The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-10-09
TELLS HIS STORY.
De BarrOWs Who Killed Ross,
on the Stand.
He is Moved by Uncomfortable
Excitement.
G RAP HIC DETAILS
Of How the Killing of Ross
Was Done
By the Chief Actor in the Bloody
Tragedy.

Richard OeBarrOW6 went on the stanu
at 9:15 this morning in his own behalf.
The district court room was crowded
and every word spoken by the man ac-
cused of murder was listened to eagerly
by those in attendance.
When the prisoner took the stand he
broke completely down weeping and
sobbing. For over an hour and a half
he cried almost continually and became
calmer only on cross examination.
At times he had to wait several min
utes before he could answer questions
His voice shook in every answer that he
made.
As he touched on the more pathetic
parts. in telling of firing the fatal shots,
etc, his grief overpowered him.
He told of his trouble with Ross
over leaving the place. The foreman
wanted him to leave, but would not pay
him anything for his garden truck.
Q-How much did you want for your
garden?
Al paid $50 for the seeds alone and
anything.
Q-Did you go to Rossvile on July 4?
A-Yes.
Q-What for?
Al had heard that they were going
to have me arrested, and I went to town
to see Squire Binns about it.
Q-WeI, what happened on your
return?
Any little girl met me a hundred
yards from the house. She was crying
and said, "Oh papa, they've taken your
run away and they're killing mmama."
Then I heard my vile scream murder"
Here DeBarrows' grief became uncon-
tcoilable. 1t was several moments be-
fore he could speak.
DWELL, what did you do?
Al ran to the house as fast as l
could. Henry Carter was standing in
The door
Odd he have one hand on each case
ment?
Ale did.
Q-W hat did you do?
Al dashed up to him and pushed him
out of the way with my left hand. l
drew back with my right hand to hit him
if he didn't get cut of the way.
Q-You got past, did you?
A-Yes, pushed him away.
Q-What then did you do?
Al picked up hatchet and rushed
into the middle room and saw Ross and
Desnoyer in the kitchen. My wife came
running in with a revolver. and pointing
it at ali three of US, said, "Get out, or TlI
shoot"
O-What did you do?
Al took the pistol and told the rest
several times to get out.
Odd you give them plenty of time
to get out before you shot?
Al did.
Odd they get out?
A-No. They came towards me from
the kitchen into the middle room.
Q-What did you do?
Al snapped the pistol once. The
first shot nit Desnoyer who was trying to
get hold Of the revolver. Then l shot
Ross twice, as quick as ] could.
Q-What happened then?
A-Carter grabbed me by the shoulder
and Ross got to me and got hold of the
pistol. Then we struggled back and
forth across the room.
Q-Was the gun again discharged
A-Yes..
Q-Where was it pointing?
A-At Ross stomach.
O-Was that shot accidental?
At was. 1t was fired in pulling on
the revolver to try to keep Ross from
taking 4.
Q-What happened then?
A-They pushed me over a trunk.
They got the revolver away from me. l
got up again and jumped through the
open window.
Q-What then?
Al told my wife to take the children
and go to Mrs Kesler's, and l started as
hard as I could run for the road. l met
Ed Kassebaum in a wagon and jumped
in.
Q-How did he drive to Rossville?
Aust as fast as his horse could go.
Odd you think they were following
you?
A-Yes. 1 told Kassebaum to drive just
as fast as he could as the gang was after
me and was going to kill me.
Q-What did you do when you reach
cd Rossville?
Al began hollering for the ofhcers to
take me.
Odd you lick the blood off your
shirt as A. c. Sherman testified?
Al don't know.
Q-Were you greatly excited?
A-Yes, l don't know what l did.
DeBarrows' shirt was introduced in
evidence. 1t was torn and covered with
blood stains. 1t had been a white laun-
dered one
Croos- examination by the county at
torney:
Q-How long have you lived about
Rossville?
Ask or seven years.
Q-Had you ever had any trouble with
Ross until the time of your discharge?
A-No. sir.
Odd you have any trouble with
any ons else on the ranch?
A-Yes, sir; with Sam Spicer.
Q-Was he the cause of your being
discharged?
Al think so.
Odd he tell Ross that you had been