The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-03-21
Trial of A. A. Truskett, Wealthy
Caney Man, for Murder.
Shot and Killed J. d. S. Neeley,
Rich Ohio Banker.
TROUBLE OVER LEASE
Indian Boy Who Owned Spirited
Over the Country.
Both Men Had Obtained Leases
on the Property.

Independence, Kan, March 2I.-When
the trial of A A. Truskett, a wealthy
business man of Caney. Kan, charge
with killing ]. D. S. Neeley, a banker
and oil man of Lima, O., at Caney jan
uary last, was resumed today, there
was little chance of getting a jury
Owing to the prominence of the defend
q; . it is difficult to secure competent
Jurors. Several days probably will be
required.
In his examination of veniremen the
states attorney asked each man if a
person pretending to be a mule buyer
had approached them. The defense
also asked each venireman If a man
representing himself as a lease taker
had inquired their opinions of the guilt
of the defendant.
A. o. Truskett shot and killed ]. D.
s. Neeley, president of the Wichita
Pipe Line company and several other
oil companies, in the Palace hotel at
Caney, Kan, the morning of January Z.
The two men met and walked to an
isolated room together. Two shots We're
heard and Neeley was found shot
through the heart.
Truskett gave himself up at once to
the city marshal and was then taken by
motor car to independence, Kan. He
said that he had shot in self-defense.
The coroner's jury learned that Medley
did not have a revolver, but Truskett
said he thought Medley made motion
as if to shoot, and that he shot for that
reason. Both men were rich. Neeley's
home was in Lima, o., and he had come
to Kansas on a regular trip of inspec-
ton to see his oil properties. Neeley
was So years old and Truskett 20.
The two men had quarreled about the
possession of an oil lease. The land in
question was four miles south of Caney,
and was owned by Robert F. Goodman,
to-. Al
property to Hugh Bronson, an oil man.
who sold the lease to three other Caney
men for $500. These three men sold 1t
to Truskett for $8.100.
The Wichita Pipe Line company. of
which Neeley was the head, also lald
claim to the lease, which they had
bought from Goodman through Fred c.
LOSER and Herbert Scott. The COM
pany asserted that the lease to Trus
kett was not legal, and they not only
obtained possession of the oil land, but
also Of its owner, young Goodman. He
was sent from one part of the country
to another at the expense of the Wich-
sta company, and was carefully guard
ed from coming in contact with persons
hostile to the company's interests.
Owen Owen, a nephew of Senator Owen
of Oklahoma. was employed to travel
with him. Once a lid ride by motor car
with him. Once wild ride by motor car
avoid the men of the other faction who
were trying to get hold of the boy.
Young Goodman became of age Sep
TENDER "a, 1910, and thel the plan was,
according to Truskett. to have him
sign papers which would give them the
ownership of the oil land, and then he
was to be sent to Europe. The day he
was 81 suit was brought in the United
States court and the ownership of the
oil land has not yet been decided I'm
que influence and spiriting the boy
away were the charges Truskett made
against the gas comp9ny officials They
finally bought the lease fer $4,000, lie
said