Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1892-01-20
ORGANIZED FOR MURDER
A Terrible State of Affairs in
Southwest Kansas.
TEEMIEG WITH BANDED AssAssINs

Proof Of a society That Had for Its oh.
ject the killing OF Judge Botkin, sherin
Dunn and Other Prominent Persons,
Information from the Inside.
TOPEKA, Kan, Jan. e0.-The suspicion
that there was an organized conspiracy to
kill Judge Botl5in, Bitzer IAN attorney,
Sheriff Dunn and two or three other persons
in southwest Kanaas has been fully sub
stannated. There are three men residing
in adjoining counties who have furnished
information and whose veracity has always
been unimpcachable
While they are not ready at this time to
reveal the full enormity OF this criminal or
ganization they have detailed enough Of It's
workings 20 show that three separate oaths
bind the members to obey the orders Of the
inner council, even though those orders in.
volye the taking OF life.
In the counties Of Haskell, Grant, Stevens
and Seward there are sixty-hve members,
all Of whose names have been furnished
Judge Botkin. These men are taken only
from the Alliance, and even then the ut.
most care is used in selecting proper mate
rial The meetings are held at Springfield
and Woodsdale, where the three degrees
are taken. The first degree binds the mem
ber 10 stand by each other in public and
private, and 10 defend each other at the
risk Of life, II necessary. The applicant is
pledged, under penalty of having his resi-
dence burned and his stock and crops de
stroyed, never to reveal aught that may
come to his knowledge concerning the nc
tions Of any member
The second Degree.
When taking the second degree he swenra
10 join any member or members in the pro
lection of their rights and in resenting any
personal atfront or injury. II he fails in re
spending when called upon, or reveals any
contemplated action on the part Of fellow
member, his life may be declared forfeited
by the action Of the council 10 which he
belongs
1t win be noticed that IN these two dc.
grees there is no provision foSseuforcing the
penalty The applicant for Il v.A.er advance
ment besides every member is expected to
take all three degrees, and is then fully pre-.
pared for the hnal degree. He places him.
self at the disposal Of the inner council ia
life and in death. He sweaTs to faithfully
execute any orders issued him by that coun-
Gil, even though he be commanded to take
the life Of his dearest friend or relative He
is given to understand that the power Of
this "Secret Order Of Justice win be direct
ed against the enemies OF one or all Of the
| organization
He further swears that when ordered to
destroy any member proving to be traitor
GUS, or even suspected OF being such. that
he viii unhesitatingly obey such command
when called out by the inner circle, or By
one member thereof He swears To obey.
holding himself in readiness At all times to
join any party for the determination Of
common enemies. Failing in any part Of his
obligations, he places his life at the disposal
Of his comrades.
Information from the Inside.
1t has been learned that meeting Of this
organization was held in q deserted hotel
building at Springfield the night before the
Dunn MURDER at which forty-one men were
present There are no rituals or written
work The oaths are administered by one
Of three men, who are now definitely To-
Gated. This information comes from one Of
/ three men who Joined the society who gave
its contemplated action in two cases, and
who have been spirited away to place Of
I safety. The other two are still in that
county, apparently bitter enemies Of the
opposing Atctlouai pursuing course in
which lies their only safety They arc also
enabled to strengthen the evidence, which
they win give as soon as the proper time
comes
1T was only yesterday that parties in To
peka were connected with this murderous
organization, but they may have 50 guarded
their tracks that they win escape arrest and
trial Within two weeks the plans Of the
prosecutor will be so fully matured that ar,
rests win begin when all the details viii be
given.
The conspirators under present laws arc
reasonably secured from trial for murder,
which has made them bold. If they should
be tried there would not be men enough in
the entire district, let alone the county III
which the murder was committed, to form
jury after the peremptory challenges had
been made.
II Judge Botkin who is now in this city,
succeeds in getting al the evidence against
the Secret Order Of Justice il proper shape,
and can convict the members even only in
the public mind, he win have done much to
restore order, for the lawless element prom
ises further development within two weeks.