The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-11-18
WAS CONFINED HERE
Sam Smith, Who Met His
Death at Lansing.
ONCE OCCUPIED A CELL
In the County Jail on a Train
Robbing Charge.

The shooting Of Sam Smith in the state
prison at Lansing by Deputy Warden
Tomlinson Friday causes the officers Of
southern Kansas to breath a sigh Of re-
lief. Smith was a well known desperate,
a train robber. and "a postoface ropber-
He was considered one OF the most des-
perats men in this section Of the country.
It was for murder and train robbery
committed near here Smith was serving
q life term when he was finally killed
while making a desperate attempt TO es-
cape.
Smith was once confined in the county
jail here and the circumstances which
lead to his confinement are as follows:
On the night of July IS, 1898 the east
bound Frisco train was held up and the
passengers robbed Of their money TO the
amount Of several hundred dollars, by
two masked men. VINO later proved to
be Sam Smith and Thos Wynn, half
breed Indian at Andover station. The
men first robbed the station agent, S.
b McClaren and then at the point Of
their Winchesters compelled him TO flag
the train. At the time of the hold up
the station, safe for the agent, was de-
serted as most Of the people were at
tending an ice cream church social in
the village. The men purchased a ticket
for Augusta as a ruse TO get at The sta
ton safe. Here they secured $45 in
currency and number Of indorsed
checks. AS the train approached they
----ort.z NJ NHcC,Tore, n ei00al q ana
he being covered with the gun at once
obeyed. They forced the agent up to the
engine and held him there until they had
the engineer and fremen covered with
their guns. The fireman was compelled
to go with one Of the robbers to the ex-
press car, while the engineer was being
guarded by the other Meanwhile the
agent managed to escape and gave the
alarm But the robbers had by this
time secured their booty and were max
ing away on their horses which had been
hitched to a post near by. Some of the
spectators, among them Vim. Bedford. at
tempted to pursue, but the robbers fired
into the crowd. One Of the bullets hit
Belford who died soon after as the re-
suit Of the wound.
After the train hold-up some Of the
best detectives Of the Frisco and the
express company were detailed upon the
case After weeks Of search, during
which time they followed elew upon
clew and had Travelled through the state
and territory. the officers finally captured
at Votawa, 20 miles south OF Coffeyville
in the Indian territory. Previous to the
train hold up, Smith, It was afterward
learned. was the man who a month or
so previous had robbed postohices at
Danville, Crystal Springs and Harper,
and had also terrorized the farmers in
Cowley and Sumner counties. Sc would
ride up to a farm house at night, when
he knew the men folks were not about
and commence to shoot, terrorizing the
women and children and taking whatever
he could lay his hands on.
Sheriff Simmons and Deputy Duncan
had organized a posse in this county and
were constantly on the outlook for the
men. as it was understood they were
headin gthis way. al the time they were
captured. When arrested Smith was
masquerading as a preacher and was
found in a private residence. He soon
showed his true colors when the officers
attempted to take him. He seized a shoot
gun and managed TO escape from the
house, but was finally captured and over
powered by Marshal Sid Brakeman and
Wells Fargo Special Agent Harding
Wynn was found approaching the house
wherein Smith had been IN hiding and
was arrested without much effort.
The train robbery having been commit
ted in Butler county the men were lodged
in the Il Dorado jail. Because Of the
unsafe condition Of the jail IN that city
they were ordered removed TO the Wich-
tia Jail after they had been bound over
for trial to the district court Of Butler
county.
Adams and Adams Of wichita were at
torneys for the defendants.
When the two desperados arrived here
they were heavily chained and a strong
guard accompanied them In spanking Of
Smith yesterday, Deputy Sheriff Syl Dun
can stated that during their confinement
in the local jail they were a constant
worry to the officers. A special guard
was placed near smith was confined In
the solitary cell and ar night he was put
in chains since the officers knew the des-
perats character Of the man and could
take no chances. Smith was confined
here for nearly a year.
Wynn before the trial turned witness
for the state and was given a ten years
sentence. which he is now serving AZ
Lansing. Smith was convicted for the
murder Of Bedford and sentenced 10