The Topeka state journal., 1919-11-17
RUFE KING CASE
IS CONTINUED TO
THE APRIL Term
Sudden Turn I'm sMurder Farm"
Trial at Lyndon.
Evidence That Woody Is Alive
POstpones Action.
WAS ON OKLAHOMA RANCH
State Charges Bad Faith in
Motion To Delay.
Defense, However, Shows Let
ter and Wins First Round.
WAS ON OKLAHOMA RANCH
(By Staff Correspondent


Lyndon, Kan. Nov. 17.-Trial of
Rufe King. alleged Maple Hill murder
farm Keeper" accused of killing John
Woody. Wabaunsee county farmer,
was continued until the April term
of court by Judge Robert Heizer, of
the Usage county district court, today.
The continuance followed presentation
of an affidavit by ]. j. Schenck, and
other attorneys for the defense, where
in it was declared the defense could.
if given time, produce evidence that
Woody was alive. three months after
he disappeared from Maple Hill and
King was alleged to have killed him.
Continuance came after spirited le-
gal arguments wherein the state
charged bad faith on the part of the
defense. Senator c. E. Carroll took
the witness stand during the argu-
ments and identified a letter from Sem
tinel, Okla, saying that a former ranch
foreman at Texhoma, Okla. now in
Texas could testify that Woody. or a
man thought to be Woody, applied for
Judge Heizer ruled the affidavit and
motion for the continuation was in
good faith.
+ The continuance today, It was said,
postpones all trials. in the murder
farm case until spring. The state will
not bring the Gutshali and the peddler
case to- trial until after the Woody
charges are settled, it was stated.
In announcing his affidavit today
that evidence that might clear King
could be found. Schenck informed the
court it contained vital testimony and
Judge Heizer Immediately ordered all
prospective jurors to Withdraw from
the roenn.
| The affidavit, filed i'm the name of
Rufus King declared that H. C. Boz
land, Barnesville. Ohio, was reported
to have said he had seen Woody In
June, 1909. This information came to
attorneys for the defense, November
8, 1919. Letters sent to Boland at
GAINESVILLE had not been answered to-
day and a letter addressed to any rela-
tive of Boland's was also unanswered.
it was declared. A telegram was also
sent to Boiand and information was
received from the Western Union that
BoIand had moved to Sentinel, Okla.
Ranchman Has Information.
A telegram sent to Boland at Sem
tinel asked him to furnish his address
and November 13. two days after the
King case has been set for trial at this
term of court a letter was received
from Boland declaring Sam Riggs, of
Texhoma. Okla. had the information
attorneys sought
Senator c. E, Carroll. IAN attorney
for the defense, went TO Texhoma
November 13, only to find that Riggs
had moved to Texas. attorneys said.
The defense declared 1t believed Riggs
to be some place near Fort Worth.
| They claim testimony Riggs would
give on the stand would be that Riggs
was foreman on a ranch near Tex
homa, Okla. in Nay, June and July,
nd hof 1QnQ
young man giving his name as John
Anderson applied to him for. employ
ment.
The defense claimed Riggs would
testify that Anderson in his application
for employment said he knew He'll c.
Boland, at Paxico. Kan, where Ander-
son had worked in a livery barn. The
defense also claims that Riggs would
testify that Anderson said he worked
in a livery barn at Maple Hill.
The defense declared Boland met
Riggs some time later and that Riggs
will. testify he spoke to Boland about
John Anderson" and described him
to Boland: Boland then declaring An
derson could be no other than John
Anderson Woody. son of j. D. Woody.
Can Produce Riggs, Claim.
Attorne Us for the defense declared
If they are given time they can pro-
duce Riggs in court. at the next term.
proving by IN that Woody was alive
as late as June, 1909.
Crowds Attend Trial.
Altho Lyndon was crowded and
residents were forced to. open their
homes to provide room for witnesses
and others connected with the trial.
there was no disorder today Sheriff
]. M Peters, sheriff of Usage county.
announced, however. he was taking no
chances and was ready to mobilize
citizens and business men at mo-
ment's notice to suppress any dem
onstration.
The King case was brought to Lyn-
don from Wabaunsee county on
change of venue following showing
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