The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-06-20
KILLED In A BUGGY
L. D. Pierce of Peck Died from
Bullet Through Head
CHARGE OF MURDER
Ed. Christy of Kansas City
Held for Committing Crime
WERE OUT DRIVING
Christy Ran Away and Hid
Under Old Harvester

L D. Pierce, a weIl-known hotel-keeper
IN Peck. the second station south Of
here on the Rock Island, was shot and
instantly killed between and o'clock
yesterday afternoon, i've miles southeast
Of that town Ed Christy, Kansas City
switchman, IS in Jail in Wellington,
charged with the murder.
The two were together in a buggy, go
ing TO Z. Bishops home. Christy's father
in-lzws SIX miles southeast Of Peck.
Alr. Pierce was shot through the head
with q revolver and fell out OF the buggy.
Chrisly Jumped out Of the rig and the
horses ran away, frightened by the shoot
1ng. The team was caught by farmer
boy about half a mile from the place Of
tie shooting. Christy's coat was left in
the buggy.
The body was found q few minutes after
the shooting, and q posse was immedi-
ateiy organized and systematic search
was commenced Tor the companion Of
the dead man. Christy after leaving the
buggy took . short cut through the fields
and went 10 his father-in-law's home.
He was captured there shortly before
shutdown last night while hiding under
an old harvester il 3 weed patch in the
ibarn-yard. When taken 10 the scene Of
1.-THE murder, for such II is believed TO be.
lhs denied that he shot the Old man. but
icisinned the revolver. lie said that AIr.
pierce was trying to rob him and Iss
ashot il the scufle that ensued.
Christy was taken 10 1Iulvane and
thence 10 Wellington, where he awaits
the result Of the coroner inquest TO be
held today
Christy has been living N Kansas City
for a number OF years. He married a
daughter Of Mr. BisnOp, a farmer living
southeast of Peck. six or eight years
hago. and since that time has lived in
sKansas City. Yesterday IL was reported
At Peck that he and his wife had con
siderable trouble during the past year.
and last Monday she left him and re-
kurneo 10 her father
He followed her To Peck, reaching that
point Thursday afternoon. and went out
u Mr.. Bishops house. He returned 70
Peck Thursday evening. and stayed
around the hotel He had been drinking
heavily lhe day he reached Peck, and
kept this up during the evening and yes
serday.
During the afternoon he hired Mr..
Pierce TO take him 70 his fathc--in-law's
home. and the start was made shortly
after . O'Clock. Tt was stated last night
that AIr. Pierce was almost ready TO back
out Of the Job before they started. He
was afraid of his passenger because Of
the latter's actions on the night before
seems. has been worrying considerably
about his domestic troubles. which had
caused him 10 drink considerably
Nothing is known of the trip or how OF
why Mr.. Pierce was shot Christy stated
when brought 70 the SPOT where Pierce
lay that he did not IRE the fatal shot
but claimed that the revolver was his
property He told the by-standers that
AIr Pierce tried 70 rob him and in the
scurIe that eusue1 he accidentally shot
himself After being taken To Mulvane
end awaiting a train TO Wellington he
feigned insanity. growing cut of his do
mestic troubles
After going 10 Mr. Bishops home.
Christy found that ouIy an adopted
daughter was 4 the house and il Is
alleged that he attempted 10 take her
life by choking and attempting 10 cut
her throat. but the young girl slipped
from his grasp and got away. He then
hid under the binder in the field. where he
was captured tvp hours after the shoot
ing
u. L. Pierce. fine hotel-keeper, was well
known in Nviclita, ana made his home
here a couple = years ago He formerly
lived at AInar.-2 small town west Of
Wellington Thee years ago he moved
T. this city withEis wife and made their
home here a yea or more He then pur-
chased the hoteIat Peck. He was almost
sixty years old and his wife lives at
Peck. II is not 1nown where his children
are logged.
a coroT<r's inuest VIII be held today 20
establish Mo lid the killing The ex-
element in MIvane and Peck ran very
high last nigh and for a time trouble
was feared.