The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-05
Brutal Murder of TOpekan Near
SeabrOOk This Morning.
Claude Biggers, When Caught,
Claims Self Defense.
BOTH BARRELS OF SHOTGUN
Warden Was Attempting Ar
rest for Lack of License.
Whole Side of Head Shattered
by the Discharge.


John Cox, a farmer and deputy
game warden. was shot and instantly
Killed about 1920 O'Clock today three
miles southwest of the city by Claude
Biggers. a 19-year-old negro:who lives
at S16 East Twelfth street. While
scores of farmers. county and city Of
ficers were securing the country
southwest of the city searching Tor
Hfggers. he walked into his home and
was placed under arrest by Joseph
Holman. deputy sheriff stationed
there.
The murder grew out of the arrest
of Rfegers bv Cox. Three young ne
groes. Biggers, Lester Watts ana Us
car Haskell went hunting today anu anu
had reached a point about two hlIes
south of the Country club on a cross
road between the Topeka avenue ana
Burlingame roads when they We're
stopped by Cox who demanded TO see
their hunting licenses.
Watts was in the road and HaskeH
and Biggers were in field just across
a hedge fence. Watts and Haskell had
licenses and Biggers did not cox
ulaced Biggers under arrest and took
his shotgun away from him.
Watts told officers Immediately al
ter the shooting that he started 10
walk away to continue his hunt ana
thought Haskell was right behind him,
when he heard a shot. He tookeo
hack in time to see Cox fall. He stated
that COX still had Biggers's gun ana
that Riggers fired the shot from has
kelIs gun. He believes B1egers graz
he'd Haske!l's gun and killed Cox with
it. -,..7 e;o15
where a farmer was working team
and reported the murder He looked
hack and both Haskell and Blggers
Hyere running after him. He stated
he thought for a moment Biggers was
going to shoot him, then Blggers
svterved to the east and returned TO
the road The last he saw of Blggers
the latter was running down a ROAD
towards the east
Many Join Search.
Neighbors called the sheriffs office
at once and Hugh Larimer with Verne
WeIch and Earl Porter of the police
department drove out to the scene OF
the crime. The two negroes. Haskell
and Watts were still there with their
guns and dogs. They joined the Off
GERS in the search for the purpose of
identifying Biggers- All. of the coun-
try southwest of town was secured by
officers and farmers. A big crowd at
n sale was notified and it spread out
in every direction looking for Biggers-
He was not seen by anyone who has
reported. after Watts lost sight of
him. until he reached home.
One of the dogs in the pack belong
ed to him-a white mongrel bulldog.
If he attempted to drive it away he
failed for the dog arrived at his home
with him. When Biggers reached his
home he had thrown away the gun
and shells he carried. He had thrown
away knapsack containing four rab-
bits.
Captured at Home.
Two hours after the shooting Big
gers was captured at his home, SIG
East Twelfth street. Topeka by Joe
Holman, colored deputy sheriff. I'm
mediately after hearing of the killing,
Holman stationed himself near the
Biggers home and kept a vigil He
saw Biggers enter the house from the
alley and hurried to the front door
Mother give me my Jacket" Hol-
man heard Biggers say.
Holman gave the door a kick and
stepped into the room, a revolver in
his hand. Biggers was standing in the
middle of the room. half undressed
Il want you to come with me- said
Holman as he leveled his revolver at
the negro.
Plea of SeIf-Defense
'I'H sure go" said Biggers. land
Use sure glad one of them white Off
GERS didn't get me. l was a comm
down, anyhow"
Biggers put up the plea of seIf-de-
fense. He declares that Cox asked
him to disarm without showing au-
thority for the order
Il asked him who he was" said
Biggers. He told me he was a deputy
game warden. asked to see his star,
and then he demanded my gun.
Give me that gum he said. or
I'll leave you lying on the ground
Tell Different stories.
Il asked again to see his star. He
pulled the gun as if to shoot me I
don't believe I raised my gun-iust
pulled the trigger
Biggerss story doesn't agree in
many particulars with that told
by one of his hunting companions
Leslie Watts, negro. S14 East Twelfth
street. Watts gave himself uD irnme
diately.
Watts was accompanied by Biggers
and Oscar Haskell. another negro bow
They were approached by Cox who
demanded if they had licenses.
Haskell and l both had licenses
and showed them" said Watts Big
gers didn't and Cox ordered him to go
with him to a justice of the peace
about two miles distant. Meantime
Cox disarmed Biggers but left Haskell
and myself with our guns
Il started to walk away and
thought Haskell was right behind me
Suddenly heard a shot and turned
to see Cox lying on the ground Rig
gers had grabbed HaskelFs gun and
20 shot Cox with it. The gun was a.
double-barreled concern and evidentlv
Blggers let both barrels 60 Nearly