Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1872-10-16
ATTEMPT MS CAPTURE,

! "
men were shivering with cold and /
fear, and Thomas afterwards said he
would have gwen anything he pos
sesSed to have been out of the !.
scrape. The woman answered the |
call, and they told her that they |
wanted to see Burton. She said he
was not there, but they insisted that
they must see him. aud would remain
until he came. The woman finding
that they were obstinate, at last cou-
senled Ia let them remain over night.
and promised 10 send her son for
Burton i'll the morning. IHev passed
Il miserable and anxious night, and
rose long before daylight. About
eight O'Clock the boy returned and
reported that lie had found Burton
and informed him that two men were
waiting 10 see him. Burton had all
swercu that he would come over, and
in few minutes afterwards he up
pcurrd at the edge of the clearing.
Thomas and his COMPANION walked
out to the gate and they surveyed
each other for Il moment or two i'll
silence. Burton did not seem pleased
1T their appearuiice,and once or twice
DREW Up HIS GUN AsI TO FIRE.
They shouted to him not to shoot,
and. throwing up their arms, declared
that they had 10 weapons. Burton
took another survey OF them, and
finally slowly approached. informing
them that he would fire on them OH
the least appearance OF trenchery,
aud that he only waived his usual
custom of firing on any ole Within
pistol shot OF Inn out of CURIOSITY 10
hear vi hat they had 10 say. The trio
al last entered the house, and Burton,
after ordering the men in front OF
him, sat down TO breakfast with his
gun resting against the bed and in
easy reach. Thomas, who was thin
and very pale, acted as spokesman.
and Informed him that they had Il
few days before escaped from Fed
eral prison at Springfield, and tha;
they were on their way South. They
had heard Of him, and knowing that
he Was we'll provided with such
Things, came 10 nin for horses, cloth
ing and arms. They pruic>scd tu be-
abe and willing to pay when the!
reached home, and PROMISED to send
b III the money. Burton replied that
he had no more sympathy Tor a
Suutherner than tor Northern KAN.
and that
HE HAD no FRIENDS
| He murdered and robbed both sides,
an'i dId not propose to assist amy one.
/ he men urged that they were perish
,ng with the clothIn" they iiad on,
aud would either freeze Oh etarve To
death il he did not assist ;liclu. Bur-
AN easier death, and thought he had
better Kill them and put them out OF
their trouble. Looking at Thomas
rnaciuted figure and white face. he
added, with horrible huuur. that the
skeleton could not live long, any
way. and night as well be hustled
out OF the world at once. The two
men, whose teeth were chattering
with fear aud cold, but WHO dared
not approach the fire without per-
! mission, stood in silence while he
muuclcd his break last aud uttered b S
%hastly jokes. He at last flashed his
meal, am'i, picking up his rifle. placed
il across his knees as he sealed him
self in front of the fire, and gave
them permission TO approach. They
drew up chairs and seated themselves
OH each side of him, and again urged
him 10 give them horses aud arms,
snying that it could afford him nU
qualification to
| KILL TWO MISERABLE DEVILS
like them, and that they would be
forever grateful to him for assistance.
Burton told them to stop their talk
and he would let them know what
he would do with them after he had
smoked pipe. DRAWN" his pipe
from his pocket, lie slowly Whitfield
some tobacco from hard twist and
filled the bowl. Thomas, who was
ut his right hand, reached out, and,
raising the heavy iron poker in his
hand, pokcd an ember out OF the tire
for him to light his pipe with. Bur.
ton stopped down to put il i'll the
bowl, when Thomas, with the spring
OF n panther, gained his feet and
dealt the rutiian fearful blow across
the back of his head with the poker
His companion 1T the same instan,
grasped the muzzie of the rifle anC
snatched it from his lap. Burton
pitched forward OH the hearth, bu
although stunned, still endeavored Il
clutch ut his ritle-stock. Thomas hat
no intention OF allowing his advan
tnye to slip from him, aud, whil'
Burton was still on his hands ant
Knees, sprung on his back, anu using
both hands Showercd blow after blow
upon his head,
/ CRUSHING HIS SKULL
In ut almost every stroke. Whel
satist fed at last that the wretch wa
/ dead, Thomas dropped the poker, AN,
. the two men, completely unnerve,
with the terrible struggle, laughe,
historically. The woman, who ha,
been . terrified spectator Of the scene
J sRd who had, after the first blow
] wrung her hands and cried, "Fo