The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1876-11-23
BADLY MIXED.
KIRwIN, KAN, November l6, Is,

KIRwN, KAN, November 16, 1876.
EDITOR TINES Your special correspon-
dent from Russell in reporting the murder
in Smith county, has got things badly mix
ed he reports that the murler was COM
mitted by man named Albert Hayes,
and that the victim was named E. p.
Willis, and he states further that Willis
was a Unknown gentleman residing near
Kirwin. He states that b,th had been pay
ing attention to the same young lady, and
that che favored Willis rather than Hayes,
and that the green eyed demon became
possessed of the latter with the above re-
suit, etc All this seems to be very circum-
stantial but it is nearly all wrong.
The only trouble of this kind that has
occurred in this section vas the killing of
David Frazier by David T. Riddle in Smith
county about miles from Kirwin, and
this is undoubtedly the case that your cor
respondent intended to report. The facts
were that on Tuesday evening the 9TH inst,
al q school house on Cedar creek in Smith
county, David I. Rindle was creating q
disturbance with q French harp, when
David Frazier requested him TO stop, he
refused, and angry words passed. Riddle
is said to have used terrible obscene Ian
guage Frazier wanted him to 20 outside
OF the school house and they would settle
the dispute, there being ladies present he
wanted no disturbance in the school house.
Riddle refused to 20 out but they came
to blows or to scuffling. From ali the ac-
counts it appears that David 7. Riddle and
q younger brother of his, and another young
man named John Simons were all engaged
in a scufile with Young Frazier, when he
vas heard to say: 81 am stabbed ~ and
fell forward "deadw He was stabbed to
the heart
David T. Riddle and Simons took to their
ponies Immediately and fed. An effort was
made by one man 10 stop them, but they
overpowered him and made good their es-
cape.
A great many reports are in circulation
As to an old feud between these young men.
and about Riddles having gone to the
school house prepared for the bloody work.
There are also reports about their having
paid attention to the same young lady, and
of i'll feeling growing out Of this fact But
Bile fact is clear that a very worthy young
man has been cruelty murdered. An aged
father and mother have had their hearts
broken by seeing their son slain almost be-
fore their eyes.
A peaceable community of law abiding
citiz ms have been outraged by the perpe-
tration of one of the foulest murders ever
committed in the state. The guilty par
ties seem to have successfully eluded pur-
suit thus far. There is no reliable trace Of
them. The officers Of Smith county seem
to be doing what they can to secure the
murderer or murderers. The sheriff of
Smith county, J. NJ. Stevens, has offered
reward of $500 for the arrest of Riddle and
Simons.
Norton county polled 25l votes. About
200 of them were Republican }. w. Ham
ilton was elected to the Legislature.
Rocks county polled about ITO votes and
elected S. S. Boggs, Republican, to the
House.
All the other counties of the Northwest
have been reported. You have noticed
that Gen. II. c. Bull defeats Calvin Reason
er for the House in Osborne county. II.