Wichita eagle., 1886-08-20
LAST NIGHTS LYNCHING
That Did Not Take Place Though
Fully Two Hundred
Cool and
Determined Citizens OF Valley
Center Make FruiJleSS
Search for the
Bloody Assassin, Going Second
Time to the County Jail
For the Prisoner,
Shirif Hays. Anticipating Their
Coming. Spirits the Cniprit 10
& Place Of Safety.

1t was quite a surprise to al to learn yester-
day morning that the assassin, John Mckin-
ney had madesafe his escape from his enraged
pursuers. and was resting behind the bars of
his own choice. Immediately after the news
became known It was the talk UPON the street
when the sun appeared in the east again it
would find the body of the prisoner swinging
| high in the air As the day passed on the
| fear for his life became more widespread.
! About noon Sheriff Hays received a tele-
gram from the mayor of Valley Center
stating that if the prisoner was conducted
back to that place his person should not be
molested. Shortly after receiving the dis
patch he was introduced to a warrant in the
hands OF a constable from that place which
called for the arrest of John Mckinney.
Sheriff Hays positively denied that they had
any control over the one desired as he was
then in jail and he could have his trial here
as we'll as any place. lie maintained his
position and the prisoner did rot take his
trip north
About O'Clock the report was on the wing
that about $50 men were stationed a short
distance north Of town and were sending in
for that sort of supplies that would have a
tendency to allay their thirst and make them
prespire freely. Anumber of men were seen
on the streets all day, some of whom it is
claimed, by gentleman, lives in the vicinity
Of Valley Center. It was the general belief
thai they were serving as spies 10 see how the
land lay and make sure the prisoner would
not be conducted out Of the city by the
officials.
Shortly before slndown a good span of
horses attached TO closed carriage were
halted in front OF the county jail. In a
moment the sheriff accompanied by the pris-
oner who was orramented with q heavy
suit of ron-running apparel appeared.
Two armed guards followed them and the
four were seated in the carriage. The driver
spoke The word and they went-where?
Between nine and ten o'clock last night four
white men in citizens clothing and unmaslled
called at the jail ana demanded ''one of The
prisoners John Mckinney The iailor Mr.
j. T. Darnal told them that he was not in
that section They were not satisfied how
ever and insisted on having the keys at their
disposal for time. Th2y were delivered ov
er and they walked in. They closely exam
ined every cell and hunted the jail thorough
" but could not find the man sought They
reluctantly returned the keys and
Shortly after II o'clock four colored men
marched up to the Jail and demanded adnis-
sion. It was granted and an enthusiastic
hunt again resulted in q failure
\ reporter visited tie iail.between and 2
O'Clock this morning aud found the jailer
seated on tie steps in front Of the establish
ment apparently waiting for some more
searching parties. At that time a squad of
men were stationed at the corner Of Main
street and Central avenue It was imposs-
bic 10 learn if they meant business
or we're waiting to see what
was going 20 happen and did
not intend to help il
the execution OF Judge Lynchs Laws provided
the subject could be found Many Of the cit
liens OF the c;ty were stationed on the streets
at that time looking in every direction and |
ready to pounce upon anyone who they
thought knew any thing of sensational char
acter more than had already been circulated |
upon the streets.