Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-11-21
THOMAS VI. JAMES FIRES FATALLY
AT WILLIAM VI. HAYES.
VICTIM WILL PROBABLY DIE
DEED CAUSED BY A DISPUTE OVER A
BOUNDARY FENCE.
James Was Said to Have En-
croached Upon Hayes Land
james Released on
$4,000 Bond.

TOPEKA, Nov. 2o.-(Special) Without
NJ. James, prominent capitalist and poll
tician of this city, to-day shot and per-
haps fatally injured William H. Hayes,
Santa Fe coach trimmer. Added to this
outrage a justice Of the peace, c. ]. Ches-
ney, released James on a bond in the in
significant sum of $1,000 The action Of the
justice has aroused as much indignation
among the citizens cf Topeka as the work
Of the probable murderer.
James lives. in fine home on Kansas
| avenue IN North Topeka. Hayes owns a
home adjoining him. For some time Hayes
| has suspected that James was claiming
some of his property and was using it as
| yard. He had civil engineer run line
recently, and it was found that the line
fence was over nine feet on Hayes prop
erty. James barn also occupied nine feet
of 1t. After this fact was determined Hayes
notified James that he would have to move
his barn on his own property and that the
division fence would have to be placed on
the lot line. James never paid any atten-
ton to the matter and continued to use
uluc lool SlIlp ol 11dStS lot.
This morning Hayes concluded he would
set a post on the division line to mark it,
and then later, if James refused to comply
with his request, he would build new d.
vision fence at the proper place. He started
to dig posthole when James came out and
ordered him away.
II guess 1 have right to dig hole on
| my own property" remarked Hayes. and
he continued to dig.
James grew indignant and again ordered
him to cease. Hayes kept on. James went
into his home. got his L. c. Smith breech-
loading shotgun. re-appeared and when
within twenty-five feet of Hayes, raised
the gun to his shoulder and aiming at his
| neighbor, deliberately pulled the trigger.
The gun was loaded with No. shot.
The charge entered Hayes left groin. It
struck a small bottle containing medicine
in his lower vest pocket. The glass was
driven into the abdomen by the shot. Hayes
fell to the ground. Neighbors were soon on
the scene and carried him into his home
and physician was called. An examina-
tion showed that the shot and glass had
pierced the intestines, producing wound
which the physicians declare is fatal.
Hayes, is still alive, but no hopes are en-.
tertained of his recovery.
After firing the perhaps fatal shot,
James coolly walked into his home and
remained there Until couple of officers
| arrived and placed him under arrest. He
was taken to the police station and the
charge of shooting with intent to kill was
lodged against him. A few minutes later
a constable from Justice Chesney's court
took charge Of the prisoner. James was
taken to Chesney's court and arraigned
for assault with intent to kill. The JUS
tice, acting in manner unprecedented,
did not order him held until the result of
Hayes injuries were determined, but
| promptly fixed his bond at the small sum
of 5000. James. NJ. T. Campbell and ex-
Postmaster A. ]. Arnold signed it. James
| was then released. He declined to dis
| cuss the shooting or the causes which led
| up to it, The story given above was told
| by a detective of the local police force
who Investigated the case.
| Chesney's conduct is condemned almost
| universally.
| dustrous and peaceab1e man. He has
worked for years for the Santa Fe as
| coach trimmer in the local shops. He has
family consisting of wife and three
children.
James is quite wealthy and is some
what of politician. For years he was
one of the North Topeka leaders Of the
Republican party. Since '9s he has affliat-
ed with the silver Republicans. He was the
fusion nominee for mayor two years ago
and was badly defeated. Last fall he
was the fusion candidate for county
treasurer. but met defeat at the polls by
the usual Republican majority.
| In case Hayes des-and the physicians
say there is absolutely no hope of his re-
covery-some other state officers will take
| hold of the case and see that Chesney does
! not get another chance to perpetrate such
an outrage as he did to-day.