every particular.
Not under arrest One of the peculiar features of this case is the fact that there has yet been no warrant issued for the arrest of the Marshal; he has not been suspended, and really, no official action has been taken. He voluntarily gave himself up to the Sheriff, but unless some steps are taken to bring a charge against him, the Sheriff will refuse to hold him after a reasonable time.