The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1896-12-18
A SERIOUS ASSAULT.
P. I. Lancaster Dangerously As
saulted by a Neighbor.
I. C. Moore Charged with the Offence
-Ihe Trouble ths OutorOPpiHg Of
Hard Feeling brought on By
Water Disputes.

M0DAD AEa--k ecu WIN ~-10
-5he Trouble tbs OutoroPpiHg Of
Hard Feeling brought on By
Water Disputes.
Last Monday morning the trouble
and bad blood that has been brewing
in Smoky township for some time, be-
ing originally brought on by disputes
over water rights, eliminated in what
might have been and yet may be a very
serious matter. A man lies within the
border of the sbadowland, and another
stands charged with mis- assault and an
intent to kill; how true this last is not
within the province of a newspaper to
Judge, for man charged with crime
must always be considered innocent
until declared otherwise at the bar of
Justice. Those who know the defend
ant best are slow to believe there we're
murderous elements entertained in the
assault, the. accepted opinion being
that the unfortunate affair occurred
during a lapse of self-government. The
weapons used we're probably those Of
nature-fsts and feet. At least it has
not been determined otherwise.
OF course, there was a trivial incident
that directly brought on the trouble.
It, however, was but the spark that
fred the mine Of pentup hate. Here
is the story, impartially set forth;
4
Monday forenoon L. G. Moore Of
Smoky township drove into town, and,
going before Justice Calvert, on his
own complaint pleaded guiltyto assault
and battery upon the person of P. I.
Lancaster. Mr.. Moore's story Of the
trouble was that Sunday q flock of tur-
keys belonging to Mr.. Lancaster had
got into his cornfield and we're doing
damage. That he shut them up and
held them for damages. That when Mr.
Lancaster came for the fowls he had
called Mrs. Moore a liar and thief, and
that be, Moore, had administered a
severe beating to the offender. Justice
Calvert assessed a fine of 81 and costs
upon the cOmplainant-defendantw which
he paid.
Shortly after Mrs. Lancaster, the aged
mother of the assaulted man, arrived
in the city, and informed the county
attorney that her son had been assault
ed by i. G. Moore, and that in her
opinion he was dangerously injured.
The official stated that the assailant
had been fined for assault and battery
in the case, but if the facts warranted
it another and more serious charge
could be brought against him.
Mr.. Lancaster's story Of the assault
is that while at church Sunday his
turkeys had got into Mr.. Moore's corn
field and that Monday morning he in
structed his nephew, Willie PeytOn, to
go after the turkeys and pay for the
damage they had committed; that the
boy had returned and reported that
Mr.. Moore had insisted that he, Ian
caster, should come in person for the
fowls. That he went to the Moore place
aud asked of Mr.. Moore the amount of
damage and that he was invited into the
house to arrange matters; that his host
rendered him chair, which he accept
ed. That upon again inquiring the
amount of damages inflicted by the
turkeys, he was accused Of calling Mrs.
Moore thief and liar: that he had de-
MED so insulting Mrs, Moore or any
other woman; that Moore had replied:
"Why, you are calling her liar now, y
and struck him as he said it. That be
knew nothing more for some time, but
as be gained consciousness he heard
someone say; "Bring some water" That
be got up from the floor where had been
lying, and pressing open his swollen
eyelids with his fingers, was able to see
sufficiently to get out of the house and
to the road, where he was picked up by
a neighbOr and driven home,
= -
Tuesday DR., Smith and a party OF
others left Goodland for the Lancaster
ranch, and on their return told of the
seriousness of Mr.. Lancaster's injuries
Bruised and battered out of all human
semblance, unable to arise from bed
nose broken, eyes swelled shut, blood
sweating from the lacerated features
they found the patient a pitiful sight
indeed. In addition to the injuries on
the head, severe Commissions on the
chest and side we're observable. The
physician does not anticipate serious
results, but admits that the patient is
weak and that men have died from
similar injuries.
Tuesday evening Lancaster's condi
ton was considered so serious that {
warrant was issued charging Moore
with assault with intent to main anC
Kill, The sheriff went to the Moor,
ranch that night to serve the warrant
but found no one at home. Thursds.
it was reported that Moore vas stop
ping with friend on Lake creek, ant
the sheriff left to serve the warrant
Up to the time Of going to press he hat
not returned.
Considerable feeling was engepdere'