The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-06-04
GIVES IT TO CHILDREN.
w. H. KIusmIre, Charged With
Wife Murder, Transfers Farm.

In his rambling talks explaining how
ne buried his dead wife. W. H. Klus-
mire, the accused Ho1ton murderer,
makes confused statements on the time
when he covered up the body in the
ditch He tells different stories on that
point Once he said he buried her that
same night. Another time he said it
was the next morning and he told the
officers at Kansas City it was on Nom
day night, the night following the trag-
edy.
E1lusmire's movements on the nights
following the event are now being traced
by the officers. It il said that he made
mysterious trips out Of the house on sue
ceeding nights, after his wife's disap-
pearance. His little son told Merchant
Mosen at Holton that he followed his
father out over the field one night soon
after. Klusmire turned on him and told
him to go back to the house. The little
fellow persisted In going along klus-
mire turned fercely ON him, 50 the boy.
says, and sent him scampering home,
threatening death if he did not obey.
On Decoration day, before he left
home, KlusTnire tied up one of his dogs.
He had two, a black dog and a spotted
hound. The hound was the one he tied
up and it was afterwards killed. The
supposition is that this dog followed him
to the shallow grave that covered his
wife's body. He could not leave the
neighbOrhOod with that dog liable to
lead the way to the grave. He is said
to have told a nefghbor that he killed the
dog because it insisted on digging for
dead hog that he had buried in the field.
The officers are also making a search
for the instrument that inflicted the
deadly blows on Mrs. Klusmire's head.
There is an undercurrent of feeling at
Holton that would make it uncomfort-
able for the prisoner If he were taken
there right away. He will not be taken
q wa a 10
at the station waiting for the deputy
sheriff5 when they went to Holton yester-
day. They thought Klusmire would be
along.
Additional feeling is caused by the dis
covery made at the inquest that Mrs.
Klusrnire would have again become
mother within two or three months.
The Holton people who came to see
Klusnire in the county Jail Monday
wanted to get him to make a complete
confession and take the consequences.
He talked it over with them. For the
present he is determined to fight the
case.
At their suggestion he arranged busi-
ness and property matters. Charles Nor
ris, who held his note for two thousand
dollars, was secured by being given
authority to sell Klusmire's herd of
about 125 cattle. Morris got out an at
tachment on the stock last Saturday as
soon as it was learned that Klusmire
was a fugitive from justice.
John Davis, who lives on the adjoining
farm TO hluSnlre was made trustee IOr
the children and Klusnnire decided to
them the home place in trust. The farm
is worth 81 600 to IS. 600 and the mortgage
is 2,5O0. The borrowed money was to
buy another farm. This farm K1usmire
retains in his own name. His interest
is to the extent of the sum mentioned
Klusmire passed a better night last
night, and ate breakfast this morning.
He appears much relieved since the
business affairs of Monday have been
Strengthened out, although his de-
meanor is still dOwncast- He told an
old friend who called today how he
had cared for the children, and that
he was glad he had done so.
Klusmfre N axes no deviation from
his story. He says he will spend $500
on his defense He says he is not un-
easy about the accusation that he killed
Paul Swetlick, as his course in that
affair was perfectly clear. His brother
and other Holton people discountenance
this feature of the case also.