The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-08-29
Sensational Developments in
Eskridge Preliminary.
In Both Cases Court Refuses
To Permit Bail.
PEDDLER'S BROTHERS THERE
They Form Strongest Case in
Maple Hill Mystery.
Skeletons and Trinkets Identi-
fed by Relatives.

Eskridge, Kan, Aug. 29.-Rufe
King was held by Justice Skeen for
the murders of John Woody, farmer.
and William F. Ringer. itinerant ped
dler. following an afternoon and por-
ton of night of sensational develop
ments in the King murder farm cases.
For the alleged murder of Woody and
Ringer the Justice held there was fair
reason to believe that King was guilty
of first degree murder. In both cases
the court refused to permit the giving
of bail by the defendant.
Time after time thruout the after
noon and evening lawyers for the
state and defendant clashed in the
fight of the King attorneys to force
the hand of the prosecution. The
state rested in both the Woody and
Ringer cases after offering the small
est possible amount of evidence which
would warrant the holding of King
for trial before a jury. Then the de-
fense sought to compel the state to
lay it's cards on the table. Names of
witnesses certified on the complaint
were called in Kings behalf and asked
questions to bring forth their most
damaging testimony. At the close of
the fight the defense sought to force
County Attorney Martin to produce
letters, papers and evidence in his
possession.
IINhONhNOs
Arrival of two of the peddler's
brother@T. o. Ringer and o. F.
Ringer of Wisner. Neb.-was the foun-
dation stone on which the state laid its
strongest case against King. No ef-
fort was made by the state in the es-
tablishment of a positive identity OF
the peddler. But a chain of circum-
stantial evidence was thrown around
the defendant which makes the Ring
er case seem far stronger than the
evidence in either the Gutshall or
Woody cases. Minute Identification of
the missing peddler's property was
made by the brothers. They described
property known to have been in Kings
possession after the man disappeared.
They told of their brothers pet span
iel which witnesses said came into
possession of King after the peddler
disappeared.
, In the course of T. o. Ringers ex-
animation Sheriff Baker produced a
flour sack half filled with trinkets and
personal belongings of the peddler. A
number of these articles were identi-
fled by the witness. Following his ex-
animation and during a short recess.
Ringer made a further investigation of
the contents of the sack. He found a
bundle Of linen collars which bore the
| laundry mark ''W. F. R.. the missing
mans initials. Both brothers declared
the collars belonged to Kings alleged
victim.
State attorneys elected to present
| the Woody case first. The course OF
procedure was similar in almost every
detail to that in the Gutshan hearing
a week earlier.
/ Son Lost Since 1909.
Dawson Woody, father of the young
i man who disappeared from the Maple
| Hill district ten years ago, told the
/ court he had not seen his son or heard
from him since February, 1909. Thai
final visit was the occasion of the
boys visit at home for Sunday dinner
A short time later, tho, King came to
the Woody farm for property which
belonged to the boy. He also came to
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