The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1892-01-22
is BAD FOR BOTKIN
Mrs. Wood and W. F. Rightmire Again
Lay the HugOtOn Murder at
BOtkinS Door.
They Claim to Have Evidence to Sustain
Their Charges Against BOtkin for
the Murder Of Wood.

KANSAS CRY, Jan. ia special
from Topeka, Kas., says: Mrs. Wood,
widow of Colonel Sam Wood, and
". +. Rightmire, secretary of the ma
iional citizens alliance, have renewed
the charges that Judge Botkin is
directly responsible for Colonel Wool
death. Mrs. Wood has addressed a
letter to Governor Humphrey upon the
subject which, together with state
ment made by Mr.. Rightmire, will be
printed Wednesday next in the Advo-
cate, an alliance paper. Mrs. Wood's
letter is as follows:
J TOPEKA, Kas., Jan. 16.-Governor Hum
phrey. was surprised to read In the State
Journal an assertion purpOrting to come
from you that Mr.. Woods followers had no
reason for making the statement that Judge
BOtkin was responsible for the murder Of
Mr.. Wood by Brennan. wish to say to
you that have ample proof Of the fact that
Botkin was one of the chief instigatOrs of
and responsible as Brennan. / know the
names Of the men who conspired to kill him
and | know more about their secret con-
situations for the perfection Of their plans
than have told. All this can be produced
In evidence when the men can go Into court
and tell what they know without fear OF
assassination, instead Of now telling II In
secret and enjoying secrecy, am not killing
or expecting to kill BOtkln. II he ard all his
fellow murders were killed II could not re-
store my husband, whose presence and ten
der care made life comfort and Joy to me.
BOtkin has my permission to live out all the
years of self condemnation and fear which
nature can give him. MRS. S. N. WOOD
The article written by Rightmire will
occupy over two columns in the Advo-
cate and gives in part the testimony
referred to by Mrs. Wood. Among
other things the article states that
Botkin told John II, Harrison of Topeka,
while his impeachment trial was in
progress and Wood was absent from
the city. 'If l ever get Sam Wood to
Hugoton he will never get back again,
as all arrangements have been made
to kill him there. "
Again, in Ulysses, while court was in
session, prominent citizen Of south
western Kansas went into Botkin's
room on business and seeing number
of firearms in the room, asked for what
purpose they were there. Botkin said
"By Cd, Sam Wool has got to die
before, he leaves this town"
That same night, so Rigntmire says,
an attempt was made to break into
Woods room, and the landlady Of the
hotel stated that she thought she recog-
nized Pitzer attorney for Brennan;
O'Connor, attorney of Stevens county;
Hugh Day and James Brennan, Woods
murderer of later date. In further
proof of his assertion Rightmire states
that w. II. Wakefield, editor of the
JefTersonian, claims he was told by
Patrick H. Coney of Topeka. that the
people of Hugoton had been instructed
to shoot Colonel Wood on sight, adding
that he would see that they would do
so and no one be punished for it either
This happened before the murder.
Rightmire says on the evening of the
day Wood was murdered Botkin, Bren-
nan and followers went to Arkalon,
where they engaged in wild debauch.