The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-08-18
HIS FUNERAL LARGE.
Burial of z. h Easterbrook at Topeka
This Afternoon.

The body of E. H. Easterbrook who
was shot at Ellis, Kan, on Monday
S:15 this morning. An escort of ten
Sir knights from Hays City Comman-
derry accompanied the body besides
large number of the deceasedS intimate
friends. The train was due at 6:37 but
was late. An escort from Topeka Com
mandery was in waiting at the depot to
receive the body and to act as escort to
the Masonic temple. The Sir knights
composing the escort from Hays City
were ]. H. Ward, G. A. Lester, C. w.
Henderson, H. B. Kohle, ]. B. Gallon,
Ed Hichey, r. NJ. Mcleod and Judge
A. G. Gilkerson.
In speaking of the shooting Judge
Gilkerson said: "This William Leach
had been in the employ of the Union
Pacific and had been discharged He
was employed in the water supply de-
partment. Once before he had been
discharged and through the efforts of
Mr.. Easterbrook was reinstated. At
the time of the shooting he was in a
beaStly intoxicated condition. Mr.. East
erbrook was just leaving the station to
go to his home when Leach saw him
from across the street and started
towards him saying, t--
I have you now and fired. Mr.. East
erbrook started away from him say
ing, Bill don't shoot me, I have done
you no HARM but Leach kept on shoot
ing. The first two shots took effect in
the abdomen, the third in the lungs
and the fourth in the arm. He was so
drunk he was holding the revolver in
both hands and was ready to fire the
fifth shot when some bystanders grab
bed him. In my opinion Leach was in
a drunken, ugly mood and without
any provocation killed Easterbrook
without any generalization. Easter
brook had done more for him than any
other person he knew and had always
done what he could to keep him in his
place when he was in trouble. The
shooting took place about o'clock and
the sheriff Immediately arrested Leach
and took him to Hays City for fear of
mob violence. The shooting is the most
a day. Leach had no friend so good as
Mr.. Easterbrook.
Mr. Easterbrook formerly lived in
Topeka, where he has many friends
He is a member of Orient lodge No
81, A. F. and A. NJ, Topeka Comman-
derry No. 5. Topeka Chapter, BeuIah
Chapter, No. "a, Order Eastern Star
and the A. o. U. w. Mr.. Easterbrook
was connected with the Santa Fe here
five years ago, and then moved to Ell
lis, where he has been division master
mechanic of the Union Pacific.
The funeral was held this afternoon
at the Masonic Temple on Jackson
street. The services were conducted
by the knights Templar and DR.. F. s.
McCabe; The services at the grave
were held by Orient Lodge No. 81 All
the Masonic lodges of the city took
part and the A. o. U. w. and Eastern
Star.
The Temple was beautifully decor
covered with floral tributes from the
different lodges and from the friends
of the deceased. The Brotherhood of
Locomotive Firemen of Ellis had a
handsome pillow of roses and ferns.
the knights Templar a cross and
crown, Orient lodge square and com
pass and the Eastern Star a beautiful
ly wrought star of roses and smilax
Bes1des these, were many offerings
from individuals.
Those who accompanied the remains
here from Ellis are: H. 4. Randall. L.
a Martin, d. Lynch, r. H Harper.
Mrs Robert Purcell Mrs. Frank Schu-
Ter, Mrs. VIM. Mcfarland, Mrs H F
Randall, Mrs. Levi Martin Mrs a
Raymons. Mrs. Miner Mrs. Mcleod.
Mrs. Henderson and Mrs RandIett
Mrs Levi Martin. Mrs Easterbroolx
is stopping with her daughter Mrs
Kohl. and her son, at Mr.. Coles. III
Morris avenue
The pail bearers are Mr.. G. w. Scott.
Spencer p. Wade, W. J. Whitson and
j. s Collins from Commandery No. 5.
and two from the Hays City Comman-
derry.
The music was furnished by quar-
tette composed of Miss Edna Park
hurst, Mrs. NJ. D. Henderson Mr. Ed
ward Epps and Mr. NJ d. Henderson
Lead Kindly Light Rock of Ages.
and Nearer My God to Thee" ali Of
Wh1ch We're favorite songs of Mr.. Eas-
Templars in full uniform accompanied
the BODY to the grave and a large num-
Der OF friends in carriages.