The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-12-15
Action Follows Signed State
ment Made by Bailey.
IN THE FIRST DEGREE.
Prosecutor OF johnson County
Makes Complaint.
Move ThWarts Habeas Corpus
Proceedings Contemplated.

Kansas City, Dec. 15-Sheriff John
Steed and Prosecuting Attorney C. B.
Little of Johnson county Kan, came
here today to subject John Feagle, held
as suspect in connection with quadru-
pie murder on the Bernhard farm, to
a thorough examination. This examiI
nation will decide whether Feagle is
to be released or formal charge is
to be preferred against him. Should the
latter course be followed he will be
taken to Olathe late this afternoon.
The city chemist has begun an anal
ysis of the stains found on overalls
owned by Sam Bailey who also is held
for investigation by the local police.
II am satisfied that the man who did
the killing is in custody" Chief Zim-
mer of Kansas City, Kan, said. L will
recommend that the officials of john
son county file a charge against him."
You will recommend that he be
charged with the quadruple MURDER
the chief was asked.
Yes" he said.
1t is probable that this charge of
quadruple murder will be made before
the close of the day.
The testimony of witnesses before
the coroner's jury at the inquest in
Olathe Kan, added little, if anything,
to the facts already published concern
ing the murder.
Beyond establishing beyond doubt the
identity of the hired man, Graves, the
testimony was a repetition of the 1actS
and circumstances already made pub
lie The testimony of Elijah POrtWood,
"a farmer living near Liberty, Mo, set
at rest any doubts as to the murdered
man being Charles Graves. PortWoodr
who is a nephew of Mrs. Emel1ne Bern
hardt, visited the Bernhardt farm in
August and spent the day in company
with Graves, whom he had known at
Liberty. When a slight question arose
as to the possibility of there being a
mistake in identity, Portwood was sent
for and positively identified the BODY
as being that of Graves
Mrs. Mason, the daughter of the muir
dered woman and the only living child,
appeared before the probate judge of
Johnson and was appointed admins
tratrix of the two estates Robert
Baker, L. L. Cave and w. B. Planners
were appointed appraisers to determine
the value of the estate. Mrs Mason
said that q sale of the stock on the
farm would be held just as soon rs
possible, and the place probably would
be sold in the near future.
According to Mrs. Mason, her mother
has two brothers and one sister still
living in Clay county. Kentucky. They
are Jackson Brandenburg, John Bran
denburg and Mrs. Anna Palmer.
Il expect the appraisement of the
property will be made tomorrow" Mrs.
Mason said last night; there should be
some one there to look after the place
! understand that there is considerable
ClOLnluR missing lUdL no one KNOWS
anything about George had a big
bearskin overcoat and two other over
coats, as we'll as a suit that are miss
ing"
The story circulated that the body
supposed to be that of George Bern
hardt was the body of a former farm
hand, is not believed by the police.
Shortly after the bodies were found
neighbors positively identified the body
of George Bernhardt.
Search being made by the Kansas
City, Kan. police was devoted Wednes-
day to trying to locate a stranger, seen
near the Bernhard farm last week
This man, who was dressed in cordu-
roy clothing, is believed to have been
a former hired hand on the farm. The
day he disappeared he displayed a wo--
mans gold watch, and as one is MISS
ing from the Bernhard farm, the of
ficers believe he may know something
of the crime.
Warrant for FeagIe.
The prosecutor of Johnson county,
Kansas, today swore out a warrant
charging John Feagle with murder in
the first degree in connection with the
quadruple murder at the Bernhard
farm. This action followed the issu-
ance of a signed statement by Sam
Bailey, who is held as a suspect, to the
effect that he had heard Feagle
threaten to kill George Bernhard. one
of the victims of the murder. Feagle's
sister had employed an attorney with
the intention of obtaining Feagle's re-
lease on writ of habeas corpus. This
contemplated move hastened the ac-
ton of the prosecutor in swearing out
the warrant.
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