Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1886-07-09
UNDER ARRESTS.
Gideon 4. and VIM. n. Thompson, Geo. II
Sexton and AlonZo Nelson,
CharRed Wlth q Grave crimel

Sexton and Alonzo Nelson,
Charged With Grave Crimel
For several weeks, the people in tn,
western part Of Barber county hav,
been interested in learning of In,
whereabouts of J. II. McQuinn, whC
/ disappeared from Deerhead, Barber
county, on the evening of March 2stl
1856. He was at Deerhead that even
ing for supper, and, it is said, exhibited
+, quite large sum of money. He was
at the time unger the influence Of liquor
and in that condition started for the
ranch or farm of Gideon r. Thompson
three miles southeast OF Deerhead
/ Since then nothing has been heard OF
/ Mctluinn, and diligent search ha:
failed to reveal his body, dead or alive
His horse was discovered near the
| Thompson ranch, the next morning
it is alleged, by Alonzo Nelson, Il young
man who worked for the Thompsons.
and turned into the Thompson pasture
Soon afterwards, it was reported in the
neighbOrhCOd that note was tied in
the horses name, from McQuinn, say
ing that he had gone to Missouri; but
this statement is not insisted on now
1t was generally believed, however
that McQuinn had gone TO Missouri
until about four weeks since, when a
letter was received from his family
making inquiries about him, and then
1t was that foul play was first suspect
ed. His son-in-law, Mr.. Gillespie came
out and with VIM. and Frank Dean and
and other friends of the missing man.
commenced the work of searching for
him. And later, week ago, the wife
of McQuinn, from Andrew county,
Missouri, and his brother from Texas,
arrived here, and with Sheriff Nelson
and Under Sheriff Lindsey, they COM
menced collecting evidence.
Last week party went out to Ford
county to view body found murdered,
and while there, it is claimed, impor-
tant evidence was discovered, though
the body was net that of the missing
man. Last Saturday, Under Sheriff
Lindsey returned from the west, and at
once consulted with County Attorney
Howe, who decided that warrants
should be issued for the arrest of the
suspected parties. These were Gideon
II. Thompson, his brother VIM. NJ.
Thompson, AlonZo Nelson. a young
man who worked for them, and Geo.
III. Sexton, a notary, surveyor, pOliti-
elan, etc, and founder of the Sexton
post-Cific IL is claimed, on what
foundation we can not say, that these
parties were all seen with McQuinn on
the night Of his disappearance; that
Scyeral persons are witnesses TO their
being together; that some of McQuinn's
property has been discovered on the
Thompson ranch; that Sexton was
away from home at that time; that
soon after the disappearance, one of
the suspected parties exhibited GER
tain gold coin that McQuinn was
known to possess that another paid off
a considerable amount of Indebtedness
in this city. And various other cir
cumstances are offered to show that
the parties under arrest know of Nc
Quinn's whereabouts, even if he is yet
alive. This evidence will, it is claimed
be produced at the proper time, but it
is not best to publish it here; nor do
we propose to PREJUDICE the case, pre-
ferring to consider every man innocent
until he is proven guilty.
The Thompson's and Nelson were ar
rested on Monday, 5th inst. at their
ranch, by Sheriff Nelson and Under
Sheriff Lindsey. They made no resis-
lance. Geo. III. Sexton spent the 9Th
ut New Kiowa and returned here Mon
day night, it is said, after learning that
there was warrant out for his arrest.
The warrant was served on him in the
Grand hotel, Tuesday morning. On
Wednesday Justice Dunham fixed the
bail of each of the defendants at So. 900.
and soon afterwards Sexton gave his
bond with j. w. McNeal Commissioners
&. III. Douglas J. McGrath and Mr..
hudson. Gideon also gave bond
with Fen. |. Cooper and John McGrath
as securities. 1t is also probable that
VIM. NJ. Thomson and Nelson will be
able to secure bond this week. The
preliminary examination is set for
next Wednesday.
And now, the most important point is
to find the body of McQuinn. if he be
dead. Strict search is being made. a re-
ward Of one hundred dollars, having
been offered. The following notice
was published and generally circulated
this week
500 REWARD J. Il. McQuinn has
been missing since the 18th day of
March, and is supposed to have been
toully dealt with. Twill pay 500 for
his body. dead or alive He was last
seen at Deerhead, IN March 18th, 1856.
going to ThOmpsoTss place, three miles
east OF Deerhead, in Barber county.
DESCRIPTION.
lie was about 6 feet high. dark COM
pleXion, 80 years old, slightly gray hair
and beard, middle fingers on left hand
crooked. small scar on side of face
caused by bullet wound. His horse
and saddle were found at Thompson's
place. Any information will be thank
fully received s. II. McOUTNN
Medicine Lodge, Kan. July 6, iss6.
Brand Il Long have been retained to
assist the county attorney in the pros
Z. Sample is the attorney of
the Thompsons, and it is understood
that Sexton viii manage his own case.
1t occurs that the county commits
sioners should have meeting in Au-
gust or September and re-district the
county into townships, voting precincts
and commissioner districts. rs now
arranged, the townships lap ovey into
the commissioner districts and the vot-
ing precincts are establishe 1 without re-