The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1874-06-18
A Brief History Of One Of the Most
DiabOlical Grimes on Record.
from the Kansas City Times. ]

Arthur Winner was convicted on last
Thursday, at Wichita, of murder in the
first degree. The crime was committed
OH the 25th of last December, the circum-
stances of which were so shocking as still
to be fresh in the public mind. He and
McNutt, his partner in the crime, were
engaged in painting in this city. They
grew weary ottOiling from day to day to
make an honest living, and conceived the
idea of growing rich suddenly. McNutt
being married man, they determined to
have his life insured for the benefit of his
wife, then murder man who should per-
senate McNutt, who should conceal him
self until the insurance money was paid.
Wichita was selected as the place for per
petrating this deed, as it was supposed to
be place where crime could be commit
ted with impunity. The insurance policy
was taken on McNutt's life last fall, and
he, with Winner, soon after repaired to
Wichita.
They rented a shop in that city and be-
gan the painting business in which the.
were doing well. They, however, were
not there to prosecute that business.
They Immediately began the canvass for
suitable victim. A number of painters
were written to come to Wichita, as there
were "splendid openings for business.
Finally one Sewer was picked upon as the
proper victim for cremation. Winner
came to this city for his man, and borrow
ed the money of friend with which he
started to take him to Wichita. When
they arrived at Topeka the money gave
out and Sewer laid over, engaging to do
some work for ID. III. Copson.
Winner, however, went on to
Wichita and Immediately telegraphed back
a money order to Sewer ut Topeka. In Il
few days Sewer continued his journey, ar
irving at Wichita on the night Of the 2Jth
of December. He was never seen alive af-
ter That night the paint-shOp in which
McNutt and Winner were quartered was
burned. Soon after the alarm of fire was
given Winner was found on the stairway
in the rear of the building, with feet up
and head down, in a pretended Semi-cOn-
scious condition. He had a slight wound
on his head, a scratch on his arm and on
his side. He was taken across the street,
where he feigned uncOnsciOusnesS. Slim
ulants were given by physicians, but he
became conscious before they had time to
operate upon the system. When the fire
was eXtinguished the cremated remains OF
a man were found which could not be iden-
titled.
McNutt was missing, and at the COrOn-
er's inquest Winner claimed to be able to
identify the corpse as that of McNutt. Sus-
picions were aroused that there had been
foul play. A letter from Mrs. McNutt to
her husband was opened, which contained
an eXhOrtatiOn to him to drop Winner and
give up the idea of committing the crime,
as ''she would rather work her fingers off
than obtain money in that way" Search
for. M.Nntf iDnp1a4lfof alyv inCtitntaH
In short time a letter was received from
one of the parties who had been invited TO
90 to Wichita by McNutt, stating that he,
McNutt, could be found on a farm near
Smithville. Mo. The officers from Wichita
Immediately went to Clay county, arrest
ed McNutt, and took him to Wichita. He
and Winner both stood their preliminary
examination, and were bound over to ap-
pear at the present term of the court, held
in Sedgwick county. Winner was taken
to Cottonwood Falls for safe keeping.
McNutt and his wife were taken to Topeka
and placed in the Shawnee county Jail
His wife was afterward taken back to
| Wichita where she has since remained in
charge of the marshal of Wichita. Winner
was also removed to Topeka where he re-
manned in company with McNutt until the
18th ult., when they were taken to Wich.
ita for trial. The counsel for the defense
endeavored to obtain a change of venue
failing in which separate trials were de
manded.
Winner was tried first, the trial lasting
| about one week. After the case was con
cluded the jury were but three hours ii
| finding a verdict of guilty of murder in the
first degree.
! McNutt will be tried next. The samt
| evidence that convicted Winner will con
| vict McNutt. However, it is claimed tina
| there are circumstances indicating clearly
| that McNutt was urged to the commission
| of this crime by Winner. 1t is hardly
possible that jury can be found that viii
find McNutt guilty of less crime thai
that of which Winner stands convicted
The entire history of the case, from thu
conception of the crime until terminated il
the revolving holocaust of last December
presents one of the most cOld-bloOded, dia
bolical attempts to secure money at tn,
expense of human life ever recorded.
According to the laws of Kansas, Win
ner will have to be confined in the peni
tentiary for the term of one year before IN
can suffer the death penalty, which vii
undoubtedly be his sentence.