The Parsons Weekly Sun from Parsons, Kansas • Page 1

ilE WO DOLLARS A YEAR. I' ARSONS, KANSAS. THURSDAY. FEBRUARY 13. 1890.

VOLUME XIX. NUMBER 31 his family consisting of a wife and two children. ji Larltina' Pie ofGnllty. The Sioux City Journal of Tuesday gives the following account of the withdrawal of the plea of "not guilty" and the entering of a plea of "guilty" in the circuit court by A. Larking, alias B.

Simpson, to forgery: "The seats in the court room were comfoitably filled at 9:30 yesterday morning, it having been announced that B. Simpson, who worked the Sioux City Savings Bank for $2,500, was to enter a plea of guilty. Many of those present had seen Simpson in court before, but that made no difference. They seemed as anxious as ever to get a glimpse of the man who has made so much of a record as a successful bank swindler. Simpson sat in one end of the prisoner's dock directly in front of the judge's desk.

A more forlorn and dejected looking individual could hardly be imagined. i iron gray hair was slightly parted on the left side, and stood ia "a great shock on the top of his head. His beard was unkempt and seemed inclined to spread out as much as possible. His face was bleached and his eyes sunken. His head dropped on his breast and he looked the very picture of dispair.

He wore a coarse overcoat, the collar of which was turned up, and his slouch hat found a resting place on his knees. Next him sat C. R. Marks, attorney for the savings and the two held several short consultations. The calling of the calendar and the assignment of causes for trial on the law docket occupied over an hour, during which the crowd in the room kept increasing and once or twice made so much noise with shuffling feet and whispered consultation that Deputy Sheriff Ford had to rap loudly for order.

Finally the reading of the docket was completed, and Judge Lewis, turning to County Attorney Bevington, said: "Will you call attention to anything on the criminal docket before proceeding to impanel a jury T' 'Yes, your replied the county attorney, 'the defendant in the case of the state vs. Simpson is ready to At this point 8. F. Lynn arose, and addressing the court, said: 'Your honor, in this case it has been decided that the defendant withdraw his plea of not guilty and plead guilty. The plea of not guilty was entered in order to give time to arrange certain matters.

It has been the intention of the defendant to ooufess his guilt and make restitution so far ns lay within his power. This latter he has done. My firm wa employed simply to present to the court the mitigating circumstances in the case, and not to make a 'That is your plea, is it, Simnsou queried the judge, casting his eyes at the prisoner. But Simpson did not move, and apparently did not hear the question. Again the interrogation was put to hirn by the judge and this time he raised his bond, cast hi eyes toward his attorn and feebly answered, 'Yes, "Judge Lewis then announced that he would fix the judgment hour for Saturday at 2 p.

m. To this Lynn assented, at the same time making the statement that there were some facts that he hoped to get, and if he found it impossible to secure thorn by that time, he might want a little more time. The judge then askud what action would be taken in the other case against Simpson, wherein he is charged with forgery, the plea of guilty having been entered to the charge only of issuing forged paper. County Attorney Bevington arose and said that inasmuch as a plea of guilty had been entered to the first charge, and as the state was not sure that Simpson committed the forgery charged, the other case would be dismissed, and it was so entered on the docket. This ended the proceedings, and Simpson, with his hat drawn down over his eyes, hobbled out after Deputy Sheriff Oambs, using his stout cane to support his tottering form.

The old man is weak from his recent illness, and looks as if his days on this earth are few." Probate Matters. Tho following business has been transacted in the probate court since our last report: Estate of Itobt. Nixon, deceased: Demnnd of MfiKKiA Holmes wan allowed in tli Hum of tiH.80; also demand of J. O. Munttfomnry for 1.1K7.

Estate of Kdwin K. and Kllen H. Woodon, minora: Guardian wax authorized to appropriate 16.7S for each of said minors, as their share in the payment of mnnmw on the homestead. Estate of W. H.

and B. T. Parry: Annual ao. counting of J. T.

Kyan, o-uardian. presented, showing- balance of due roardinn. Huar-dian ordered to sell so mach of projwirtv in iiis hands to pay said balanne, and to turn twiliinc of assert oyer to said wards and npon tilinu receipt therefor to be discharged from his trust, tlie wards haying arrived at Uteir majority. Estate of Fannie A. Brown, deceased: Irons A.

Hhannon appointed administratrix de bonas non, and (rave bond in the sum of SrtUS, and letters of administration issned. Estate of Cha. W. Dnzan. deceased: J.

M. Gregory to be appointed administrator npon Riving bond in the sum of $1,000. Jmhra ('alvin has received a letter from Mrs. H. P.

Liggett, tii mother of Mason C. Wesson, the insane man in jail in Oswego, in which she states that she is unable to send for her son, and suggest that he be sent to Nemaha connty, Nebraska, where be earn from, and where his brother lives. Wasson left some note and money at Vinita, which Judge Calvin ia endeavoring to obtain, and if successful the nn-fortnnnte man will probably be sent to hi brother. A Fine Colt Injured. Asa Smith's fine colt, while cantering about his farm just east of the city Thursday morning, got its right jore foot cmght ia the barb wire ence, which incloses the farm, and before the colt could extract itself from its unhappy plight, badly lacerated the foot, and it will be several months before the animal will be in perfect condition, if ever.

This is a severe accident to Asa, as the colt is a thoroughbred and valued at more than three hundred dollars. Labette and Neosho Mnrderers. A reporter of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat recently paid a visit to the Kansas penitentiary at Lansing and found there forty-eight men whom Gov. Humphrey has the, power to order hung.

Each has been sentenced to be hanged by the neck until he is dead, and each has to thank a peculiarity in the state law for the fact that he is still alive. As is generally known the punishment in Kansas for murder in the first degree is death; but the issuing of the order for the execution is specifically forbidden for one year, after which the matter is optional with the governor. The practical result of this is the confinement in the state penitentiary for the remainder of the lives of all persons sentenced to death. The law has been in this shape since 18G9, and hence the large number of murderers to be found at Lausing. The Globe-Democrat correspondent interviewed ach of the forty-eisrht.

In most cases innocence is pleaded, while in others drink and passion are mentioned as excuses. Most of the men, he says, are good and intelligent prisoners, though there ore a few striking exceptions, and in quite a number of instances there are very painful indications of impending insanity. Of the forty-eight one is from this county and two from our neighbor on the north, Neosho. The correspondent says of them: "George W. Gregson, native of Texas, was sent from Labette county in 1886.

He was 38 years old when committed to the penitentiary, and says he had been a drinking man from the time he was 20 years old until then. He works in the coal shaft, and is a good prisoner. He claims the killing for which he was convicted was done in self-defence. A jury of his countrymen thought different, and hence his present situation. "Woodward Lopeman, a Pennsyl-vauiau by birth, was sent up to be hanged from Neosho County in August, 1887, when he was 52 years old.

He works in the coal shaft, is a good and -claims to be a uiemler of the Methodist church. He left home when 17 years old on account of hi.s step-mother, and claims that she was tho primary cause of all his wrong-doing. His storyis that he killed a man while luboring under great mental excitement. He is very moody at all times. "Willie B.

Sells, the young desperado and murderer, is employed in the tailor shop. He was born in Illinois and was placed in the penitentiary before he was 16 years old. He is a bad prisoner and could not be induced to talk; he would say that he was not guilty, pretended not to hear, or grunted in answer to all questions. His crime was a strange and horrible one, almost passing belief. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to be hanged by the court of Neosho county, for having killed his father, mother, brother and sister.

They were all found in bed one morning with their throats cut and their bodies horribly mangled. Everything indicated that young Sells had committed the crime. He was found covered with blood; his actions indicated then and at bis trial that he was the assassin. He is reported to have been a good Methodist Sunday school scholar, and it seemed strange to many in his neighborhood that he could perpetrate such a foul crime." An Incendiary Fire. The dwelling house of Mollio E.

Brown, a well known character about town, on West Appleton avenue, was discovered on fire about 3 o'clock Ta lay morning, but the flames were quickly extinguished by the prompt arrival of a few neighbors. On inspecting the origin of the fire it was found that hay had been placed in several holes about the house and which was saturated with coal oil. On discovering this fact those at the scene of the fire immediately sought Marshal Lewis to apprise him of the belief that the owner of the premises had set the bouse on fire, and while the party were absent seeking Marshal Lewis another attempt was made to burn the house. This time a general alarm was sounded, and not only the neighbors but the fire department and a goodly portion of our citizens generally turned out to battle with the flames, and the dwelling was saved from total destruction. After the fire it was found that the furniture of the house had been moved out and that hay and coal oil were scattered in all directions.

Marriage License. Probate odge Calvin has issued a license to marry to each of the fol-ing couples since our last report: J. F. Haaaell and M. K.

Ouatney, of th Indian Territory. John F. Pnls and Ida L. Raines, of Parsons. A.

Clark Emma Deck, of C'herokoe eonnty. Perry E. flemana, of Edna, and Mond E. Dana-way, of OadavUla, Ho. A Neosho Connty Suicide.

B. Finch, one of the oldest residents and leading farmers of Neosho county, suicided at about 11 o'clock last Tuesday morning by cutting his throat from ear to ear with a batcher knife. The Erie Republican-Record says Finch was seventy-seven years of age, and had been sick a great deal during last fall and the earlier part of last winter, but that Dr. Fletcher, of Erie, who bad been attending him says he had been enjoying comparatively good health for the last two months, only being troubled at times with a slight attack of neuralgia in the head. He and his son had been living alone on their farm for some time, but when he was taken sick last fall his daughter, Mrs.

Mendell, went to keep house for him, and she has been with him ever since. Last Sunday while conversing with a neighbor he complained of pains in his head, and the neighbor suggested using laudanum, p.nd brought a bottle containing about two table-spoonfuls of the drug and told him to take fifteen drops upon retiring to bed. Upon retiring, his eon, who occupied the same bed with him, gave him fifteen drops as directed. During the night the young man noticed that his fattier was breathing very heavy, and his suspicions were aroused and he made an examination of the laudanum bottle, and found that it was empty. The next day his daughter asked why he had taken so much of the deadly drug, and ho told her that if he took it he did not know it, that he must have done it in his sleep.

Just previous to the sad oc-curence of Tuesday he was sitting in a chair in the house talking to Mrs. Mendell. She suggested that it was time to begin preparing dinner, and said that she would go ont and kill a chicken for dinner. Finch wanted to accompany her, but she told him that she could manage it. He then said that he guessed he would lie down on the bod and rest awhile.

Mrs. Mendell left him sitting in a chair and went out and killed the chicken and then returned to the house, when she beheld the ghastly sight of her father still sitting upright in the chair, whore she had left him, with a bloody butcher knife in his hand and his life blood flowing from a horrible wound in his throat, extending from ear to car. She immediately called for help, and sent to Erie for Dr. Fletcher, but the poor old man died before the doctor arrived on the scene, having died within on hour and a half after the commission of the awful deed. He assigned no cause for his action but said that he wanted his folks to leave him alono and let him die easy.

The gash of the deadly knife severed the wind pipe and smaller arteries of tho throat, but did not touch the large or carotid arteries. Dr. Fletcher thinks that the act was not premeditated, but was caused by a temporary aberration of tho mind. Ho had acted strangely for a few weeks past, such as doing little things and forgetting all about it a moment aftor-wards. Ho remarked to Dr.

Fletcher a couple of weeks ago that he would never be able to work any more, and that ho was only in the way, and that he did not know but that it would be better if he were dead. The doctor encouraged him as best he could and told him to not become despondent, but to brace up, as there wore many happy days before him yet. Finch was one of the oldest and most reliable farmers in the county. A Sensational Arrest. A.

F. Cochran, living on West Appleton avenue, is confined in the calaboose to await the arrival of the sheriff of Lawrence county, 111., who wants him on a charge of grand larceny. Cochran is a section hand on the K. T. railroad and has resided here about a year.

On the 28th of January Marshal Lewis received a letter from Chas. V. Fyffe, deputy sheriff of Lawrence county, 111., to locate one A. F. Cochran and notify hi ja.

A few days ago Lewis located Cochran and at once wrote the deputy sheriff. The letter brought a telegram Thursday to arrest Cochran and hold him for requisition. On this telegram Marshal Lewis and D. J. Bowles arrested Cochran that evening at 5 o'clock as he was returning from his work and lodged him in the calaboose.

A telegram was then sent of the arrest and on yesterday Marshal Lewis received two dispatches from the Illinois sheriff. One said to hold prisoner at all hazards and await requisition, and the other stated that requisition had been obtained and an officer started for here with it, and be is expected to arrive to-day. Nothing is known here of what the grand larceny for which Cochran is wanted consits. He took his arrest very cooly and does not seem to be at all uneasy. The only explanation he says ho can give of the matter is that just previous to his removal here he was arrested charged with the stealing of a lot of hogs which had mysteriously disappeared, but there being no evidence to connect him with the affair he was discharged, and that his present arrest is in connection with this old charge.

Cochran is a married man, Larkina Taken to the Penitentiary. Al Larkins, alias B. Simpson, who was sentenced to a term of five years at Sioux City Monday in the Iowa penitentiary for passing a forged draft on the Sioux City Savings Bank, was taken to the penitentiary yesterday. The Sioux Cith Tribune gives the following account of hia sentence on Monday: "Prof. A.

Larkins, better known by the name of B. Simpson, faced Judge Lewis in the district court this morning and nerved himself to re ceive his sentence for having swindled the Sioux City savings Bank out ot several thousand dollars last April. The court room was crowded with people anxious to take a parting look at the venerable sinner, and speculate on the nossible term he would have to undergo in the penitentiary. Larkins was as pale as a sheet wheu he was brought into court and he looked broken in heart and in spirits. He held a hurried conversation with his attorney, S.

F. Lynn, and when the case was called the latter ad dressed the court. Lynn directed attention to the fact that his client had pleaded guilty, and made restoration for his evil doings as far as it lay in his power. Under these cir cumstances and the declining years of the prisoner, Lynn aske clemency lor him. udge ijewis asked ijariuns if he had anything to say before sen tence was passed upon him.

Slowly and with a show or mental and physical suffering Larkins arose, and said that he hoped for as much clemency as the court considered him entitled to. Then the old man gave a short history of his checkered career. About twelve years ago, he said, he lost his wife and little angel daughter in Indiana. He did not explain how he lost then, but it is understood daughter and mother are living liven of shame in a bagnio, conducted by the latter. Two years after the estrangement he was bitten by a rabid dog, and five years ago he received a sunstroke.

Since then he says he has been suffering dull pains in his back, legs and head, which affected his mind and made all his acta a blank and mystery to him. 'I must confess before said the old fellow in dramatic tones, 'I hardly understand how I came to do what it is charged I have been guilty of. Even my sister can't understand it, and I am extremely sorry for what has happened. I have always tried to lead a christian, upright life, and for fourteen years was active in the ministry. But troubles came to me, and now the end has Larkins then turned and looked inquiringly around and said: 'I thank Mr.

Stone for the kindness he has manifested towards me, and in conclusion I wish to say that I propose to spend my declining years in a manner that when I die I may meet my God in Larkins then bowed his head and waited for his sentence. Judge Lewis briefly reviewed the circumstances in connection with the prisoner and his case, and said that he would be lenient with him upon the recommendation of Stone, and then sentenced him to five years' servitude in the state penitentiary. Larkins seemed surprised with the extent of the sentence and was heard to remark that if he had known it was going to be so severe he would have stood trial Crop Statist les for 1SHO. Tub Sum is in receipt of the annual report of the State Board of Agriculture for the year 1889, which has just been issued, and from which we glean some interesting statistical information regarding our connty. The population of the county is given at 20,128.

During the year 1889 acres were sown in winter wheat, and which yielded 431,857 bushels, the value of which was f207.441.84. In corn 80,577 acres were sown, yield ing bushels, valued at 942.70; oats, 2,021 acres, 14,418 bush els, valued at Irish potatoes 1,349 acres, 134,900 bushels, valued at 017 bushels, valued at $30,360.60) sorghum. acres, UO.tiau gallons, valued at cotton, 14 acres, 420 pounds, valued at f336; flax, 682 acres, bushels, valued at tame grasses, timothy hay, 10,809 acres sown; clover, B.uoV acres; or- chard grass, 20J acres; blue grass, 2,271 acres; horses, 10,060, valued at mules and asses, 1,723, valued at milch cows, valued at other cattle, 20.814, valued at sheep, 1,450, valued at swine, 21,710, valued at $141,115 dogs, 2,575. This Is an excellent showing and when taken in comparison with other portions of the state shows that Labette ranks among the most fertile and prosperous counties of Kansas. A Ilnaband and Wire Part.

The married life of John and Mary Creemer has proved an unhappy one, and while both are now advanced in years, when their married life should have grown more binding and lasting, comes the report that Mary has abandoned the home and the man she promised to love and comfort through life. This is not the first time a disagreement has invaded this household, but as far as John is concerned it will be the last, for be de clares that he will never more seek to reconcile his deserting wife and warns the pubho in general that he will not be responsible tor any purchases she may make, that she abandoned him without cause and in the future she alone will have to settle all bills contracted by herself. The District Court. The district court continues to occupy the attention of our lawyers and a goodly number of our citizens generally. A case of general interest to this community was up for a hearing Tuesday, it being a case of the state against A.

J. Cary, of the firm of Cary Neely, of this city. This is an action brought against Cary as surety on the bond of Jacob McLaughlin, an erstwhile citizen of this city. McLaughlin was charged with violating the prohibitory law and skipped out, leaving his bondsmen in the lurch. After a time Cary found out where McLaughlin was and brought him back here and turned him over to Deputy Sheriff John Hoffman, taking a receipt from Hoffman for him.

Mo-Laughlyi remained in the custody of Hoffman just Jong enough to make the next train out ot the city, which he did, and being alone failed to stop at Oswego and visit his old quarters, bat kept right on into Missouri, where he still remains. The state seeks to recover on the bond, endeavoring to show that the delivery to Hoffman does not release the bondsmen, and the defense is that Carv havinir faithfully and diligently followed McLaughlin up, capturing and delivering him to an officer of the court, is thereby released. The ininnetion cases growing out of the K. T. railroad bonds and other bonds is sued by Oswego township are set for next week.

The case of Jan.es W. Powers against James McKean, of Illinois, to recover the horses levied on by ex-Sheriff Wilson some time ago to satisfy a judgment against D. B. Powers for $4,742 will come up next Tuesday. There are fourteen divorce cases nendins at this term of the court.

Shooting- of Sam Heiser. Sam Heiser, the horse thief, and the man Cole, confined in jail at Erie, who were shot by Deputy Sheriff Ellis while attempting to make their scape Saturday evening, were still alive Monday, but neither can live. Heiser was shot in the left breast just below the heart and through the right wrist, while Cole was shot in the back through the spine. None of the bullets have been found. Heiser wanted to make a dying statement Saturday night, but was too weak to talk.

He says he has four boys at Worthington, Franklin county, Ohio. His wife is living with another man, whioh Heiser claims is the cause of bis criminal career. There were four prisoners in the jail at the time of the attempted escape of Heiser and Cole. Ellis had just opened the door of the corridor to band in their sUDDer. when Heiier jumped onto him and bore him to the floor.

Cole then struck Ellis and attempted to iret his Di'stol awsv from him, bat Ellis pushed them both off and regaining his feet opened lire on them. Cole ran about a hundred yards and fell from the loss of blood, while Heiser, who ran in an opposite direction, fell as he was crossing the Kansas City Pacific railroad track, where he was found by Ellis and taken back to Jail. Cole was injail for stealing a set of harness at Cha nute and is about 28 years of age. He ia also a horse thief. The Bender Coae.

Mrs. Frances E. MoCann, of Bender fame, who has been stopping in the city a few days, visiting the families of L. F. Dick and T.

B. Smith, left Saturday morning for Emporia In a conversation with a Sum reporter she still adheres to the belief that the women now confined at Oswego are without a shadow of doubt Mrs. and Kate Bender, and that all the loud talking ef Attorney James to tho Kanaae City Time and other papers will not save them from conviction. She says that the longer their trials are postponed the more the evidence is accumulating against them, and that the affidavits filed by James in the district court are mere trash, for with all the efforts of the women and their attorney they have failed to give any record of their doings from a to when the Bender out rages were committed. A Pair of Bls-anilsts.

Justice Hart received a circular from J. K. Tucker, of Bassett, Iowa, Monday asking for information regarding the whereabouts of one F. Cboate and a Mrs. Mattie E.

Tucker, who eloped from Bassett, Iowa, last November, and who it is believed have located somewhere in this vicinity. They took with them the three- year-old daughter of Tucker, which the injured and deserted husband is anxious to recover. Choate loft behind him a blind wife, who he sent to Fairfield, just previous to his flight with tke Tucker woman. A Sensational Aaualt. S.

M. Burkett, a well known farmer residing near the city, made an assault upon Senator Kimball yesterday morning with a hickory dub, bat was disarmed by the senator and no injury resulted from the assault. For some time past Burkett has been brooding over some losses he sustained in a cattle transaction some years ago. In this connection he had some business transactions with Cashier Clark, of the First National Bank, in which be claims money coming to him from Clark, but the matter has been settled several times by arbitration and by the courts against Burkett. Since which time, however, he has sworn vengeance npon both Cashier Clark and his attorney.

Senator Kimball. Yesterday morning Senator Kimball was going from the K. T. depot to Johnson avenue, when be met Burkett in his wagon on his way home. Burkett stopped his wagon and hailed the senator, who went up to the wagon to see what he wanted, and was in the act of extending his hand to shake hands, when Burkett demanded that he pay him the money Clark owed him, coupling the demand with the remark that he had bought up his lawyers and enabled Clark to rob him.

Kimbull resented the insinuation emphatically, and told Burkett that he had not bought up his lawyers or swindled him, that his claim had no justice or merit in it, that the matter had been settled both by arbitration and the courts, and that it Wf time to let it drop. At this Burkett jumped from the wagon and made tor Kimball. The senator stood his (ground, and when Burkett got withirr reach, instead of striking a blow at, Kimball, as was expected, ho wheeled around and returned to his wagon, from which he took a hickory club, which had boen the handle of a maul, and with it raistd started at KLmball again. As he came within reach the senator grabbed the club and held it firmly, and told Burke tt it was time to stop and think whet her or not he was not ashamed of himself, This caused Burkett to cool down and he expressed regret at what he had done, they shook banc's and he returned to his wpjon. But he again warmed up and was in the act of making a second iiss.5v.lt, whan Kimball quietly stontiod ur to the wacron and eot posKtflsjriaf the club.

Burkett again quieted down as they separated, Kimball going "The Backet" store to trans net some business, and taking tho club with him. "While hove, and not thinking but that Burkett had home, he was suddenly approached from behind by Burkett, who emleavored to wrench from his hand tho club, which he still held. A struggle ensued and Kimball finally broke Burkett'a hold on the club, when tno of the clerks in the store separaved them. Burkett then left the stoiv and the trouble endotl. Sam Heiser Si.

ot and Killed, A special dispaieh from Erie to Tins Sun says that Heiser and a mau by the name of Cole, confined in the Neosho county jail at Erie for horse stealing, over powered Deputy Sheriff Ellis atCo'cU tck Saturday evening while he was fc eding them and attempted to make beir escape from jail, but the deputy i Iheriff recovered quickly from the atti ick and fatally shot both the prisoners. Cole was from Chanuto. Heiser at one time lived in this city and was well known hero. He had figured pretty ex tensively in the horse stealing busi ness for the past six or seven years. Prior to September 1884, horses had been disappearing with a good deal of regularity in the neighbor hood of this city and it took a good deal oi work, to get onto wrao it was.

But at last this man Heiser was ar rested in this county on a charge of horse stealing. About trie same time. September 8th, 1884, Ja. M. Olhr, of Ladore township.

Neosho county. who had lost some horses, 'went to Erie and went before Justice Wells and swore out a warrant for the arrest of Heiser, but the officials of this county already had him. hu in jail he told Olhr that he would find his horses at a certain place between Pittsburg and Girard, in Crawford county, which he did. xleiser wi sent to the penitentiary for two years from this, conty for horse stealing. When served out his time he went over to Missouri, and before the officers of Neosho county found out where he was, and had a chance to arrest him, he was picked np and eent up for al out two years more for horse stealing in that state.

He nerved out hi two years there and when he got out he returned to Neosho county and settled near Gales-burg. As soon as the officers found ont he was there they gobbled him up on the oi warrant, and he was lodcred ia jail at Erie awaitinjr a seven or eight veers term in the penitentiary from that county. He was perhaps the most successful horse thief that hiu i ever operated in this section. He 1 rp.s a man fifty-six years of nge, da rk complexioned, quite grey and abo nt five feet nine inches in hoight 1 le was to have been tried at the Aj ril term of the iNeosno county distne court. 1.