Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-07-09
Sam Woods Murder.


The REFLECTOR has no defense to
make for Judge Botkin. We believe
that he is Q bad man. His actions
have disgraced the judiciary of this
state. He ought to resign. But we as
firmly believe that the pusillanimous
demagogues who are trying to impli-
cate him in the murder of Sam Wood
deserve the universal execratiOn Of all
fail minded people. There is probably
not an intelligent man in this state
who has read an account of the killing
who believes that Judge Botkin had
the remotest knowledge of the intea-
ton OF anyone to kill Mr.. Wood.
The killing was done by a personal
enemy, made by Mr.. Wood in the pros
ecution of a murder case, growing out
of the county seat fight in Stevens
county. The murderer, Brennan. had
sworn vengeance against Mr.. Wood.
They met for the first time at Hugoton
and Brennan shot him down in cold
blood, and he ought to be hung for it.
There is not q scintilla of evidence that
has vet come to the surface anywhere
which connects Judge Botkin in
the remotest degree with the muir
der.
1t is true that the murdered man
had instigated the impeachment trial
of Judge Botkin. But everyone be-
lieved then, as they believe now, that
the impeachment proceedings were
instituted for personal and political
ends, and that the publication of the
state judiciary was the last cOnsidera-
ton in the minds of the prosecution.
After calling to his aid great political
party, and the aid Of the entire state ma
chinery, and after squandering $4,000
| of the public funds, the farce proved a
failure, as every one predicted itwOuld.
Mr.. Wood tbok this as a personal de-
feat and swore he would elect state
senate that would find Judge BOtkin
guilty.
The unsupported accusations of the
moor distracted wife of the murdered
man might be allowed to pass unno-
ticed. Her husband had instilled into
her mind a spirit Of uudying hatred
toward Judge Botkin, and her hysteri-
cal assertions are eXcusable. But why
any decent newspaper would attempt
to blacken the character of man by
charging him with completely in the
crime Of murder without the least
evidence to support such a. charge is
beyond comprehension.
There are 4 few newspapers in this
state whose editorial columns have
fallen into the hands Of qDscrupulou5
and unprincipled men whose delight
seems to be to traduce the private
character of their political opponents.
Wholly unable to present logical ar
pument, they submit to personal abuse
therefor. These same libellers imagine
that the legal acquittal of Judge Botkin
of the charges against him in some
way WAS a reflection upon the political
integrity of the party which instigated
the impeachment, and that in order to
vindicate their party friends they must
show Judge Botkin a bad man. Hence
they jump at the untimely and unfor-
tunate death Of his accuser as an OPP
perfume time to accuse him OF an
Infamous crime.
The question of his guilt or limo
cence is not considered. He was at
Hugoton at the time of the murder,
was acquainted with the murderer and
actually spoke to him upon coming
from the performance of his official
duties in the court house. This is
sufficient for these political scavengeIs.
They could conscientiously find a re-
publican guilty of murder on much less
nvidpuon than that