The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1893-10-20
2 CAUSE CELEBRE.
AN ATTEMPT TO KIDNAP PRlS-
ONER BEALL.
Deputy Sherin NanNoorhees While Trying
To Gobbie BealI 10 Himself Gobbled.
Shcrin Painter to the Rescue.

The efforts to gain possession Of the
person of Il. NJ. Beall. charged with
the murder of L. r. McKennon in front
of Lilies drug store last spring, took
decidedly new turn Wednesday night
when Under Sheriff Voorhees,, in
trying to place Beall under his wing
at Oklahoma City, was himself arrest
ed for contempt of Judge Scotts coui t.
On Wednesday morning County Attor-
ney Huston and Sheriff Painter went
to Oklahoma City arm ed with legal
documents and in the district court en-
tered nolle prosecute to the present
indictment in order to have Beall dis
missed, SO that he could be rearreste d
on a new indictment for murder re-
turned against him by the grand jury.
The grounds upon which Mr.. llus-
ton asked for the dismissal were that
the first indictment was fatally de-
| fective, and in addition that Judge
! Henry Scott could not try the case as
he had been an attorney for prisoner
] btdii lii ~ W MS lliOitOllOll W llit
associate judgeship.
Judge Scott refused to enter the
nolle or the grounds that no copy of
| the former indictment was presented
| 10y Mr.. Huston SO that hc-thc Judge
| had no evidence before him that the
indictment was defective; and further
more, if he, by reason of having been
one of Beall attorneys, could not sit
as Judge in the trial of the case,
neither was he competent to decide
this matter-so he would allow mat
ters to remain as they are until either
Judge Dale or Judge BurfOrd could
take his place as trial judge. Judge
Scott remarked at the same time that
he had made arrangements with Judge
Dale TO change districts with him "A
couple of weeks and that it was
probable Beall would be tried by
Judge Dale. Judge Reddick repre-
sented Beall, and according to all
statements made strong showing for
his client.
Attorney Huston, naturally, was
displeased with the result of his visit
to oklahoma City and he returned
home. Going TO the district clerk S
Office he caused capias to be issued
for Bcall. This was placed in the
hands of Under Sheriff NanN Voorhees,,
with instructions 10 secure the body
of Prisoner Beall The officer boarded
the train and repaired to Oklahoma
City with the avowcd purpose of kid
mapping BealL Upon arriving he had
no sooner begun to put in motion his
object when he was arrested for con-
tempt of court. There the matter
hangs. Sheriff .>ainter rushed down
to Oklahoma City yesterday afternoon
10 attempt TO s:raig ghten out matters,
and it is very proba bic that he is shar.
ing the sane fate ms his worthy dep.
uty.
Beall's case was transferred To the
laird district from this court several
months ago on a change of venue.
ubsequently the prisoner was admit
ted to bail by Judge Clark in the sun
of sl5, 900. Bralrs attorneys av
thoroughly mapped out their line oi
defense and the prisoner himself says
he feels certain of acquittal if a fail
trial is accorded him. At present hC
is practicing law in oklahoma City
with his father, Colonel Fred Beall.
Whether the prisoner will bC
brought here on the new indictment
/ as yet an unknown matter. The re
turn of Sheriff Painter and his deputy
Van Voorhees,, is patiently awaited.