The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-01-17
Daily eagle
Some Kansas Hanging History.
NJ. N. MURDOCH. Editor.

in
law passed in Harvey administration doing away with CAPT.
tai punishment Kansas. Previous to that time al
least one mans neck had been judicay broken for murder
in Kansas this most if not all the capa U
ors no,itica and otherwise dangled from CONVENIENT
limbs and dropped by sheriff through me Trap "
so4fo15 Two or three rnurderers been since that
time executed by Federal court in Wichita Du' ~
NJ suicides there has been few of stranguation by
rope in the state Kansas City Journal OF sunday gives
the details of hanging bee which occurred IN
Usage county in 1867 which time boy named Ba'es was
1udicia1ly murdered not know where the journal
writer got his data details for historical purposes
are somewhat inaccurate
Young Bates Lyon county boy, living IN the Wei
nifty of the late Charley Cross Sunny Slope farm He had
but attained manhood married Neosho Bottom
maid shortly after another portion Of the
state to hunt work Boy-ke-maybe man-lke-he longed
to see his bride only transportation lines which reach
ed every corner states in those days the walker
line and Young longing hsyoung wife overcame
his scrples and appropriated money which
did not belong to him. which oense he found himself
;n the clutches of instead of in the en-
braces of her whom recently to support
and protect He was bound by Abel Policy justice
Of the peace for Burlngame trial the next term of
court and as there was Jail Usage county at that time
George Hoover the village blacksmith, rveted pair of
chained rnanacles turned to
The keep of John Policy squires deputy
sheriff and who prisoner home, outside of the
town limits where the officiating squire lived, and
where Bates remained contetedy eating sleeping the
days away soft, bright morning the
deputy sheriff family county visit leaving the
prisoner in the father the justice of the
peace who n addition being aged and cripple
was very leader Of the choir in the Pres
byterian Of Buringame. In the mean
time bride of year delivered of twins, the
which Information prisoner still anxious to
reach his home. of three-score was
studying his Bible which lay his knees, giving
little or attention Bates who stumbling around
his chains occasionally addressing the SQUIRE he sud
IDENTIFY up old double barreed
nuzzIeloadng gun and turning his decrepit
guard exclaimed Now I've got you!" Policy fra, |
old and alone lacking nothing pluck. closed
prisoner marching out through the front
yard struggle possession of the old fOwling
piece ensued broken close off at the
barrels remaining with barrels Bates back
ing off pulled back and let it
pointing weapon best he could in the direc
antagonist, filing the side and hip of his victim
bird Going the wood pile he severed the chain
with fed south in the direction
Lyon county home his wife and twins picking up
the sake of greater expedition He
however recaptured Policy later dying his
juries Bates held for murder.
After this second arrest Bates became norose and soHd
tried house which had been built by
Burlingarne county John H. Watson Of En-
poria Judge judicial
trct which included Coey and Usage counties and all the
southwest presided James r. Stewart of brightest
young legal lights mmgrating Kansas being county
prosecuting and State Senator Rogers defend
Bates showed little interest in the trial
that after the jury Judge remarked
passing sentence would force some evidence of
feeling him. pathetic young wife and
the twins position his inter
feet being sentenced to be hang
cd by the neckn the yard dead he was taken
to Lawrence keeping day execution
The county officers The meantime canvassed the expense
Of building tight enclosure within which to execute him
Finally someone suggested that the scaod erected in the
big stairs the rope fastened TO the tim
bers Of the roof and dropped through square hole
which had been left in the ceiling This being
determined Register Chatield was given
the order to HE scaold accordingly. Subsequently
after the hanging the fact coming Judge watsons
he scored the county officers finish for so desecrat
ng temple of justice.
While confined the Lawrence jail Catholic prizes.
Visited Bates daily and Accompaniment him back to Burli
The hour having Bates in stocking feet and
bare headed led door OF the lower floor
he house speak the crowd which was standing
outside in light falling snow. hoping to catch glimpse
the tragedy He said little father than heas sorry that
his efforts escape he had killed the old man. which was
done without afarethought malice When the officers
and doctors and ministers reached the foot Of he scat
fold stairs orvig asked the privilege of
offering prayer Assent being given and all On their
knees, his appeal long earnest but the e