The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1899-04-27
BUNK M'GINNIS ARRESTED.
Suspected Murderer of VIM.
Bercherding,
Conf-sses to Stealing Cattle, But De-
nies The Killing
IDENTIFIED BY VICTIMS WIDOW.

Noah McGinnis, better known as
Bunk" son of Green McGinnis, of
Lone Oak township, was arrested
by deputy sheriff D. D. McCann and
the night policeman of Rich Hill, on
the train at Pansms, for the murder
of VIM. Bercherdipg, at his home in
Hudson township, while attempting
to rob him, an account of which was
given in last weeks TIMES. From
the description given by Bercherd-
ing in his post-mortem staten ent
and that of his wife and from other
circumstances, Sheriff Mudd and
Prosecutor Clark were led to sus
pect McGinnis. On the Wednesday
following the murder he left home
and was traced going in the direc-
ton of Panama When he boarded
the train, Deputy McCann engaged
him in conversation and asked him
if his name wasn't McGinnis. This
he denied and gave fictitious name
and said he was going to Nevada.
McCann then notified him that he
had a warrant for his arrest and he
and the policeman seized and over
powered him after a struggle. When
searched be had 80 Colts revolver,
and notified the officers that If he
could have got it out, there would
tave been funeral in Rich Hill.
ae was brought to Butler and
lodged in Jail. Prosecuting attorney
Clark had long talk with him and
notified him that he was suspected
of stealing a steer from the pasture
of Loeb Bros, near Rich Hill and
selling it to Mr.. Proctor, the butch
er, in Butler This he defantly de-
MED and when identified by Mr..
Proctor, still maintained bis limo
cence. Mr.. Clark then said to him,
"Mc Ginnis, we know you stole the
steer, but we are not holding you
for that charge, but the more serious
one of numbering old man Bercherd
ing" Then his nerve forseok him
and he trembled violently and turn
ed deadly pale. He asked the other
boys to go away so they could not
hear what was said, and then told
Mr.. Clark that he did steal the steer,
he was willing to confess to that,
but that he did not do the other
lob. Sheriff Mudd and Mr.. Clark
took him to the Bercherding home
where the widow identified his
voice, his size, his feet and his ac-
tions, but said she did not get a
good look at his face. He has a
remarkably small foot and wears a
cow boy boot, with high heel which
set we'll under the foot. A track at
the back of the house corresponded
exactly with his boot. The bullet
cut from the old mans body was q
peculiar make and fit the pistol
found on McGinnis' person. It will
be proved that he was seen In the
neighborhood on the evening of the
murder. In fact Prosecutor Clark
thinks he has the right man beyond
q doubt. McGinnis has bad repu
tation. He was suspected of being
in several bad jobs in the Territory.
A few nights before the murder oi
old man Bercherding, the Rich Hill
marshal identified him as the party
who tired to break into gun store,
and when. aperehended fred three
shots at the marshal and fed. An
agent for Loeb Bros. came to Butler
and identified the hide of the stolen
steer by a small metal tab in its eal
with Loeb Bros name thereon. This
tab had escaped MIR. Proctor until
pointed out.
William Bercherding died on
Wednesday and was buried or
Thursday of last week.
Ed Able, step.brother of Nc
Ginnis. was arrested on Tuesday by
Deputy McCann, at the instance ei
presecuting attorney Clark. The