The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1904-01-08
TWO MEN BURNED TO DEATH
Confined from inst page

of De Voc He said he was not guilty
of the charge against him by the par
ents of the girl with whom he had been
implicated by another
The details Of Fleets story are trea-
sured up in secrecy, but it appears
that there was another man in the case,
and Fleet was determined TO have a
settlement with him Fleet met him
one night and used his enemy 50 rough
~ that the fellow was laid up for a
week or so, and while cOnvalescing was
taken with typhoid fever and died.
This unfortunate condition was the
cause of Fleet leaving the place and
taking up residence somewhere else 70
avoid possible prosecution. So when
coming to Goodland he gave the name
of DeVOe.
Mrs. c. c Young, wife Of the prop
rietor of the Depot hotel, said to a re-
porter Of this paper that Fleet came to
Mr.. Young November 10, and wanted
to get work until there was an opening
for him IN the railroad shops. He was
given a place in the lunch counter, but
finally having a chance to learn to be a
cook he changed his mind about work
ing for the railroad and concluded to
stay at the hotel. Mrs. Young said that
from all appearances Fleet was a good
boy, was gentlemanly in his ways, and
his face did not show that he had
Injured himself to a hard life. He was
20 years old and came to GOOdland di-
rectly from Norton.
WEIGHS ITINERACY.
On his dying couch WEIGH, who was
3 years old, gave little of his history.
He came to GOOdland from Chicago,
December p, and when asking for a
position with the Depot hotel, said ne
was a member Of the International
Union of Walters, and his service IN the
dining room was evidence that he was a
good waiter. But when Welch's father
was here Tuesday, he manifested avery
tender feeling for his son, saying that
he was a good boy, but like many
others, had lived his life a little on the
hayward side. He left home when
quite young and cast his first fortunes
with a circus for a year or so. His
rowing disposition led him three years
ago to visit England, the bOyhood cOun-
Try of his father
Young WEIGH knew he had relatives
there, but not being able to find a clue,
he went to an American consul who
assisted him in finding the Welches in
Birmingham. He returned to America
after a few months visit, and has since
been employed in various places as no.
tel waiter.
His father, James WEIGH, Is a station
airy engineer IN Savanna, III He ar
rived in Goodland Tuesday. As Mr..
WEIGH is Mason, his home lodge pre-
viOus to his arrival here, telegraPhed
the Masonic lodge Of this place to take
charge of the body of Mr.. Welch's son
and to give. the matter necessary atten-
ton. This was complied with, and
when Mr.. Welch came here on train No.
Al Tuesday, he was met by a committee
of MasOns, who accorded him marked
consideration during his short stay, and
he did not conceal his appreciation of
the good treatment received. His fra
ternal brothers asked him to select the
coffin, informing him that his home
lodge had rendered the GOOdland order
all expenses OF this kind. But Mr..
WEIGH declined, picking out a cheap
casket, and saying that though he was
poor he intended to defray all expenses
connected with the death and shipment
of his son. He left with the body on
No. Wednesday morning.
Mr.. and Mrs. Young did everything
in their power to mitigate the suffering
of the two young men, and with vari-
Gus attentions softened the hard cir
cumstances of the tragedy at their
hotel.
1t was quite fortunate that the build
ing did not take fire, and only the
quick action of the crowd perhaps pre-
vented what otherwise might have been
a disastrous fire. The flames from the
bed clothing charred the wood work on
the door of the mems room. but they
were put out before any damage was
done.
The body of Robert Fleet was ship
ped by express Tuesday evening on No.
10 to Laura Fleet, Salisbury, No.
g.