The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-11-23
CLINT OSBON DEAD
Man Who Killed Chas. Handle
Answers Last Call.
Murder One of Most Sensational
in History of HOltOn.
LONG TERN IN PRISON
Served Fifteen of His 25 Year
Sentence.
Trial Attracted a Great Array
of Legal Talent.

Holton, Kan. Nov. 23-CIinton
Osbon, who killed Charles Handle. a
Holton lawyer, fifteen years ago. died
OF consumption here Monday. Osbon
years. Because the prisoner was
fatally ILL., Governor Stubs paroled
him three months ago.
Clinton c. Osbon was a harness
maker, living in the outskirts of Hol-
ton. He lived quietly and peacefully
the son died in 1892. leaving the
daughter, Estelle. the idol of the old
mans heart. Estelle. at the time of
the trouble. was about 10 years old
She was particularly bright and at
tractive girl. She taught school a
AS a stenographer she was employed
by Charles Handle, a rising young
lawyer of this place. He was well
liked and had the confidence of
Osbon, who thought he was going to
marry Estelle. This idea prevailed
until Estelle became i'll. when she told
her parents that Handle had mis-
treated her. and then abused her
when she asked him to marry her.
With this great trouble on his mind,
Osbon, the broken hearted father,
procured a shot gun. Two days after
the confession of Estelle. June IA,
1894, Osbon met Handle OH the
street. Pointing the double-barreled
shot gun at Handles breast, Osbon
accused the young lawyer of the
crime. HANDLE put up his hands, as
serted that he was unarmed. and that
if he had done anything to injure
Estelle he would make it right TO
this end. he said he would go down
town with Osbon. Osbon agreed to
this, but without lowering the gun,
ordered Handle to walk ahead.
HANDLE refused to do this. and the
enraged father shot him dead
Osbon at once gave himself up to
the Sheriff. and on account of threat
ened mob violence was taken to the
Shawnee county jail for safe keeping.
On a change of venue. the trial was
held in Douglas. county the following
May Osbon's defense was temporary
insanity. The jury hung to 4. after
eight days effort. and the retr1al OF
the following November, 1885: BY
this time the feeling against Osbon
had died down. and his friends ex-
pected his acquittal However, he
was found guilty of murder in the
third degree, ana sentenced TO 20
For many years Osbon was fore
man in the novelty shops at the state
penitentiary experimenting the work
and selling the trinkets turned out by
prisoners. He was a good prisoner,
and was allowed more latitude than
pride in his work.
Shortly after Osbon was sent to the
penitentiary, his daughter. Estelle,
died of consumption. When the old
man was pardoned, he went back to a
strange town. very. different from the
Holton of 20 years before, and died
of the disease which was responsible
for his release from prison.
The trial of Osbon in the district
court at Lawrence was notable for the
sv1n q n
VOWED. The prosecution was con-
Quoted by Captain J. G. Waters of
Topeka, A. c. Mitchell, present repre-
sentative from Douglas, and then
Douglas county attorney. A. E. Crane
of Holton. and S. D. Bishop of Law
renee. Osbon was defended by
Eugene Hagan of Topeka, Judge Z. j.
Barker of Lawrence. and J. r Bur-
ton before his election as senator
Judge A w. Benson now on the su-
preme court bench, then judge of the
Douglas county district court. pre-
sided.