The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1892-01-12

ARKALoN, Kan, Jan. 6.-Another DARK /
chapter has been added to the history oil /
the deadly feuds Of Southwestern Kansas, /
and as its result Sheriff Dunn OF Seward
county lies dead, while the militia has
been called into the field to restore order.
In the favoring darkness which preceded
the dawn yesterday morning an armed
band of men who sided with the late Sam
Wood in all his conflicts. placed themselves
in ambuscade at the head of canon near
Springfield in order that they MS assas-
sinate Judge Botk:n as he necessarily
passed by to hold court.
The sun rose upon the unequal battle OF
a sheriff and his small posse OF Jsed TO
the outuumbering outlaws, discovered In
their place of concealment- TIE sherins
force was defeated, he himself was killed
and the outlaws withdrew victorious from
the field. though Judge Botkin escaped the
ambuscade prepared for him.
The plan for the assassination had been
long matured, but the noted victi" had
long been cognizant Of the purpose oil those
whom he well knew 10 be his enemies
Nearly three weeks ago prominent men,
Der OF the Citizens Alliance at Woodsdale
went to Judge Botkin at Ulysses In Grant
county. and told him that there was plot
to assissinate him on the morning OF JAN
uary 5. on the road from his home three
miles west to Springfield. 1t was known
that this morning he would neces irlly go
to Springfield to hold court he being the
Judge Of the Thirty second judicial district
His Grant county informant gave MIN the
names of the riugleaders and SAID that at
least twenty-five men had pledged them
selves to go at any time TO any place TO
riddle the judges hide with bullets"
A few DAYS ago an entire stranger u
the other informant sent word to Judge
Botkin that men would be secreted at the
head Of a canyon near Calverrs place, one
mile southeast of Springfield, at day light
Yesterday morning for the purpose OF kill
ing him as he passed along after breakfast,
en- route to his court. Judge Botkin lives
two miles due south of the head OF the
CANYON referred to, and the road he usual
lv travels passes within fifty yards OF a
place which forms a natural ambuscade.
Judge Botkin received the second warn
ing Sunday night and it conceded so ex-
actly with the one which he had received
three weeks before that he believed fully
In its truth and decided to take every
precaution. Monday morning he held
consultation with Sheriff Dunn, the result
Of which was meeting of the sheriff and
six of his deputies at Judge Bothin' S
house that night
At $50 O'Clock yesterday morning Sher'
III Dunn and posse started on foot from
Judge Botkin's house for the purpose oil
scouting the canyon. where the asSassins
were opposed to be in hiding. They
reached the canyon just before daylight
and went at once confronted by an organ
lied force of between thirty and forty meT
who Immediately opened fire on posse.
The fight lasted until sunrise. Sheriff
Dunn was shot in the right shoulder anc
at once informed the deputy nearest hin
of the fact. Tie moo rushed upon the
deputy as he went to Dunn's assistance
and overpowering AMI disarming him, or
dered him TO ''clear out"
The deputy started away but hearing
firing behind him he looked around an'
saw q number of men standing owe
Dunn,s body pumping lead into 1t out
their Winchesters.
Sheriff elect E. S. Guyman was closet.
beset and attempted to gain the top OF
bank. Bullets were whistlins by hiI
like ha;i,tones as he was seen TO iall a
il literally shot TO pieces, but ne ia
since been found and is unhurt His IA
was occas toned by a cramp In the leg, I
which he is subject. The mob huhted fo
him for half an hour q .er the i.Sht OF th
defeated posse, but fa;,ei TO find LIN. h
could distinctly see aid lear from tae hi'
ing place to which he had crept, the me
who. WinchesterS in hand, were huntin
for him. They made loco:
comments on the excellent mar
manship they had displayed whe
they killed Sheriff Dunn and said III
they did not want to so until they had p
q few more bullets into their other ma
Finally they concluded that they h
killed him and abandoned the search. !
was brought to this place and sent
his family at Liberal Yesterday afternoo
Deputy Sheriffs Stein, Nixon aud Gust
ESCAPED from the ambuscade and To-
refuge in a private house in Springhe
For three-auarters of an hour the sou
of the heavy firing was clearly perceptit
at Judge Botkin's house, where he and
family awaited the result Of the hight
fear and anxiety. After the firing b
ceased a dense throng of men were sc
coming out of the canyon as II oeari
three or four wounded or dead men TO fc
covered wagons which stood on the sic
near by.
CONSERVATION reigned supreme in I
home of Judge Botkin as he and his
and children saw at distance the surg
crowd appear TO start toward his hou
Suddenly the crowd was seen to stop a
taken by surprise and looking mile aw
to the northeast Mrs. Botkln caught 81