The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-04-06
Killed Sweetheart in Phillips
County in 1901.
THEN SHOT HIMSELF.
Claimed That Tragedy Was Re-
suit of Suicide Pact.
Was Sentenced to Be Hanged by
Judge Geiger.

Joseph B. Hinton of Logan. Phiilfns
county, sentenced to be hanged for the
murder of his sweetheart when he fail
ed to keep his part of a suicide pact.
whose sentence was later committed
to ten years solid time in prison. will
be free man a week from Monday.
His term expires. under the cummuta-
tion, April 27. but Governor Stub1s has
signed a citizenship pardon for Hinton
Wn1ch means the release of the young
man from the state penitentiary ten
Gays before the term actually expires.
Hlnton crime was one of the most
terrible ana caused more excitement in
northwest Kansas than any other crime
in many years. He killed his sweet
heart, Maggie Shurtz, and ATTEMPTED
to Kill himself after her parents had
objected to his visits to their daugh-
ter. At the trial Hinton claimed to
nave a written suicide agreement.
signed by Maggie Shurtz and himself.
He also claimed that this agreement
had been taken from his pocket and
destroyed by the girls father.
The crime was committed in the
spring or 1901. Hinton began his life
Imprisonment April 81, of that year. An
effort was made to secure a pardon for
MIN from Governor Bailey and during
the first term from Governor Hoch.
Both governors refused to act. Shortly
after the beginning of Governor Hoch's
second term the Communication of the
death sentence to ten years in prison
was made. No good time was allowed.
There are many people who think
that Governor StubbS should not have
granted citizenship pardon to Hinton
on account Of the atrocity of the crime
The governor is required by law to issue
citizenship pardons to most prisoners.
ten days before the real term expires
1t was not necessary for him to restore
Hinton to citizenship or grant the ten
days allowed under the pardon.
His Terrible Crime.
The terrible crime for which Hinton
was convicted was the murder of his
sweetheart Maggie Shurtz. a 17-year-
old girl. AT the time of the crime in
1901 Hinton himself was only IS years
old and was a barber working at I4o-
gan. He and Maggie Shurtz became
engaged to be married, but the parents
of the girl objected, and refused TO
allow her to see Hinton. She told him
that he would have to stop coming to
see her, and he proposed that they
commit suicide. This arrangement was
made. he claims, and he also asserts
that a written agreement to this effect
was drawn up and signed by both of
them. On the day of the tragedy he
went to the back door of the Shurtz
home and talked to the girl for a few
minutes on the steps. Then he put his
drawing a devolver, shot her twice
through the breast. Then he turned
the revolver on himself. and shot him
self through the breast. The girl fell
dead. but the bullet missed Hinton's
heart, and he was able to crawl away
from the house. He crawIed to a near
by creek and got a drink; then he
crawled back to the house and begged
the girls father to kill him. The father
refused ard summoned the sheriff. Hin
ton was locked up and his wound dress
ed. He had to be guarded night and
day to prevent him from tearing the
wound open, and allowing himself to
bleed to death.
Sentenced to Death.
Hinton was tried before Judge c.
A. Geiger, who was then on the bench.
and numerous efforts were made to
induce him to plead guilty to man
slaughter and accept prison sentence
of fifteen years, which with the good
time allowance would release him in
about IL years. Hinton refused to do
this and went to trial. The jury
found him guilty of murder in the
first degree and Judge Geiger sem
fenced him to be hanged.
Since his incarceration at Lansing
Hinton has been a model prisoner and
the penitentiary officials have all been
kelI recommended the Communication of
sentence which has just been granted
by Governor Hoch. Judge Geiger and
numerous lawyers familiar with the
case also endorsed the application.
For a number of years Hinton has
been the head barber at the peniten-
tiary and he has really been useful
man. The prison officials unite in
saying that he is not naturally vicious
or criminal. A lengthy petition.
signed by many of the best known
people in Phillips county was pre-
sented to Governor Hoch in Hinton's
behalf.