The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-01-19
MURDER DONE.
Jack Haines, the Topeka Ticket
Broker,
Shoots and Kills Charles I'D.
Watson, a Bartender,
IN UNION AVE. SALOON
At Kansas City at 1:45 This
Morning.
Haines Says the Shooting Was
In Self Defense.

q
well & Ray, 1O46 Union avenue, was
shot and instantly killed about 1870
o'clock this morning by Jack Haines,
ticket broker, of Topeka, while Watson
was on duty at his place of employ
ment.
Haines had been in the city all day,
and had been drinking heavily. He had
come to the depot intending to catch
the fast mail, which leaves for Topeka
at Z;30 o'clock. He went into the Sa-
loon to have a drink, some time before
midnight. He had several, and, then
having several hours to wait for the
train, he went back into the wineroom
and lay down on a bench. He went to
sleep, and did not awaken until some
time after 1 o'clock
He rushed from the wineroom into the
saloon, exclaiming: I've been robbed.
Some of you people have touched me for
$3O!''
"Oh, come, Jack; you don't know
what you are talking about" was the
rejoined of Watson.
Yes, do, and you are the - -
- - who's got it!'
He reached around for his gun, and
Watson reached into the cigar case for
his revolver. From the accounts of the
onlookers, Watson reached his first, and
started for HaineS, coming around the
bar When he reached the end, HaineS
fired, the shot taking effect in the right
lung, ranging downward and piercing
the heart. Death was instantaneous.
Haines started for the door, and was
just making his exit when he ran into
the arms of Officers Frank keenan, and
Mat Daily, who had been attracted by
the shot. They placed him under ar
rest. He was taken to No police
station.
The body of Watson was found lying
on the floor of the saloon with his gun
beside him. He was dead. The body
was taken to an undertaking establish
ment where an inquest was held over
it today.
Haines was seen by a reporter at No.
2 shortly after the murder took place.
He said that he was Sc years of age and
had been living in Topeka for the last
four years. He was formerly in the en-
ploy of John Doherty, the ticket broker
at 1896 Union avenue.
Il came to the city today at 2:30
o'clock to collect some rents that were
due me. 1 intended going back on the
fast mail. 1 went into COlwelPs place
about 10 o'clock, and after having a
few drinks with Watson, whom have
known for many years, I went back into
the wine room to get a little sleep, tell
ing Charley to wake me in time to
catch my train.
Somebody woke me about 1:30, and
when I got up I found that my watch
was dangling by the chain, and $50 in
money which had in my watch pocket
was gone. went out into the bar and
said: Charley, I've been robbed, and
I want my money back He said to me
that I must think that he took it. I re-
L
but that I wanted it. He then said that
he had been living too long on the av-
enue to be taken in by that game, and
he leaned over the bar and hit me on
the cheek" and he showed the bruiSe
where he had been struck.
Watson then reached for his gun and
made for me. I thought that he was
going to kill me and then 1 shot him in
elf-defense.''
Fred Curtis, of Wellington, Kan, and
William King, from Kentucky, were in
the barroom when the shooting took
place. Their account of the affair is
very much the same as the foregoing.
The dead man was married, and
leaves a, widow. The home is at F'if-
teenth and Harrison streets. Watson
was SO years Of age,and had been work.
ing where he was killed for six years.
He was at one time a depot master of
the Union depot.
Haines is Sc years of age, and is also
married. Both men are very well known
throughout the city.
MRS. HAINES IS SEEN.
j. r. Haines, or Jack Haines, as he is
more Familiarity known, has lived in
Topeka since 1885. He has had ticket
broker business in the little stall ad-
Joining the Pacific Express company,
between Fifth and Sixth streets on Kan
saS avenue, for the greater part of the
time. He came to Topeka from Kansas
City, and Mrs. Haines moved to Topeka
a year later.
Mrs. Haines was seen at noon today
at the place of business of her hus-
band. She is a woman with evidence
of unusually strong character in her
face The first intimatiOn of the shoot
ing was conveyed to her by a Journal
reporter. She said that there must have
been a mistake. Later, when the re-
port was confirmed, she still refused to
believe it-persisting that some mistake
had been made
''I can not believe it-I won't believe
it." said Mrs. Haines, and she shut her
mouth firmly as if she were trying to
choke down a terrible fear. TT isn't
at all like Jack" she continued. He
has never been QuarrelSOme, nor has he
drank to excess since we were married.
He went to Kansas City to collect the
rent from our house and expected him
back last night. l sat up till midnight
waiting for him, but he did not come
and 1 will look for him at 1 o'clock to-
day.
IF this is true I am not surprised that
he has not notified me, but can't be-
lieve it is true. Jack was never robbed
in his life, and he has been around the
world a great deal; but what is a paltry
$50 to a thing like this? Then he had no
revolver with him. He must have got
one from some one in Kansas City if
he did any shooting. Anyhow, he is
not liable to use a revolver. He would
use his fists first" Mrs. Haines said she
did not know Watson, who was killed
by her husband.
Mrs. Haines controlled herself perfect
ly, though it was evident she was labor
ing under a terrible strain. Mr.. and
Mrs. HaineS were married fourteen
years ago and they have no children
They live at 1910 West Tenth street.
Jack HaineS was considered rather
peculiar by his friends in Topeka, but
he was not regarded as a, dangerous