The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-06-16
A DIABoLICAL CRIME.

AN ATRoCIoUs PLAN TO GET MoNEY-A HUMAN
LIFE sACRIFICED-THE FRAUD DETECTED
AND THE PUNISHMENT To BE GIVEN.
The Kansas City Times contains the fol-
lowing account of most internal crime:
Arthur Winner was convicted on last Thurs
day, at Wichita. of murder in the first de-
gree. The crime was committed on the 25th
of last December, the circumstances of which
were so shocking as to still be fresh in the
public mind. He and McNutt, his partner
in the crime, were engaged in painting in
this city. They grew weary Of toiling from
day to day to make an honest living. and
conceived the idea OF growing rich suddenly.
McNutt being a married man, they de-
termined to have his life insured for the ben
eft of his wife, then murdered man who
should personate McNutt, who should con-
ceal himself until the insurance money was
paid Wichita was selected as the place for
perpetrating 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 repaired to Wichita.
They rented a shop in that city
and began the painting business
in which they were doing well,
that business. They Immediately began the
canvass for a 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 borrowed the monev of a
friend, with which he started to take him TO
Wichita. When they arrived at Topeka the
money gave out, and Sewer laid over, en-
gaging to do some work for ID. III. Copson.
Winner, however, went on to Wichita, and
Immediately telegraphed back a money or
do To al N Aaro
SEWER continued his journey, irving at
Wichita on the night of the 25th of Deem
ber. He was never seen alive after. That
night the paint shop in which McNutt and
Winner were quartered was burned. Soon
after the alarm of fire was given Winner
rear of the building, with feet up
and head down, in pretended
semi-conscious condition. He had a
slight wound on his head scratch on
his arm and on his side. He was
| taken across the street. where he feigned un-
physicians, but he became conscious before
they had time to operate upon the system.
| When the fire was extinguished the Gre
mated remains of a man were found which
could no. be identified. McNutt was miss
ing and at the coroner's inquest Winner
claimed to be able to identify the corpse as
that of McNutt. Suspicious were aroused
that there had been foul play. A letter
from Mrs. McNutt to her husband was
opened, which contained an exhortotion to
him to drop Winner and give up the idea
of committing the crime, as '1she would
rather work her gngers off than obtain
money In that way" Search for McNutt
4 was Immediately Instituted. In a short
time letter was received from one Of the
parties who had been invited to go to
Wichita by McNutt. stating that he
McNutt,
II fl. COULD BE FOUND
on a farm near Smithville, Mo. The officers
from Wichita Immediately went to Clay
| county, arrested McNutt, and took him Il
, Wichita. He and Winner both stood theil
preliminary examination, and were bound
over to appear at the present term of court
} held in Sedgwick county. Winner was alst
removed to Topeka, where he remained II
t company with McNutt until the 18th ult.
D when they were taken to Wichita for trial
D The counsel for thesdefense endeavored t
g obtain a change of venue, failing IN which
i separate trials were demanded. Winner wa
' tried first, the trial lasting about one week
r After the case was concluded the jury wer
e but three hours in finding a verdici o
r guilty of murder in the first degree. Nc
q Mutt will be tried next. The same evidenc
e that convicted Winner will convict NcNuti
Is The entire history of this case, from tn
conception of the crime until terminated !
the revolving holocaust of last Decembe
presents one of the most cold-blooded, di'
bolical attempts to secure money at the e.
n pense ofhnfhan life ever recorded. AccoTdiI
a TO the laws of Kansas, Winner will have to |
confined in the penitentiary for the term
one year before be can suffer the death pc
{. atty. which will undoubtedly be mis- Sc
10 tence.