The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-08-30
MAN HUNT is ON.
Armed Men and Dogs Continue
the Search
For the Murderer of Miss Mary
Henderson.
KANSAS BLOODHOUNDS
A. w. Rice, of Manhattan, With
His Dogs
Has Been Secured to Aid in
Trailing the Criminal.
KANSAS BLOODHOUNDS

Kansas City, No, Aug 30.-Armed
men and bloodhounds early this morn
ing again took up the search, 40 miles
south of Kansas City, for 'Bossie'
Francis, the murderer of Miss Mary
Henderson. Notwithstanding the fail
ure of the mob yesterday after they
had apparently had him in the tolls
the man hunt that has been kept up III
two counties for the past As hours, was
resumed today with renewed vigor and
Will be continued until the negro is fin
ally run down.
council of Francis pursuers has
aready decided that his punishment
shall be meted out at the stake. w G.
Hyatt, Miss Henderson's brother-in-
law, approves of this method of dealing
with the negro.
I want him to be brought to the
the scene of his crime said Mr.. Hyatt,
at Columbus. this morning, where he
can make a confession. 1 want to ask
how many years we cared for him and
how kind Mary was to him. and ask
him why he killed her.
''Then, when he has answered that I
want to see him burned
'fWin you apply the match?" was
asked.
I will do something he replied with
energy.
The mob this morning was without
positive clew to work upon, but there
was a general belief that Francis was
still hiding in or around the negro min
ing settlement of Blackwater, eight
miles north of Holden. Last night
armed men searched the negro quarters
in Holden and other nearby towns, but
without avail. Today a systematic
search of the negro settlements in the
country between Odessa, in Lafayette
county, south of Holden and Warrens-
burg in Johnson county will be made.
Last night the large posse that had
been searching partially disbanded, dis
couraged over the failure of their ef
forts, after having been, as they sup
posed. at the point of capturinw the ne
gro. A pack of bloodhounds we're OBJ
tained from Manhattan, Kan, and ta-
ken to the Hyatt farm, the scene of the
murder.
They found the trail of Francis read
lily and followed it straight TO the coal
mine at Blackwater, owned by a negro
named John Hardin, whose wife is an
aunt of Francis. The posse composed
of 200 men, felt sure that Francis was
hidden in the mine shaft, but as he
was known to have two pistols, none
of the men ventured to go down.
hounds, entered the mine, taking the
dogs with him. but failed to find Fran
els after a thorough search. Late IN
the afternoon Deputy Sheriff Temple,
of Warrensburg, called a council of the
posse. and after discussing the situa-
ton the men decided to disperse for the
night leaving few of their number
on guard at the important points.
Charles w. Hyatt, brOther-in-Iaw of
the murdered woman, viii offer a re-
ward for the arrest or body of Francis,
and this is expected to stimulate the
efforts of the volunteers.
Bessie" Francis is known to all the
negroes in the county, and is very pop
ular among them. No one supposes
that he has gone far from Colun bus,
and it is thought that no negro in the
neighborhOod would refuse him food or
shelter There are several negro set
Elements in the district, and there are
negro cabins everywhere. All the ne
groes have been disarmed by the vol
unteers and their houses searched
At this season of the year the vines
and weeds along the numerous creeks
make thick shelter
The three negroes taken to Warrens-
burg suspected of having aided Francis
in flight are in no danger, the town
being entirely quiet
Governor Dockery today offered a re-
ward of $500 for the capture of the mur-
derer, and the Johnson county officials
offered a. reward of 500.
special to the Star from Holden,
No, says:
At noon today the prevailing impress
sion seems to be that "Bossie" Francis,
the negro murderer has escaped. How
and when he got away is simply a mat
ter of conjecture, however. The ne
groes a about here who care to discuss
the subject seem to think that Francis
has left Johnson county slxirted Kan
sas City and gone to Kansas, a haven,
according to their belief for members
of their race. Those of the whites who
are best acquainted with the negro
cling to the belief that he is still in the
neighborhood of the Blackwat ter opal
mines.
Temperatures Of Large oit1es.