Mexico weekly ledger., 1901-08-29
wore either black or dark brown
clothes, / think"

wore either black OF dark brown
clothes, / think"
VICTIM A NATIVE MIssoURIAN.
Lafayette Newkirk was born near
Santa Fe, Mo-, and was so years of
age on the fourteenth day Of last Feb
ruary. He was a farmer until eleven
years ago when he moved to Mexico
and retired from business life, except
ing an occasional deal In live stock.
He was a member Of no lodge or
church and was considered well-to-do.
He was married on Aug. 81, 1854, to
Mrs. N. J. Doty-Newkirk, who sur
wives the husband. There is one son,
William e. Newkirk, who lives on the
Newkirk farm southeast Of this city.
There are two step-sons and one step
daughter, Braxton and Lester New
kirk, OF California and Kansas, re-
spectively, and Mrs. Alice Martin, OF
Martinsburg.
NEWKIRK KILLED ROBERT MUIR, SIR.
About tw~enty-eight years ago Lafay-
cite Newkirk shot and killed Robert
Muir, ST., father Of Robert Muir, now
Constable Of Salt River Township.
The killing took place south Of Mex
leo, and the trouble at the time was
in regard to who should give the road.
Both men were in wagons and both
were armed. After a closely contest
ed trial Mr.. Newkirk was acquitted.
Since the murder Of Mr.. Newkirk
there has been more or less suspicion
directed toward members Of the Muir
family, but those who are in a posi-
ton TO know claim that there is no
foundation for this rumor and that
they ian each one prove an alibi. 1t
Is claimed that over a quarter Of a
century has passed since the killing of
Muir, and that there is no feeling be-
tween the two families at this time.
SOME OF THE RUMoRs.
OF course, all kinds Of rumors have
been in circulation in reference to
who murdered Newkirk. Some take
the position that on account Of New
kirk killing Robert Muir, ST., twenty
eight years ago that some Of the Muir
family were implicated. The Muirs
can prove an alibi.
Others claim that years ago New
kinks brother, "Dick," got into
trouble In California and that he mar
ried his wife, and that this brother
had come from California and killed
him. This cannot be true, as that
brother is dead.
Quite a number Of rumors connect
the relatives of different women with
the murder. As these rumors are in
v~estigated they fall to the ground.
Officers appear to have some clue
which they think will lead to the ar
rest Of the murderer, but refuse to
talk. Some say that no arrest will
be made. The general opinion is that
the murderer was a citizen Of this
city, and that robbery had nothing to
do with the killing.
ROBERT MUIR INTERVIEWED.
Robert Muir, Constable Of Salt
River Township, son Of Robert Muir,
who was killed by Lafe Newkirk some
twenty-eight years ago, in a talk with
the LEDGER stated that all the Muirs
could prove an alibi, and that as far
as he was concerned some OF the best
men in Mexico were in his company
at the time of the killing and would
SO testify If necessary. Mr.. Muir, of
course, did not care to give names or
details, but says that any suspicion
directed toward him or any Of the
Muirs is entirely without foundation
as can be easily proven.
MURDERER MAY HAVE GONE WEST.
L. B. Keath, a travelling man Of
this city, who lives on west Monroe
street, Just beyond the junction Of the
street running south from Monroe,
down which it is claimed by several
the murderer turned, states that
he was sitting in front Of his
home when the shots were fred and
that he remained there for some time
after the shooting. He says, 81 heard
the shots and thought that some one
was shooting to scare negroesortramps
1 noticed the sharp sound Of the first
shot and the interlude between that
one and the one following, there wa a
shorter space between the second shot
and the three following, which came
in quick and perfect succession. A
short time after this l saw a mar
weighing, possibly, 1855 pounds come
from the shade Of the south side Of the
street and nearly opposite me cross te
the north side, he seemed TO be be
tween 5 feet ten inches OIL 5 feet eleven
inches in height and was walking as II
he were in a hurry, ] think he was
dressed in black clothes and carried
something in his hand, this object, ]
think, upon reflection, was his hat ]
also can see, since learning Of the
shooting, that the man took the very
best route for him to keepin the shade
Of trees and buildings. l fell sure that
no one turned to the south In that
, short street."
CALLED FOR THE POLICE.
Sam Morris says; myself and three
ladies were playing whist when w
heard a shot, followed almost immedi'
ately afterward by four more. l did not
know what was the matter and l did
not 20 out side. In a moment l saw
two people come along, they wer'
Joseph Cauthon and Ethan Howell,
afterwards learned, and they told ms
I that there was q dead man out there
, / then got a lantern and went out
after telephoning first for the polio
/ and then for DIT. W. r. ROdes. Dr
N. r. Rodes arrived first and pro
nounced Mr.. Eewkirk dead"
POSITION or THE BODY.
II ]. u. Weimer says: when / arrives
. at the scene Of the shooting the Sher
8 IN delegated myself, Sam Morris anS
' Elmer Cunningham 20 note the posi-