Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-11-25
MAY LYNCH HIM YET
WILLIAM - FOLEY TAKEN TO
PLATTE CITY.
Sheriff Declares That the Prisoner Is
in No Danger and Will he Pro-
tecfcd From Mob Violence
to the Bitter End.

William S. Foley. convicted of numbering
his mother and sister at their home near
Liberty on the night OF November l.. 1896.
and WIZ has been tried twice for the
crime. Ma9 taken from the Jackson county
Jail 10 Platte City yesterday 10 stand trial
for the third time.
Sheriff John Dillingham; came to k4nEas
city from Platte city yesterday morning
aud left an hour later with Foley over the
Maple Leaf for Beverly Junction The
"Trip from the latter place 10 Platte City
was made overland IN a hack without
incident. Sheriff Dillingham; was not ac-
c0npaEied by a deputy. lie told Marshal
chilss ne anticipated no trouble with the
Vigilantes OF Clay county. a telephone
message received from Dillingham; yester-
DAY afternoon stated that Foley had been
landed behind the bars OF The Platte county
jail safe and sound.
Foley was first tried for the crime Of
double murder in the Clay county circuit
court and the jury could not agree upon
a verdict. One night soon after the ease
had first been tried a mob az
Liberty and made demands on SheIl1
Hymer TO deliver the prisoner up, But
Sheriff Hymer had anticipated trouble and
the prisoner had several hours before beeh
spirited away TO Kansas City.
AT the second trial of the case Foley was
convicted and sentenced TO die on the gal
lows. Public sentiment was against him
and his life was frequently threatened.
Judge Broaduus. in imposing the death
sentence. referred TO Foley as an 'inhuman
monster" and told him he deserved TO die
the death of a dog
Foley's case was appealed to the supreme
court. and in July that tribunal reversed
che Judgment of tire lower court and re-
manded the case for retriai. The people OF
clay county. who believe that Foiey Is
guilty beyond a doubt, were highly in
censed over the decision of the supreme
court and a second attempt was made 10
lynch him. Foley was at that time con-
fined in the Clay county JAIL. y MOB
formed at midnight and tried TO batter
down the iron doors of the Jail. When the
leader of the ~vigilantes was finally adj
mitted 10 the Jail he found that the mob
had once more been outwitted by the
sheriff. TWO hours before Foley mad been
quietly spirited away from the jail and had
been driven to a farm house near kearney
lev Deputy Sheriff Ed Cane. The follow
ing morning he was brought 10 Kansas
city in the baggage car of a Hannibal
train.
Change of Venue Granted.
Two weeks ago FoIey's attorneys APP
piled for and We're granted a change of
venue. The application was passed upon
by Judge Broaddus without the presence
Of Foley in court. This was an unusual
proceeding and Judge Broaddus consented
TO pass on the application only after be-
ing convinced that Foley's life would be
worth less than a postage stamp of he were
required TO appear in court al Liberty. The
movements of Sheriff Hymer Were closely
followed by member of the Clay county
regulators and, in the light of recent de-
VelopmenUs. IL is believed that an effort
wculd have been made 10 hang the pris-
oEer In broad daylight if he had been
taken to Liberty.
The Platte county circuit court will con-
rcnc Monday. December :. Regardless of
The fact that Sheriff Dillingham; expressed
the opinion that Foley will be perfectly
safe at Platte city. there are those who be-
lieve his life IS in as much danger there
rs IL would have been at Liberty. Platte
city is an isolated village less than a
dozen miles from Foley's old home. and
n mob would have no more trouble in get
ting at him at Platte City than ii would
Ct Liberty. The Platte county Jail is a
little more secure than the Liberty prison,
Tut the strength and security of Jail build
inSs wouldn't count for much witt a Clay
county mob.
II is believed that an attempt will be
made to lynch Foley while he is in Jail at
Platte City. Sheriff Dillingham; declares
he will protect Foley to the bitter end.
however. He lives in the jail building and
IL" Will place a strong guard about the
lail until the Foley case has been tried.
Dillingham; is also the owner of a pack OF
thoroughbred b~loodhounds. which he uses
IA guard the jail and run down criminals.
He thinks they will be of much service in
case a mob should try to get AT Foley.