The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-07-15
AGREED 10 Fight
Pre-Arranged Meeting Result
ed in WitherS Death.
LAUGHED ON THE WAY OUT
His Murderer Used a Knife on
Him.

Guthrie, o. T., July 1A-Further details
of the killing Of Charles Withers in
Payne county are at hand in the Still
water Gazette and show the quarrel TO
have been silly one and the proposed
manner of settling it childish. The Ga
ze-te says: Last Saturday night this city
was thrown into a fever Of excitement
by telephone message from Ripley, con-
yeying the information that as result
Of saloon brawl Charles Withers had
met his death. The first report was to
the effect that he had been killed by
man named Ramsey but later information
changed ohe name to Lewis Lee. Sheriff
AnniS at once organized a posse and
started in pursuit of the guilty parties.
They were captured at dance some
five miles northeast of Cushing some
three or four hours later, and brought
here for confinement until the case could
be investigated. About the same time
that the sheriff left with his posse Cor
oner Bornes started for the scene of the
murder and late that night held an in
quest over the remains of the victim.
The coroner's jury promptly returned
verdict to the effect that the deceased
had come to his death by a stab from
knife in the hands of Lewis Lee.
The story Of the circumstances which
led up TO the killing are related substan-
tally as follows: Withers, Lee and
Ramsey met in a saloon at Ripley and
began shaking dice for drinks, ''high man
out" Withers had shaken the top hand
and was out. Lee and Ramsey began to
shake to see which would win. Ramsey
shook five whereupon Withers remarked
to Lee that he just as well pay for the
drinks as he stood no show to beat the
throw. Lee offered to bet a quarter that
the money put up. Lee shook but did not
beat the throw and Withers took down
the money Lee then claimed that he
did not bet that he would beat the five
fves but that he could beat Withers
throwing poker dice. A quarrel ensued
during which the saloon keeper pushed
the whole crowd out of doors. On the
street they agreed to go out to the edge
of town and fight it out with their fists.
They all got into Ramsey's wagon and
accompanied by two others, Burnham
and Stevens, started on to the edge of
town. On the way they laughed and /
ioked over the matter between them !
selves and agreed that in order the fight
might be absolutely fair they would sub /
nit 20 being searched and all weapons
taken from them before the fight began.
Upon arriving at the scene of action.
Withers was searched and only pocket
book with small change found upon his
person. This he turned over to one Of
the referees" A.. this juncture Lee re-
fused to be searched but sprang at With
ers and in the struggle which ensued
drove "a knife to the hllt into Withers'
breast. Ramsey and Lee then at once
jumped into their wagon and started to
drive off. Burnham and Stevens, seeing
that Withers was badly injured endeav-
ored to stop them, but Lee made a rush
at them with his knife and they backed
off.
Without knowing how badly they had
hurt Withers these two fellows deps rted
quickly and went to a dance northeast
Of Gushing where they were subsequently
captured. Withers only lived a few min
utes after he received the fatal blow as
the knife had almost completely severed
a pulmonary artery and he bled to death
within ten minutes.
The deceased has been one of the most
prosperous farmers in Rose township, be-
ing young man only about % years old.
He is son of Mr.. and Mrs. \ c. With
ers Of this city and leaves three brothers,
all prosperous farmers, and 4 young wife
with babe only about three weeks old.
His unimely death is a sad blow to
hem and his poor mother is now heart
broken. They are all highly respected
people. classed among the best citizens
h.
Die Of any kind any OF the family has
been in since coming to the county sew
aral years ago.
OF the man who is directly responsible
'or the death of Withers we have been
able to learn very little. He is a man OF
ess than 30 years and has been living
With his widowed mother, who lives on
: claim near Gushing. He bears the rep
ltation Of being fairly good citizen.
1ut has been in numerous Arawls before
nd Il I,at ~