News Stories Various Butler County Kansas Genealogy Trails

Butler County, Kansas

DEFENSE CALLS A HALT IN GEORGE KING MURDER CASE

Mrs. Venezuela ("Babe") King, Confessed Murderress of Her Husband A Week Ago Tonight, Says "We Are Not Going To Fight The Case Any More;" Announcement Follows Decision of Defendant's Father, A. E. Cooper, To Release Wichita Attorney As Counsel

READY FOR THE NEXT MOVE IN COURT

Woman Is Taken To Wichita This Afternoon To Attend Funeral Of Her Husband; May Also Be Given An Opportunity To See Her Small Son; Officers Refuse To Divulge Nature Of Information Secured When Art Reade, Friend of Defendant, Is Placed On Lie Detector

"We are not going to fight the case any more. My father (A. F. Cooper, of Great Falls, Mont.,) and I decided this later yesterday afternoon."

This statement was made to a reporter for The Times this morning by Mrs. Venezuela ("Babe") King, aged 27 years, who is being held at the county jail on a charge of first degree murder in connection with the death of her husband, George E. King, on Highway No. 54, about three miles east of Augusta, a week ago tonight.

Mrs. King made the statement following the announcement at Wichita last evening by Mr. Cooper, who arrived at that place early this week to assist his daughter out of her serious trouble, that he would release George Adams, of Wichita, counsel for Mrs. King, today.

"Dad and I talked the matter over yesterday," said Mrs. King, "and came to the conclusion that it would be a waste of our money and the other county's money to fight the case."

Mrs. King indicated that the decision was reached only after all angles had been considered. While Mrs. King did not say positively she would please guilty and throw herself on the mercy of the court, she indicated as much.

When informed of the statement of Mrs. King, Gale Moss, county attorney, who secured a confession from Mrs. King, 24 hours after her husband was killed, that she murdered him by shooting him in the back of the head with a .25-caliber automatic, said:

"The state will be ready to have Mrs. King in court at any time. She indicated to me yesterday that she was willing to go into court, but desired to see her father again. It probably will be the first of next week before Mrs. King will be take into court, if that is what she wants. She will first have to be bound over from the County Court. The entire procedure can be completed in a few minutes."

Maintain The Charge

The prosecutor idicated that the first degree murder charge would be maintained against Mrs. King evn if she does not plead guilty. The woman can be sentenced to life imprisonment in the Women's State Industrial Farm, at Lansing, if she pleads guilty.

"My father told me if I was guilty, I might as well plead guilty and take my punishment," said the alleged murderess this morning. "Dad did not know what he was up against when he first came here, but he knows now. We wish he had listened to the local officers all the way through and the thing might have been over. My father would cut off his right arm for me if it would do any good, but it won't."

Mrs. King was in excellent spirits again this morning and talked freely. Tears came into her eyes when the funeral of her husband, which was held this afternoon, was mentioned and she also recalled she had not seen her baby son, Stanley Everett, since a week ago tonight. He was the only other person with Mrs. King when King was killed. The baby contracted a severe cold and has been in St. Francis Hospital, at Wichita, since the first of the week. He is much improved.

Wants To See Baby

"Do you suppose they will let me see my baby when I go to Wichita this afternoon?" Mrs. King asked. When she was informed no doubt the permission would be granted, her eyes brightened and she appeared to be more at ease.

"I surely want to see him," said the woman. "You know I haven't been with him in a week now."

Mrs. King has been spending her time in her cell rading. Some fresh clothes were taken to her yesterday so she could have them for the funeral this afternoon.

Before the reporter left Mrs. King, she asked him to open an outside window near her cell as it was unusually hot in the place. The reported complied and Mrs. King resumed resting on her bunk and reading.

Mr. Moss said that Roy Enright, deputy sheriff, would take Mrs. King to Wichita.

Legion In Charge

Rev. H. J. Howard, pastor of the South Lawrence Christian Church, was to conduct the funeral. The American Legion Post was to have charge at the grave in the Veteran's Circle in Memorial Lawn Cemetery. King served during the World War with the First Company of the 164th Division, D. B., from May 5, 1918, to April 18, 1919.

Arthur Stanley Reade, aged 43 years, close friend of Mrs. King, was returned to E l Dorado last evening by Deputy Sheriff W. P. Dunagan and Mr. Moss from Wichita, where he was taken in the morning to be placed on the lie detector of the Wichita Police Department. The results of the test were not divulged, and Mr. Moss said they probably will not be unless Mrs. King stands trial. Officer Enright, who also went to Wichita yesterday with Mr. Moss and Mr. Dunagan, drove the King automobile to El Dorado last night. On the way here, a tire went flat.

Reade told Mr. Moss yesterday that Mrs. King knew him only as A. J. Taylor until the murder occurred. Reade assumed this name in Great Falls, Mont., several years ago when he engaged in the boot-legging busiess he told Mr. Moss Tuesday while being questioned.

Locates First Wife

The first wife of King has been located at Coffeyville, it became known yesterday at Wichita. She is Mrs. Ethel B. King Walstead. It was thought she might attend the funeral this afternoon.

In announcing at Wichita last evening that counsel for Mrs. King would be released today, Mr. Cooper said he had "come out of the haze at last."

"George (King) will have just as good a funeral as I would want for myself," said Mr. Cooper. "I wouldn't want any more than I was able to pay for, or to have paid for with what I had left."

Mr. Cooper said his decision for releasing counsel, came after talking with this daughter ad several others interested in the case.

"Up until this very night I have been in a haze---not knowing what to do," he said. "I have been going around in circles and in the dark.

"I couldn't find out what to do. Some people have been telling me a lot of things I should do, and shouldn't, but I can see now that I was wrong--they were wrong.

"And all this hoodoo--voodoo, pamba-mamba stuff, I know nothing about. It doesn't make good sense.

"Now I'm right and I'm staying that way!

"You can't imagine how I feel on the inside. I was all choked up through the chest. Every time I would take a breath it would stop right in my throat. It's different now. When I take a breath it goes right on down and makes a loop and comes up again---like it should.

Mental Torture Over

"After talking with the very fine persons I met yesterday, I saw a ray of light---the first I had seen in all these dark hours. It didn't take me any time to jump right through that ray and into the sunlight again.

"I'm not poetic---just free, free as a bird. No words I could utter possibly could reveal the mental torture I have been through, and the relief I feel from knowing that at last what I am doing is right."

Mr. Cooper thinks the world and all of his little grandson, and everything he does now is for the benefit of Stanley Everett.

There has been some doubt about the family's being able to collect the $3,000 insurance policy left by King.

Leaves Farm

Under Kansas law, it would be impossible for Mrs. King to collect, but it is believed that Cooper, as guardian, could collect it for Stanley Everett.

In addition to the insurance, King left a 20-acre fruit farm between Bixby and Broken Arrow, Okla. The farm bears the title of "Willow Springs" and is vallued at $2,500.

"There's a lot of talk about fees and the like, but what I'm primarily interested in is getting Stanley Everett back to my home so that my wife and I can look after him like he should be.

"If the baby gets what is coming to him, he will have a fine next egg to start life with when he gets through school.

Has Started Trust Fund

"I've already started a little trust fund for him---been paying on it nine months now. It doesn't seem like a great deal now, but it will some day.

"If there's ever any doubt about my fitness to take care of the child, all they will have to do is communicate with just about anyone in Great Falls.

"There are 35,000 persons in Great Falls, and I suppose I know 6,000 of them by first name. I would be willing to abide by the judgement of any one of them.

"They call me 'colonel.' That's a pretty good sign of friendship, I think.

"And speaking of friendly people, never before in my life have I ever run into a better group of persons than most of those I've met here.

"They don't point their fingers at me and whisper as I pass. Everyone is genuine---seemingly with a sincere wish to help me in every way possible."

Praises Treatment

Mr. Cooper could scarcely conceal his emotion while relating the number of "kind things the officers and all have done for me."

"The kind of treatment I have received her emakes a man feel mighty good. It isn't what I expected."

Mr. Cooper has spent most of his life in Montana, and there he has worked as auctioneer at many public sales. It was there that King met Venezuela and married her when she was but 18 and he was 34.

"We always got the impression Venezuela and George were happy. Of course, we don't know what goes on in the lives of two persons living together.

"Certainly we never dreamed of anything of this sort. We read much about such tragedies every day, but always we say, 'It couldn't happen to me.'

"But it has happened to me. It has been only in the past few hours that I could see a way out---not a complete way, but the best way."

It is probable the next step of Mr. Cooper will be to gain custody of the King baby.
(El Dorado Times ~ Thursday ~ 2 Feb 1939)

MARK TIME IN PROBE OF MURDER

Few New Developments Are Announced Today In King Case

NEXT MOVE IS UP TO DEFENSE

Expected Mrs. Venezuela King Will Be Taken Into Court In Few Days

A HUGE CROWD AT FUNERAL

The investigation into the murder of George E. King, El Dorado oil field worker, which occurred three miles east of Augusta a week ago last night, was marking time today.

It was expected the next move would be to have Mrs. Venezuela ("Babe") King, confessed slayer of her husband, in court. The woman admitted to Gale Moss, county attorney, a weeks ago tonight that she shot her husband in the back of the head once, when the couple and their small son, Stanley Everett, was returning home from Wichita, where they had visited Mrs. Reta Dorie, sister of Mrs. King, and family.

Mrs. King said she killed her husband because of unrequited love, fear for her life and that her son would be taken from her.

Fight Case "No More"

Mrs. King said yesterday she would fight the first degree murder charge that has been filed against her "no more." The announcement followed a statement made at Wichita, the evening before by A. F. Cooper, of Great Falls, Mont., father of Mrs. King, that he would release George Adams, Wichita attorney, as counsel in the case. He is said to have done this yesterday noon. In view of this action, it is expected that Mrs. King will enter a plea of guilty in the Butler County District Court. It was presumed this morning she would be taken into court within the next three or four days.

Mr. Cooper and Mrs. Dorie were expected this morning to come to El Dorado later in the day to confer with Mrs. King and to look after some personal property of the woman at her home at 510 South Atchison Street. It was expected all the effects would be taken to Wichita.

"I am looking forward to a visit with Dad and Sis," Mrs. King said this morning to a reporter for The Times. "I don't know when I will go into court, but probably not today. There are some things that Dad wants to give attention before any more court action is taken.

Preliminary Is Next

The next move in court will be to have a preliminary hearing for Mrs. King. This has been set for next Tuesday morning before County Judge W. N. Calkins. If she enters a plea of guilty it will be received by Judge George J. Benson, of Division No. 2 of the District Court. Judge Calkins has no power to receive a plea in a felony case.

Mrs. King appeared this morning to be relieved that the funeral for her husband had been held.

"That is one thing ouf of the way," she said.

Mrs. King was taken to Wichita yesterday afternoon for the funeral by Deputy Sheriffs Russell West and Roy Enright. Mrs. Enright also accompanied her. The party returned to El Dorado about 6:30 o'clock in the evening.

The services were held at the chapel of the Lahey & Martin Mortuary and were attended by a morbid, curious throng of several hundred persons. Some started to gather at the chapel before noon, although the funeral was not held until 4 o'clock.

Scores more stood outside in the biting cold trying for a glimpse of the woman who confessed she fired two bullets into her husband's head "to save my baby---" the very youngster who now lies in St. Francis hospital battling off a threatened attack of pneumonia.

First Wife Present

George King's first wife, Mrs. Ethel King Welstead of Coffeyville, was in the chapel, too.

At no time, either during or after the service, did the two women meet. Mrs. King sat with her father, and her sister, in the family room with other members of the family. Mrs. Welstead sat with friends in the chapel proper.

Rev. H. J. Howard, pastor of the South Lawrence Christian Church, delivered the funeral sermon, using as his text, Ecclesiastes 12:7---"Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was; and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it."

Pastor Mentions Tragedy

The minister referred to the tragedy occassionally, reminding that "only God knows how and why these things happen, and only He can be the judge."

A choir composed of Garland Hatton, Lee Waugh, Mrs. H. J. Howard and Miss Helen Howard, sang "God Knows Best" and "Abide With Me," accompanied at the piano by Miss Melba Howard.

It was estimated that more than 600 persons filled past the casket, requiring more than 25 minutes. Many of those present were friends of King's friends he had known for years while working as an oil driller for the Sinclair Oil Company. Several came from Tulsa, Okla., where King formerly resided.

Veterans Are Pallbearers

The curious crows followed to Memorial Lawns cemetery, where the body was buried in teh Veterans' Circle. Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars acted as pallbearers and conducted military rites at the grave. A squad of Spanish War Veterans fired the three-gun salute over the grave, after taps was sounded.

While in Wichita, Mrs. King also was permitted to see her son at St. Francis Hospital. He was taken to that place early this week suffering with a severe cold.

"I was surely glad to see him again," said Mrs. King, "although he didn't know me. You see, he has been around so many strangers the past few days that he has forgotten. His cold is better, but he seemed to be a little tight in the chest yet. He will get over that in a few days."

Mr. Moss said this morning he talked with four residents of Tulsa, Okla., yesterday, all friends of Mr. King, and they spoke most highly of the murdered man. The Oklahomans drove to El Dorado before going to Wichita to attend the funeral. They were: C. J. McClurg, Mr. and Mrs. R. O. Sharon and J. A. Keener. The latter was probably the closest friend King had, Mr. Moss said. Mr. and Mrs. King lived in the McClurg home for about three months last year before coming to El Dorado late in the summer to make their home.

Questions Reade Again

Mr. Moss also talked with Arthur Stanley Reade, who has admitted being a close friend of Mrs. King for several years, again late yesterday afternoon. No new information was secured from him. Reade is being held at the county jail as a material witness in the murder case.

"Little more investigation will be done on the case," Mr. Moss said this morning, "until the next move of the defense is announced. I have a world of evidence with which to proceed to trial."
(El Dorado Times ~ Friday ~ 3 Feb 1939)

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HEARING IS WAIVED BY MRS. KING

Confessed Killer Of Her Husband Is Taken Into County Court This Morning

BOND IS SET AT $15,000

Woman Expected To Plead Guilty As Soon As Some Civil Matters Settled

ASKS FOR ORDER FOR ART READE
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BULLETIN

Judge Calkins fixed Reade's bond at $2,500 this afternoon. It was not given and the man was committed to the county jail.

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Mrs. Venezuela King, confessed killer of her husband, George E. King, El Dorado oil field worker on Highway No. 54, three miles east of Augusta, the night of January 26, last, waived her preliminary hearing on a first degree murder charge before County Judge W. N. Calkins this morning and was bound over to the Butler County District Court. In default of bond for $15,000, she was committed to the county jail, where she has been held since she was brought to El Dorado from Wichita a week ago last night.

Mrs. King indicated she would enter a plea of guilty before Judge George J. Benson, of Division No. 2 of the District Court, within the "next few days." It is likely no attempt will be made to post bail for the woman.

Mrs. King was accompanied into court by her father, A. F. Cooper, of Great Falls, Mont. She was in charge of Deputy Sheriff Roy Enright. It required only a few minutes for the woman to waive her hearing. Gale Moss, county attorney, represented the state.

Clean Up Civil Matters

Mrs. King will not enter her plea before Judge Benson, it was announced, until some civil matters concerning her property are cleaned up. The Kings owned a small farm near Tulsa, Okla., an automobile, some furniture and other property. Mrs. King also was the beneficiary for insurance in the sum of $3,000.

Mr. Moss announced this morning that further investigation has been made in the bizarre murders, and it is likely one will be at this time.

Mrs. King was in good spirits again this morning and talked gaily with a reporter for The Times. Mr. Cooper also talked with the reporter. He is anxious to have the entire case cleaned up as soon as possible so he can return to his home. He arrived here the first of the week. Mr. Cooper said that Mrs. Cooper, who became seriously ill when she heard of the murder of King, is improved, but he wants to return to her at Great Falls within the next few days.

"There are some bills to be paid, property to be looked after, etc.," said Mr. Cooper. "It is going to take time to look after all this business.

"While I was called here on a sad mission, I have been splendidly treated. I could not ask for better consideration. All of the people have been fine."

Mr. Moss said this morning he would file a request with Judge Calkins later in the day, asking him for an order to put Arthur Stanley Reade, alleged close friend of Mrs. King, under bond as a material witness. Reade was taken into custody the day following the murder and as been held at the county jail since. He has admitted being in the King on many occasions. When incarcerated, Reade had a picture of Mrs. King in his billfold.
(El Dorado Times ~ Saturday ~ 4 Feb 1939)

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NOTHING NEW IN SLAYING OF KING

Expected Next Move Will Be To Have Alleged Murderess In District Court

There were no new developments over the weekend in the George E. King murder case, Gale Moss, county attorney, said this morning, and nothing now is expected until the middle of the week at the earliest.

The next move probably will be to have Mrs. Venezuela King, confessed murderess of her husband, before Judge George J. Benson, of Divison NO. 2 of the Butler County District Court. The woman has indicated she will plead guilty to a charge of murder in the first degree. She was bound over to the District Court Saturday morning after she waived preliminary hearing before County Judge W. N. Calkins. Her bond was set at $15,000, but she was unable to post it and was committed to the county jail.

It was certain this morning that Judge Benson would not receive Mrs. King's contemplated plea before Wednesday, as he is out of own, being in Howard today and Sedan tomorrow on court business.

Arthur Stanley Reade, alleged cose friend of Mrs. King, also was still be held at the county jail this morning. He was placed under bond of $2,500 late Saturday afternoon by Judge Calkins as a material witness. It is unlikely he will post the amount, it was said this morning.

Both Mrs. King and Reade spend most of their time reading. Both appear to be in good spirits.
(El Dorado Times ~ Monday ~ 6 Feb 1939)

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RELINQUISHES ALL RIGHTS TO HER BABY SON

Mrs. Venezuela King, Confessed Slayer, Signs Legal Document Yesterday

TO GRANDFATHER

A. F. Cooper, of Great Falls, Mont., Will Care For Baby And Estate

Mrs. Venezuela King, confessed slayer of her husband, George E. King, the night of January 26, last, signed a relinquishment to her son, Stanley Everett, aged 22 months, late yesterday afternoon, it was announced this morning. The baby and all the property owned by the woman have been placed in teh hands of A. F. Cooper, of Great Falls, Mont., father of Mrs. King, who has been in El Dorado and Wichita the past ten days looking after affairs for his daughter.

The relinquishment was signed when it was feared some other disposition of the child and property might be made, it was said. An organization in Wichita was reported to be taking steps to have a guardian appointed for the baby.

Mr. Cooper came to El Dorado yesterdayh and arranged with a local attorney to have the relinquishment drawing. It follows:

"KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE, PRESENTS: That I the undersigned Venezuela King of El Dorado, Butler County, Kansas, the mother of Stanley Everett King, a minor, do by these presents reqlinquish all of my right to the care, custody, control and management of the said Stanely Everett King, my son, unto my father, A. F. Cooper of Great Falls, Montana, it being the intention of this instrument to convey unto my said father all the rights to control and manage my said son as I have as the parent of said Stanley Everett King.

"I do further grant unto the said A. F. Cooper, my father, all rights and privileges to take possession of, manage and control any property that the said Stanley Everett King may now possess or may hereafter acquire, and do by these presents further request that any court of competent jurisdication shall appoint my father the said A. F. Cooper guardian of the person and of the property of my said son.

"WITNESS my hand this 7th day of February, A. D. 1939.

"VENEZUELA KING,

"State of Kansas,
County of Butler, ss.

"Personally appeared before me the undersigned H. R. Martin, Clerk of the District Court of Butler County, Kansas, the within named Venezuela King, who is personally known to me to be the same person who executed the within instrument of writing and such person duly acknowledges to me the execution of the same as her free and voluntary act and deed.

"Witness my hand and the official seal of my office at El Dorado, Kansas, this 7th day of February, A.D., 1939.

"H. R. MARTIN,
Clerk of the District Court Butler County, Kansas"

ONLY NEW DEVELOPMENT

This was the only new development in the murder case today. Gale Moss, county attorney, said this morning he did not know when Mrs. King would be taken into court again. She has indicated she will plead guilty to a charge of murder in the first degree as soon as some civil matters are cleaned up. Rellinquishing the right to the baby was one of them.

Mr. Cooper is expected to take the baby to Great Falls as soon as the entire King case is settled.

King left $3,000 worth of insurance to his wife and the couple also owned a farm near Tulsa, Okla., an automobile and some other property.

Both Mrs. King and her alleged close friend, Arthur Stanley Reade, are being held at the county jail in default of bonds. The woman's bail has been set at $15,000 and that of Reade at $2,500 for a material witness.
(El Dorado Times ~ Wednesday ~ 8 Feb 1939)

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SISTER OF MRS. KING A VISITOR

Mrs. Blanche Ramsey Of Cut Bank, Wyo., Calls On Confessed Murderess

Mrs. Blanche Ramsey, of Cut Bank, Wyo., a sister of Mrs. Venezuela King, confessed murderess of her husband, George E. King, on the slab, three miles east of August, the night of January 26, last, visited her sister at the county jail late Saturday afternoon, it was announced this morning at the office of Sheriff Tom Turner. Mrs. Ramsey, who arrived in Wichita the latter part of last week, was accompanied to El Dorado by her father, A. L. Cooper, of Great Falls, Mont., who has been in this section of the country since shortly after the murder. He has been spending most of his time at the home of another daughter, Mrs. Reta Dorie, at Wichita. He also visited Mrs. King Saturday. It was said this morning, Mrs. Ramsey and Mr. Cooper might return to the jail today to confer further with Mrs. King.

The announcement also was made over the weekend that Mrs. King's son, Stanley Everett, aged 22 months, has been released from St. Francis Hospital, at Wichita. He had been receiving medical attention at the place for a number of days for a severe cold. He is much improved and is said to be able to play about the home of his aunt, Mrs. Dorie, again.

Plea Is Delayed

Gale Moss, county attorney, said this morning no time has been set for Mrs. King to be taken before Judge George J. Benso, of Division No. 2 of the Butler County District Court. to plead guilty to a charge of murder in the first degree. The woman announced a number of days ago that she would enter a plea as soon as some civil matters are cleaned up. Some of these have been given attention, and the others will be taken up shortly, it was said this morning.

Mrs. King, who is being held in default of $15,000 bond, spends most of her time reading. She talks freely with those who call on her and appears to be in good spirits.

Arthur Stanley Reade, alleged close friend of Mrs. King, who was taken into custody as a material witness, also is being held at the county jail in default of bail of $2,500. Reade will be held, it was said this morning, until the King case is entirely settled.
(El Dorado Times ~ Monday ~ 13 Feb 1939)

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ANOTHER STEP IN THE KING ACTION

Application I Filed To Have Stanley Taylor Appointed Administrator

Another step was taken here late yesterday afternoon in "cleaning up" the George E. King murder case.

The announcement was made this morning that A. F. Cooper, of Great Falls, Mont., father of Mrs. Venezuela King, confessed murderess of her husband on a highway, three miles east of Augusta, the night of January 26, last, had filed an application with Probate Judge W. N. Calkins, asking that Stanley Taylor, former county attorney, be appointed administrator of the King estate. The next move will be for Mr. Taylor to post bond to qualify. He is expected to do so within the new few days.

Follows A Visit

The application was filed by Mr. Cooper after he and his two daughters, Mrs. Reta Dorie, of Wichita, and Mrs. Blanche Ramsey, of Cut Bank, Wyo., drove to El Dorado from Wichita to visit Mrs. King at the county jail and to look after some business connected with her case. Mrs. Ramsey arrived in Wichita the latter part of last week from Cut Bank. Mr. Cooper, Mrs. Ramsey and Mrs. Dorie also had visited Mrs. King Saturday.

Gale Moss, county attorney, said this morning further than the application filed by Mr. Cooper there are no new developments in the case. No time has been set to have Mrs. King in court to plead guilty to a charge of murder in the first degree. She told the county officers a number of days ago she would enter the plea when some of her civil matters are cleaned up.

King, who was shot in the back of the head by Mrs. King, as the couple and their small son, Stanley Everett, were returning from a visit at the home of Mrs. Dorie, left life insurance in the sum of $3,000, payable to Mrs. King, and a small farm near Tulsa, Okla., and some other property. However, under a Kansas law, Mrs. King cannot receive the property or insurance. The law provides that a person who takes the life of another cannot collect as a beneficiary. In this case, all the property and insurance will go to the son of the Kings, as he was their only child. Recently, Mrs. King signed a relinquishment of her son to Mr. Cooper and he is the guardian.
(El Dorado Times ~ Tuesday ~ 14 Feb 1939)

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SENTENCE FOR WOMAN

MRS. "BABE" KING PLEADS GUILTY TO MURDER CHARGE

Hearing For El Doradoan, Who Killed Her Husband, George E. King, On Slab Three Miles East of Augusta On Night Of January 26, Last, Takes Only Half Hour This afternoon

BUT ONE WITNESS IS SUMMONED

Mrs. Venezuela ("Babe") King, aged 27 years, will serve a life sentence at the Women's State Industrial Farm, at Lansing, for the murder of her husband, George E. King, aged 42 years, El Dorado Oil Field worker, on the slab, three miles each of Augusta the night of January 26, last.

She was sentenced to life imprisonment by Judge George J. Benson, of Division No. 2 of the Butler County District Court, at 12:20 o'clok this afternoon after she had pleaded guilty to a charge of murder in the first degree.

Mrs. King, who has been held at the county jail since shortly after her arrest in default of $15,000 bond, will be taken to the state pirson within two or three days.

A Short Hearing

Mrs. King was in court only about a half an hour. She was taken before Judge Benson after her father, A. F. Cooper, of Great Falls, Mont.; her 22-months-old son, Stanley Everett; and two sisters, Mrs. Reta Dorie, of Wichita; and Mrs. Blanche Ramsey, of Cut Bank, Wyo., had driven to El Dorado from Wichita. They arrived here shortly before the noon hour.

Before the left Wichita, Gale Moss, county attorney, was informed by them that Mrs. King was ready to plead guilty today. It had been planned to have the woman in court tomorrow.

As Mrs. King was without counsel, Judge Benson asked if she desired an attorney. She replied in the negative, but when the court suggested that counsel be appointed the woman consented. L. J. Bond was named.

Mrs. King retained George Adams, of Wichita, as counsel shortly after the murder, but he was later released, and she had been without an attorney since.

After Mr. Bond was appointed, Mrs. King, Mr. Cooper and Mrs. Ramsey conferred in Judge Benson's chambers. They returned to the courtroom in about five minutes.

Call One Witness

Mr. Moss read the information to the court. He then called Will R. Feder, news editor of The Times, to the stand. He was the only witness. Mr. Feder was asked to testify regarding the confession Mrs. King made early the morning of January 28 to Mr. Moss, and in the presence of Mrs. Dorie the latter's son, Charles Dunn, of Wichita, Miss Erma Knust, stenographer for Mr. Moss and Mr. Feder at the county jail.

The confession was then offered in evidence and read to the court by Mr. Moss. This was the only exhibit offered.

Judge Benson asked Mrs. King if she understood the charge against her and what were her wishes. She said she desired to plead guilty. Judge Benson then sentenced the woman to life imprisonment, concluding the hearing.

Only 33 persons, most of them employees at the courthouse, were in the courtroom when sentence was pronounced. They were on their way to lunch when they heard that Mrs. King would be in court and they flocked to the courtroom.

Before the hearing was opened, Mr.s King talked with her father, two sisters and son. The woman wept bitterly as she fondled her baby boy. It was only the second time he had seen her since the murder. The other occasion was when funeral services were held for King at Wichita on February 2.

Shows Little Emotion

Mrs. King showed little emotion when sentence was pronounced and immediately after the hearing was concluded talked with her relatives again. While the hearing was in progress, Mrs. Ramsey sat with Mrs. King at counsel table. Mr. Cooper and Mrs. Dorie were behind them in seats for witnesses.

Following the sentencing, Mr. Moss announced that Mrs. King earlier in the day had signed a waiver of her rights to serve as administrator of the estate of her husband, and asked that Stanley Taylor, former county attorney, be appointed. An application, asking for the appointment of Mr. Taylor, was filed in the Probate Court of Judge W. N. Calkins Monday.

Mr. Taylor is expected to post bond to qualify shortly. He has been confined to his home the past couple of days with a severe cold. King left $3,000 worth of life insurance, a farm near Tulsa, Okla., and some other property. All of this will go to the son of the Kings as he is the only child.

A few days ago, Mr. Cooper was appointed guardian of Stanley Everett after Mrs. King had signed a relinquishment to him.

To Hold Reade

Mr. Moss said this afternoon that Arthur Stanley Reade, aged 43 ears, alleged close friend of Mrs. King, will be held at the county jail for a few more days. He was taken into custody shortly after the murder as a material witness. He has been unable to post bond of $2,500.

The killing of King was one of the most unusual that has occurred in this section of the state in many years. It happened while Mr. and Mrs. King and sone were on their way home from Wichita, where they had driven early the evening of January 26 to visit Mrs. Dorie and her family.

When questioned shortly after the murder, Mrs. King said that King stopped his car to pick up a hitch-hiker at the east city limits of Wichita.

Mrs. King said she was asleep in the back seat when her husband stopped, and at his request moved up to the front seat to allow the man to ride in the rear of their car, where the baby was sleeping.

She fell asleep again in a few minutes, she told Lieut. W. L. McLeman at Wichita police headquarters, and a few minutes later asked her husband to stop the car at the roadside.

Heard Two Shots

While out of the car, Mrs. King said she heard two shots fired. She started to get back into the car she said and saw a young man going through the pockets of her husband, who was slumped over in the driver's seat.

The young bandit gruffly asked her if she had any money, she said. She handed him her pocketbook containing $40 she asserted and he emptied its contents and threw the pocketbook on the back seat.

It was at that point that Mrs. King said she saw that her husband had been shot and noticed the menacing gun in the killer's hand. She fainted.

When she regained consciousness, Mrs. King declared she courageously turned the car around and started back towards Wichita., without knowing how far they had driven.

"I thought of only one thing," she told the officers, "and that was getting him back to my sister's house in Wichita."

Mrs. King said she faintly remembered driving through Augusta and running a red light there on the way back but was unable to tell why she had not stopped.

"I didn't know what I was doing," she sobbed.

Tried To Stop Cars

Several times she tried to hail cars passing on the highway but none would stop, she said. Finally she discovered a rear tire on her car was flat and she was forced to stop at a point about a quarter of a mile east of the Veteran's Hospital, five miles east of Wichita.

After a few minutes, two motorists stopped and took her to a telephone at the edge of Wichita.

The two men were C. E. Skile, of Hutchinson, and Clark Nye, of Wichita. Police were notified and they in turn called upon the sheriff's office at Wichita.

Mrs. King said she did not pay any particular attention to the youth after he had entered the car and could not describe his features.

Early the next morning after the killing, a .25-caliber Colt automatic was found in some weeds near the place where Mrs. King said the tire went flat. Nearby also was a baby's milk bottle and a short distance away footprints which were made by a woman, were found.

After being questioned at Wichita all day, Mrs. King was brought to El Dorado, it having been determined the murder had been committed in this county. After being interrogated a short time at the county jail by Mr. Moss, Mrs. King said she would make a statement and her confession followed. She said she killed her husband because of unrequited love and fear of her life, and that her son would be taken from her.

Makes Confession

The confession declared that Mrs. King asked King to stop his car about three miles east of Augusta so she could get out.

When she returned to the car, she said she re-entered the rear seat and took the gun----a .25-caliber Colt automatic---from her pocket and shot her husband in the back of the head. He was shot twice, but Mrs. King said she could remember firing but one bullet, Mrs. King then got out of the car and fainted. She became panicky and her first thought was to return to her sister's home in Wichita. She picked up her son to see if he was all right and then got into the front seat of the car and turned it around, headed toward Wichita.

Tires Goes Flat

She drove to a point about five miles east of Wichita on the Kellogg Street Road, when a tire went flat. She stopped and tried to flag several cars but none of the drivers would stop. Mrs. King then re-entered her car and drove it a short distance further down the road, where it was later found by Sedgwick County officers. She finally stopped a car and the occupants picked her up and took her to Wichita and called th police.

At the place where the woman stopped when the tire went flat, she said she threw the gun into a field on the north side of the road.

Then Mrs. King gave Mr. Moss her motive for the slaying. She said that Mr. King did not love her, that he taught the baby "dirty, nasty" tricks, that he had threatened to kill her on several occasions and he also had told her that he was going to take the baby from her. She also said that Mr. King had refused her a divorce.

"I figured that if he took my baby from me," said Mrs. King, "there was nothing in the world to live for. I knew I had no chance, no money, no way of getting money to fight against keeping George from taking my baby. When he finally told me he had gone to a lawyer about taking the baby, I was desperate. What I did was the only thing I could think of to prevent him from doing it."

Bought Gun In Oklahoma

Mrs. King said that her husband had the gun in the car. "I suppose when he came back from Tulsa, January 2, 1939." "The shells were in the sun," says the confession. "The night before George was killed I found the gun in his jumper pocket. After I found the gun, and thinking of George taking my baby, and George having threatened to kill me so many times and I knew we were going to Wichita, I made up my mind to do what I did."
(El Dorado Times ~ Wednesday ~ 15 Feb 1939)