Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1872-07-24
MURDER IN KANSAS.
. Mortgage which was a True "Pledge
Of Death"-HOE W~esteTRers Can
eel their Obligations.

From the Kansas Times, July l4th.l
Day before yesterday the Times con-
tanned an item referring to the death OF
John Erskine, near WaTrensburg, with
the intimation that there was good
ground for suspicion OF foul play. The
deceased was a resident and a large
property-owner and cattle-dealef in
Guadaloupe county, Texas. His bust
ness of late had frequently called him to
this city and vicinity, and he vas in the
habit of staying here and at Warrens-
burg a large portion of the time. Lately
he had been stopping at Ming's Hotel,
in Warrensburg, looking after his BUSH
ness interests in Johnson county, which
were extensive. Among others Mr.. Frs
kline had dealings with one Sharpe, a
large farmer residing near Warrens-
burg. which resulted in the latter
giving Mr.. Erskine a mortgage
on his property to secure a large debt.
This matter seemed to have a deep effect
upon the mind of Sharpe, and he felt
very uneasy about his obligations to
I Erskine. On Wednesday last the latter
rode out on horseback from Warrens-
burg 20 the place of Sharpe to see him;
also, TO look after a herd of cattle he
had feeding near Sharpe's place. He
spent some little time at Sharpe's place,
and started home in the afternoon.
sharpe, his son, and a man named
Young. a bird man on Sharpe's place,
ACCOMPANIED him. Toward night Sharpe
rode into the little town of Centerville,
and told a story to the effect that Frs
kline had been thrown from his horse
and killed by the horse running away
and dragging him on the ground,
his foot having caught in the
stirrup. He said he had buried Frs
kline temporarily to keep his body from
the hogs, and that he would procure a
coffin and have him decently inferred.
There were those among the listeners,
however, who thought that Shapes
story lacked the necessary thickness,
and they insisted on a COroner'sinquest.
Accordingly a number of men went and
dug up Nj. Erskine's body, impanelled
a Coroner's Jury, and summoned the
younger Sharpe and the hired man
Young as witnesses. Young told a
straight story, substantially ~corrobOrat-
ing the statement of the elder Sharpe.
But when the younger Sharpe was put
upon the stand and subjected to a close
examination he became confused, and
his name indicated that something
was wrong. This served but to confirm
the suspicious that had been but
little aIlayed by the testimony
of Young. The boy was, therefore,
taken away from the presence of his
father. He finally yielded and made
the following statement: He said that
his father, Sharpe, had procured a heavy
club, which he carried in his hand as
he rode along. When they had come
to a lonely spot Sharpe dashed up be-
hind Erskine and dealt him a heavy
blow on the back of his head. Erskine,
being unarmed and unable to defend
himself, put spurs to his horse, and en-
deavOred to get away. Sharpe followed
him, and soon coming within reach
again, dealt him another blow. After
three or four strokes from the club
Erskine tumbled from his horse, when
Sharpe dismounted and finished him
with another blow or two. He then took
off one of Erskine's boots and bruised
his ankle and instep to MAKE it appear IS
if his foot had been caught in the STIR
rup. He also tore his clothes to give
them the appearance of having been
dragged upon the ground. He also took
from Erskine pocket all the notes and
mortgages the latter held against him
and upon his property, and then buried
him rs above stated. After Erskine had
fallen from his horse, and before Sharpe
had Cismounted to finish killing him, he
asked that Major George, Of this city,
be sent for to take care of his cattle.
Upon the relation of this story by the
boy, the widest excitement ensued, and
of summaryexecution were freely
But calmer counsels prevail
ed, and Sharpe was takento Warrensburg
and lodged in jail. Afterthe confession of
young Sharpe, the hired man signified
his desire to become States evidence,
and was accepted. The murderer, James
Sharpe, is one of the largest farmers in
johnson county, is well connected, and
is said to be worth about fifty thousand
dollars. The murdered man was well
known in this city, in Virginia, where
he formerly resided, and to all the cattle
men in the Southwest. His terrible death
will create a profound feeling of sympa-
thy and sorrow for him, and a terrible
measure of public wrath must be meted
out to his brutal and cowardly murderer.