Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1901-05-09
OLD MAN ON A SPREE.

SCOTT & BOVINE, 4oo Pearl street, New York.
OLD MAN ON A SPREE.
"Then the old man came back to
Kansas City ahd went on spree. He
got here March 25 and remained that
way until April 5, when he ran out Of
money. Then he was desperate. The
team was valuable and the idea 0c-
Cured to DR.. Gartrell that he could
realize on the outfit. Kirby, the pro-
prietor of the 'dinky' horse market,
where Donagan bought the team,
knew its value, and would send for it.
1t was a long chance, but he relied
upon the safe disposition he had made
Of the body.
$50 he went to Kirby and asked him
to send for the team. Kirby did
so, at the same time noticing Dona-
agan's diamond stud in the old mans
shirt
1.-THE old man is peculiar char
acter, with the animal nature upper
most. When he had plenty Of money
he spent it all for whiskey, living at
the Helping Hand Institute and eat.
ing at free lunch counters.
"I'he fact that Donagan was known
to have $500 when he reached Kansas
City from Victor, Col, and the state
ment that the Gartrells only got S265
is easily reconciled. 1t is more than
probable that Donagan bought an ex-
change for what money can not be
accounted for, sending it to his desti-
nation"
Doctor Gartrell apparently made no
effort to conceal evidences of his crime.
The following articles and papers were
found in the doctors possession when
he was arrested by the police:
A letter from United States Senator
Burton recommending DIR. Gartrell
for regent Of the Kansas Agricultural
College.
A miners hammer, bearing the
initials Of the murdered man.
A will, dated 1896, bequeathing
equally 5000 acres of land in Texas to
his eight children.
A blood-stained coat and waiStcOat,
known to have belonged to the muir
dered Donagan.
An honorable discharge from the
ex-Confederate Home at Higginsyille.
A monkey wrench belonging to the
late gold miner, Donagan.
A codicil leaving $4,000 in the New
York Life and $4,000 in the New
England Mutual to his heirs.
When these articles were taken from
Gartrell by the police at Kansas City,
Chief of Police Hayes said: "You
seemed to try to get rid of nothing
but the money you robbed the poor
miner of, doctor"
"We only got $685." young Gartrell
replied. His father made no answer.
CONFLICTING STORIES oFTHE MURDER.
DR.. Gartrell has made many con-
flicting statements about his connec-
tion with Donagan. He said TO Chief
of Police Hayes, of Ramsay City; 81
killed Donagan. Donagan had invit-
ed us to go to Oklahoma with him. He
was a quarrelsome man and quarreled
with me all the night of the murder.
He had been fighting with me all day.
My boy was asleep when Donagan ran
me out Of the deserted cabin we had
put up in for the night. When | re-
turned he ran at me with a monkey
wrench. picked up a Ratchet to de-
fend myself. Then the fatal blow was
struck"
Through all Of his conflicting stories
Of the manner in which Donagan met
his death, the doctor insists that his
son had nothing to do with the crime
"My boy" said he, sis as innocent as
an unborn babe. Through Gods mercy
he slept while we fought. He knows
nothing about it. Do what you will
with me, but he is innocent"
Young Gartrell tells a consistent
story, conflicting strongly with his
fathers statement concerning Dona-
gan's disposition. The young man
said:
"Donagan was the kindest man /
ever knew in my life. He gave me
this coat and vest have on. He did
not take sugar in his coffee, but he
bought some one day for father and
me. He did everything we wanted
him to. When / woke and saw the
man with his skull crushed in, faint
ed. 1t must have happened in the
night. We sat with the body till
broad daylight, then drove to a creek.
Father pulled the corpse from the
wagon and dragged il by the feet tC
the embankment, when he threw it in.
| am glad the confession is made"
THE DOCTORS cHEcKERED CAREER.
Gartrell has led a checkered career
according to his stories. He had beer
peripatetic politician, physician,
lecturer and horse trader. This is his
biography, furnished by himself:
81 was born in Mexico, No., and
have been married twice. II is proper
TO interpolate Chief Hayes informa
tion here, which runs, 'IIe married q
rich woman and ran through tht
whole fortune" The rest OF Gartrell'i
story to the press reads: II was a Re
publican in Texas and a POpuliSt in
Kansas. l was ON the stump for Nc
kinley twice and all l got was drinl
money. They tried to get me appoint
ed regent Of the State Agriculture
College, but the fusionists killed NJ