Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1891-03-14
BURLINGTON HANGS.
The Murderer of Sheriff Cranmer Pays
the Penalty.
ms Life Series OF CrImes--The Deed
for which He Died--His Capture
aud Subsequent Il .eapes.

hts Life Series OF CrImes--The Deed
for which He Died--Tiis Capture
aud Subsequent Escapes.
John Oscar burlington was hanged at Il
O'Clock A. NJ, at bonneville, No. for the muir.
der of Shelf Cranmer. of Cooper county. His
neck was broken.
Crowds had gathered early. though only a
few were admitted to witness the execution,
At o'clock, at Trrlington's request he was
awakened, ate breakfast aud douned his funer-
al attire. As the hcurofexecution approached
he voluntarily announced himself ready.
burlington placed himself beneath the
moose and Immediately the rope and cap were
adjusted. followed clo-cly by signal which
launched burlington into eternity. At 1925
the body was cut down, after life had been
pronounced extinct, and will be buried in the
county's burying ground.
John O,car burlington was Desperate of
the worst kind. His life was one series of
crimes. In appearance he was more ike
farmer than criminal He was born il. the
backwoods Of Kentucky, and, although but a
little over 26 years OF age, lie had record
that few criminals equaled
When young he went West and there began
his career of wrong.doing. After numerous
exploits IN the Indian Territory and Indiana
he went g Kentucky. Getting into trouble
in the latter state, he started for the West. A
year ago this month. while going through
Missouri, he was ordered from freight train.
While jumping OFF the car he fred at the
brakeman and then ran away. lie was ar
rested and locked up in the Bonneville Jail
10 await trial for assault
Owing to his quiet behavior, which was as
sumed, Turlington's desperate character was
not suspected, and he was allowed consider
able liberty in the jail. When the time came
to lock upthe prisoners in their cells, Turling-
ton drew IA revolver Just rs Cranmer inserted
the key in the lock of his cell door. The
sheriff quickly drew his pistol aud the men
cxehsngcd shots, Cranmer being wounded
and dying the next day. burlington escaping
burlington was captured by a posse a few
miles from Bonneville.
AT the trial it was shown that n simple
minded lad, confined in the Jail for a minor Of
Tense, had made his escape. and secretly PASS
ed a revolver so burlington through the win
dow Of his cell. burlington was convicted Of
murder in the first degree, aud sentenced TO
be hanged on September IL. Tie case was
taken on appeal TO the supreme court. Rem
dered impatient by the delay incident TO the
appeal, the citizens of Cool or county began to
talk Of lynching, and this coming to Turing-
toms knowledge he determined TO escape
rather than become victim of the advocates
of lynch law Finding that circumstances
favored him Ia his design, he, on the night Of
November l. made hia escape from the Jail
As soon Ms ii was known that he was Mt large
a posse was organized, and started after the
fugitive. For a week a strict search was con-
tinued, but burlington could not ~ found.
On November II the welcome tidings was
- 4.
been catght in Kentucky. 1t was known
that the man had many relatives and friends
in that state, and that officers OF every small
town had been notified to be on the watch.
The rewards, amounting 10 over 81 300 were
enough to put every man on lis guard, and
burlington was placed behind tie bars at
Cascyyille Ky. The Bonneville authorities
could hardly believe their good fortune when
first Apr sed Of the arrest.
Sheriff IIornbcck at once went to jefferson
City, and obtained the proper rtquisition
papers. lie then went 10 Frankfort, KY, TO
have the papers h0nored. His deputy, w. L..
Spaher, STUFFED direct TO Caseyviiie to hold
the prisoner until lIornbeck's arrival. 1t
appears, however that Turlingto1's captors
became alarmed that they would lose the
reward il they let their prisoner oil their
hands, aud having obtained burlington s
Consent, started with the man 80 Bonneville.
AT Essnsyi lie, Ind, they encountered Spaher
wE0 demanded the prisoner He had no
papers, however, aftd was refused. Spaher
then came on with the Kentucky men 10 this
state. After being returned to jail Turling-
ton once more escaped, ut WIS recaptured
when he got to Ottcryille, only IS miles from
Bonneville,