Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1896-05-14

eral days, unearthing new traces Of
Bastian's deeds. Three murders are
now conclusively traced to Bastian, ac-
cording to neighbors, and many think
four other cases Of mysterious disap-
pearance are in reality murders, COM
mitted by him. One of the crimes
charged against Bastian by his neigh
bors is the killing Of his 2-year-old
child five years ago. His other sup
posed victims are three farm hands,
Lauderbach, Kreinsen and Mccartney,
and colored nurse named Parish, who
disappeared about the time Bastians
baby died. There Is a great deal of
conjecture in these cases, but the peo-
pie who three weeks ago wanted to
mob Sheriff Hemenway for suggesting
that Bastian killed Kuschmann would
now believe any charge made against
him.
Aside from the way in which Bastian
kept up his dual life, If he was really
a murderer, this change of sentiment
Is the most remarkable part Of this
strange case which is so full of posi-
bilities. No one can guess its magni-
tude. When Sheriff Hemenway began
to connect Bastian with Kuschmanns
murder the people Of Milan and the
farmers along Mill Creek warned him
to keep away and threatened to bring
suit against him for defaming Bas-
tian's character. Even after Bastians
body was found hanging in an out
house they would not credit the stories,
and when the first skeleton was un-
earthed the sheriff was accused of hav-
ing planted it to strengthen his case.
However, there has been a great change
Of feeling, and now there is talk of re-
moving Bastian's body from the ceme-
terry to the potters' field as a mark Of
resentment.
The case has attracted widespread
attention, and people from every di-
rection are visiting the Bastian farm
and carrying away numberless souven-
irs of the spot. The bloody buffalo
robe, the buggy, and other objects con-
nected with the murder of young
Kuschmann have been bought by the
farmers near by, and are regarded as
treasures. Nothing remains on the
farm except the buildings, all else
having been sold at auction, and the
crowds of visitors watch every chance
to carry away a chip of these.
Henry Bastian, who is now charged
with seven murders, with forgery, ar
son, and other crimes, was born near
Rock Island twenty-six years ago, and
has lived on the farm near Mill Creek
most of his life. He was a prominent
member of his church and was regard
ed as an upright man by his neighbors
during the five years in which it is now
supposed he was killing his farm
hands, burning barns, and robbing his
friends and relatives. Since the day
he was married and came into posses
sion Of the farm he has lived a dual
life, not even his wife having any sus-
picion Of his crimes. His sister Car
Tie, VIII llNSu Will HIN luUSL vi the
time, is suspected by many of having
guilty knowledge Of his acts, but States
Attorney Searle, the sheriff, and the
coroner, working together. have not
been able to produce any evidence
against her.
The last murder committed by Bas-
tian, and which resulted in the dis
covery Of his other crimes and led to
his suicide, was the killing of Fred
on February 20 last.
whose people live in Rock
Island, had worked for Bastian for a
year, and on the day he was killed told
the latter he was going home and want
ed his money. Just how he was killed
will probably never be known. About
8 o'clock that night Bastian entered
the house Of his nearest neighbor, An
ton Weigle, and said he had found |
body in the road where
he had been thrown from his horse.
Bastian said later the farm hand had
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