The Kanzas news., 1858-02-27
FatsI.Amrav


| A fatal affray occurred on Eagle Greek,
about nine miles South of lEmporia; on
Saturday last, between two men named S.
Robinson and R. Mahaffey, which resulted
in the death Of the former The eircum
stances, as we learn them are about these
Mahaffey and Robinson came into the coun-
try together from Iowa, sometime last sum-
mer-Robinson driving Mahafey's team.
Robinson, who was an Englishman, and
without family. made his home at Mahaf-
fey's house. Mahaffey having occasion to
return to Iowa in the fall, left Robinson in
charge of his stock. etc. After his return,
finding that Robinson had gained an unen-
lviable notoriety from some transactions in
cattle, he desired Robinson to leave his
ihouse-be did so and went to keeping
bach" on his own claim near by.
Mahaffey was owing Robinson note for
| S13 or thereabouts, and Robinson, claimed
further SUM of S18 for looking after his
stock during his absence to Iowa This
latter sum Mahaffey had refused to pay,
but had offered to leave out the disputed
item to the 7neighbors and abide their de-
cision. Robinson refused the offer 10 ar
bitrate = became exceedingly enraged at
Mahaffey for his treatment. and frequently
made threats of revenge. These threats
were repeated very distinctly on the day of
his death, while grinding his ak, at the
house of Mr.. Hare, near Eagle City. About
12 O'Clock he left Hare's and appears to
have gone to his own house and from thence,
with his newly ground ak, to the place
where Mahaffey was at work in the woods,
splitting rails. HaE
Mahaffey states that Robinson came up
to him and said "I understand you say
you are not going to pay me- To which
Mahafey replied 81 never said so. 1 owe
you note of s13 and shall pay it." Rob-
inson-greatly excited-exclaimed cd
d--n you, that's mot, what mean; but
that otkert'' Mahaffey made little or nc
answer and Robinson proceeded to cut a
hickory club about Al feet long and inch
es through at the butt, and advanced To-
wards Mahafey with the club uplifted tc
strike. AS he approached in that manner,
Mahafey raised the Ak with which he was al
work and struck Robinson heavy blow in
the left shoulder, and then turned and ran
towards his own house. He states that Rob
inson followed him considerable distance,
and once called after him by name. He went
Immediately after telling his wife, to the near
est neighbor and related the circumstance
substantially as they are here given. This
was about four o'clock M. .s
On going 10 the woods the body of Rob
inson was found some ten or fifteen rods
from the place of the affray. The clut
was found on his trail, two or three rod:
from the scene of the ggle-bloody and
bearing the marks of Robinson S, axe:
An inquest was held upon the body, and
. verdict rendered in accordance with the
above statement.
Mahafey made no attempt to escape
He was Immediately arrested, and after al
examination was released, on giving bail il
the sum of $500 to appear for trial at th'
March term of the Probate Court of Madi
son. County. The prosecution is managed
by S. F. Graham, County Recorder-de
fense by L. D. Bailey.
Mahaffey is said to have borne a gooC
4 character in Iowa. .i' sEiaa 1H5