The Topeka state journal., 1919-08-20
Rufus King Preliminary To Be
Held There Thursday.
State VIII Swear in Deputies
for Protection.
WILL ASK CHANGE OF VENUE
Kings Attorneys Do Not WaRS
Trial at Alma.
Defense May Waive Introduce
ton of Testimony.

Rumors of mob violence at Esk-
ridge Thursday will not prevent the
holding of Rufe Kings preliminary
for triple murder, according to reports
in Topeka late this afternoon. Sem
ator c. Z. Carroll, of Alma. attorney
for King, came to Topeka this after
noon for n conference with his client.
He said he did not believe there was
serious danger of a mob.
Early this morning Maurice Nc
Neill, assistant attorney general, and
County Attorney Martin, OF Wabaun-
see county, left Topeka for Maple Hill
and Rossville, where they are putting
together final bits of evidence before
King is arraiGned in Justice A. j.
Skeen's court. Sheriff Baker came to
Topeka late this afternoon following
a trip to St. Marys
1t is probable that the state will use
every preca ution in an effort to safe
guard King. Special deputy sheriffs
will doubtless be sworn into service
and every protection will be given
| the accused man. Reports received
| in Topeka have indicated that enraged
farmers from the John Woody district
1 might attempt to seize the alleged
murderer when he is arraigned.
Not Afraid of Mob.
Under the law it is necessary that
| King be present at his preliminary
hearing. 1t is not, however, necessary
that he present any defense at that
| time. Senator Carroll indicated quite
| clearly this afternoon that the de-
fense would waive the introduction of
/ testimony. A report that the entire
preliminary would be waived. was
| seemingly without foundation of fact.
| Another report to the effect that a
conference of state and defense coun-
sci was to be held in Topeka today
was also published without a basis of
facts.
Il do not believe there is danger Of
mob violence at Eskridge Thursday"
4 Senator Carroll stated. 80 far as
know no changes will he made in the
pan to hold the preliminary tomorrow
morning. 1t is doubtful. tho. II we
shall call any witnesses or offer any
testimony for the defense"
In Formal Hearing.
There is little question but that the
| preliminary hearing will be entirely
formal None the less the most in
tense interest SURROUNDS the hearing
and the return of King to Wabaunsee
county Hundreds of people are ex-
pected in Eskridge Thursday morning
for the hearing, which is expected to
be followed by an order holding the
defendant to trial before a jury in the
district court.
Rufe King will probably be taken to
Eskridge by motor car early Thursday
morning. While no statement of plans
has been made by attorneys for the
Sldte, II Is pTODaDie InaI Ine man Will
leave here under heavy guard.
Senator Carroll admitted this after
noon that King would probably ask
for change of venue when his case
is called in Alma, the county seat. in
October. A showing will be made
based on bitter feeling aroused against
the man in the Maple Hill district and
! the declaration that n fair and i'm
partial trial in the county where the
crimes are alleged to have been com
mitted is impossible. A change Of
venue might bring the case to Shaw
nee county for trial.
Trouble Might BE Serious.
Should a demonstration against
King be attempted in Eskridge Thurs
dap. attorneys for the state admit that
difficulty would be encountered in
preventing serious trouble. Eskridge
has no jail of sufficient strength to
resist a mob and protection OF the ac-
cused man would rest entirely on the
; shoulders of such deputies as might
| be sworn TO guard tho prisoner.
} Every town in Wabaunsee county
tContinued on Page Two.I