TENANT FARMER SLAIN IN BATTLE WITH POSSEMEN
Killer of Two Died by Own Hand, Says Kansas Officer
Independence, Kans., Aug. 29 - Frank Foster tumbled
dead from a tree under a hail of bullets near here today as he shot it out with a posse seeking to arrest him for
two slayings.
At least 15 bullets were found in the 57-year old
tenant farmer's body, but Deputy Sheriff Gerald Gibson reported Foster ended his own life. A powder burn marked
a wound in his right temple.
Possemen said they probably would not have seen
Foster had he not fired first from the branches of a mulberry tree in which he had taken refuge after a two day
fight.
Foster was killed three quarters of a mile from
the farm house where Undersheriff Charles Casey was wounded fatally Friday night. Casey and two other officers
had gone to the farm to arrest Forster in connection with the killing of H. B. Kolb, 79, wealthy farmer whose body
was found near Zyba, Kans., Friday. Kolb, who lived on a farm near that occupied by Foster, had been missing since
August 12.
Two Kansas highway patrolmen walked under Foster's
hiding place in a brush-covered terrain without noticing anything. A moment later a third walked near by and a
shot was fired from the tree.
The tree was surrounded and as other shots came
from Foster's hiding place, the 22 officers and deputized civilians answered with gunfire.
Foster's body fell.
All six bullets had been fired from his .38 caliber
pistol but no posseman was injured.
An examination of the man's riddled body showed
two of his wound, were old, an indication that Deputy Gibson's gunfire took effect as Foster fled Friday night
after Casey was fatally wounded. (Times Picayune, August 30, 1937, page 27)
THE DALTON GANG AGAIN
IN KANSAS
This Time They are Thwarted and Four of Them Killed
They attempt to rob two banks at Coffeyville, Kans.,
when the citizens turn out and a bloody battle takes place - four of the gang bite the dust and three citizens
are killed
Coffeyville, Kan., Oct. 6 - The Dalton gang entered
this town Wednesday morning and made matters exceedingly lively. There were six in the gang and separating, two
of them went to Condon's bank and four to the First National and demanded the cash on hand. At Condon's bank the
men were told by the cashier that the safe was regulated by a time lock and could not be opened. They covered him
with Winchesters and told him they would wait. In the meantime the other quartette went into the First National
bank and ordered Cashier Ayers to hand the money in the vault. At first he refused and attempted to reach his revolver.
One of the gang then fired a shot at him. He then handed over what money was in the safe, and after placing it
in a bag the gang left and tried to rejoin their confederates. The alarm had been given and citizens quickly gathered
and attempted to capture the robbers who were immediately recognized as members of the Dalton gang of outlaws.
Four of the Gang Killed
The robbers fired at the crowd of citizens and
the shots were returned with precision and effect. The fighting became general and bullets flew thick and fast.
When the smoke of battle cleared away four of the Dalton gang were lying dead on the ground and three citizens
were also killed. Two of the robbers were wounded and three citizens were also killed. Two of the robbers were
wounded and three citizens had received serious bullet wounds. One of the gang succeeded in escaping, but a mounted
posse is in pursuit and it is certain that he will be captured and in all probability will dangle from the end
of a hastily improvised noose. The greatest excitement exists and it may be that the wounded member of the gang
will also be lynched.
Names of the Killed
The names of the robbers killed and wounded are:
Bob and Grant Dalton, Tom Heddy and an unknown man. Emmet Dalton is fatally wounded with a bullet in his right
lung. The names of the citizens killed are City Marshal C. T. Connelly, Charles Brown, and George Culbine. Cashier
Thomas G. Ayer of the First National Bank. Lucas Baldwin, Thomas Reynolds and Alfred Diets are seriously wounded.
(Morning Star, October 6, 1892, page 1)
COFFEYVILLE IS ARRANGING
FOR A CHAUTAUQUA ASSEMBLY TO BE HELD
Coffeyville is arranging for a Chautauqua assembly
to be held June 27 to July 6. A very promising array of talent has been secured for the occasion embracing such
names as Dr. Quayle, Rev. Sam Jones, Dr. Robt. McIntyre, Eli Perkins and Henry Watterson. It is expected that others
will be secured but the list already given promises a most entertaining assembly. (Fair Play, June 3, 1898, page
2)
KILLED A KANSAS POLICEMAN
Independence, Kan., Apr. 16 - At Caney, near here
Tuesday night, Mark Killion, a joint, or saloonkeeper while resisting arrest, shot and killed William Garr, a policeman.
Killion fled to his home followed by a mob who had threatened him and locked himself in. He stood the crowd off
the early Wednesday when he surrendered and was placed in jail. Before Garr was fatally wounded he and Killion
exchanged ten shots. Killion was released from jail two weeks ago. Killion's father killed a man in this county
15 years ago and died in the penitentiary while serving his sentence for the crime. Killion's brother is now serving
a term in the penitentiary. (Sedan Lance, April 24, 1908, page 6)
FOX, DONALD DAVID
YOUTH KILLED BY MOTOR CAR
Donald David Fox Accident Victim on Highway Sunday
Donald David Fox, 19, route 3, was injured fatally
about 12:20 by an automobile on US Highway 75-160 near the intersection of the Peter Pan county road, one-half
mile west of Independence.
The youth suffered a fractured skull and died at
3:12 a.m. Sunday in Mercy hospital.
According to Sheriff Lessman who with highway patrolmen
investigated the accident, Fox's car, a Cadillac sedan, had stalled and he flagged down a car driven by Don Pitts,
rural Elk City, for a push.
Both cars were headed west, Lessman said. Fox suffered
fatal injuries when he stepped from behind his own car and was hit by a 1949 Plymouth headed east and driven by
Richard Pitts, 1216 West Myrtle.
Richard Pitts told the officers he was travelling
at about 40 miles per hour and did not see the youth in time to avoid hitting him.
Pitts was driving his car with his left arm hanging
out the window. He suffered a fractured and shoulder dislocation when his arm hit Fox's body. He was admitted to
Mercy hospital for treatment.
Donald David Fox, 19, was the son of Lehman and
Alice Fox, Grabham Station. He was born November 20, 1932, at West Plains, Mo. He is survived by his parents, of
the home, one sister, Mrs. Margie Kinsley, R. R. 2, city, three brothers, Robert Nelson, in the navy at San Diego,
Delbert Dale and Jerry Lehman of the home. Also surviving are Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Fox, grandparents at Joplin, and
Mrs. Della Nelson, grandmother at West Plains, Mo.
He attended high school in Independence and graduated with the class of 1951. He had previously worked for Continental
Can Co., but approximately three weeks ago took employment with Cessna Aircraft at Wichita. (Independence Daily
Reporter, Monday, July 7, 1952, submitted by Kristy Fox)
CALES PLEADS NOT GUILTY
Coffeyville, Kas. Nov 11- Elmer Cales, young farm
youth of Caney, Kas., today entered a plea of not guilty when arraigned in district court on a charge of the first
degree murder of Miss Marguerite White, 22, his motoring companion.
The young woman died from revolver wounds after
a motor car ride the night of June 12. She also lived in Caney. Trial has been set for Nov. 18.
Carl Schuetz, Dearing, Kas., dairyman charged with
the first degree murder of his wife, Frieda, also entered a plea of not guilty. His trial is expected to follow
that of Cales unless a continuance is granted. (The Hays Daily News, November 11, 1929, page 3)
MONTGOMERY COUNTY POOR
FARM
The South Kansas Tribune says in Montgomery county
the Commissioners have in a measure placed the County Poor Farm under the eye of Commissioner Moore, and he is
devoting a great deal of time to getting it in good shape. He intends getting the accounts so that each quarter
will show its receipts and expenses, and has furnished us with the accounts up to February 15. The aim will be
to grow everything possible for the support of the farm, and sell the surplus and use the money for the purchase
of supplies which have to be purchased. The prospect for this year is most flattering, as they have above 250 acres
in growing crops, and all good.
Why would it not be a good plan for Chautauqua
county to do something of this kind? The people often hear that good round sums of money have been paid out for
the poor farm but we never saw any one who ever heard of what becomes of the proceeds of the farm. The editor of
this paper never could find any indication that the superintendent of the poor farm ever made a report or any statement
of his accounts. All the county clerk could muster up was rolls of bills against the poor farm allowed and disallowed.
We are not blaming the county clerk one bit for we believe he is a conscientiou gentleman, but the poor farm business
on the face of it looks bad. If everything is all right there can be no harm in the people knowing how the business
is managed and we would like to see some move made to inform the public on this subject. Would it not be a good
plan to get the accounts in such shape that each quarter will show its receipts and expenses.
(Sedan Lance ~ May 28, 1896 ~ Submitted by Lori DeWinkler)
POOR FARM TOO CROWDED
So Kansas Officials Ship An Unfortunate Human Derelect
To Tulsa
Harry Davis, a wreck on the sea of life, brings
a horrible indictment against the county officials of Montgomery county, Kansas. Davis is near 70 years of age
and is on the verge of the grave with dropsy. His legs are so swollen that he can hardly walk and his lungs affected
so he can hardly get breath. David claims that he has lived at Independence, Kansas, for the past year. Yesterday
he says he applied for entrance at the county farm in his home county, but was informed that the poor farm was
too crowded now. He was given a railroad ticket to Tulsa and instructed to apply here for aid. Davis is at the
city jail, where he was given his first meal in 24 hours last night.
(Tulsa World ~ August 27, 1913 ~ Submitted by Lori DeWinkler)
