The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1915-06-19
JOSIE
WICKLIFFE
MURDERED

Tuesday afternoon at lis at 4021b
North Main Street, one of the most
pathetic and brutal murders that ever
happened in the annals of the history
of Hutchinson when Bert Bell steals
the life of Mrs. Josephine Wickliffe
as she tried to get away from him,
but he was so rampant that he kept
pursuing until he had emptied his re-
volver into her body while she scream
ed and begged for mercy. In a few
moments the news spread like wild
fire and the people gathered in ex-
citement and from all sides could be
heard, 1t is a shame that a man could
have the heart to take the life of
women as did Bell take Mrs. Wick
cliffe's.
Mrs. Josephine Wickcliffe was the
wife of Riley Wickcliffe. They lived
at their beautiful home at No. 727 east
Seventh street and for the cause of the
circle in whish they both moved there
were many sad hearts out of sympathy
who have expressed themselves to the
end that Bert Bell should in turn pay
and pay dearly with all that he has
W pay lOl lhC VI uuldl way III MulCn
he took Mrs. Wickcliffes life.
Just before going to press a reporter
for The Blade called at the county Jail
and talked with Bell about the shhoot-
ing. When he was asked did he kill
Mrs Wickcliffe he responded without
emotion, Yes | killed her" Then he
was asked why? He said that he
didn't know unless it was God or the
Devil one which made him have a
yearning and longing desire for more
than two months to kill her. He was
then asked why he hadn't killed her
before now? He said "he couldn't
muster up courage to de it. He was
then asked if he had been drinking
on the morning of the killing, or was
there any trouble or misunderstanding
between himself and Mrs. Wickcliffe
| that worked him up to kill her at that
particular time. He said, mo but that
he did remember of drinking some
whiskey a few hours before the kill
| ing, but so far as any misunderstand-
| ing or broken promises there was moth
ing of that kind. We were friendly" F"
He was asked, then why did you kill
| herr" He said, 20 l don't know, just
wanted to kill her or something, but
| just for what | cant say. AS | said
before there seemed to be something
that was after me for two months to
kill her" Then he was asked if he
was sorry. He said, Yes am sorry
for her people and my mother, but it
can't be helped now"
Then he seemingly became very
nervous and asked if the funeral was
over He was told that it was. Then
he asked if there was very many peo-
pie there. The reporter told Yes,
quite a large crowd. He said:
"Oh, WELL" in a casual way, 1T can't
be helped, and too, some way, | am
sorry, but still l feel better"
Then he was asked why did he say
that he felt better.
"Oh, don't know; all that l can say
is that I am just glad that you came,
and l want you to come back and see
me again." was the reply.
We as a race look upon this awful
tragedy as one of the most inhuman
acts that was ever perpetrated by the
hand of man, and there is no question
as to the punishment. 1t should be
in keeping with the letter and spirit
of our laws.
All that was mortal of the poor un-
fortunate Mrs. Josephine Wickcliffe
was laid to rest Thursday afternoon,
Rev. Ramey of Great Bend conduct
ing the funeral, which was held from
the family residence. He in befitting
remarks told of the long acquaintance
of the deceased and how he had at
one time persuaded her to accept
Christ as her Savior. 1t was a telling
story that was plain and practical from
all angles. The choir of the Second
Baptist church and of Bethel A. M. E.
church rendered music for the occa-
sion. Miss Edna May jefferson sang
| THE Rosary" Mrs. Corinne Bettis
Smith, who was a life long friend to
Mrs. Wickcliffe, read the obituary OF
Mrs. Wickcliffe's life, which was care
fully gathered and touchingly rem
dered.
This was one of the saddest funerals
ever witnessed in Hutchinson by the
colored race. More than 800 were IN
attendance. Many of Mrs. Wickcliffe's
white friends we're present. The floral
offerings were wonderful and numer
Gus. Mrs. Wickcliffe was exception
ally fond of roses.-Hutchinson Blade
Mr.. VIM. Smith writes that he has
reached Angus, Texas. He is walking
to Galveston, Texas.