Wichita eagle., 1890-03-07
a VERY SAD AFFAIR.
A Dead Infant Abandoned---The Coroner's In
quest---The Story of Z. o. Burkett---
Mrs. Burkctt'S story.

Fe pulled into the Douglas avenue depot
| from the north the conductor discovered a
dead baby wrapped up in shawl lying on
the seat. The coroner and undertaken
were at once sent for and the remains were
removed to the undertaker's and laid out.
The little one was emaclated, bat to all
appearances had died of some acute dis
ease. There were no marks on the cloth
ing to indicate whose child it had been,
and for time many rumors and theories
were afloat regarding the mystery.
Later in the day it was learned that the
child had been brought to The city by Mrs
Dir. Burkett and her son, who were Oh the
train en- route for their home in kingman.
Missing the train on the Wichita &
Western with which they hoped to make
connection. they went to visit .:iends IN
the north part of the city.
About o'clock, Z. O. Burkett the son,
came down town and was pointed out to
the sheriff who placed him under arrest.
His story was repeated and every time
little was added to it until it was quite
sensational.
Coroner Badger empanelled jury and
commenced the inquest which was con-
tinued until 0 o'clock this morning.
The INQUEST.
DIR. 7. A. Graham being sworn testified
that he examined the body and thought
that death might have resulted from
inanition; would judge the child was six
weeks old; was female; saw no outward
signs of violence: it was thin and
emaciated; would think it had been sick
for some time; could not say that death
resulted from starvation alone or sick
ness
Dr.. Shastid being next sworn
testified that he had also made
an examination Of the remains and
could concur in DR.. Graham's testimony,
having found the same, neither more or
less.
Lizzie Meyers being sworn testified that
she lived in Newton: was on the train in
question; noticed the young man aud
woman with the child; sat three seats be-
hind them; the woman carried the child in
her arms; saw the woman frequently un-
cover the child'S face and regard it in
tently; witness eft train at Douglas ave-
hue; saw the child on the seat but did not
see either the man or the woman. The
witness then Identified T. O. Burkett as
the young man who accompanied the
woman; witness got On the train at Valley
Center: noticed young man pick up his
vaiise ana 20 into the forward Car just be-
fore arriving at Wichita; witness then
identifi d the shawl in which the baby was
wrapped; did not hear the child cry; fam
cied the woman was nervous: noticed the
man and woman in conversation, which
witness could not overhear.
II. J. Gentry, being sworn, testi-
fled that he lived in Wichita, was at
the train on its arrival at the Douglas
avenue depot saw the undertaken take
the child away in coffin and put it in a
buggy.
w. f. Sorrick being sworn testified that
he lived at Newton; was brakeman; saw
the parties referred to on the train;
noticed that the woman kept the child
closely covered; saw the young man take
his grip and walk forward shortly after
leaving Valley Center; saw young man
get off at union depot.
The conductor found the child: saw the
young man go toward Oak street after
leaving the train; saw him again standing
near the County building and notified the
sheriff; witness then identified +. o. |
y
There being no further witnesses pres |
eut the inquest was adjourned until this !
at nine O'Clock when the exami- |
nation will be resumed, Z. O. Burkett
and his mother Mrs. DR.. Burkett will
testify which will probably close the case.
During the early part of last evening the |
reporter went up to the jail and held a |
long conversation with f. o. Burkett who |
seemed quite willing 70 talk and told sub |
stantially the following story.
While in San Francisco his mother had |
faucied this little baby which she had seen !
in a founding asylum and took it with !
the intention of adopting it. He had |
asked his mother several times if she did |
not think she had undertaken Il pretty big |
job but she always seemed to be'more than |
satisfied with what she had done. He had |
paid but very little attention to the baby |
beyond the assistance that it was necessary |
o render his mother. His mother was |
very much attached to the child and was !
getting to care more for 1t every day. 1t |
had been sick for several days and he un-
derstoOd that his mother was very uneasy |
about it and feared it would die |
before she could get it home. 1t |
was fed mostly on condensed milk properly .
diluted except when it was possible to get |
fresh cows milk at Il station. He did not .
rememb Der the last time il was fed but |
understood it was too sick to eat after
eaving Newton. He had telegraphed to
lis father at KiDgman and felt sure he
would come up on the first train. He left
he train ahead of his mother and did not
know III the time that the baby had been
eft behind but had heard his mother say
he did not know what III the world to do
With n dead baby on her hands. He did
rot know when the baby died, it had not
ried any to his knowledge since the train
)ullei out at Newton. He was very sorry
or the whole matter and was afraid it
would make his mother sick. He said he
vas eighteen Years Of age and had been
vigh his mother on a "trip 10 California.
he did not know the wherea bouts of his
mother, but supposed she was with his
eiatiyes in the city. II she knew she was
wanted she would certainly make herself
,nOwn.
During the afternoon every one WAS
ookiug for Mrs. Burkett, but no one
eemed able to find ner, All of the IN
ikely places We're searched on the aSsump-
ion she was hiding. At 5 o'clock in the
yeniug Sheriff Cone concluded to makes
earch himself, and went first to the most
kelly place, her brothers house in River
ide, where he found the lady, In spite of
he fact that she was very much wrought
p over the occurrences of the day and
vas lying down, size expressed her willing
sss to go at once with the sheriff. Sheriff
'ona did not think IL Dru6ent TO take her
ut in her present state of health and SIM
ly made forma! arrest, leaving deputy
D charge. She promised 10 come down