The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-01-21
.FEUDAL BUTCHERY
The Battle on the TOlIestOn
Game Preserves.
Adds a Dark Chapter to Mill
ionaire LandlOrdiSm.
SHOT FOR "POACHING"
Owners Of the Park Rich Chi
cagO Men.
Their Methods SAVIOR Of English
AriStOcracY.
SHOT FOR "POACHING"

Chicago, Jan. 21-That serious COM
plications will result from the fatal
fight on the TolIestOn preserves on
Tuesday evening there is now no rea-
son to doubt.
1t seems hardly possible that two of
the wounded men can survive.
This is the fourth time since it's in
ception blood has been spilled by the
hired game wardens of the Tolleston
Shooting club because of the excess of
zeal displayed by them in keeping per
sons whom they are pleased to regard
as intruders off the preserves near Toll
lesion.
y strong sentiment exists here against
the methods employed by the club.
which, it is claimed, SAVIOR of English
aristocracy. The farmers who live in
the vicinity of the grounds declare that
the little Calument river, which cuts
the park in two, is government
stream and that they have as much
right to fish in its waters and hunt the
scented muskrat on it's banks as any
body in Chicago or anywhere else 1t
is this difference of opinion between the
members of the club ay-d the Lake cOun-
ty tillers of the soil that has led to all
the encounters heretofore and Tues
days sanguinary conflict came about
from no other cause.
1t was 1920 when a party of game
keepers set out to make their daily
rounds and see that the Sanctity of the
preserves was not being violated In
the party were John Blackburn, Charles
Blackburn, Frank WhitlOck, Barnum
WhitIock, Albert Taylor and William
Kunert.
The party had proceeded as far as the
banks of the Little Calumet river,
when they came upon fifteen men,
whom they Immediately recognized as
them off the grounds several times be
fore. The men were there for the pur-
pose of securing the peltS of muSkrats,
and were all armed with long steel
tipped poles, which they used for spear
ing such of the animals as were unwary
enough to venture within reach.
Just how the fight began is in doubt
The gamekeepers say the intruders
fired the first shot while the friends of
the muskrat hunters are positive. IN
their assertion that the initiative IN the
way of firearms was taken by their ad-
verSaries. Be that as II may, both par
ties stood defiant, glaring at each other
over less than twelve feet of shining ice
until the trespaSseTS received the COM
mand not couched in any too choice
language to leave the place and to
leave at once The command was re-
ceived with a volley OF vituperation
and the presentation of bristling front
of spears. A spectator suddenly drop
ped down upon the scene would have
been justified in thinking that the old
feudai DAYS had returned and this was
a party of barbarian poachers, resisting
with medieval weapons an attempt TO
Dust them from a landed estate.
Then, followed a rapid exchange of
shots and when the smoke cleared
away the following farmers were found
writhing on the ground:
Alvin Bothnell. shot in the BODY ana
legs; will recover
John B. Blackburn, shot in the fore
head with a revolver; badly injured
Frank Costich, shot through the lungs
with 3S-caliber rifle; will die.
Theodore Pratt, wounded in the BODY
with a shotgun; will die
Charles Pratt, shot in the body with
a rifle; will recover.
The TollestOn club was incorporated
under the laws of Indiana in 1871. All
of the members are Chicagoans, and
many are millionaiTes. E. F. Daniels is
president, ]. w. Brooks, vice president,
G. d. Peacock, treasurer and George
Manierre secretary The directions are
DR. N Sem, c. A. Coolidge and Fred
erick Ullman. Besides these the follow
ing are members. Marshall Field. r.
M Fair Peter Schuttler, George NJ Pull
man. Ferd S. Peck, Clarence Peck. DR..
Miller. DR.. C. w. Reynolds, Dr. E ].
Ownes.
The history of the Tolleston club is
stained with blood. Trespassers have
been beaten by the clubs watchmen
time and again. POacherS were always
given a warm reception Men have
been found dead in the marshes and the
mystery surrounding their taking off
has never been unFaveled- Two of the
n:BGcbJJRrq4rsh fl -: ? G.! -O-'*(
clubs watchmen were shot and killed
by a man suspected of poaching on the
clubs preserves Their successors were
filed with bird shot one night but not
dangerously wounded
The people of TollestOn and the sur
rounding district nOurish a bitter en-
nifty toward the millionaire Chicagoans
who own the marshes comprised in the
Tolleston clubs preserves. Ever since
the club was organized nine years ago
some legal fight mas been on the hands
of the members. The club owns $500
acres, said to be worth $780, 600. The
members claim they benefit Tolleston
and the district considerably, as they
pay heavy taxes and spend their money
when down there But the establishment
of preserves irritated the people. Those
who were accustomed to shoot and
| hunt wherever they pleased on the
| marshes were dubbed trespassers and
were always able to be turned off the
| land. Farmers on the edge of the
| marshes claimed some of the property
| of the club, and, according to the club
| members, many attempts have been
| made to haraSs and annoy them.