The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-01-28
TERRIBLE
TRAGEDIES
AT DANCE
Man GUS Ano'heTs Leg Off
With an Ak.
WAS KILLED IN The ACT
Fight Arose Over Actions of a
Small Boy.
WAS KILLED IN The ACT

South McAIester. I. T, Jan 27.-Wnbur-
ton. near here. has been the scene Of trag-
edies during the past week which have
been unequaled for years. W C. Minkle
assaulted VII Strong with an axe and
chopped of one leg and the back of his
neck. While in the act, 8iinhe was shot
BY John Hooks, who was afterwards dis
charged at the preliminary hearing.
The News gives the details Of the story
as follows:
Hooks was brought to South Town and
lodged in jail. Tho preliminary was held
before Commissioner P. s. Jones, e-ho IS
acting during the absence OF Comnis-
sioler Wright. and consumed the greater
part Of the day Tuesday Hooks was
represented by J. G. Hartley. All IF the
Witnesses Of the tragedy were searchingly
examined by the government and at the
conclusion Of The examination Commis-
sioner Jones declared II an obvious case
of justihabie homicide and he discharged
tho prisoner
s. x. Ban and wife were giving dance
ana the neighbors generally were there.
Among them was a boy named Charles
Moody. a hrother-in-law Of Ben Strong.
The boy created some little disturbance
and Mrs. Bal told him 70 go into the
kitchen if he wanted TO cut up. He grew
offended and went out of doors and tried
TO open the door OF wash house with
pick, declaring he believed there was
some Choctaw beer in there. Mirl1le,
who had boarded with Ball for a year
and felt that ne belonged about the place,
tried to drive the boy away While he was
thus engaged. VIII Strang came ont and
wanted 10 know what the boy had been
doing. BIinlde replied rather roughly that
1t was none Of his business.
Just then Pail heard the loud talking
and came out commanding the peace
ard declaring that no fight should break
up d dance of his. He was followed by
Ben Strang. brother Of VIII, and sew
eraI other guests. VIII Strang responded
to BalITs remark that NIinkIe was stir
ring up the fight. Language got hotter
and soon Ben Strang and Ban were in
rough and tumble fist fght. which carried
them around the corner Of the house. Win
Strong and Minlde also began fighting
with their fists. None of tho four rerties
had weapons. The house was soon einp-
tied and the crowd divided, part watching
BAH and Ben Strong on one side of the
house and the others enjoying the exhil-
iraung spectacle of VIII Strong and Min
lde pummeling each other. Nothing ser
ioUs resulted from Ball and Ben Strong's
tussel. which was q fair give and take
scrap like they used to have"
But there was less genuine sport about
Minkle. He got close to the windpipe
and caught up a piece of timber and
made for Strong. Strong lodged and
parried with his arm and finally dfsarmed
Minkle But the infuriated man next
seized a two-edged axe. which lay on the
woodpiie, and made for his opponent. !
Strong ran from such an unequal struggle
and called on bystanders for interference.
Several ordered Minlde 10 stop. bat ne
seemed crazy and viciously lunged at
Strong. Strong. in his attempt to escape, !
ran behind Hooks NirlSle ran around
Hooks and struck his first blow. cutting
off Strong's les. Strong fell forward on /
his hands and knees. shrieking in agony +
ard calling TO Minkle TO desist ana to /
others 10 stop him. AIinKle evaded the /
mon who would have stopped him ard 1
struck tie groaning man another blow /
in the back Of the head. cutting off part /
Of the skull. His third blow was not ef- (
feotive, rs Hooks had rushed in and the 4
handle struck the peacemaker's shoulder. I
The madman raised the axe a fourth time /
either 70 strike Hooks or finish his I
OF Strong. But fortunately /
Hooks fired the baH entering beneath /
AIinkles uplifted arm and penetrating a +
--ff1f nav EFf-l~fa 7-~~r,.s7 f,ss t----f-.,
and the ashsn faced guests gathered to +
care for the wounds OF the two bleeding +
men.
The above is a nemitome OF the evids nee
in the examination There wers six good I
Witnesses summoned Icy tn government
hve men and a woman. and the commits