The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1860-04-28
A Deputy o. s. Marshal shot

. y. =. Oeputy n4aIsuas, III an attempt 20
arrest Mr.. John Ritchey, of Topeka. was
shot by him [Rischey1 and almost Instantly
killed. T g weapon used was Colts re-
yolyers and the kall entered the neck, sever
ingsthes jugulaf vein. u sil8g a.sa1 zail
The psrticalass of this unfortunate affair,
as we learn them from the testimony ELECTED
at the coroner 8. Inquest, is to the following
effect
Friday afternoon Mr.. Arms went 60 the
house Of Mr.. Riscbey. in Topeks. aecompa-
MED by another gentleman. They found
Mr.. Ritcbsy stAp4fng N afro,ss-sf his house.
Mr.. Arms called him one side and the two
had few minutes conversation, the purporti
of which is not known. At the close of i'll
| Mr.. Ritchey called to Mr.. Rice, who stood
few yards of, to come to him. and asked
him (Rice) to take notice that Arms was
there, claiming to be Deputy Marshal. to-
arrest him R,tchey) on an old affair of
1856. but did not claim to have any papers.
and did not produce any, to all of which
Arms assented. Mr.. Ritchey then said to
Arms that he would not be arrested, and
went into his house, followed by Arms.
Mr. Riichey. upon going into'his house, got
his pistol. Arms repeated that he was GO
ing to take him. and Ritchey told him that
he. would not be taken alive. Arms went
toward Ritchey as if to take him., Ritehey
re,reated into the adjoining room. saying to-
Arms that he would shoot. Arms then put
1 his hand in his breast pocket, drew out a.
revolver and cooked it, saying that if Ritch-
ey got him first he would have to be quick
est: At this time Arms turned round as if
| to leave, saying that he would go to Leaven.
worth, get the troops, and take him the next
day. But the next moment be turned back,
with his revolver leveled, and advancing to-
ward Ritchey said. "By Cd you have to
60" Ritchey backed few PAGES. followed
by Arms, and warned him to stand back or
he would shoot him. Arms continued to
advance, when Ritchey leveled bis pistol
and fired. Arms fell dead. Ritchey then
went to Mr.. Justice Miller and gave himself
into custody A coroner's inquest was held
on the body, and the above facts elected.
Saturday, Ritchey was examined before
Justice Miller. and after long examination
was discharged, the Justice declaring that
the deed was .jusli6able before God and
man. The prosecution was conducted by
Messrs. Brocksway, Hawkins and s. N.
Wood the defense by Dow, Lane and Wi
nants. a..
The affair created great excitement in
Topeka. Mr.. Ritohey is an old resident of
Topeka, and has many warm friends and
many bitter enemies. He was an active
participant in the troubles of 1855, SO
and ST on the side of the Free State
men, and incurred the intense hatred of
the .pro-slavery men generally. He was
indicted by the Bogus Grand Juries for
almost every, imaginable offense, but no Off
Ger ever succeeded in arresting him. The
warrant under which Mr.. Arms pretended
to act was for offenses during the troubles.
such as almost every Free State man in the
Territory was guilty of-that of fighting for
their homes and the liberty of speech and
lish clearly that Arms did not produce his
authority to arrest RitcEie, WHICH is indis-
pensable to legal arrest if demanded. The
/ friends of Richie claim he was justified
, because Arms refused to show his authority,
! and unIawfully invaded Ritchey's house.
and that the killing was an act of self, de-
u Tense.
The State Record, in calm. dispassion-
; ate review of the matter, regrets the affair.
= but says that Rilchey was clearly justifable.
: The Tribune. however. boldly declares that
it was diabolicai murder, and calls loudly
for revenge. ~
For our own part, we regret it; not alone
on account of the death of Mr. Arms, but
because the attempt to arrest Mr.. Ritehey
D shows determination on the part of the
Federal officials TO revive the bloody and
cruel past. All such efforts cannot but be
productive Of evil consequences. Il smacks
too-much of the old persecution to be tame
y submitted 70. The sragical result Of this
attempt should restrain all further efforts
of the kind. It is serious matter to take
J, tkelif of "a feilowrbeipg. Nothing but the
most pressing case ofaself- defense can fur
/ nish moral justification for the taking Of
human life. Human laws may acquit when
{ divine laws would condemn We hope that
n Mr. Ritchey may be morally and legally IN
: nocent. and be able 70 establish it to the
...aa.t5 - ess0fssss8 HEsslss-8 srzE ssssN
II
, The meter viii doubtless be brought be
: fore Grand Jury and be full1 Investigated.