The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-04-19
SUPPOSED TO BE NIECE
But He Confessed to Marshal
She Was Not
CONSPIRACY IN THE CASE
Some Peculiar Letters Found
In Her Possession.

Henrietta, April 1s.-Yesterday morning
at a N. our citizens were apprised OF
a horrible murder that took place an
hour before. An old man, Gl years Of
age. by the name OF Means. and a wo-
man about 36 years old, who he claimed
was his niece, came here some two weeks
ego from Webb City No. and purchased
the cotton gin and also began the cree
ton of several houses, apparently bav-
Ing considerable money. The woman was
the business manager, as she did All the
talking. Everything went smoothly until
day before yesterday, when the neighbors
noticed that there was trouble in the
ramp.
boy who was chopping wood AZ the
residence OF uncle and niece" heard them
auarreliug ana heard the old man say.
Don't murder me-" and finally the old
NAV came running out Of the house cry
ink. Don't XIII me-
He finally went into the house and the
rowing continued. The boy. getting
alarmed. went into the house after his
coat. When he entered the woman had
the old man Up in a corner and was push
ing a chair Up against him. The boy
got his coat and left. Early next morn
ing about O'Clock two gun shots were
heard in the direction Of the Means
house. but as shooting or firearms in this
country IS a common thing no one paid
any attention TO It, About an hour after
wards the cid man made his way TO the
city marshaTs house and told that he
broken and was otherwise terribly
bruised. He said that he bad to kin her
TO save himself They were both in their
night clothes, and to all appearances had
occupied the same room. When asked
why he did not leave when she abused
him, he said, she had me tucked in"
When the marshal and several citizens
visited the scene OF the murder they
found Miss Means lying in a pool Of
her own bl sd with one whole side Of her
head blowS> of and hole an inch in
diameter in her side She was in her
night clothes.
The excitement was intense for a time,
but cooler judgment reigncd and nothing
rash was done.
There IS a long story connected with
this murder. Miss Means. as she called
herself. was married several years ago,
but did not live long with her husband.
She has lived in Aurore Tl. for many
years and finally took UP with her uncle.
who was a rich old bachelor. living at
Lexington. Mo. She was very loving to
the old gentleman and won his affection.
She induced him to sell his property ln
Missouri and since that time they have
been travelling until they came here. A
man by the name of Spencer came here
with them from Webb City. Mo- and
seems to be interested with them In the
gin. A few days ago Spencer returned /
70 webb City and a very peculiar letter
was found IN the house. which the woman
received from him. and which indicated
that he and the woman had some plans +
which he wanted her 10 work care !
fully" The letter IS in the hands of the (
commissioner at YVewoka.
T.ATER-The mayor ard marshal have /
Just returned from Wewoka. where Means (
was taken for preliminary trial. The OLD
man testified that be and Tho woman had .
been living together as man and wife for /.
several months; that she wanted him 20 I.
give her more money and sign over what 4
he had in the bank-he had already willed .
everything 20 her unon his death This .
he refused 70 do. She abused him tor +
ribly and Threatened 20 KIN him. and that +
he shot her to cave himself
He was released from the char~e Of ,
murder and held in the sum of $500 fer +
incest
Spencer. the man who returned IN Webb I
City. arrived here last night ard win .
take the remains Of tho woman 90 Webb 4
city TODAY. He ssys he believes that /
other parties took part I'm the Killing. as
certain parties had some vengeance
-r-.t-,-t AZ, r.-,-..--,