The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-09-07
A Sensational Murder Takes
Place at Waldron, Mo.
Charles Morris Killed While
Waiting to be Married.
HIS RIVAL SHOT HIM.
@Bud' Veach Could Not Endure
His Rivals Success.

WALDEoN, No, Sept. 7.-Whi1e
Charles Morris and Sarah Jones were
awaiting the arrival Of Squire
Shields yesterday afternoon to unite
them in marriage, BUD Veach, re-
jected sutton, fred three shots into
Morris bo1y, killing him instantly.
Veach f1ea to the woods and escap ped.
The shooting took place about three
miles from this place on the farm of
F. NJ Kearns. An old man and a
young girl were to have been married
at $3.50 o'clock It was to have been a
quiet little wedding. Squire Shields
of Parkville had been engaged to per-
form the ceremony Charles Morris,
the groom, is a we'll TODD farmer
The bride, Miss Sarah Jones, is the
daughter of one of his neighbOrs.
There was considerable disparity be-
tween their ages Morris was about
so. He was q widcvver and has three
children living. Miss Jones IS only 20.
bud" Veach, the muir Ierer, is a
Well-known character here He is 4
sort Of jack at-all- trades, with no reg
ular occupation. -Four years ago lie
and Saran Jones were lovers. Finally
he proposed and was accepted The
wedding day was set, but befOrs E
arrived there came a jar between the
two and the match was broken by the
girl. Veach loved the girl passionate
", devotedly, and this love has now
resulted in a tragedy. He importuned
her time and again to change her
mind and renew her promise to be his
wife, but the girl was Obdurate. She
refused to have anything to do with
Veach and began keeping company
with Charles Morris, the wealthy far
mer. Finally it was announced that
Morris and Miss Jones were to be
married
Veach did not have much to say on
81 - rDf n ia
vvhiIOm sweetheart when jolxed about
it by his friends. But developments
prove that he formed q desperate re-
solve that if she would not be his wife
she should not be the wife Of another.
The marriage Of Morris and Miss
Jones was to have taken place at half
past three o'clock. They went to the
home of f. NJ. kearns where the GER
emory was to take place. Several
relatives and a few friends of Mr.
Morris and Miss Jones we're there to
bid the couple Godspeed. It was a
little after 3 o'clock when Bud
Neach rode up a horseback to the
Kearns' home. He got off his horse
and walked to the house. The pros
pective bride and groom were
seated on the porch. Veach walked
up to within few feet of
Morris and, pulling a pistol from his
pocket, held it close to MOrris and
pulled the trigger. There was a leap
of flame, a heavy report and Morris
partially rose to his feet The re-
volver flashed again and a second
bullet buried itself in Morris skull
The revolver spoke again and Morris
fell to the floor without a groan.
Death was instan taneous. A scene of
confusion followed. The women
screamed and the men were SO ap-
palled at the bloody tragedy that
they could do nothing. Veach was
the coolest one in the group. When
he fred the third shot he turnei and
left the house. He did not mount his
horse but ran toward a clump of
woods and disappeared among the
trees.
The news of the tragedy was brought
to town and Deputy Sheriff w E.
Nash started in pursuit of the fugitive.
In the meantime the neigh bOrs
gathered at the Kearns home and
organized posses to scour the woods
for the murderer.
Veach's description was telegraph
ed to adjoining towns He IS described
as being six feet two inches tall,
light compile xioned, with a saucy
looking nustache. He wore light
suit of clothes
The prospective bride was pros
trated by the terrible tragedy There
is talk of lynching Veach if he is
captured.