The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-09-07
WOMAN SCREAMS
Then a Pistol Shot Rang Out
ON the Night Air.
Half an Hour Later F. NJ. Powell
OF Pratt Was Found Dying.
AFFAIR A MYSTERY
Wounded Man Hurried to Hutch
insOn on a Special Train.
During His Conscious Moments
Refused to Discuss Affair.

| Hutchinson, Kan, Sept. IA woman's
scream is the only clue to the murder
of F. NJ. Powell of Pratt, Kan, who
died here yesterday morning at the
Stewart hospital after having been
brought to the city in an especially
chartered Rock Island train
1t was about 10 o'clock Saturday
night that a shot was heard near the
county high school at Pratt, followed
by a woman's scream Half an hour
later Powell was found in front of the
Briggs hotel, three blocks away. He
was uncor scious, and had fallen from
exhaustion. A pistol bullet penetrated
PoweIPs breast and pierced the lining
OF the abdomen in two places. An op-
Grafton was performed and the bullet
extracted
Refused to Discuss Shooting.
Powell died as a result of surgical
shock, caused by the wound and ex-
haustfon, according 10 the attending
physicians.
During the period between the time
when he was shot and his death. Pow
ell was semi-conscious greater por-
tion Of the time Several times efforts
were made to have him tell the nature
of the affair and whom it was that
shot him
Each tire the inquisitor was given
the same reply:
"Oh, don't talk about that"
ell to Hutchinson Two Messrs- Halter
o. AbbeyviIIe. relatives Of Powell, were
here. 2OWeIrs poJy was shipped to
Rucklin. his former home, Mr.. Halter
accompanied the body
Witness Saw a Woman Run Away.
Powell was the foreman OF the Rock
Island car repairers at Pratt He was
married His wife and 6-Weeks- baby
have been visiting at Pratt He was
widely and favorably known at Pratt
and hal many friends, who are inclined
to doubt several stories that are IN cir
cuIation concerning the shooting affair
A woman heard the shots and saw
several persons near the school mousse
She could z-0t distinguish whether they
were men Or women Size heard
wouan,s voice, however, when the two
shots were fired, one OF which took
effect.
Later a woman ran towards where
Powell lay near the Briggs hotel, but
stoned. turned and fed. evidently not
wishing to be seen near the man This
woman has not been identified The
coroner's inquest is being held and It
IS hoped to discover the woman whose
voice was heard, and the identity OF
the murderer
Town Had Been Terrorized.
Sheriff Burnett, OF Pratt, was in the
city and in a phone message 10 the
News, he said that some important De
are expected at the inquest,
cut that as yet little definite informa-
ion has been unearthed. However, the
network OF circumstances IS beng Wo-
zen satisfactorily, and it IS thought
improbable that the guilty person can
escape.
saturday night several rowdIes ter
rorized the north portion of Pratt /
Sheriff Burnett is Investigating this |
natter. 4 posse was started Saturday /
light to bring in these men, but no ar |
-ests were made The town is being
PATCHED closely for suspicious charac- |
ers.
The Briggs hotel IS located at the |
xtreme southern portion OF the town
IN Main street. while PowelFs home is /
IN the north side. Powell resided until
wo years ago in BuCklin-