The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-06-26

Covering the head was a gunny sack,
| and over the gunny sack was thrown a
laprobe. Crocker could not possibly
have known him The sheriff removed
some of the covering and lifted the lap
rd0e UP. In the assistance which the
defendant gave him at that time lies
another of those acts which shows hat
red, malice and revenge. He took hold
of one of Booths ears and pulled the
shapelesS mass which was once Har-
vey Booths head toward him and threw
IL back in a most extraordinary way.
The head had been badly crushed An
examination of the premises showed
that a blow must have been struck as
Booth entered the barn; that the per-
petIator OF the deed had then hauled
Booths body into the bunk room; had
covered the head with a gunny sack,
and had then beaten the head TO
jelly. The body was as we'll taken care
of as 1t could be, the coroner first being
called.
From thecir cumstances surrounding
the killing, the prosecution expected 10
be able to show clearly 10 the jury what
was the motive for the murder OF Har-
vey Booth. When the man is murdered
for the purpose of gain his slayer usu-
ally contents himself with killing his
victim, and then proceeding with rob-
berry But when Harvey Booth was
killed, his body was dragged some dis
tance away, his head covered with a
gunny sack, and then his brains beat
en- out, hatred and malice and revenge
are clearly shown.
The facts surrounding the killing
further demonstrated beyond question
that the murder must have been COM
mitted by some one thoroughly acquain-
ted with the barn, and also thoroughly
acquainted with the habits OF the de-
ceased.
TO SHOW ILL FEELING.
The prosecution further expected 70
show that ill-feeling existed between
the two men, and that quarrels between
them We're frequent. Robbery could
not have been the motive, since while
all papers which could have been on
Booths body may have disappeared
a five-dollar gold piece and some small
change were still there. Harvey Booth
was an impetuOus man, not given 10
his opinions of people, but
prone TO tell a man exactly what ne
thought of him Croker. on the con-
trary, was always quiet, cool and col
lected.
eral attempts on the part of the dsfeu- |
dant to influence the testimony Of wit /
nesses 50 that it would be fl favor of 4
his case. attempts 10 elicit from VIZ 4
nasses what they were going 10 testify 4
10 in the case and 50 SHOW these vat 4
nesSeS that they were mistaken II 4
these things, attempts never made by /
an innocent man.
L would further appear from the evil I
ience that the defendant, VINO heats his
house with a furnace. had greater
sOiicitude than usual that evening n
10 his furnace
Another fact which was extremely
damaging 10 the defendant was that in
the Office used by Booth and Croker. (
1ne % the compartments OF which was
lsed by Booth exclusively. As soon
Z fter the finding OF the body as con- ven
ent, perhaps al O'Clock the mex; morn
ng. soma reputable citizens % the town
Z Evanston went with me defendant |
% this safe 10 t-y 20 open the Booth
Many keys were tried
amongst them those Of The defendant
Their efforts were unsuccessful Again
N Monday afternoon another attempt
vas made. but still The compartment
ould not BE opened. The next morn
ng a ehi-d attempt was made. "a TIE
.reSence OF the defendant Whea ne
sne in;o tie Office he laid a bunch q
.eys on the corner % the sac. and a.
~ Few moments We're sps1. IN trying
one Other keys. he said, T tank
ave one fhst VII open 3. took down
Ne bunch % keys and Ire laird key
pened the lock TIE evidence VIZ
a0w that this key must have beea
made from a pattern.
CONTRADICTORY STATEMENTS
The syIdence would further shoE
1any contradictory statements on The
art OF the defendant as 70 rs E-er=sa-
outs Immediately sste- tie= CORN ssioa
: the crl-ns- As soo1 a. Harvey B1Oth
as discovered dad citizens bean 90
atneT around and make s01le attempts
N inquiries - . the pe-Setrz-c- %
1s crime The defendant tod naEy
{ them reputable citizens, whose tea