The Topeka state journal., 1919-08-22
Fred Williams Disappeared on
Wabaunsee County Trip.
Relatives Believe He Might
Have Been Murdered.
ATTY GENERAL INVESTIGATES
Description of Man Given by
His Daughter.
He Was Trying To Buy Land
When He Disappeared.

Fred williams, wealthy Kansas
City, Kan. land owner, may have been
a Rufe King victim in the opinion OF
his daughter, Mrs. L. B. Atkinson. In
letter received this afternoon by
Maurice Mcneil. assistant attorney
general. Mrs Atleinson's husband asks
that the state aid in a search for VIII
liams. He disappeared in 1912. when
he made probable trip to Wabaunsee
county to buy land. A large sum of
money was in his possession.
Not since williams left home with
the avowed intention to buy more
Kansas land have his relatives heard
from him. That was seven years ago.
Revelations from Rufe Kings alleged
murder farm at Maple Hill have
caused his daughter to believe that
her father may have been King vic-
tim.
In letter which Atkinson wrote to
Mcneil a very good description was
given of the missing Kansas City man.
He was So years old when he left
home, was six feet tall and weighed
between $50 and 200 pounds. He had
a fun set of teeth-all sound-dark
and slightly curly hair.
He Had Money on Him.
The letter recites that Williams was
in possession OF a large sum of mon
land. While Williams's destiny is not
given IN the letter. 1t is inferred that
he went to Wabaunsee county. Mrs
Atkinson believes that a thoro turn
ing of the soil on Kings alleged muir
der farm may reveal the skeleton of
hcc missing father.
That other bodies will be unearthed
at Maple Hill Is the belief Of Mcneil.
He stated today that in his opinion
additional human skeletons will be
found. ..-'.-
Il don't believe we have found all
the bodies OF Kings victims by any
means" Mcneil declared. In my
own mind ! am certain a careful in
vestigation will reveal that bones of
other victims are buried on the
promises"
Following receipt of the Atkinson
letter, Mcneil urged officials in Maple
Hill to use care and caution in their
work. He asked that digging be with
spades and shovels instead of plow-
ing. This course was urged in order
to safeguard against destruction OF
possible evidence should a plow en-
counter a human body.
Another Murder King?
T. J. Ryan OF Garden City has writ
ten regarding a Columbus King, al
legged to have killed a man in West
Virginia fifteen years ago. King.
Ryan stated. came to Kansas and ran
a livery barn. His description of the
alleged West Virginia murderer. tho,
does not lit Rufe King IN any par
ticular detail.
Another letter came from St Louis
regarding the identity Of a man
named King who Is wanted for crime.
But the St. Louis letter threw no light
on the Kansas situation.
There is a general belief in the state
house that King will not be released
before his trial before a jury. There
Is also doubt as to Kings real de-
sire to secure bail. His bond in the
Gutshall case is 100000 No bond
has been fixed in the Woody and ped
dler cases. Even should Kings rela-
tives and friends provide bond in the
Gutshall case. they would be COM
PEELED to provide two additional bonds
before the liveryman would be re-
leased.
Unless n change Of venue is granted
to another county or a continuance
is sought by the state or defendant.
King will be tried at Alma when the
Wabaunsee county district court con-
venes in October.