The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-02-14
GAMBLER
COMMITS
MURDER
Row Love Killed in Cold Blood
in Oklahoma City.
SHOT TWICE IN THE BRICK
Many People Saw Burton
Knock Down His Victim.

Oklahoma City, teD lS.-I oiio"inS ZIG
attempted, and yer ynear successful, as
sassination of Cavalaryman Lige WeItz,
shooting that occurred in Oklahoma City
curing the Cattlemen's convention took
place at 12:45 this afternoon in front of
Rueb's Cafe on South Broadway in which
Ray Love, employed by 3. w. Toothriah
in gradin gwork for the M N. and ..
railway. was brutaily assaulted, knocked
down and then shot while lying on ms
side by Al Burton, local gambler and
notorious bad man.
Love was at once removed to the po-
lice station, and died in 1ew minutes
after the shooting took place.
According to the story of a witnASS
of the shooting the two men met III the
front part of the Two Johns saloon and
without a word on either side engaged
in a fistic encounter in which Burton got
the worst of it, being forced TO the wall
by Love, who was the smaller man. At
this time a large man, the witness re-
lates, interfered, throwing Love aside
and seizing and holding Burton. Love
went out of the front daar and Burton
requested the man who was OBTAINING
him TO let go, saying Il have no gun.
The moment he was released Burton
ran out of the door, at the same time
pulling pistol from his pocket. About
twenty steps to the south of the Two
Johns again met and the latter was
knocked down by Burton, who fired
shot in the side of his PROSTATE VIC
tim. Burton then walked back into the
saloon.
Love was assisted to his feet by a
friend and while being led toward the
saloon remarked, II can lick the -
at any time,''
B. w. Toothman, Loves employer, wit
messed the tragedy and is acquainted
with the origin. To Sheriff O'Brien he
said: The trouble originated in Harry
Hickey's saloon where Love accidentally
stepped upon one of Burton's feet ,and
Burton said to him you are no part of
a gentleman and they exchanged a few
words. Then love went to the Senate
saloon and Burton followed. Love then
went out by the side door and they met
Burton knocked Love down and then
shot him.
Rae Burnett arrested Burton and turn
ed him over to the police, who in turn
handed him over to the Sheriff OBrien
and he was taken to Jail, searched and
locked up. His left cheek was badly
swollen as if from blow.
Burton begged the sheriff to return his
tobacco and cigarette paper which had
been taken from him in the search of
his person. He seemed to retain his nerve
and was remarkably cool under the cir
cumstances. Prior to this incarceration
he called the sheriff aside and held Il
short conversation with him in low tones.
The revolver taken from Burton was of
IS calibre and had one empty chamber.
DR.. Messenbaugh, VINO examined the
murdered man. says the wound indicates
that he was shot in the left side of the
pack and came out near the right nip
pie, passing entirely through his body.
When seen by reporter Coroner Mes
senbaugh stated that the inquest would
be neld at ten o'clock this evening
1t was learned that Love came here
about three months ago from Birming-
ham. Ala, which is his home, and the
authorities have telegraphed his relatives
concerning his killing.
w. B. Toothman, who was with Love
at the time of his murder, says Love
was not drunk although he had taken
couple drinks
N A Nichols of, Thomas, Okla, whose
stor yof the tragedy locates the fist fight
ing in the Two Johns salon, was dining
at the lunch stand in the rear of the
saloon wnen the encounter occurred. Mr.
Nichols is one of the publishers of
the Thomas Tribune and is reliable