The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-07-22
Homer WoodcOck Charged With
Death of Valuable Animals.
Confessed His Several Crimes to
Sheriff Lucas.
TERROR OF FARMERS.
Began His Career Near Pauline
Last Winter.
Threatened to Kill Stock and
Burn Barns.

Sheriff Lucas made an arrest at a late
hour last night which has taken a great
load of the minds of the farmers in the
vicinity of Pauline. The arrest was
that of Homer Woodcock, a young far
mer living two miles from Pauline, who
has since his capture confessed to be-
ing the person who had killed and
manned several valuable animals be-
longing to farmers in his neighborhood.
Tnese outrages began last winter. "A
valuable stallion, belonging to John
Miller was stabbed in the throat and
left to bleed to death. The horse recov-
cred. On the night of March 13 some
one came to Miller's barn and shot and
seriously injured mule which was in
a box stall. In April a mule belonging
to John Bollie, another neighbor, was
led out of his barn, tied to a fence and
shot to death.
After the attempted killing of Miller's
stallion, which occurred shortly after
Sheriff Lucas took the office, the far
mers called upon him for protection. He
began to work on the case, which was
shrouded in mystery, and brought no
results, as he naturally tried to con-
meet some person with the crime who
had a spite or grievance against the
owner of the animal.
The other crimes followed, and the
farmers became so wrought up that all
who owned valuable breeding animals
watched them at night with their guns.
About the time of the attemped killing
of Miller's mule MIR. Miller found a let
ter in his free delivery box in which he
was told that his horse would be killed,
and that 1t would do no good to try to
prevent it. If you lock the barn so l
can't get in," the letter said in part,
a match will get in, all right" Owing
to the agitation of the farmers Lucas
kept at the seemingly hopeless case,
and Tuesday discovered a lead, which.
although wrong, led to the arrest Of the
right party.
John Harker, young man living in
the neighborhood, was arrested on sus-
picion Tuesday afternoon. He was
brought to the county jail and sweat
ed" with the result that he admitted
that he knew who did kill the animals.
He said that on July he went swim
ming with Homer Woodcock, and when
they were returning home afterward
Woodcock admitted having killed and
injured the animals. 1t was late at night
when Sheriff Lucas secured this infor-
nation, but he did not wait until the
next day to act. He drove at once TO
the home of WoOdcOck and captured
him where he was sleeping in wagon
near the house. Lucas arrived in town
with his prisoner just before daylight
this morning. It took a deal of work to
make the arrest. Clerk of the City Court
Ed Good was routed out of bed after
midnight and a warrant secured.
County Attorney Hungate was up
rather early. also, at the request of Luz
cas- and the prisoner made full con-
fession, which was put in writing and
signed by him. He told just how the
crimes were committed, but gave no
reason whatever for his act. When ask
ed this morning if he thought insanity
was the cause of Woodcocks actions,
Hungate replied, mo, think it was pure
cussedness."
The punishment for Woodcock's of
fense is slight, considering the damage
he did One year in the county jail is
the maximum sentence for his crime
but an effort will be made to make him
suffer on three counts. The writing OF
the letter to Mr.. Miller is also a minQr
offense under the law. as he made no
effort to extort money. reward OF
5000 was offered by the farmers in the
vicinity for the capture.