The Lamar register., 1892-01-09
A BLOODY WAR IN KANSAS.
An Attempt to Murder Judge sotkin
Results in the Death of the Sheriff.

Results in the Death of the Sheriff.
The county seat war between Woods
dale and Hugoton in Southwestern Kan
sas has again resulted in bloodshed.
plot TO kill Judge Botkin, an opponent of
one of the murdered leaders of the feud.
was put into execution on the 5th. 1t
failed, and the bullets intended for Judge
Botkin ended the life of deputy sheriff.
Three weeks since Judge Botkin received
information that . mob composed of mem
bers of the Citizens Alliance of Woods
dale and Springfield would endeavor 10 as
sassiuate him on his way TO court at
Springfield Tuesday morning.
The Information was furnished by
member of the conspiracy, who gave the
names of all implicated in the plot II was
also stated that the Judge would be fired
upon at the head OF canon, near Culvert's
place, one mile southeast of Springfield.
Monday night Judge Botkin, Sheriff Dunn
and six deputies held meeting at the
house Of the Judge, which is two miles due
south of the head OF the canon They in
tended to scout the country between the
judges house and the court house, and
started from the house of the judge at 8 80
O'Clock Tuesday morning.
At day break they came upon the mob,
Gl4lRDSS4 o. aIQLA 4NENA AAGl, WIN w AL-
chester rides.
The fight lasted until daylight Sheriff
Dunn was literally riddIed with bullets.
An of the other officers escaped and went
to Springfield, where they barricaded them
selves IN . house. Shortly after daybreak,
Joe'Larrabee, court stepographer, was seen
by members Of the Judges family, who ali
this time had been at home, approaching
the house on a horse. Larrabee feared
the mob, and reaching the house told the
Judge of the result OF the battle and urged
him to fee with his family TO ArkAlon-
This advice was taken by Judge Botkin,
as he had further information that the
mob was waiting to kill him if he went to
Springfield, and in case he did not so
there that they intended to come TO his
house and murder him. BotliR telegraph
ed the governor for advice, urging him to
send militia TO the rescue. This Governor
Humphrey promptly did, and Company a
of the First regiment started for Arkalon
early Wednesday morning.
Judge Botkin had heard of the plot three
months ago. He received an anonymous
letter from man who said he had been
asked to Join party, every member of
which would obligaue himself to kill
Botkin.
Inc whole anair grows out OF the KILL
ing of Sam Wood by James Brennan, and
the failure to convict the murderer. Be
fore the abortiye trial came on the Woods
dale faction swore in the event OF Bren-
mans acquittal they would kill Botkin.
BotHin laid all the facts before the COVER
nor, but declared that he was not afraid
and would not resign.
Since July, 1883, there has been turmoil
in Stevens county. The county seat CON
test between Woodsdale and Hugotou
eliminated then in the massacre of Sheriff
| Cross and deputies by Sam Robinson and
his gang of about twenty y-seveu men from
Hugoton. There was an abatement of the
/ killing then until June % last, when James
Brennan Of Richfeld, Morton county, shot
and killed Sam Wood Of woodsdale, the
acknowledged leader of the woodsdale
faction This killing occurred in front OF
the little church in Hugoton, Judge
Theodore Botlrin having converted the
church into court room, where the term
of the Stevens county district court was
being held. Brennan was arrested, and
after two attempts 10 give him trial on
the charge Of murder, he was taken back 70
the jail at Hutchinson TO await the third and
last attempt to secure jury this month.