The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-08-18
MURDER KING"

MOnUEn NINQ
tContinuet from Page One.l
Saturday afternoon to the effect that
King would probably be released on
bond, a fear swept the community that
was little short of a dread that fol-
lows in the wake of a plague. Rule
King and Rufe Kings alleged crimes
were the one subject of discussion.
From Alma, Silver Lake, RossVille,
Dover. Emmett. Valencia, Harveyville.
Eskridge and a dozen other communi-
ties men and women came to Maple
Hill to join in any search for the sup
posed murder farm. In the crowd of
morbidly curious which gathered
around the shed at the rear of Kings
former home and visited the old livery
barn, were the threads of a hundred
stories. All convicted King of crime.
These are tense days for the people
of Maple Hill and neighboring COM
munities. For years-so> the stories
go-they permitted King to commit
minor offenses without protest. There
was a common fear in the hearts of
these people. Somehow they felt that
some great revenge would be visited
upon the household which called upon
the law to AXE charge of King. Yet
in all his rough and wild frontier
deeds, King was never known to shoot
a man; he was never suspected of
burning a home-the penalty which
most people feared for their opposition
to the Hveryman. King fought all
corners. He is declared to have stolen
with utmost impunity. And the viii
lagers-cowed and quivering with
strange fear-turned their backs and
went their way.
"If King comes back. we just as
we'll keep right on going" said an
excited woman who stood with a
crowd of men and women in the
alley near the old King lean-to, where
the first bores were found. And a
dozen men shook their heads. TT
means a lot of undertaking business.
said a gray haired man, because
there amt man on this TOWNSHIP
barring possibly Fred Banta-who
amt scared stiff when Kings around.
And King amt never been known to
show fear"
Many Wild Stories.
OF all the wild stories of Kings
depredations and crime, no one pre-
tends to believe them all. Even the
stories most generally accepted as
ture, are doubtless greatly exaggerated
in the frequent telling. But of all the
stories, one thing holds true and is
undisputed-King was for twelve
years cock o. the walk, the one man
who could make any statement, threat
or promise and fail to secure a chal-
lenge.
Then came the day when King
moved away and Maple Hill took
universal joyous relief from tense
situation which had held the COM
munity spellbound. thru long months
and years. But today there is a CULVER
on the lips of a Maple Hill man when
he discusses the possibility that King
may give bond and return to the com
munity =
Three men have disappeared from
the community and King was the last
man ever seen with each of them.
What is more, King came into pos
session of the property of these men.
When he fatty stated that he had
bought the horses and personal be-
longings Of these men, the relatives
and the community At large accepted
the statement and asked no further
questions. Then the human bones
were found.
Rueben Gutshall Is believed to have
been the victim whose bones were
placed in a sack and piled in a rub
bish- heap in a shed at the rear of
kings former home. King. was last
seen with Gutshall- He said he paid
the young man for the team and per-
sonal effects. And that ended 1t.
Old Peddler Victim?
An old peddler is believed to have
been the victim whose bones were
found in a shallow grave just outside
Kings former livery barn. The shoes
n.
horse blanket had been wrapped
around the mans head and a piece of
rope, doubtless used to drag the body
to its final resting place, was still
around the neck. Beside the body
was found a shell and gold link from
watch chain. Similar pieces of jew
elry have been found in Kings former
home. This bit of evidence is ex-
pected to go far in the states prose-
cution of King for the murder of the
unknown peddler. The man was last
seen in Kings company and when the
man disappeared King explained he
had bought the mans horse, wagon,
dog and jewelry supply
John Woody, a young farmer, also
disappeared. His bones are believed
to have been found Sunday. The same
details surrounded his case. And out
in the Woody district there is a senti-
ment which means trouble for some
one il King returns to Wabaunsee
county on his own motion.
Then there are the hundred and
one stories. They are bedtime tales
which little children hear as they sit
in the porch swing and they are the
Nightmares which cause sleepless
nights in many Maple Hill homes. For
II King should return to Maple Hill.
there is not a man, woman or child
who believes there would not be seri-
GUS trouble-probably a long mortuary
list.
The mysterious death and strange
burial Of William Babcock, a hunter
and fisherman, caused the Babcock
grave to be reopened Sunday in an
effort to gain new evidence. King
admits having helped to bury Bah
cock, who. he declares, had been
drinking heavily. There was no
clergy. no prayer-just a rough pine
box for the strange man who lived in
seclusion. But today there are any
number of people who believe Bah
cock had money and that his final
hours with King resulted in foul play.
There is the story of an Indian boy
who disappeared mysteriously. No
one recalls the name of the lad. He
Is said to have been found by King.
given a home and worked for several
years in the livery barn. One day
so the story of the solemn. serious
residents runs-the Indian disappear
ed. King owed him some money, it
is declared and the bov'S clothes are