The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-04-17
ONE MORE KILLED
A Negro shot to Death in Spring
field by a Youth
Who Was EscOrting His Sweet
heart to Her Home.
PLEADS SELF DEFENSE
Slayer Says He Was Attacked by
Victim and Another.
Went to Police Station and Gave
Himself Up.
PLEADS SELF DEFENSE

Springfield, Mo. April 17.-Suppressed
excitement prevaded all classes here on
the opening of this the fourth day of
Springfield's race war. The arrest late
yesterday of the half dozen men ac-
cused of completely in Saturday nights
lynching had the effect of clearing the
streets when the members of the mob,
who had openly boasted of their partic-
ipation in the affair, began to realize
that the state and county officers had
really combined in an effort to prose-
cute all offenders. Then the people had
again been inf1aIned with the mob spirit
when it became generally known that
another negro had been killed, this time
by white boy in self-defense.
This tense feeling was still apparent
when morning came. Sheriff Horner
early sent out dozen deputies armed
with the 20 or SO warrants still unserv-
ed, while in the criminal court the Sc
lection of a grand jury, called together
under instructions to indict the mob
leaders, was begun. Last night the
militia had camped about the jail near
" q mile from the public square in the
center of the city and today at both
these points the soldiers were especially
alert.
Last Nights Killing.
Leslie Peters, Is years old, shot and
killed Ralph Burns, a negro of bad
him last night while he was escorting
a young lady home from a party. The
negroes accosted him at the gate of the
young lady's home and one of the ne
groes fired two shots from a revolver
at him, but neither shot took effect.
Peters Immediately fired four shots at
the negroes, killing one of them, and
the other escaped. Peters went to the
-%- Id l,rrf
he was released without bond.
The news of the killing of another
negro spread like wildfire through the
city and hundreds of people left their
The militia on guard there prevented
any violent outbreak and after a time
dispersed the crowds.
A squad of militia was detailed to
guard the home of the young lady
whom Peters was escorting when ne
vas attacked.
Charge to Grand Jury.
Judge ]. A. Lincoln, of the criminal
court, in charging the grand jury, was
bitter in his statements. After recit-
ing the causes leading up to the call
ing together of the jury, he said:
This outrage deserves the con-
demnation of all good citizens and the
most rigid investigation at your hands
All persons, their aiders and abetters
engaged in that shameful outrage are
guilty under the law of murder in the
first degree. The law makes it no less
a crime because 200 men engaged in
! the consummation of the act, than if
| one manNalone and under the cover OF
night committed the crime. Crime
never becomes lawful because multi
tudes seek to give it sanction. Moh
violence never has and never can ac-
eomplish good. Lawlessness places
all things and all men in peril.
Let the lash fall where it may. You
should indict every man proved to
your reasonable satisfaction to be
guilty. Whether friend or foe, rich OF
| poor, high or low, wherever you find
guilt, let that guilt be punished. The
path of safety lies in the most vigor-
Gus, rigid and exhaustive investigation
| That nights scenes have turned back
ward the hands on the dial of our pro-
gress we know not how far and only
/ the most vigorous measures can com
pei a rebound. Your investigation
should be prudent, careful and pains
taking in order to protect any who
may be wrongfully charged
The jury is composed of men of high
/ character and includes Rev. W. r