The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-10-27
TELLS A SAD STORY
TX, RICHARDS SAID TO BE DYING
AT WICHITA HOSPITAL
He Was Convicted in the Federal
Court OF selling Whisky Without
License-His y, ife Gives Her Yer
sion OF Case-Siys it is Case OF
Spite-Troublc Crazes the Man.

"My husband lis dying at the Wichita
hospital, aud stands charged aS a criminal
for a crime he never committed" laid
Mrs j. h Richards last evening TO al
EAGL reporter.
Upou being asked to explain her state
ment she said: Zone year ago we were
living at Attica, Kan, where we were con-
ing an eating house. My husband
was an old soldier and his wounds had
disabled bin OF late years from hard labor
and We were thus able to make living.
He had many warm friends, especially
among he old soldiers. One day two old
comrades passed through the place aud
stopped at tue restaurant TO get their din
her. As they were about TO leave one o.
them said he wished ne could get little
WHISKY TO take with them. My husband
told them where there was man that
some times sold a compound which be
called whisky. The two went away, but
returned in short time. saying that the
man was afrail of them as they were
strangers aud requested my husband to
go aud get it for them. He yielded TO he
request. aud securing a bottle of liquor
gave it to his friends. They offered 10
pay for il but Mr. Il chGrds Old them he
could not sell whisky. They said they
would not take ii for nothing, and throw
ing a dollar on the counter went away.
After tbey had gone / picked up the
money and put IL away, and The matter
was soou forgotten. In a few weeks the
strip WAS opened for Sc Element and We
moved to that country. aud secured some
ots at Pond Greek. Imagine our surprise
one day when an officer came to our place
aud arrested father, charged with selling
whisky without government license.
The circumstance L have named had en-
tIreiy slppei our memory. He was
brought TO Wichita and thrown in Jail.
at the last term of the federal court he
was found gully and sentenced to thirty
DAYS in the county Jail and 10 pay fine OF
500
IN the strip there were a number OF
contests, and Mr. Richards WAS called as q
witness. His evidence augered one OF the
men, aud hr. hearing of the cIrcums ance,
h al poor father Indicted before the fedora.
grand ju y, and he was convicted on his
own testimony. Father would not lie
and when the circumstance was brought
TO mis- mind, he gave full statement of
the case.
Judge Williams was merciful and
placed tue penalty ms low "a he possibly
could. stating that at the expiration OF the
sentence he could be released on taking !
an atfi1avt that he was unable to pay the
fine aud costs.
When the key was turned on the poor
man, VINO You see lying there dying
and he found himself locked up with the
worst criminals of the land a. a transsre--
sor or The laws, which he had given the
best part OF his life 10 defend and perpetu-
ate; he worried over the matter until he
became sick. and in measure lost his
MUD. He was so bad that when IL came
yesterday ne dbl not recognlZ. me until to- |
day. Oh, 1t is sad to hear him talk in his |
rawlings, and plead TO be allowed to go
home. He is 90 years of age, aud | am
afraid ne will die before Unired States
Commissioner Shearman returns TO !
Wichita. when the aft lavit can be filed !
aud BE- can be released have often heard !
1t stated that here was no crime without |
all iutent. and sm sure that Mr.. X CHI ards !
WAS the last man TO attempt TO break the |
laws of his country, yet you see how |
little spite has brought an old man to the |
verge of lis grave under the dreadful |
Charge of law0reaker.
Il want TO saw that Sheriff ROyse and !
fam ly and the officials la charge OF the |
/ o>pital have heen very kind TO US in our |
Il fl ct.o1, and 1 certainly feel very Crate |
tdl TO them for their kindness. THIS aft ,ir !
has entirely ruined us financially, but il /
We arr oniy p-rmitted % return home TO,
our little cabin il will be IA great relief TO |,
Us and believe will aid my husbands re-
covrry more Than all the medicine that he !
Is taking"