The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1891-03-13
Sheriff Cranmer's Murderer Hanged.

| NOBLE l.. PRENT1S.
Sheriff Crsnmer's Murderer Hanged.
st. Louis, March 5.-John Oscar Tur-
lington was hanged at Boonville, Mo-,
at 10 o'clock this morning. The follow
ing is history of the crime:
| John Oscar burlington was a desper-
ado of the worst kind. In appearance
he was more like farmer than a GRIM
inal. He was born in the back woods
of Kentucky and although only 26 years
Ofhge he had a record of but few crimi-
mails. About a year ago, while going
through Missouri he was knocked from
freight train, and after jumping off he
fired at the brakeman and then ran. He
was arrested and confined in the Jail at
Boonville. Owing to his quiet behav-
ior he was allowed considerable liberty.
On the night of June IA, Sheriff Gran
mer was alone in the Jail, and while in
the act of locking the prisoners in their
cells burlington drew q revolver just as
the sheriff inserted the key in the lock
of his cell door. The sheriff quickly
drew his revolver and shots were ex-
changed, Cranmer receiving a wound
from which he died the next day. Tur-
| liugton escaped but was captured in q
very short time.
In the trial it was shown that a re-
leased prisoner named Hensely had Sc
cretly passed the revolver to burlington
through the window of his cell. Tur-
lingtOn was convicted of murder and
sentenced to be hanged September II.
The case was taken on appeal to the su-
preme court. The citizens of Cooper
county growing impatient over the de-
lay, thr eatened lynching burlington
learned of the threat and determined to
escape. On the night of November ],
he made'good his escape from the Jail.
For over a week search was made for
him. On November II, however, he
was captured in Kentucky and confined
in the Jail at Caseyville, Ky. A little
later came the following telegram:
"a. Hornbeck, sheriff, Boonville, Mo:
1 am captured. Please have your dep
ties have me protected from the mob.
(Signed) JOHN OSCAR BURLINGTON"
A deputy was sent to Kentucky with
the proper requisitiOn papers and the
prisoner was returned to the BOonville
Jail. After being returned to the Jail he
once more escaped but was captured at
Otterville, January 9th. The supreme
court refused new trial, and fixed the
date of his execution for to-day.
burlington retired early last night,
having first instructed the death watch
to call him at 2 o'clock. At that time
he was awakened and after having
dressed himself and eaten light break
fast, he asked to be left alone for a
time, which he spent In prayer. Early
this morning his spiritual adviser, DIR.
Horheet of the M. Z. church, south,
visited him and for some time they were
engaged in prayer. a small crowd
gathered to witness the execution. The
gallows was not an elaborate affair. 1t
stood within forty-foot enclosure to
the rear of the Jail. At
1905 o'clock the prisoner came from his
cell. The procession to the
gallows was headed by Sheriff Horn
beck and Sheriff Smith of Sedalia, Mo.
Then came the prisoner. followed by his
spiritual adviser. The prisoner wore a
long black Prince Albert coat and
looked quite like a clergyman. He
wore his hair rather long and it was
slightly deranged, and his face was COW
cred with full yellow beard. His
forehead was drawn in wrinkles as
though he was undergoing deep mental
agitation, but his blue eyes greeted the
crowd without sign of fear. He as
cended the scaffold with firm step,
and walking to one side he said: my
men, l have nothing to say; l wish you
well. God bless you" He then stepped
upon the fatal drop.
During the binding of his hands he
never flinched: he looked straight
ahead. After the black hood had
been drawn over his head
the minister stepped forward and
said: do you believe in the Father
and the SOM" From beneath tie hood
came the firm answer, 81 do" Then
May God bless you, and have mercy on
you" Then the two repeated the
Lords prayer and every word came as
distinctly from beneath the hood as
from the minister's mouth.
At the word ''amen" the drop fell and
the body swung around several times
and then remained perfectly still.
There was not stir or a move. In
eighteen minutes the heart ceased to
beat. He has no friends to claim his
body and he will be inferred in the pot
ter's field.