The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1904-03-03
REPORT OF
NOWATA COURT
Burroughs Sentenced to Life
Imprisonment.
REPORTED ACQUITTAL
Absence Of Malice the Chief
Feature In his Favor
Several Other Sen
tences We're
Passed.

Contrary to expectations. VIM. Bur-
ronghs, the Iron Mountain brakeman,
was convicted Of murder and his pun
ishment fixed at life imprisonment.
lie was defended by Col. Chew. Of
Van Buren, Ark, Burroughs home
and his wife, child and sister were In
the courtroom during the progress OF
the trial. There was little defense
offered, except the absence Of motive.
but Burroughs expected when he left
here 20 be acquitted The Jail officials
say that he looks as though he had
lost p pounds In weight since he was
taken to Nowata Sunday night
The story Of this case, as developed
at the trial, was about this As the
freight train OH which Burroughs was
employed was passing sageeah one
evening few months since, after
dark, two or three boys were standing
by the track. Burroughs claimed they
were throwing rocks and that one Of
them struck him and another hit the
side of the car. This was denied by
the prosecution. Burroughs, at any
rate, fired az the boys, towards a house
and shot one OF them through the
head, the pistol swapping twice before
Il went of. To a fellow brakeman
he asked which one he hit, and being
informed, said he meant it for the
other one.
At the first station above, Oolagah,
some men who had been telephoned
To, came 10 the train 10 make the ar
rest, but the shooting was denied. 5t
the next station, where there was also
a posse, Burroughs surrendered. As
known, he gave bond for $500 for as
sault, but a week later the boy died
and he was taken IN custody for muir
der and has ever since been IN jail.
Probably the worst feature OF the
case was tbe fact that the pistol was
snapped more than once. Another
unfayorable circumstance was that
the train vas going . miles an hour,
aud hence Burroughs must have had
BIS pistol mighty" handy aud did not
reach and get it after being struck
with a rock, as claimed.
4 motion for 4 new trial was over
ruled and appeal granted. On taking
leave Of the prisoner Col. Chewassured
him he would do everything he could
IN his behalf. The sympathy Of the
railroad people IS Of course with Bur
foughs: they have paid his attorneys
zee and tie order Of trainnen will
continue its efforts in his behalf.
The general feeling Is that the PEN
atty Is excessive but il Is snrmised
the Jury, influenced possibly TO some
extent by environment, thought ten
yearSthe maximum for manslauglIter,
was TOO little.
During the progress Of the trial the
train crews. when possible. went 10
the court room 70 express their sym
pathy and most Of the men gave Buf-
roagls from one 70 i've dollars.
OTHER COURT NOTES.
Geo. L. Richardson plead guilty 70
forging d check ON tie Nowata nation-
al bank Tor 5000. Sentenced 20 tive
years imprisonment at r. Leayen-
worth Richardson Is d young man
and formerly lived ln Miller county,
No.
Al keene. highway robbery. afteen
months. lie threw boy down and
r0bted him Of i've or six dollars
II. Pickett. adultery: one year and a
dayI
joe Dunham and Tom Lewis, adul-
terry; fined slo and Gusts There were
two other defendants IN this case,
which Is 4 peculiar one. Several young
men aud ore Or more young women
were swimming IN Silver Lake, having
bathing suits Of some description.
There was also a brother and probably
other relatives Of the girls present.
Some young men cameup on the bunk
and making some uncompllmentary
remarks q fight ensued. which lead to
this complaint. The case against one
of The girls, at least, was transferred
20 Ilaremoge.
Albert Dixon. Nuwata, gaming;
seutHnce deferred
Other persons brought IN were:
Walter Jarfelt. Winner. vas indicted
for assault 70 XII; vas oUt on commits
sioner's bond. but . manhal's bond
win nos be required.
John Hays, Gooseneck; indicted for
stealing - bushels Of corn.
Two persons wep discharged from
The iall this morning. BY reason Of ex-
plFaiion 81 sentence, VIM. Hazeirig.
disturbing the peace; Nm, Ross,
whisky