Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-03-12
4 DEspERADo HANG Ed.
John Oscar burlington. Murderer of
sheriff Cranmer, Dies on the GaIlows,

JUhu oscar huntingdon. murderer OF
sheriff Cranmer, Dies on the GaIlows.
BONNEVILLE, Mo-, March 6.John Oscar
burlington was hanged here at 10 o'clock
this morning, for the murder of Sheriff
tranmer of Cooper county. His neck was
broken.
A VILLAIN OF THE DEEPEST Dye
John Oscar burlington was desperate
of the worst kind. His life was one series
Of crime. In appearance he was more like
Il farmer than criminal. He was born in
in the backwoods of Kentucky, and
although but little over % years Of
age he had a record that few crim-
west and there began his career
OF wrong doing After numerous exploits
in the Indian territory and Indiana he
went to Kentucky. Getting into trouble
III the latter state he started for the west,
4 year ago while going through Missouri
he was ordered from freight train.
While iurniing oil the car he fired at
the brakeman and then ran away. He
was arrested and locked up in the
Bonneville jail to await trial for assault.
Owing 10 his quiet behavior, which was
assumed, burlington desperate character
was not suspected and he was allowed con-
siderable liberty iii the Jail. When the
time eame to lock ZIP the prisoners in
their cells, burlington drew Il revolver
Just Us sheriff Granmer inserted the key
in the lock of his cell door. The sheriff
quickly drew his pistol and the men
exchanged shots, Cranmer being wounded
and dying the reNt day burlington es-
capped, but was captured by posse Il
| few miles from Bonneville. Al the trial
| it was shown that Il siinpc-minded lad,
confined in the jail for a minor offence,
had male his release and secretly passed Il
revolver 10 Turlingtonthrough the window
| of his cell.
burlington was convicted of murder in
| the first degree and sentenced to be hanged
\ On September 18th. The case was taken
| on appeal to the supreme court. Rendered
| impatient by the delay incident TO the APP
peal the citizens of Cooper county began
| TO talk Of lynching, and this coming to
| Turlington's knowledge lie determined to
| escape rather than become victim of the
| advocates Of lynch law. Finding that Cir
eilmstances favored him in his design, on
4 the night of November LIST he made his
escape from the jail AS soon as it was
| known that he was at large, a posse was
organized and started after the fugitive.
| For a week Il strict search was continued,
but burlington could not be found.
On November 18th the welcome tidings
were received at Bonneville that the muir
| derer had been caught in Kentucky, and
| placed behind the bars at Caseyvlle. The
| bonneville authorities could hardly believe
their good fortune when first apprlsed of
the arrest. \ little later however came a
telegram as follows.
A. q rAbrck, sheriff Booneraie No.: am cap
| tnred Please have your deputy rherffs and
| officers TO have me protect ted from the men.
tSgned) JOHN OSCAR BURLINGTON.
Sheriff Hornbeck at once went to JEFF
| ferSon City and obtained the proper requis-
ition papers. After being returned to Jail,
| burlington once more escaped, but was
| captured when he got to Otteryille, only 50
miles from bonneville on January 9TH
last, the supreme court rendered its de-
court, and fixing the date Of execution for
/ TODAY.