Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1893-07-22
A STREET TRAGEDY.
Sensational Tragedy in Kansas
City. Kan.
LAWYER JOHNSTON SHOT DEAD.
A. W. Little Takes Johnston's Life he
cause Of Observation-Disclosures In u
Coal Mine Deal The Far
ties Prominent.

haNcHS Nlil, MILL, Jul iso-
ward Johnston, an eloquent lawyer,
was shot down and instantly killed by
A. W. Little, president of the kaw
Feed & Coal Co., eX-president and di-
rector of the Armourdale bank and n
director in Guthrie OK bank, in
front of Holzmark's furniture store, $50
Minnesota avenue, at $3.50 last night.
The shooting was the outgrowth of n
coal mine deal in which Little. John
sston and other Kansas City, Kan. men
were engaged last winter, and which
terminated enthusiastically.
When the shooting occurred Johns
ton was standing with Eugene i.
Towncr, clerk of the Wyandotte coun-
ty district court, and DIR. c. L. Van
Fosscn, dentist. Johnson had Joined
Towncr and DR. Van Fossen only a few
moments before. lie had just lighted
n cigar in Connellys drug store near
by and was smoking it complacently
with no thought of impending death.
DIR. Van Fossen had one arm about
Johnston's shoulders, The three men
We're very close friends. Presently
Johnston inquired, according to the
statements of Dr. Van Fossen and
Towner:
Isn't that A. W. Little crossing the
.street?' lie pointed to the corner of
Sixth and Minnesota avenue.
DR.. Van Fossen thought it was Little.
Towner thought not, and offered in a
joking way to bet dollar on it, and
Van Fossen accepted the wager. While
they were discussing the matter John
ston told them of rather stormy
meeting with Little in the afternoon
He said that he was passing Little at
the Western Union office on Minnesota
avenue when the latter saluted him.
In return for the salutation Johnston
said he remarked to Little:
II don't want you" using an ugly
epithet, Ito speak to me at any time"
Meanwhile Little was approaching.
When he had crossed the street h was
joined by C. J. Hanks, an x-justicc of
the peace. Little and Hanks were
chatting in an ordinary manneras they
approached. When within twenty feet
of the group, of which Johnston. was II
member, Little suddenly stepped for
ward two PAGES and revolver seemed
to fairly leap into his hand from its
place of concealmcnt
Johnston glanced around and n look
of surprise was manifest in his face.
Without IA word OF warning Little
fired The bullet passed through John
ka faI IN, tn
gutter with the look of surprise still on
his face.
There was n scene intensely drama
tic as Johnston fell.
Little leaped forward to fire again,
the smoking revolver extended ut the
PROSTATE body. Towner sprang be-
tween him and his victim and threw
himself upon the corpse, not knowing
that his friend was dead and hoping
to avert murder. Little sprang upon
them both and shouted:
iii show the that he cam
not abuse me-" He intended the words
for ears that never heard them. He
did not know his enemy was dead.
Twice. thrice he struck the dead mans
head with the butt of his revolver. He
was mad with anger.
DIR. Van Fossen seized Little about
the shoulders and tried to drag him
from his object of attack. Little
whirled about and aimed his revolver
in the dentists face and the latter fell
back. Little coolly put up his revolver
and started east on Minnesota avenue.
Just then Sergeant of Police Tarpley,
who had heard the fatal shot fred ut
Seventh and Minnesota avenue, arrived
on the scene with the inquiry: "Who
&. did the shooting?"
81 did the shooting" replied Little,
turning about, land give myself up"
Sergeant Tarpley placed Little under
arrest. When the two reached Sixth
street, going to the police station. Lit
tie completely broke down.
The body of Johnston was taken inn
mediately after the shooting into Con-
nelly's drug store and from that place
to Whisners morgue ut Sixth and Min
nesota.
The shooting attracted a great crowd
and created an immense sensation on
account of the prominence OF the men.
There were hot heads in the crowd who
spoke of lynching Little.
The coal mine deal, ont of which
primarily grew the trouble. was entered
into last winter. George Douglass, n.
d. Carskadon, A. W. Little, j. r.
.Quarles and 3. E. Johnston were inter
-ested. The mine was Mt Huntsville,
Mo. Early this spring Johnston &
,Carskadon withdrew from the concern,
-sold their shares and the enterprise
proved losing one. Little was often
heard to accuse Johnston of causing
him to lose 5000 in the deal
Johnston, on the other hand,
told reporter two weeks ago
that he felt that he was being entrapped