The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-01-20
Charles Watson, Bartender in
C0lwell's Saloon,
IN A DRUNKEN FRENZY
MiStOOk His Friend of Twenty
Years For Thief.
The Remorse Of the Murderer
In His Cell.


Colwells saloon, 1046 Union avenue, was
shot and killed at LAS O'Clock this morn
ing, by his friend of twenty years, Jack
Haines, a Topeka ticket broker. The
revolver was held so close that Wat
sons apron was powder burned from
the flash. The bullet penetrated the
stomach, and Watson died in a few mo-
ments while still scuff1ing with his as
Sailant.
Watson had been employed on Union
avenue for twenty years and thousands
OF persons knew him. At one time he
was night depot master but for the last
seven years he has been bartender in
ColWellS saloon. Jack HaineS was a
ticket broker on the avenue several
years ago, and had been employed in
turn by several ticket brokers. Wat
son and HaineS were friends during all
these years and were often together.
-Four years ago Haines moved to To-
peka to go into business for himself,
but he never failed when in Kansas
City to call on his old friend.
HIS GOOD CREDIT.
When Haines walked into Colwells
saloon about II 80 o'clock last night, he
approached Watson and asked:
Charlie, is my credit good?"
For anything you want, old man,
answered Watson.
.'All right. I've been up against it.
Let's shake a little dice and get even.''
Colwell, who was in the saloon, told
Haines that no gambling would be per-
mitted. Haines, who had been drink
coat over a table and went back into
I the rear of the saloon and sat down.
Then said Fred Curtiss, who was
in the saloon, Watson came from be-
hind the bar and took Haines' coat and
placed it behind the bar. After Haines
had been in the rear some time, Charlie
said: L guess we had better see if
we can't fix Jack little. He seems to
be sick-''
AN ACCUSATION OF THEFT.
so we took him into a wine room
and placed him on a chair with his
head and arm leaning on the table
He was there until about 1 o'clock.
and in the meantime William King and
L sat by the stove and talked. Pretty
soon Haines came out rather unstead-
lily. His watch chain was hanging
down and Haines held the watch in his
hands.
~ want $780, said he to Watson.
What on that?' said Watson, think
for $50.
You've got that $50 and want it
now,' exclaimed Haines. I've been
know who got it
Watson then began to pacify Haines
by telling him he must be mistaken.
Haines suddenly exclaimed: Where's
my overcoat? I've been touched for
that, too Watson gave him his coat
from behind the bar and Haines went
out the door. He walked up the street
to the New Albany, where he told a
policeman that Watson had stolen $50
from him. Then he came back and
demanded of Charlie, with an oath, that
if that money wasn't given up quick
Watson would be killed. Haines went
out again after a few moments. and
when he came back he had a revolver
in his hand.
DREW A REVOLVER.
:, Now. I want that money or I'll
kill yOu,' shouted Haines, going around
the cigar case at the end of the bar and
advancing toward Watson.
Come now, jack coaXed Watson,
nobody has your money. Don't make a
gun play, old man.
by that time they were pretty close
together, behind the bar, and King and
myself seeing the revolver, lodged be-
hind the stove and peered around Wat
son laid hold of Haines and reached for
the gun. While the weapon was right
against Watson'S stomach Haines pull
ed the trigger and the revolver flashed.
Watson yelled: Help me get this gun;
the fool has shot mep and he began stril<-
ing Haines with his fist. In that manner
he backed him out in front of the bar
and they fell together on the floor. Just
then Lieutenant Bray and officers Kee-
nan and Daily rushed in and grabbed
the revolver.
Get up, Charlie said one of the Of
ficers but Watson only fell over on his
back and began breathing heavily. He
died in moment
THE REPENTANT MURDERER.
Haines crouched in chair in the po-
lice hOldover this morning, with his neck
scarf united and his overcoat thrown
across his knees His short, gray hair
was all awry and great sobs shook his
body.
What can I say?' he moaned. ''They
robbed me and 1 shot some one; that is
all 1 know
Then he jumped to his feet and a
| wild light came into his eyes.
'Is he dead?" he whispered. els he
dead? Is poor Joe dead?"
He sat down again and moaned, while
tears streamed from his eyes
I'll tell you how it was" he said. ST
came yesterday to collect my rents.
got SIS from F. Glenn, my agent and
sold ticket to Jack Bowling for SO. I
had So in my pocket. 1 had some drinks /;
I don't know how many. When / went
| into Watson's place I had about $25 IN
! bills in the watch pocket of my trousers.
| When I woke up my watch chain was
| on the table and the ring on the top of
nv watch was twisted They had tried
| to Jerk it loose. The bills were gone
| from my pocket They couldn't get my
| silver change because it was in another
pocket
| Haines jumped to the floor and walk
ed back and forth beating his head with
| his hands.
why did ever come? Oh, why did
| I come? 1 fought against it from the
| first, but 1 had to come"
| CARES ON HIS WIFE'S ACCOUNT.
| A half dozen prisoners who stood with
| open mouths watching Haines in his
| agony finally arrested his attention
| He stopped before one of them and
| looked wildly at him.
| 1T is not for me that I care he
poor wife. Think of the troublesome