The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1902-08-09
A MOST HORRIBLE MURDER.
George ". Johnson Killed by
Chicken Thieves.
SUSPECTS ARRESTED IMMEDIATELY.
Charles SaIyers and Harry Gates Ac
cnsed Of the Crime.

George W. Johnson was killed
Tuesday morning at his home just
east of town by some chicken thieves.
About ten minutes after two o'clock
he was awakened by an electric alarm
connected with the chicken house.
He hastily put on his trousers and
coat and, taking his shot gun with
him, wentout into the public road that
runs north and south in front of his
house about 100 yards, opposite the
point where be expected the thieves
to come out. The thieves by this
time had collected two sacks Of chick
ems, gone south across the orchard
and turned west to the point where
Mr.. johnson had stationed himself.
Two gun shots and one or two pistol
shots were then heard from the house.
Not returning promptly, Mrs. John
son awakened her son, Claude, who
went out in search Of his father
Falling at first, he returned and got
lantern and this time found Mr..
Johnson in a gully by the roadside
with a bullet through his heart. His
death was evidently instantaneous.
Friends and officers were summoned
from town by telephone. The officers
at once agreed TO arrest Charles
Salyers white, and Harry Gates,
Colored, on suspicion. On arrest their
behavior was suspicious. The officers
collected all possible evidence on the
spot.
The belief is that Mr. Johnson
attempted to halt the thieves and to
discover who they we're. Whether he
shot first or not it is impossible to
tell, but marks Of shot in the corn
field opposite show that he fired low
at their feet if he aimed at them at
all. 1t is believed that they attempted
to escape detection and that when
Athey saw that he had discharged
both loads of his gur they returned
to kill him rather than be reported
to the officers.
During the day officers we're active
in collecting evidence against Charles
Salyers and Harry Gates. In spite OF
every precaution some of this evidence
leaked out and many Of the citizens
fell to gathering evidence upon their
own responsibility. Fearing violence,
Sheriff Oscar Thomas and Deputy
iCharles Kinkead, accompanied by
prosecuting Attorney H. f. Black
we'll, attempted, Tuesday afternoon,
about five clock, TO take their prison
ers secretly through the back gate o.
the court house yard to Myrick
hoping to carry them to Kansas City
In a few minutes their escape was
discovered and several hundred mer
we're 10 pursuit. Oyertaking them al
MYrlck, the pursuers without any
show OF excitement or violence
lexaced Of the officials promises tC
hbring back the prisoners to the jai
here, giving assurance that they
would 40 the prisoners no hafni
All came back together with one o
the prisoners, Sayers, while Gates
who was exhausted with the race
was left with Deputy Kinkead, VIII,
brought him back an hour later.
Various rumors were aiioat durinI
The afternoon Of a confession and 0
two confessions, but These were NO
confirmed by the officers The poop
7were aroused but not foolshls excited
and they behaved with admrabl
good sense and prudence.
On Wednesday well founde'
belief was entertained that enougl
evidence had been gathered to secur'
conviction, and it became reasOnabl.
certain that one Of the prisoners
Salysrs, had confessed bis participa
tlon in the matter and made state
ment as to Gates. The officers prop
erly refused to confirm auYof thes
epofts a petition was circulate
requesting that special session Q
court Be called. Judge Rich ieIe
Rraphed that he would cali q specla
session at the earliest date permltte