Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1901-04-27
SHOT BY THUGS.

mons lie hangs In the balance at
the result of tragedy which oc
Cured at the corner of Second and
Main streets at 1:30 this morning.
Officers Sweeney, Brannon and
Laughlin took six supposed tramps
from lumber car in the X. C. s
yards, about 1 o'clock this morning
and started them to the police sta.
ton. No trouble was experienced
with the men until the fatal corner
at Second and Main was reached
ljust half a block from the jail
where the unexpected shooting
took place. The most detailed nc.
count of the affair from the begin
ming, is told by James Robey, a
young man who was in the gang,
but did not attempt to escape with
the others. Robey was seen at the
Jail this morning by News-Herald
representative and told his story of
the tragedy.
~ came over from Webb City on
an electric car about IL o'clock and
went to the X. C. S. yards. I had
been working on sewer construc-
ton at Webb City for a few days
and wished to 60 south on a night
freight. I got into a lumber car
north of the passenger depot aud
lay down. In a few moments I
heard voices on the outside of the
car and several men began to climb
in. A young fellow in the gang of
six spoke to him first, and Robey
asked him where he was headed.
He replied he was going south.
Two of the other men seemed to be
having trouble getting something
in the car. One of them said, ri
can't get it in there Hand it up to
me, said the man in the car. No,
I'll leave it outside replied the
fret speaker, and then climed in
the car. 1 do not know what the
object was they were trying to get
into the car.
"They did not have much to say.
One of them offered me drink, but
1 refused, not knowing what sort of
dope the bottle might contain.
When asked them where they
were going, one of them said, first
one place and then another. From
the little conversation they in.
dulged in got the impression they
were from down in Arkansas and
were probably farmer boys who
were 40 or SO miles from home and
had decided to bum their way back.
One of the biggest fellows asked if
was going to stay awake and
catch south bound freight, and I
told him yes. He then requested
me to wake him up. One of the
men spoke of having drunk too
much. This is about all that was
'aid in the car.
"1n a few moments a policeman
:ame to the car, struck match and ,
ooked in. was awake and lying
learest the door and he asked me
That was doing in there. I told
i'm I was going to leave town on !.
he first train out, and that the
Their fellows were also going. He
old me to be sure and get out, and
rent away. He was not gone a
'reat while until three policemen
anne to the car and ordered us all
ut. I got out fret and one of the
ficers got in and routed the 9TH
70 out After they all got out one
them offered the cops q drink q
nd asked them what they were GO Il
,g to do with them. The answer u
as to the effect that hold-up had II
ccurred and they were looking out d
n the men who did 1t. I after
ards asked the fat policeman who al
as walking with me, why they p
ere going to lock us up and was b
I'D that they merely wished to in Il
estigate the crowd and find out If to
ny of US were hold-up men. One to
the policemen (Brannon) walked d,
advance with two of the men and te
Ie rest of US followed, myself and n,
Ie largest of the officers laugh ca
~ bringing up the rear. I did not pl
'serve any talk going on az we OF
alked along, and did not have the
ightest idea there would be any a
ouble. All at once some one said: B,
brow up your hands,' and imme. in
ately shot rang out. did not eli
low who did the shooting, at first, eli
It instantly a man turned with q N
l.