The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1879-11-20

MURDER AT SEvERANCE-Great excitement wa
caused, Sunday morning, by the report that Deput!
Marshal Sykes of Severance, had been murdered b,
| man whom he was trying to arrest. We hav,
waited for . correct account from some one of ou
correspondents at Severance; but, as usual, wheI
anything worth writing occurs, not word has beer
sent. We therefore copy the St. Joseph Herald.
account, which is probably correct as any of tn,
statements We have heard:
About O'Clock on Saturday evening two men, nam
| ed Wilson and Blackburn, came from the country,
riding two horses which did not belong to them.
They went in search of whiskey, which they procur-
ed and then started to leave town, acting in very
noisy and disreputable manner and they were ar
rested by Marshal Mock and his deputy, Joseph
Sykes and placed in the boose.
About half past nine, Ira Mcintyre, q young man
about years of age, came up to the 6oose
and stopped before it, whereupon, Sykes ordered
him away, saying: "Get out, or I'll put you in the
be put into the boose for and will not go in for
nothing" Sykes said, ~ will put you in for two
cents, and will put you in anyhow, if the Marshal
in, and Sykes turned and grabbed Mcintyre by the
shoulder of his coatsleeve. Mcintyre pulled away
and ran leaving his coatsleeve and hat in posses
him in to morrow, if he could get hold of him.
On Sunday morning about O'Clock, Mcintyre
came into town from his home. accompanied by q
about sixteen years. Mcintyre went to Marshal
Mock and asked him for his hat and coat sleeve.
The hat was returned to him, but he told moth
ing was known about the sleeve, but perhaps Sykes
could tell where it was. Tlereupon Mcintyre turn
ed away, and walked over to Sykes house, knocked
at the door, and asked Of the wife where her hus-
band was.
When the knock came at the door, the wife was
preparing breakfast and Sykes dressed only in shirt
and pants, was playing with his little baby on the
bed, and he listened to its childish laugh and
prattle, he little dreamed that the rap the door
Was summons for him to pass from home to the cold
and silent grave He went to the door, on being call
ed hv his wi McInfyre asked for he sle va
torn from hiscoat the previous night. Sykes said he
knew nothing of it. Hot words came quick and fast
from both sides, when Sykes struck Mcintyre, and
the latter retreated but was still followed for sixty
five PAGES, when he was again overtaken. Here he
called ont to Sykes not to strike, but to keep his
hands of, and quick u flash, with q downward
stroke, he sent the blade of large knife into the
deputys body, severing the third rib and penetrat-
ing the heart. Sykes wavered for an instant, stop
ped, and fell leless into MeIntyres Mcintyre
supported the body, and called loudly for doctor,
but no earthly aid was required-death had been ill.,
Simultaneous. Mcintyre Immediately surrendered him
self to the authorities and was lodged in the bOose,
to await the result of the inquest, which held by
j. A. Campbell, J. p. The jury after being out TWEEN
ty minutes, returned verdict Of felonous assault,
and that j. Sykes to his death by being stabbed
through the heart by knife found in the hands of
Ira Mcintyre.
The funeral of the late Deputy Marshal Sykes took
place at two o'clock Monday, and was largely at
tended many coming into the city from the surround
ing country. The deceased was about thirty five
years Of age, and leaves wife and two children.
the examination there will be many surmses. There
doubtless important facts that have not yet
been disclosed. Sykes very large and very
strong, being six feet and half in height. He
had just recovered from injuries received time
in May last, when, in an attempt to arrest a man
named Dipon, he struck i'm the back of the head
with a stone by some unknown person. The suspect
ed persons tried the last District Court when
they were acquitted.
The killing was witnessed by young Lambert and
Mrs. Sykes whose testimony will be about uniform
with the above statement A great many believe the
deed done in selfdefense, aud still many 9TH
think Sykes in the discharge of his duties
officer when stricken down. Mcintyre claims that
he did not intend to kill the man, but only to defend
himself and in reply question, stated that he did
all he could for Sykes after he struck him. send
ing for a doctor.
Ira Mcintyre is of Judge Mcintyre, of Oregon,
Holt County, Missouri.
Mcintyre lodged in the County Jail, Sunday
evening. For some reason, it thought best to
have his preliminary examination in Troy; and Us
write, wednesday, the proceedings in prog
ress before Esquire Soper. We understand that Nc
Intyre will set up the plea Of sefdefense, alleging
that Sykes assaulted him with his fists But the facts
will be developed on the examination.