The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-06-27


with the exception of the sheriff and the
man for whom Kornstett worked would
entertain the suspicion of his guilt in con-
nection with the disappearance of the lit
tie girl He was questioned closely at the
inquest, but this did not satisfy the sheriff.
He was then taken 10 view the corpse OF
the little girl but he exhibited the most
stolid indifference, an indifference which
most always fixes guilt in the minds of
those who study crime and criminals. Aft
er the exhibition Of this indifference, Sher-
III Gillespie was convinced more than ever
that John Kornstett committed the deed.
But the coroner's jury could not find the
evidence. Sheriff Gillespie then found that
about his only hope would be to secure q
confession. Mr.. Chis.ick, for whom the boy
worked, had become convinced of the
young mans guilt, and he drove him from
the place. The parents OF the little girl
then took the boy into their home. believ-
ing the utmost IN his innocence.
THE CONFESSION.
Sheriff Gillespie and his deputy, W. P
olmfstead. advised the people to ct the
matter rest a day or two. and Sunday
they drove out to Mr. Kornstett's all
Mr.. Tony Kornstett, in conversation. while
Sheriff Gillespie took the boy out for a
drive. He advised the boy that II he was
innocent to maintain his innocence for
ever. but that II he was guilty, which he
believed him to be, he would better tell
the straight story. The boy Immediately
asked about the reform schoo' and the
sheriff told him all about It. Then, after
a little more questioning, the boy admit
ted, little by little, the details OF the hor-
riJle crime, Just about as he reiterated It
to a reporter for The Eagle IN his cell last
night His story corrdborated all the de-
tails Of evidence which the sheriff and his
deputy had worked up in the case. The
officers had found the place among the
trees where the act took place. They found
the old tin can which was missing from
the pump at the house where the little girl
had been found. and It was laying near the
scene Of the crime. The boy had taken II
full Of water to wash the blood of his
hands after the crime had been committed
There were also other little details which
the officers had discovered and kept con-
ceased from the public in their effort to
work up case against the boy should he
not confess. all Of which proves that Shs--
III Gillespie is a first-class detectlys.
The sheriff said last night that he did
not know how long he would leave Korn-
stejt here. He thought he would be gov
erned by public sentiment with relation
TO the boys safety. Mr. Gillespie Will re-
turn to Anthony this morning.
HOW HE KILLED HER.
John Kornstett was visited in his ceh In
the rotary at s o'clock last night. The
youthful rapist and murderer was living
on cot in his shirt-sieeves. and his head
was buried in his hands. His appearance
was very neat and his ability to look one
in the eye with steadfast look of inno-
cence was admirable. He is what would
be called fairly good looking. but he ap-
pears to be a boy who has neglected
great deal Of his opportunity for schooling
and who has never been taught much of
right or wrong. He said his mother and
stepfather, Mr.. and Mrs. E. P. Sechler,
live at Waukena, o. T., and that he had
not been with his mother for more than
two years. He said he had worked out
most of the time since he was large
enough and had lived part of the time
with his sister and brother-in-law at An
thony.
us the confession you made to the sheriff
true In every detaIl?" asked the reporter
Eyes, sir: it is" said Kornstett. as he
looked up from his cot. but did not come
to the door.
'Then you freely admit killing little
Nora Kornstett?"
Yes, SIR
''what relation Is she to your"
''she Is my cousin
'How old is she?''
"They say she is 10 years old, but Al
ways thought she was IL"
How old are your"
'"They say am 1s: but am IT,"
"You have often lived at this little girls
home. had You not?"
Eyes, a good deal"
Didn't you like the little grip
Wei, sometimes did and sometimes
didn't"
did the little girl come to you in the
field?"
Yes; she came out and asked me for 20
cents. ! was blowing corn. and when 1
stopped the team l began playing with
Nora"
Did the child want to play?"
'No: she ran and I followed her and
caught her around the throat and Choked
her. She tried 10 scream. but l soon shut
her OF. In 4 little while l got through |
with her. and thought had better finish |
the job. as l saw that she was choked !
pretty bad. I then dragged her to a tree
and took her by the legs and slammed her
head OF the ground. Then found had |
better hurry and l gave her head two or
three hard knocks against a treee. which |
I thought had killed her. Then I carried |
her q an old dry we'll that was close by
and threw her in and then covered up the |
well and went back t. work"
al lths?"
About one hour"
Did you have any feeling o: having
done wrong
Yes. sir; but DID not think about that |
al the time. I cannot explain why did
it-and have never felt sorry until now
The boys voice Guave-ed little with
the ,ast words. showing that really a little
remorsa had crept into his hitherto unfeel-
ing nature During the questioning he did
not rise from his cot. but laid on his
stomach and answered the questions free
IL. He said this is Tire first mAacress he |
had ever done. He had always worked
hard and never had much chance 10 50 in
society but that he had always been con-
sidered a good. steady boy.
His parents came up from Oklahoma
when they heard o: the crime, but they
did not suspect their son AZ any time.