The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-01-06
SHOT BY A MOB.
PlGt Discovered to ASSaSSiRate
a Kansas Judge.
Another Bloody Chapter In the History
Of a COunty-S8at War.
Desperate Battle Between Officers and the
COnSpIratOFS Deputy Sheriff Rid
died With Bullets.
Special to THE MORNING CALL.

ARKALoN (Kans), Jan. 5.-AnOther
bloody chapter has been added to the Grim
inal history of Southwestern Kansas. The
county-seat war between WOodSdale aud
Hugoton has again resulted In bloOdshed.
A plot to kill Judge Botkin, the opponent
Of one of the murdered leaders of the
feud, was put into execution to-day
It failed and the bullets intended for Judge
Botkin ended the life of the Sheriff.
Three weeks since Judge Botkin received in
formation that amob, composed Of members
of the Citizens Alliance of Woodsdale and
Springfield, would endeavor to assassinate
him on the way to court at Sprin gfeld this
morning. The information was furnished
by a member Of the conspiracy, who gave
The names af all implicated in the plot; and
also stated that the Judge would be fired
upon at the head of valley near CullerPs
place, one mile southeast Of Springfield.
Last night Judge Botkin, Sheriff Dunn
and six Deputy Sheriffs held a meeting at
the house Of the Judge, Which is two miles
south of the head of the canyon. They de-
cided TO scout the country between the
Judges house and the Courthouse, and
started from the house of the
Judge at $50 o'clock this morning.
They came upon a mob composed Of about
forty men. with Winchester rifles, and
fight ensued. 1t lasted until daylight The
Sheriff was literally riduied with bullets.
but all the other officers escaped and went
to Springfield. where they barrieaded them
selves in private house.
LEADERS OF THE CONSPIRACY.
The mob pursued them to town. Shortly
after daybreak Joe Laribee, the court
stenOgrapher, was seen by members of the
Judges family, who all this time had been
at home. approaching the house on horse.
The mob could also be seen in the distance.
Laribee flanked the mob and reached the
house, when he told the Judge of the result
Of the battle and urged him to fee with his
family TO ArkalOn.
Not long afterward Mrs. II. P. Laribee,
wife Of an Under Sheriff, also arrived at
the house with a similar message from
Deputy Sheriff Stein, cashier Of the Arka-
Ion State Bank.
County Attorney Branehomp secured the
body of Sheriff Dunn and brought it here.
1t will be sent to his family. In addition TO
members Of the Citizens Alliance, who COM
posed the mob, there were also half dozen
desperate characters from Grant County.
All were under the leadership Of John StOf-
uts ItCcUuS CUuNNLtQ III OuuSo DOLh4u
court of hOTSe-steallDg.
The instigators and principal movers in
the con nspiracy are: Mrs Margaret Wood,
wife Of the murdered Sam Wood; John R,
Garrison of Garden City, A. R. Kilgore, c.
). Gilgore, 0. 5. Aubrey of WOOdsdale, B.
J. Valhores, c. L. Calvert and w. b. Orner
of Springfield.
Judge B0tkin has had detectives In the
camp OF the Citizens Alliance of Woods
dale and Springfield the past three weeks
and has in his possession conclusive evil
deDce.
TROOPS ORDERED TO THE SCENE.
TOPEKA (Kans.), Jan. 5.-This afternoon
Governor Humphrey received a telegram
from Judge Botkin, dated Arkalon. urging
@ the Governor to-send the Adjutant-General
with troops to ArkalOn on a special train as
quickly as possible. The necessary or
ders were given at once, and Com
pany A of the First Kansas IN
fanIry started for the scene. Adjutant-
General Roberts left tonight and will direct
the troops in person, 1t is not likely that
the trouble Is ended. The facts in regard
to the conspiracy discovered by the Judge
go to show that if an attack on him from
ambush was unsuccessful the mob would 60
TO the house or wherever he was and mur-
der him. 1t Is thought an attempt Of this
kind will Ds made tonight.