The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-07-02
GIVEN NO BAIL.
John C. Lowe, Who Killed Wife,
Sent Back to Jail.
Held For Murder in the First
Degree.
AT SCENE OF CRIME.
7 SCENE OF CRIME.
Preliminary Hearing Held q
Reform School.
Former Teacher Keeps Head
Buried in His Arms.

John c. Love- the reform school
teacher who killed his wife, matron of
the institution, on Sunday. June %, was
taken to the scene of the crime today
and given a preliminary hearing before
Justice T. T. Wright He was bound
over to the district court to stand trial
for murder in the first degree. The
prisoner was not allowed bond and his
attorneys did not ask for the privilege.
and he will remain in the Shawnee
county Jail.
Lowe was taken to the reform school
by Sheriff Cook at o'clock this morn
ing Court was held in one of the
school rooms Of the main building. Lowe
sat behind his attorneys and kept his
face hidden on his arm, except twice
when he raised up suddenly to whisper
to his attorney. S. H. Allen, who con-
Quoted the cross examination. assisted
by Judge c. A. Magaw.
STORY OF THE TRAGEDY
The first witness to take the stand was
G. A. Smith, the night watchman. who
tragedy took place and was the first
man on the scene besides the principals
Of the affair. Smith testified to the lo-
cation of the building and the rooms
occupied by himself and their location
in reference to loves apartments.
Did you see Lowe on Saturday even
ing before the shooting?" asked Assist
ant County Attorney McNary, who con-
Quoted the direct examination on behalf
of the state
Yes" answered Smith, 'I saw Lowe
and his wife Saturday evening. He told
me that he wished to go to town and
asked me to take charge of his family of
boys and keep his keys until he return
ed. I saw him when he came in at 1890
in the morning and followed him to the
door of his room to return his keys. He
thanked for the service and went
inside
Smith then testified to hearing the
shots. Il was on duty until O'Clock
Sunday morning. Then ate breakfast
and went to my room where wrote
letter 1t was just ten minutes after
nine when I laid down. know it was
that time because laid my watch on a
chair by the bed. was tired, and may
have dozed, but don't think I did, but
know that was aroused by hearing
sound which / thought to be the slam
ing Of a door, followed instantly by
the Shrek of a woman. l shouted What
Is the matter?' and jumped out of bed
and began to put on my trousers. Just
as I opened the door I heard the noise
second time, and knew that it was
shot. This was also followed by another
shot. The woman was screaming Oh.
h-h-' about as fast as you would draw
a long breath. What is the natter I
shouted again and dashed for the stair
way. 1 had reached the landing of the
stairway WQen 1 ledrQ aQOCQer SQOL
then while l was standing there Lowe
stuck his head out of the door to his
room and said:
We've had an accident We are
both shot
.I saw that he was bleeding, and the
blood dripped from his face onto the
floor outside the door. I did not wait
to walk down stairs, I just slid down,
and rushed by him into the room. Mrs.
Lowe was lying on her right side. her
head to the north, and her back to the
door.
This was purely accidental said
Lowe as stepped into the room Mrs.
Lowe turned partly over and looked up
at me over her shoulder.
Yes she said, it was an accident.
'"Then Lowe began to tell me how it
was, following me to the head of the
stairs when rushed down stairs for
help. 1 think he said something about
the gun being on the bureau and that
he picked it up and it wouldn't work
right" -.
wife while she lay there on the foor?"
asked Attorney McNary-
None whatever" answered the wit
ness. Smith was then questioned on
few minor details, such as the size of
the rooms. He then continued his story
about the shooting.
Lowe followed me to the head of the
stairs when rushed down to quiet the
boys who were getting wild, and to call
help. 1 turned on him and said, Go
back and tend to that woman
After calling help and quietfng the
boys I returned to loves room. Mrs.
Lowe had been placed on the lounge by
others. She was vomiting blood.'
did Lowe suggest sending for doc
tor?"
Smith then testified to seeing the
blood stains in to- room and outside
the door. In speaking of loves wounds
Smith said: II saw two holes in his
head and thought he was shot to KILL.
On cross-examination said that he had
evening since they came to the school.
what was his conduct toward his
wife,
.All right as far as know"
did you see anything to cause you
to suspect that they were not getting
along all right together"
Yes, on several occasions saw her
when she looked as though she had been
was in trouble with him"
do you know of anything on her part
which would have a tendency to arouse
his jealousy ?"
way and was greatly respected by the
other employees
smith said that he had regarded Lowe
as a "cold- -blooded man" When asked
what he meant by the term, he said
that he was great hand to get ac-
quainted with people, but that Lowe had
seemingly repelled his friendly over
lures
In the cross examination Smith also
said that after the physicians, Mum
and Buckmaster, had arrived and were
attending Mrs Lowe, John followed him
outside and asked him about her con-
dition. He told Lowe that his wife
would die
what did he do when you told him
that" asked the attorney.
He just raised his hands and said
Ny Go. My God!'
| The examination OF Smith closed with
the question put by the prosecution:
did you ever zee anything that would