The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-06-14
LYNCHED By A KANSAS MOB
MURDERER OF Young GIRL
HANGED IN THE SQUARE.
The sheriff Attempted to outwit the
Avengers and Get His Prisoner
Away, Hut Is Overtai<en and Man

GREAT BEND kan. July 13.-1n the
public square fronting on the principal
business street OF this city, murderer wa;
lynched at 5 O'Clock this evening by mon
OF probably 5o) people. IL Is estimated ihat
a. least ,0oo OF Great Bends population OF
$50 witnessed the tragedy.
The victim was John Becker. young
white man. who on April killed Myrtle
HufImaister, the I6-year-o.d daughter of
William Hufmeister a farmer living mid
way between Great Bend and E.linwood,
the second station east of here.
Becker was employed by the farmer, and
professed passionate love for the daughter.
ana the tragedy followed the girls refusal
10 accept his advances. When the girl
came 10 the stable in the evening. Becker
shot her 10 death. sending eight bullets
into her body. after which he set fire TO the
farmers stables. At first Il was reported
that the murderer had shot himself, and
that he died In the flames, but Later IL be-
came known that he had fled and a search
was Instituted. On April -. a posse OF
farmers captured the murderer near ST.
John. Stafford county. aud for safe keeping
he vas taken by the sheriff 10 Hutchinson.
az there had been many threats that he
would be lynchcd Il brought here
This morning Becker was brought here
from Hutchinson TO Le put on his pre.iL1-
mary examination. Early In the day farm
ers from the neighborhood of his crime be-
gan coming into town. and b. O'Clock
this evening the streets were thronged.
Then when il became known that the muir
derer had been granted a change of venue
TO Lyons. ana tina, Sheriff Aber would take
hlA prisoner east on the Santa Fe train
this evening. there were signs of threat
ened trouble. ia a zig crowd began 70
gather NJ the railroad depot.
Sheriff Aber. approaching the danger.
took Becker IN = buggy and started for
a crossing east of the city intending 20
flag the train there. BY this time, the
crowd at the depot were openly threaten
Ing a lyuching. When the train pulled out
the purpose Of the sSefiT's strategy had BE-
come apparent 20 all The wogldbe lynch
ers quick 10 act boarded the train and
rode on. When Sheriff Aber n the cross
ing, saw that the train was crowded 70
the guards. he did 10. Tag IT, bu. hurried
~ drove back 10 Great Bend with his prls-
oner. Al Dartmouth, the lynehing party
left the train and started back % this city.
having hired ali ne conveyances available
there
III the meantime Sheriff A5e~ had hur-
r.ea back ard had lodged his prisoner .
the county jail.
a few minutes aefore o'c.cck. thu mob
wa.s sw3r11.7g around he Sail. Evidently
believing 'Aa. ne >oo'l outw9t he lynch
ers. sheriff ADe~ rushed Becker out ~ the
fa'. % hLs buggy, ~a5ch vas IN the street.
HI; ho. had 70 ~oQTar done 81 'han he aN4i.
rs men ara re p.jSo0e- we're sGrroES3e:.
The sheriff at3e3 t. SIS 5eput.es, trade q
stubborn defense. SAD no prisoner. res,tZ-
lrg tina fate fhat th-rstenai A.u. fought
desperately w.tS them After ,Ney fougN.
t1c.e Way hack a..ro<st - TO entrance 20
the fail. ;Eo mob :7-04Eh sheer force e.
numbers prevailed. Securing TIE murder
- -.sr bore him aW2 = - no r5{ts,fo eexssar.4