News Stories Various Butler County Kansas Genealogy Trails

ANDOVER TRAIN ROBBERY

The Frisco agent and 10 o'clock train were held up at Andover Saturday night by two unknown outlaws. A number of residents secured revolvers and attempted to capture them but were unsuccessful. Wm. Belford was shot by one of the desperadoes, and it is feared his injury will prove serious. One horse belonging to robbers was killed and one of the men wounded. A small amount of money and home papers were taken from the station agent but nothing from the train. (Walnut Valley Times, July 18, 1898)

TRAIN ROBBERY AT ANDOVER

Wichita, Kan., July 18, Train No. 109 of the St. Louis & San Francisco railway was held up Saturday night about 10:30 at Andover, 12 miles east of here by two masked men. They stopped the train at the depot and entered the express car where they disarmed the messenger and entered the safe of the Wells Fargo company. It is not known how much money was secured, but it is not believed to be in excess of $500. Charles Donaldson, a citizen who attempted to notify the train officials and was shot by the robbers, will probably die.

Later - The man who was shot was Wm. Belford. A horse was shot from under one of the robbers, he get on the horse with his partner and escaped. The robbers are still at large.

Wichita, Kan., July 19 Sheriff Simmons says that two men answering the description of the men who held up the Frisco passenger train at Andover have been arrested at Maizo. There is great excitement at Andover, and an attempt is being made to organize a crowd to take charge of the robbers as soon as they are identified.

Conductor Steve Hayden came through this afternoon on the Mo. Pacific passenger. He says that the two men captured at Maizo are undoubtedly wanted somewhere but he is not sure whether they are the Andover robbers or not. Neither was wounded and one of the Andover robbers is said to be. They have not been brought here. (El Dorado Republican, Friday, July 22, 1898)

ROBBERS CAUGHT

The Andover Train Robbers caught as Nowata, Indian Territory

Wednesday evening County Attorney Schumacher received the following telegram from F. J. Dodge, special officer of the Wells, Fargo & Co., sent from Wichita.

"We have got Sam Smith and Tom Wind arrested at Nowata, I. T. for the attempted murder and train robbery at Andover. This is a sure thing, they are the right men; Blakeman is familiar with faces. Sheriff of Sumner county starts tonight for Topeka to get requisition papers for them for escaping from the penitentiary. They escaped from there June 24th." Mr. Dodge telegraphed this morning also from Wichita, "Will be in Nowata in the morning and will keep you advised. We have got the stolen buggy with the men."

Mr. Schumacher sent Constable Sid Blakeman, who is also a Frisco special officer to Coffeyville, where the prisoners will be turned over to him and brought here, if he gets there ahead of the sheriff of Sumner County.

Monday

The preliminary was held this afternoon before Justice McCarty. Constable Sid Blakeman came in this afternoon from Wichita with Sam Smith and Tom Wind, the desperadoes who held up the Frisco train at Andover and shot and fatally wounded young Will Belford.

The prisoners are quiet looking fellows, but they are desperate characters and were brought in chained and handcuffed.

They were finally captured in the Indian Territory about fifty miles south of Coffeyville, and were turned over to Constable Blakeman at Coffeyville by the Wells Fargo detectives and a United States Post Office Inspector through whose efforts they were located and captured. The inspector had charges against them of robbing two post offices but willingly gave them up to the state authorities, as the crime committed at Andover, especially if Belford dies, is more serious.

The wife of Sam Smith was present at the preliminary. Lawyer Geo. Adams of Wichita, appeared as attorney for the prisoners. S. B. MacLaren, station agent, who was robbed and Mike Williams and David Roam, also of Andover, were here as witnesses for the state.

The preliminary was not concluded at the time of going to press, but there is sufficient evidence to warrant binding them over to the district court and this will be done.

Justice McCarty bound the prisoners over to the district court.

Tuesday

Tom Wind and Sam Smith, the Andover train robbers who were yesterday afternoon bound over to the district court by Justice McCarty, were returned to Wichita this morning and placed in the jail there awaiting trial here in the fall. The Wells, Fargo and Frisco officers as well as the United States post office inspector, who spent considerable money and who were mainly responsible for the capture asked this as a favor. They know them to be desperate characters and want them where there is no chance for escape.

The Wichita jail is very secure. This request was granted by the county attorney and by the county commissioners, who were in special session yesterday. This action is no reflection upon the officers here, but is simply an extra precaution taken by special request of the express and railroad officers who assisted so much in overhauling the criminals. (El Dorado Republican, August 12, 1898)

READY FOR A MOB

Wichita Officials Will Protect Sam Smith and Dan Winn

Wichita, Kan., Aug. 26 - Sheriff Simmons received notice today that a crowd of men from Andover were planning to visit the Sedgwick County Jail for the purpose of taking Sam Smith and Dan Winn out and hanging them.

Smith and Winn are in jail for the robbery of the 'Frisco train at Andover some weeks ago. While robbing the train a man named William Belford saw them and was going to give them trouble so they shot him. It was not thought at first that his wounds were serious, but he died there this week. Now his friends and neighbors want to avenge his death. (Kansas Semi-Weekly Capital, August 30, 1898, page 6)

ALLEGED TRAIN ROBBERS CAPTURED

Sam Smith and Tom Wind Arrested in the Indian Nation by Inspector Hauk.

Charged with Holding up Frisco cars Near Andover, Kas., Last July

Post Office Inspector Dice yesterday received a telegram from Inspector N. P. Hauk to the effect that he had succeeded in capturing two alleged train and post office robbers near Nowata, Indian Nation, and that both are in custody at that place.

The men under arrest give the names of Sam Smith and Tom Wind, and according to advices, they made a determined resistance before their capture was effected. Both are wanted in Kansas to answer a charge of robbing a train. The train in question was running on the Frisco Railroad near Andover, Kas., on the night of July 16. The robbers stopped the train by means of a red light and covered both the engineer and fireman with pistols before they could make any resistance or outcry. They then went through the mail and express car and helped themselves to valuables at their pleasure, after first terrorizing the train crew into submission.

The robbery of the train is said to have been one of the boldest that ever occurred in the Western Country and rivaled any of the deeds of the Dalton gang. The Sheriff of the county in which Andover is situated organized a posse of determined citizens as soon as he received news of the holdup and started on a thorough search, but the audacious bandits had made good their escape.

The case was then reported to Inspector Dice and Deputy Hauk was immediately detailed on the case. He has been on the trail of the men ever since. In his telegram to Mr. Dice, Hauk says that he has positive information that the men were implicated in the Frisco holdup. He also says that he thinks he can connect them with a recent post office robbery near Crystal Springs in the Indian Nation.

Further than this, Hauk alleges that the men he has in custody are escaped convicts, having succeeded in eluding the vigilance of the penitentiary authorities of the State of Kansas on June 24. The men will be taken to Coffeyville, Kas., where their trial will be had, after first being arraigned before the United States Commissioner at that place.

Mr. Dice is gratified at what he thinks is an important capture made by Deputy Hauk, and thinks it will do much toward solving some of the recent post office robberies in his district. He is now after James and Timothy Hogan for whom a reward of $100 each has been offered, and thinks that he can also implicate them in some of the recent robberies. Their pal, Richard O. Davis was taken through St. Louis day before yesterday to Topeka, Kan. The operations of these three men are confined mostly, however, it is alleged, to letter boxes. (St. Louis Republic, August 5, 1898, page 12)

MADE A DUMMY PISTOL

With This Three Convicts at the Kansas Prison Made A Bold Break for Liberty

One Desperado Shot in His Tracks

The other Two Got Away, Taking Arms and Ammunition - The Convict Killed Was a Train Wrecker Serving a Life Sentence - His Companions Were Serving Sentences for Murder and Robbery.

Leavenworth, Kan. - Nov. 18 - A desperate train robber and murderer, Samuel Smith, a convict in the state penitentiary, was killed here while attempting to escape from the prison in company with two brother convicts and hardened criminals. E. E. Estelle, a murderer, under sentence to hang and Ben Cravens, under 20 years' sentence for highway robbery, are the other two convicts. Smith was killed by a bullet fired by Deputy Warden Thompson who, with the guards, chased the escaping prisoners. One guard, Valentine Swartz, was shot three times, though not fatally by the convicts.

The escape of the convicts was the most daring and bold ever put into execution in the prison. All three convicts works in the prison coal mine 700 feet under the ground. They had cunningly devised two dummy revolvers of wood, painted black, with iron bolts for barrels. They attacked an officer at the bottom of the shaft, ordering him to surrender at the point of the dummy pistol. His hands were tied with wire and they then signaled to be taken to the top of the mine.

Arriving at the top they drew their dummy revolvers on the guard there, and on his surrendering, tied his hands. They marched the guards in front of them to the outer gate of the prison wall which opens from a tower and with guards as protectors, they approached the outpost guard. One of the convicts knocked him down. The prisoners secured the guard's Winchester rifle, revolver and cartridge belt. Possessed of arms and ammunition the prisoners turned their guards loose and started to run. Other outpost guards gave the alarm and started for the escaping convicts and a battle royal ensued. Although 50 shots were exchanged by the guards and the prisoners during the fight, Deputy Warden Thompson ran up and opened fire with his revolver. As soon as Smith was shot the other two convicts ran, leaving him lie. They took refuge in a corn field, but were driven out of this and were surrounded in a strip of timber, between the Missouri river and the penitentiary.

Sam Smith, aged 23 years, the convict killed by Deputy Warden Thompson, was a train wrecker. He with an Indian named Wynne, wrecked a train in Butler county and after imprisonment escaped, but was recaptured. He was serving a life sentence. Estelle is a well-known crook and jail breaker and was serving a life sentence for murder committed in Morris county. Cravens was sentenced to 20 years from Chautauqua county for highway robbery.

At 12:30 p.m. Saturday news was received at the prison that Estelle and Cravens were surrounded in an old frame barn west of the prison and reinforcements were sent to the posse making the discovery. (El Dorado Times, November 19, 1900)

NO TRACE OF CONVICTS

Cravens and Estelle Who Escaped from the Kansas Penitentiary, Manage to Evade Their Pursuers

Leavenworth, Kan., Nov. 20 - Nothing has been seen or heard of Estell or Cravens, convicts who escaped from the penitentiary, since Saturday evening when one of them called at a farm house about 4-1/2 miles west of the prison and asked for something to eat. He was taken in and given supper. When he started to leave he asked if he could put some biscuits in his pocket, which he did. The prison authorities say they have no idea as to their whereabouts, as they have been told by different parties that they have been seen in Lawrence, Kansas City, Tonganoxie and places in the country. They are watching all trains and notices have been sent out offering $100 reward for the men, dead or alive. (Walnut Valley Daily Times, November 20, 1900)

SENTENCED TO HANG

Train Robbers Convicted in Butler County District Court

El Dorado, Kan., Dec. 5 - Samuel Smith was convicted of murder in the first degree last evening and has been sentenced to hang. Tom Wild, his accomplice, pleaded guilty to murder in the second degree and was sentenced to twenty years in the penitentiary. Smith and Wild robbed a Frisco train at Andover in June. Several of the citizens attacked the robbers and killed one of the horses. Smith shot William Belford who died a few weeks afterwards. A motion for a new trial has been filed but was overruled. Both men are escaped convicts from the Kansas penitentiary. (Topeka Weekly Capital, December 13, 1898, page 8)

A MODERN BUTLER COUNTY BRIDGE

Walter Sharp recently completed a double stone arch bridge across Hickory Creek at the Bogle Ford, about seventeen miles directly south of El Dorado. The arch over the main channel is 40 feet in length and the second arch 20 feet. The entire length of the bridge, including approaches and wing walls is 200 feet, being the largest in Southern Kansas. The foundation is laid on solid rock a depth of seven feet below the lowest point in the creek bed. It required a steam pump throwing one thousand gallons per minute to keep the water out while the foundation was being built. The entire structure is solid masonry and is built to stay. And best of all, the material is all home product, the work was all done by home labor and the cost, $1,150 is kept in the pockets of our own people. It is substantial and will last as long as a bridge is needed. Mr. Sharp has established an enviable reputation as a builder and contractor and "built by Sharp" is a guarantee of excellence and honesty. The Board of Commissioners showed rare good judgment in placing the contract for not only have they saved money to the county but have secured a permanent and substantial improvement.

The keystone of the main arch carries the date of construction, names of contractor, county commissioners and township board. (Walnut Valley Daily Times, June 11, 1898)

STARNES TRIES TO KILL SCHOOL TEACHER

Lawrence C. Starnes, aged 17 years, is being held at the county jail this afternoon on a charge of assault with a deadly weapon. He was arrested late yesterday afternoon near his home, north of Towanda, by Ed Smith, peace officer at Potwin and brought to El Dorado.

According to the officers, young Starnes entered the schoolhouse in District No. 117 yesterday afternoon while Miss Elma Baker, teacher, was conducting her classes and threatened to cause bodily injury to the woman. The youth is said to have had a handkerchief tied across the lower part of his face and a butcher knife concealed behind the bib of his overalls.

Ordered Children Out

Upon entering the schoolhouse, young Starnes is reported to have first commanded all the children to leave the building. This they did. The youth then grabbed Miss Baker. The latter broke loose from him, but Starnes again grabbed her and the teacher was able to release herself only after a sleeve in her dress was torn from the garment.

Miss Baker then ran from the schoolhouse, with Starnes closely pursuing her. Help reached the young woman before Starnes could injury her. During the chase, Starnes is reported to have waved the butcher knife and shouted at Miss Maker that he was going to kill her. Shortly afterwards, Starnes was placed under arrest by Mr. Smith who in company with some residents of the school district brought the boy to the county jail.

Teacher Badly Frightened

Miss Baker was badly frightened by the attack. It was necessary to give her medical attention. She had not fully regained her normal composure this morning, when she appeared at the office of County Attorney R. T. McCluggage to swear to the complaint against young Starnes. Miss Baker knows no reason why Starnes should attack her.

The officers report that Starnes says he would have killed Miss Baker had he not lost his gun. No firearm was found about the schoolhouse, however, Starnes also is reported to have made threats against another resident of the school district.

According to the officers, Starnes has caused some trouble in the past in his home community. (El Dorado Times, February 11, 1926)

DR. NOSSAMAN IS HELD IN JAIL

Prisoner Will be Taken to Lansing Tonight; Convicted Manslaughter

Topeka, Kans., Feb. 6 - The Kansas Supreme Court today affirmed the Butler County District Court in the case of the State versus Dr. A. H. Nossaman, physician of Whitewater.

Dr. Nossaman went on trial before Judge George J. Benson of Division No. 2 of the Butler County District Court, on March 12. The hearing consumed two days. The jurors returned a verdict of guilty early the evening of March 14, after a deliberation of about two hours.

Five to 21 Years

Dr. Nossaman was sentenced shortly afterwards to serve a term of from five to 21 years in the State Penitentiary. He was released on bond of $7,000, the amount asked for his freedom before his trial. This was immediately given. Shortly after the conviction of Dr. Nossaman, his attorneys took an appeal to the Supreme Court. The case was argued in the court early last month.

The convicted physician was specifically charged in the state complaint with causing the death of Miss Hazel Roblin, aged 17 years, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Roblin of Potwin on September 19, 1924, through an illegal operation.

Dr. Nossaman operated on the girl on September 16, according to the state's evidence. The physician denied the charge, declaring that he merely gave the girl medical attention, and indicating that her condition was critical when she first approached him relative to her trouble.

To Lansing Tonight

Dr. Nossaman will be taken to the State Penitentiary this evening County Attorney R. T. McCluggage stated this afternoon. The commitment papers have been completed for the physician and the office of Sheriff E. E. McKnight has been asked to have a deputy ready to take Dr. Nossaman to Lansing.

The physician was brought to El Dorado this morning by Guy Roach, town marshal at Whitewater. He was being held at the county jail this afternoon. (January 6, 1926, Saturday, El Dorado Times)