The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-01-10
BOUND WITH OATHS TO KILL
Band of Citizen Alliance Men Whose
Mission Is to Slay Judge Botkin.
His Honor Is Not Afraid, However, and Has Re-
turned to Arkalon, Where He Intends to
Remain Until His Term Expires.

TOPEKA, Kan, Jan. 81. III. Pitzer, of
Arkslon. attorney for James Brennan. an
intimate friend of Judge Botkin, arrived
In town this morning and held long con-
versation with Governor Humphrey in
regard to the condition of affairs which
exists in the Thirty-second judicial
district. Mr.. Pitzer says that there
is an oath-bound organization of Citi-
gen Alliance men in WoodsdaIe and
Springfield whose object is to kill
Judge Botkin. and that if he does not re-
tire from the bench they will eventually
dispose of him. Said Mr.. Pitzer: Judge
Botkin is just as likely to be killed in
Stevens county or Morton as In Seward.
Ii will be necessary not only to arrest those
who participated In the plan to kill him,
but those who know OF 1t. as well. and who
neglected to inform the authorities.
The funeral of Sheriff Dunn, who was
murdered by the enemies of Judge Botkin
In Seward county. occurred at Pratt yester
day. and was largely attended At the
conclusion of the religious services Judge
Botkin paid glowing tribute TO the cOur-
age. bravery and loyal friendship of the
dead man. During the address Judge Bot
KIN broke down completely, and during
his recital of the dead mans heroic
self-sacrifice the audience was deeply af-
fected. Relatives from iowa and Illinois
were present The body was buried in
Greenlawn cemetery. A wife. one daughter
family of the dead man. Judge Botkin
left this morning, TO return TO Seward
county to hold court.
Judge Botkin Cannot Be Scared.
ARKALoN. Kan. Jan. 9.-Judge Botkin
returned this afternoon from Pratt sc-
companied by his wife. Gen. Murray
Myers. of the State militia. and three
armed friends. He at once started for
home. while General Myers went to Spring
field 20 join the troops. Judge Botkin de-
clares firmly that he will remain here until
the end of his term unless killed. The ap-
peals of his friends cannot shake his reso-
luton TO remain. When informed that
Robert Hutchinson. the man who warned
him of the ambuscade. had been arrested
with the suspects the Judge showed much
emotion and exclaimed. My God! that man
saved my life. lie must be given every
protection. If it becomes known that
he is my friend he will be murdered"
Hutchinson joined the organization which
plotted Judge Botkin's death for the sole
purpose or keeping the Judge informed OF
the progress of the plot. Judge Botkin
will 10 to Springfield Monday and open
court under military protection The
Judges house Is guarded by q detachment
of troops.
Late last night Aaron Potter arrived hero
from Springfield. and reported that on the
way here he met a agoD loaded with seven
men armed with Winchesters. All were
strangers 70 him, and he knows every resi-
dent of the county. They were moving in
the direction of West Plains.
courier arrived here from Hugoton to-
day who reported that the posse of Botkin's
friends who had been chasing the murder
ers OF Sheriff Dunn into No-man's Land,
had been compelled to give up the chase,
and were returning home
sIhe battlefield at the canyon was exam
ined this afternoon and 40 empty shells
were picked mp. indicating that there had
been real cause for the little posse headed
by Dunn TO fear massacre. The lead
er of the snti-BotkIn faction this
afternoon declared that the people of
this part of the State will never rest easy
as long as that "tyraDt' remains on the
bench. He further added that all fights
were of. and that the only desire of the
people was now TO get rid of q
man " ho used his Office to further his prl-
yste ends and to crafty his malice. The
presence of the troops will prevent ont
breaks Of any kind. but their withdrawal
will be the signal for the recommencement
OF active work between the partisans.
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