The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-08-27
Alleged Murder Monarch VIII
Be Arraigned at Eskridge.
Charges Are killing of John
Woody and Peddler.
A BIG CROWD IS EXPECTED
State and Defense Both An
nounce They Are Ready.
Special Guard To Leave With
Liveryman Tomorrow.

Rufe King will be arraigned in Esk-
ridge Thursday for the alleged kill
ing of John Woody and an unknown
peddler. His neutrality-suspicious. to
the arraignment last week for the
killing of Reuben Gutshall-will be
held in the Eskridge opera house.
There is little probability that the big
crowd which is expected from the
Maple Hill and RosSville districts will
be able to find standing room in the
hall.
Attorneys for both state and defen-
dant have stated they are willing to
present the cases at Eskridge Thurs
day. The entire day will probably be
consumed in the taking of testimony.
Extensive cross examination of wit
nesses is expected at the hands of de-
PENDANT counsel. Senator c. E. Car
roll, of Kings counsel, has indicated
that the defense will follow a course
similar to that in the Gutshall case
and will fail to reveal it's hand at the
preliminary. On the other hand the
state wifi offer only such testimony as
seems necessary to hold King for trial
in the district court.
Provide Special Guard.
King will probably be taken from
the Shawnee county Jail to Eskridge
early Thursday morning. In spite of
the fact that the Gutshall preliminary
was held without a demonstration
other than that of the mother of the
alleged murdered young man, the state
will take no chances. King will go
| to Eskridge by automobile under
heavy guard. A special guard will
also be provided during the hearing.
Deputy sheriffs will guard all en-
frances to the opera house and will
\ mingle with the crowd in the hall.
Any evidence of violence will meet
with prompt action.
1t is probable the case of the mys-
I "a f.Vwe 4
| altho no definite action has been TAX
en- by the state. The peddIer case is
regarded as especially strong in view
! of the Identification made possible
| thru the finding OF a shell and gold
watch chain link near the skeleton.
Such links are known to have been
owned by the peddler and were found
in Kings possession after the man
disappeared. The peddler was little
known in the Maple Hill community
altho he made rather frequent visits
to the district before his disappear
ance. The mans name is not positive
ly known to state attorneys.
| Woody Was Popular Youth.
| John Woody who. like the peddler
and Reuben Gutshall. was last seen in
Kings company. was popular in the
| country northwest of Maple Hill and
scores of his former friends are ex-
4 pected to attend the hearing in Jus
! tice Skeen's court. Woodys father
| has positively Identified the bones of
/ a skeleton found near Kings former
| livery barn as those of his son. Evil
| dence will be offered by the state
showing that King possessed property
belonging to Woody and the peddler
after they disappeared. that he was
the last man seen with them and that
in the Woody case the young man had
gambled with King and won the liv-
erymans money the night of his dis
appearance. In the case of the three
men whom King Is alleged to have
killed, the liveryman told Maple Hill
people he had bought the mems prop
erty and they had left the community.
Little fear is today expressed by
either state or King lawyers as to mob
violence. Every precaution was taken
to safeguard against a mob when the
Gutshall preliminary was held. The
orderly manner of spectators at the
Gutshall- preliminary has treasured
the officers and they do not anticipate
a demonstration Thursday. None the
less King will be carefully guarded
thruout the day.
1t is probable the two preliminaries
will occupy the attention of the court
during the entire day and King may
be returned to Topeka some time
Thursday night.