The Truro Daily News, July 14, 1924
POLICEMAN CHARLES FULTON KILLED
(Canadian Press Dispatch)
Halifax, N.S., July 15 – Lewis B. Bevis, local desperado, was arrested near Garden Crest apartments early last evening, calmly surrendering himself to the police, after having instantly killed police officer Charles Fulton, and seriously wounding police officer Stephen Kennedy during his fight for freedom yesterday morning. The arrest marked the culmination of the worst gun battle that Halifax police have had in recent years.
Bevis associates, Bob Slaughenwhite, Ethel Slaughenwhite, and Florence Bevis, the latter two being sisters respectively of the two men, were taken into custody by police at noon. The final arrest was made after a battle with the desperadoes, which started early Sunday evening when complaint was made to the police by Frank Longard, who stated that a party of four, two men and two women, whom he had ordered off his property threatened him with a gun.
The Truro Daily News, July 14, 1924
COLCHESTER HERO SHOT DEAD BY WORTHLESS DESPERADO
A victim of the abominable gun battle in Halifax, at the N.W. Arm, on the 14th inst, was a noble son of Colchester.
Policeman Charles Fulton
A veteran of the Great War, son of Mr. Lewis Fulton, Pembroke, Upper Stewiacke. This returned soldier soon joined the Halifax Police force after his discharge from the C.E.F. He has proved a fine officer of the city, and he proved himself a good soldier on the battle field.
A noble life has been taken by the bullet from the gun of a desperado, one Lewis B. Bevis; and it is sad to think of the sacrifice of such a life at the hand of a worthless outlaw.
We understand that Policeman Fulton has been married for about two years; to his bereaved relatives the Truro News and all good people, in Colchester especially sympathize most deeply.
The Truro Daily News, July 17, 1924
POLICEMAN FULTON SLAIN BY BANDIT LAID TO REST
In Halifax on the afternoon of the 16th the funeral of the late Policeman Charles R. Fulton took place with throngs lining the streets and signs of deep grief and mourning on every side.
There were military and Masonic honors and impressive religious ceremonies.
Halifax city paid tribute to Police Officer Charles Fulton. Thru streets thronged with silent mourners, the body of the gallant policeman was borne on a gun carriage, attended by the most prominent representatives of the city and province, his fellow members of the Halifax Police Department, the Fire Department, the fraternal brothers – the Masons – and his former comrades-at-arms with whom he served with bravery and distinction in the Great War. The impressiveness of the spectacle was marked and it was increased by the solemn notes of the chimes of St. John's church which pealed forth the strains of “Lead Kindly Light” and “Nearer My God to Thee” as the slow-moving procession wound its way from the Fulton home to the doors of the church.
Dense crowds, numbering thousands, completely blocked the streets in the vicinity of St. John's and it was found necessary to clear a passage for the funeral cortege. Line upon line of citizens, with heads bowed and bared marked its passing. The church itself was also densely thronged. Seating accommodation in the center section was specially reserved for the official representatives of organizations and this, as well as the other portions of the church, was crowded to the utmost.
The Rev. J.Y. MacKinnon, pastor of the church, gave a most impressive and touching address.
Beautiful and impressive was the choral service which included selections by the full church choir, by the Masonic quartette, and a sole, “There is No Night There” by Mrs. Collyer. Two hymns, “One Sweetly Solemn Thought” and “From Every Stormy Wind that Blows”, Officer Fulton's favorites, were sung.
The church service was closed with a prayer by Rev. Clarence MacKinnon, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church, in which an appeal was made that the life of Police Officer Stephen Kennedy, who lies critically wounded in the Victoria General Hospital, might be spared.
Leaving the church, the military assumed control of the funeral, the band of the 63rd Regiment leading the way and playing the Dead March. Next in order in the procession were: City Police and Detectives, in charge of Chief of Police Palmer; Detachment of Royal Canadian Mounted Police, in charge of Inspector Le Nause; carriage containing Mayor Murphy and Alderman O'Toole; motor car containing the acting Premier, Hon. D.A. Cameron and Attorney General Hon. W.J. O'Hearn; members of the Fire Department, in command of Fire Chief Churchill; officiating clergymen; carriage with floral tributes; members of the Masonic Order; gun carriage; Great War Veterans; carriage containing the relatives of Officer Fulton; motor car containing His Honor, Lieut.-Governor Grant, and cars containing the members of the city council and provincial representatives, including three deputy ministers.
Hundreds of citizens accompanied the cortege to Fairview cemetery and lined the route all the way. It was estimated that more than 200 motor cars joined in the procession itself.
The pall-bearers were Police Officers Whittimore, Wilkie, Martin, Kelloch, Fox, MacLean, Lawlor and Sergeant Eisenhaner; all members of the Masonic Order.
Just previous to the arrival of the body at the church, Mr. and Mrs. Fulton, parents of the deceased, accompanying Mrs. Fulton, the wife of the murdered policeman, arrived at the church and were assigned to seats near the altar.
At the grave-side, the military burial service was first conducted and it was brought to a close by the customary firing of thee volleys and the sounding of “Last Post”.
The last rites of the Masonic Order were administered before the body was finally lowered into the grave.
Among the many floral tributes received were the following:
From Keith Lodge, No. 17 – a wreath
From the Halifax Police Force – a wreath on an easel
From the Athletic Club of the Police Force – a wreath on an easel
From the City Officials – a large anchor on an easel
From the session and Minister of St. John's church – a wreath
From the Men's Club of the same church – a wreath