The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1879-05-01
DEATH or AN EccENrnrC nan.

DEATH OF An EccENHRrc NAN.
Interesting Incidents, which shsw How
Easy 10 Might Have Been fer n Craxv MOh
= Cenoe ~ 1rFeParable Crinae Upon N
John Thomas died at his home in Iowa Township,
on Saturday last, and buried at Highland, Sun.
day afternoon His age was about g years.
Mr. Thomas was the man whom the Atchison Pafriof,
last week, reported as having been beaten and rob
bed by his hired man. The incidents of this affair
are instructive, a. showing how often the mob spirit
is aroused to the commission of atrocities. by
excited imaginations, vague rumors, or by making
strong out of trivial matters
In this had not the facts been revealed in time
an innocent young man might have suffered wrong,
If not death.
Mr. Thomas was bachelor, living on his farm,
between Iowa Point and Highland. The only per-
son living with him was young hired man, named
Price Some days ago, Thomas was paid a debt of
1854 by Charles jackson, placing the money in his
pocket-book, and carrying it with him. That day or
the next, be had occasion to 20 with his wagon to
the saw-mill near the mouth Of Wolf River for some
lumber. While there, he saw q large catfish which
some fishermen had for sale. He purchased piece
of this fish, and was about taking ont his pocket
book to psy for it, when he remembered the large
amount Of money he had in it, which he did not
wish to expose to the view Of strangers and strag
giers about the mill. He therefore remarked to the
proprietor of the mill that he had no change with
him, asking him if he would not pay for the fish,
and charge ii to his account, which tho other did
Thomas then returned home with the lumber and
having eaten dinner, partly composed Of the cat
fish, he had his hired shave him, as was his Gus
tom After performing this operation, the young
man went to Highland, on business Upon his 70
turn, he found Mr.. Thomas lying on his face upon
the floor, his head and face bloody and much bruised
and he apparently lifeless He ran for some of the
neishbors, who quickly came to the scene. As they
lifted Thomas from the floor and placed him on the
bed, they noticed Price standing outside. looking in
ut the window, with terrified look. This was a
circumstance that was construed into feeling of
guilt Mr.. Thomass pockets were examined, and
some $50 or go were found in his pocket-book which
convinced them that he had been assaulted for the
purpose of robbery. Thomas was at length brought
to consciousness, but had no recollection of what
had happened him. He was shown the money which
had been found upon him, to convince him that he
bad not been robbed. He at once demanded to know
where the other 1854 was, that he had in his pocket
Right here occurs q remarkable mixture of keen
recollection and forgetfulness of things occurring
N-~ va AAAA~>eA" WIN "a s~nSS enot uso
never occurred. When he was told that no other
money was found he exclaimed that he had been
robbed. He stated the exact amount of money that
he had received from Mr.. jackson, describing mi
nutely the bills, large and small, that he had recev-
3D. to the - bills that went to complete the
sum Of 1864. He also recollected that he had writ
ten receipt for Mr.. jackson, which he had forgot
ten to sign before delivering to him-which turned
'ut to be the fact This large sum of money, he de-
'lared he had in his pocket when he returned home
Then it flashed upon his recollection that while his
hired man was shaving him, he had taken club
md struck him on the head. He remembered that,
but all afterwards was dark. The hired man saw,
rom the signs and movements, that he was looked
ipon with suspicion and disfsver. He remarked
hat there was go due him from Mr.. Thomas for
wages, and that if they would pay him of, he would
20 away. Here was another sign Of guilt. lie want
ID an excuse to get away with his booty. One Of
hose extra wise individuals who can be found in any
was armed with revolver, and set as
detective to watch young Price, to fasten the guilt
lpon him, and discover where he had hid the money.
{ was even contemplated to hang him up by the
neck until he was almost dead, to force him to a
esson. But before this was fully determined upon,
ome one recollected some expression that Thomas |
lad made relative to business with an individual
wing sotnc ulstiice AWAY n messenger was sent |
that place. to inquire if he knew anything of the
664. He replied that he knew nothing of it adding
hat Price the man who knew where it was, and |
hey had better string him up at once About this |
lime, Mr.. Daniel Boatman, farmer in the neighbor
ood, having got wind of what transpiring, ap-
eared upon the scene He brought the 1864, in bills
precisely described by Mr.. Thomas He said that
thomas had passed his house, on his way home from |
he saw-mill, and entering the house. had handed |
he package of money to Mrs. Boatman, telling her
G keep it for him, till he called for it. She did not
now what to make Of it, and disliked to have so
arge sum of money in the house. Thomas had |
ormerly boarded with them, and doubtless feeling
nsafe carrying the money alone over those solitary
oads it had probably occurred to him that he could
afely trust it with Mrs. Boatman. But this trans |
ction had entirely escaped his memory, while he |
ecollected distinctly that his hired man, while |
having him, had felIed him with club. But this |
eleved Price from the surveillance of the amateur
elective. and from the hands of a mob that was al
eady tliirsting for his blood
An examination of Thomas wounds and his con-
iton, left doubt that he had fallen in epilep-
&c fit, having bruised his head and face in the fall,
nd no doubt in his subsequent struggles. 1t was
forwards ascertaned that Mr.. Thomas had been
cen out of doors, carrying in load of wood, after
e was shaved, and after the hired man had depart
for Highland
Mr.. Thomas was from Nicholas County, Kentucky,
nd went to Iowa Point in the Spring of 1857. For
inc he clerked in the store of x K Stout He was