Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1911-09-07
Tells His Story.

private office and told his story to
the chief, Officer Stokley and the
members of the press. Following is
his weird tale:
II am Al years of age. Twelve
years ago, in the month of October
at Abilene, Kansas, small town
of 5000 and the county seat OF
Dickinson county, slew a compan-
ion. He and had been drinking
the day and late in the afternoon
went to the outskirts Of the town
and engaged in a game of crap.
swamped him and won all of his
money, consisting of more than $50
and we engaged in a quarrel. Fin
ally he struck me and we fought.
Both of us were intoxicated, he more
SO than I.
"Our fight grew fierce until at
the climax we both struggled for the
possession of a club lying nearby.
| was the stronger and | struck him
across the heRd, once. The first
blow felled him and he lay on the
ground unconscious. l was angered
and to make sure of his death !
struck two other blows, both as dead
ly as the first.
Buried the Body.
81 fingered at the place for some
minutes and after making sure !
had killed him l buried his body in
a garbage dump nearby, piling it
nigh and II my murder has not been
uncovered l can go there and find
his body for the spot is marked by
a tree"
Here the chief interrupted him
with a rapid-fire cross examination
in an endeavor to learn the fellows
name. The man did not know, al
though he admitted having worked
with him for a few days.
81 may have known him at the
time but twelve years of mystery
have ruined me-"
Twelve years ago left that town
and oh! God, no one knows how l
have suffered. l have traversed this
country from shore to shore. Every
where l went / had shadowy feeling
that l was being pursued. l have
not slept a night in peace for twelve
years and oh, the agony and pain
and grief that have been my own.
Every meal has been burden to
me and I've scarcely been able to
eat.
For more than two years I've
been afflicted with stomach trouble
and those two years have meant al
most death to me. came to this
city from Dayton two days ago and
| could bear it no longer, so ] give
myself up. want to face the crime
before | die and I'm willing to go
back there and prove that ! muir
dered that man"
Grief Is Great.
Leaning over and speaking scarce
Iy above a whisper the man further
continued the narration of his wild
and even pathetic story. He was I'M
married. His face WIS pale and |
bore distinct marks OF grief and 81
guish while certain weakness play
ed about his mouth. When asked
whether the crime was known Of at
that place he didn't think so because
he had carefully concealed the body
81 used to be a good boy" said
he, land ! had the Coolest OF par
ents, but | have wandered and I'm
willing to take consequences although
no man can suffer what | have dur
ing the past twelve years"
The man was then taken back to
his cell where DR.. Moore prescribed
medicine for his affliction.
Undoubtedly the man was suffe
ng. but whether he is telling this
weird tale out Of his mind owing to
illness is what is worrying the local
authorities. A further investiga-
ion may disclose more facts, and
be chief is awaiting q return mes
age from the Abilene authorities.