Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1891-07-04

Brennan Only = Tooi-
TOPEKA. June 30.-Mrs. 8. N. Wood
has written the following letter TO the
Democrat Of this city:
ITO the Editor Of the Democrat:
The work OF the Kansas ssate senate
Is completed. My husband, Colonel 8.
N. Wood, was murdered In my presence
yesterday. The brave, true heart Is
stilled In death.
you remember the attempt Of AT
rell and O'Connor Of Hugoton, TO arrest
him last winter on charge OF bribery.
He gave bond to appear at Hugoton
this month. A number OF our neigh
bors went with US to Hugoton, though
no one seemed TO apprehend any trouble.
We reached Hugoton not later than IL
O'Clock, and as soon as 1t was known
that we had come, Judge Botktn ad-
i0irned court until 2 p. m. Colonel
Wood drove our buggy, with Mrs Car
pentDr and myself, to the dor OF the
church, which was used as court
house, left US sitting In the buggy.
and went in to examine the Docket
While he was in the room O'Connor
and two or three others came into
the vestibule or entry. One man re-
mained leaning against the outside
door, which was wide open. BE had
his right hand in pocket at his side
or back. O'Connor and another man
walked forward on the main street with
their heads close together, a though
whispering. Judge Botkin came out
and said, 'Hello, Jimmy" Then he
stepped to our buggy and shook hands
with Mrs. Carpenter aud myself In Q
v0ry friendly manner-though had
never met him beforehand then walked
toward the main street. The man, Jim
Brennan, still remained leaning against
the door.
''C0iunel Wood came out Of the court
room into the vestibule and stepped out
upun the ground. AS he did so he
turned hia back TO Brennan, and Bren-
nan quickly drew his pistol and shot
him IN the back or left shoulder. Colo
nsl Wood raised his hand, looked
around and ran along the south side To-
ward the west end Of the church.
HFVnnan ran after him and shot him
again In the back.
IT had got out Of the buggy and was
trying to get between them and had al-
most reached my husband when Bren-
nan put the pistol close to his face and
shot him through the head, and hs fell
aud died In about Ave minutes.
"A crowd soon collected, among them
Judge Botlrin and O'Connor. Sheriff
Cam attempted to arrest Brennan, but
he resisted Cam with pistol In each
hand. Attorney B. 4. johnson c2ught
Sheriff Cannb hand pushed 1t down,
telling him not to shoot. Brennan SAID
he would not surrender to him, pus
wo,Ild let Sheriff Frank Weir OF Nor
tom county, take him. Judge Botk1n
ordered Weir to take charge OF Bren-
nan and he did 90. In the meantime
Judge Botkin stated to the crowd that
there would be no more court-that
oourt would be adjourned for this term.
'aOsConupr ewore out warrant Do
fore Davis, Justice OF the peace, ana
cOugtable Awell arrested Brennan:
Ho was then taken by Aurell, Weir ana
ullsur friends to Morton county. Ills
preliminary examination Is set for some
In July.
'sThis Jim Brennan has been for more
than q year devoted attache OF Judge
BUtarin, attending his court at dinerent
places with him. BE has been at every
nesting of our county commissioners,
armed and IN the room with them, ever
since the beginning OF the county com
missioner and county attorney contest
'These facts have been given me "
men who Witnessed them. My HUSBAND
was diving and did not watch the
crowd. There Is not the least douDt
but that this murder was planned oy
Judge Botkin, OConnor and other
citizens of Hugoton. Every circum"
stance confirms this conclusion. Ono
incident will give: ia
"a little son of ex-Judge Nash said
in the presence of Mrs. Fleming OF
Ulysses' as we drove into town, Three
comes Sam Wood and they are going TO
Kill him to-day A girl quickly told
him 10 keep still-that he was talking
too much. :.
Some men with whom l talked II
Toneka last winter will remember that
told them that il Judge Botkin was
NOT removed from this district my hus-
band would be killed, and the murderer
would have Judicial protectlon' 1nei
members OF the Kansas state senate VINO
voted to sustain Botkin are Responsible
for the murder OF Colonel 5. N. Wooo:
His blood will be required OF them.
have not the slightest hope that any OF
these murderers, whether in official or
unoficial stations, viii ever be brought
to Justice. But do know, and shank
God, that His eternal justice never falls;
shall try TO be patient and strong. :!
Oaa Only hope and pray that time wan
A. eWiftly, and that we shall not -
Sundered long 49,
'SWnodSdale, Kas., June a"