The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1880-08-05

Cspt osorss Hsussy Kills 8ssii Worth.
Saturday evening the report cametO
town that Capt. Geo. Hawley, Super
intendent Of the County Poor Farm.
had shot and killed Basil Worth, who
Is well known as having been charge
upon the county for the past eight or
nine years. The c0rOner summoned a
jury that evening, and early the fol-
lowing morning they started for the
poor farm to hold an inquest. A num-
Der of witnesses were examined and
their testimony was given without
| much variance in it. Basil, ms is well
known, has been subject to fits for the
past twelve or more years, and during
their continuance he Is subject to un-
cOntrOllable passiOn-a frenzy border
ing upon insanity. A jury, . few
years Az adjudged him insane and he
was sent to the State Insane Asylum.
He was subsequently sent hack to us
~ incurable, and ever since has spent
his time either upon the poor farm or
in the county Jail. For q time it was
possible To govern him by persuasion,
hut Of late years he has grown more
violent in his moods and o most dan
gerOus character. While Mr.. Gaver-
lex was i'm charge Of the poor farm he
had several struggles with Basil, and
on one or two occasions was badly in
jured. He, ~ well as Captain Hawley,
have considered that they were caring
ing for . dangerous character. Capt.
Hawley barely escaped being stabbed
by Basil at one time. and on another
occasion blow from club in Basil's
hand inflicted u wound upon his head
aud one upon his arm, from the effects
of which he did not recover for sever
al weeks. One Of the duties of the
superintendent of the poor farm was
to keep Basil confined to the premises.
We're he to roam ut large, he might,
in one Of his bad moods. have attacked
any one who happened To cross him.
He was q giant in strength when fren-
zied, and ordinary nlOrtala could hard
~ have withstOOd his hostile advances.
On last Saturday Capt Hawley was
sitting In the family room of the poor
heuse., cOnversing with one or two par
ties, when Basil made his appearance
ut the open door and asked for tobacco.
Hawley went to q cupboard and took
package of tOhactO-ali there was
left. and gave it 10 Basil with the ex-
preston that that must last him until
he (Hawley) went 10 town. Basil
sulked and refused to receive il, and
then went away. Shortly afterwards
one Of Mr.. hawley's hired men came
10 the door aud informed Hawley that
Basil was leaving the premises.
Hawley went to y bureau and taking
revolver, went out doors. He saw
Basil u few rods away advancing to
wards town, with a bundle OF clothes
and two cadgels which he usually car
ried with him. He advanced towards
Basil, and asked him quietly to come
hack. Basil raising one OF his canes
menacingiy and shouting that he
would kill Hawley, rushed towards
him at full speed-the latter retreat
ing towards the house in quick order.
Hawley drew his revolver and fired q
shot above Basil's head, hoping thus
To intinliiate him, hut Basil with AN
oath told Hawley To shoot again, and |
continued chasing Kim with the up
lifted cusieel. According to the .esti- |
mOHy, HaWley now considered his lie |
IN danger and fired . SECOND shot,
which entered lsasii's body just below |
the breast. Hawley supposed he had |
misseh Basil, A. the latter still ad-
yaneed with Oaths finurishing his |
eudgel, and when within ten feet If
Hawley, the latter fired the third and |
last shot which proved fatal, the ball !
passing through the neck. The corO-
ner's jury having listened to the evil
dcnce, adjourned proceedings until
when they returned the fol-
lowing verdict: