Murder Mystery Just Plain Spooky Sedgwick County Genealogy Trails Kansas

MURDERS, MYSTERIES & JUST PLAIN SPOOKY

THE DARKER SIDE OF SEDGWICK COUNTY, KANSAS

ROSS, JOHN MURDERED BY OSAGE INDIANS

October, 1860, John Ross, the first white man who settled in Sedgwick County, with a family, was murdered by Osage Indians, together with his hired man. The following account of the tragedy is given by Hon. J. R. Mead: "One day in October, Ross, with his hired man and team, crossed the river, to hunt buffalo, and get a load of meat, going in the direction of Cowskin grove, and leaving his wife and children at home. Night came on and he did not return. All the next day his wife watched anxiously for his return - in vain. By a passing hunter, word was sent to Walnut Creek that Ross was missing. About twenty horsemen collected in that settlement and came over. All the next day they scoured the prairie west of the river, but found nothing of the missing man. The following day the search was renewed. In the afternoon, one of the party found a human leg, with a boot on. At a short distance Ross's head was found. Diligent search resulted in nothing more. These remains were taken to the now desolate home, and buried on the bank of the river, hear the house, and hunters brought and piled stones upon the grave. And there reposes all that remains of John Ross, the first settler of Sedgwick County." (William G. Cutler's History of the State of Kansas, Sedgwick County, Part 3, Murders & Tragical Events)

LEDFORD, JOHN KILLED BY GOVERNMENT TROOPS & SCOUTS

February 28, 1871, John Ledford was killed in Wichita by Government troops and scouts. About noon of that day a detachment of the Sixth United States Cavalry, of 100 men, under the command of Captain Whee, and scouts Lee Stewart and Jack Bridges, rode in from the north and surrounded the Harris House (now the rear end of the Tremont), of which John Ledford was proprietor. The officers and scouts dismounted, and they, together with a detachment of a Sergeant and six men, began to search the premises. The house was at that time situated on North Main street, at the corner of Third. They inquired for Ledford. His wife, then a young bride, informed them that he was not at home. They searched the house thoroughly, however, but without avail. Finally their attention was attracted to an out-house in the rear of George DeMoose's saloon, nearly opposite, by the frequent visitations of a man from the saloon to the out-house. They immediately surrounded this suspected place and demanded Ledford's surrender (sic). Lieut. Hargis stood in front of the door, Lee Stewart was stationed in the rear of the house, and Jack Bridges at one side. The answer to the lieutenant's summons was a shot from a pistol in the hands of Ledford, who suddenly sprang through the door, and defiantly faced his pursuers. The firing became general. Ledford's pistols, which he had obtained at the saloon, were old and rusty; with his own pistols, he would have doubtless, killed a half dozen of his enemies, and escaped in the bargain. He handled a pistol expertly; his aim was deadly, and he could fire with either hand, or both simultaneously, with precision. Lee Stewart fired under cover and disabled Ledford's wrist, and as Ledford turned to shoot at Stewart, Ledford was shot in the back by Bridges. Ledford then shot Bridges through one of his arms, the latter wheeling just in time to save the bullet from his breast. Bridges fell, and Ledford jumped upon him, and placing a pistol to his breast, snapped a cap, the charge refusing to leave. Then realizing the worthlessness of his weapons, he cast them away, and while making a retreat he was shot in the back by Bridges, the ball breaking the spine; still he stood erect. A Texas man threw him another revolver, with which he fired two more shots, but they were ineffectual. He then walked to Dagner's cigar store, across the street, and sat down on a barrel, from which he soon fell. He was carried to his house, where he expired within an hour. Bridges was conveyed to camp by the troops. Ledford was charged with complicity in the robbery of a Government train, and the murder of some of its teamsters, and the troops only designed to make his arrest. Bridges soon recovered from his wound. (William G. Cutler's History of the State of Kansas, Sedgwick County, Part 3, Murders & Tragical Events)

DAVIS, JACKSON KILLED BY CHARLES JENNISON

September 22, 1872, Jackson Davis was shot and killed by Charles Jennison, in a shooting affray. Davis shot Jennison first, the ball passing through the left side of Jennison's neck. Jennison shot Davis through the body, causing death within five minutes. Simultaneously with Jennison's shot, was another shot form Davis' pistol, which hit Jennison in the right arm, below the elbow. (William G. Cutler's History of the State of Kansas, Sedgwick County, Part 3, Murders & Tragical Events)

6TH U.S. CAVALRY SOLDIER KILLED

June 2, 1873, a soldier of the Sixth United States Cavalry was shot and killed in John Beard's ("Red's") dance house in West Wichita, by a party of roughs. The soldier had previously shot one of "Red's" girls. A general fight ensued, in which one soldier was killed and two wounded. (William G. Cutler's History of the State of Kansas, Sedgwick County, Part 3, Murders & Tragical Events)

REED KILLED BY TEXAN NAMED RAMSEY

In June, 1873, a colored man named Reed was shot and killed by a Texan named Ramsey. Two days afterward, Ramsey was killed on the Ninnescah, by "Billy Bowlegs." (William G. Cutler's History of the State of Kansas, Sedgwick County, Part 3, Murders & Tragical Events)

S. C. JOHNSON MYSTERIOUSLY DISAPPEARED

In 1873, S. C. Johnson, who had been Treasurer of Sedgwick County for the previous four years, mysteriously disappeared, and has never been heard of since. His official accounts were correct, and the office of Treasurer had been transferred to his successor, Col. L. N. Woodcock. When last seen he was known to have $1,000 on his person. There was due him from the county for salary, $500, which is still payable to himself or heirs. (William G. Cutler's History of the State of Kansas, Sedgwick County, Part 3, Murders & Tragical Events)

REDDIS KILLED BY A MEXICAN

August 16, 1873, a Texas cattle herder named Reddis, was shot and killed by a Mexican, at Oges Camp, on the Ninnescah. The Mexican fled, and a couple of days afterward, he in company with another Mexican was halted on Slate Creek, below Wellington, in Summer (sic) County, by Ike Walker, a noted frontiersman and desperado, who had been informed of the killing of Reddis. Walker killed both of the Mexicans. (William G. Cutler's History of the State of Kansas, Sedgwick County, Part 3, Murders & Tragical Events)

WILLIAM MCKEE KILLED BY ACCIDENTAL SHOT

August 20, 1873, William McKee was killed by what was alleged to be an accidental shot from a pistol he was repairing, in a blacksmith shop, in West Wichita. William Anderson, who owned the pistol and who was present at the time of the killing, was arrested on the charge of murder, but was acquitted. About two weeks afterward, Anderson had both of his eyes shot out in a shooting affray at "Rowdy Joe's". (William G. Cutler's History of the State of Kansas, Sedgwick County, Part 3, Murders & Tragical Events)

JOHN SNIDER THROWN FROM BUGGY

August 23, 1873, John Snider, a blacksmith, age twenty-seven, was thrown from a buggy and killed, while enjoying a ride with a friend in Wichita. (William G. Cutler's History of the State of Kansas, Sedgwick County, Part 3, Murders & Tragical Events)

JOHN BEARD SHOT BY JOSEPH LOWE

October 27, 1873, John Beard, alias "Red," was shot by Joseph Lowe, alias, "Rowdy Joe," from the effects of which Beard died in a few days. The shooting occurred in Joe's dance house, in West Wichita. "Red" owned a dance house next door to "Rowdy's," and on the night referred to, "Red" and a party of friends were indulging in a drunken frolic at his place. Finally, they visited "Joe's" where a dance was in progress, and "Red's" first salutation to his neighbor "Joe" was a shot into the crowd from his pistol, wounding one of the girls. The firing soon became general, and several were wounded, among others, William Anderson, whose eyes were shot out. "Red" received a shot through the body from "Joe's" pistol, and in a few days he died from the effects of the wound. Beard was a son of the founder of Beardstown, Illinois; had been respectably raised, and well educated and left a comfortable fortune. His sobriquet, "Red" was derived from his red head and beard. (William G. Cutler's History of the State of Kansas, Sedgwick County, Part 3, Murders & Tragical Events)

FRANK SEIVERS MURDERED AND BODY BURNED IN PAINT SHOP

January 1, 1874, Frank Seivers was murdered and his body burned in the paint shop of McNutt & Winner, in Wichita. Seivers, who was a painter, had been induced to come from Kansas City, Mo., to work for McNutt & Winner. He arrived in Wichita late in the night of December 31st, and was taken at once to the paint shop, where lodging had been arranged for him. During the night he was murdered and the shop burned. The next morning, the remains of Seivers were found, which were first supposed to be those of McNutt, it having been known that he lodged in the shop, and he also having disappeared. Soon suspecting that there was foul play somewhere in this business, the authorities caused the arrest of Winner and presently it came to light that there was an insurance policy on McNutt's life for $5,000. About a month afterward, McNutt was discovered and captured in Platee County, Mo. Both were tried for murder in the first degree, at the next term of the District court, convicted and sentenced to be hanged. They are now in the penitentiary. (William G. Cutler's History of the State of Kansas, Sedgwick County, Part 3, Murders & Tragical Events)

LEG KILLED BY MICHAEL MEAGHER

January 1, 1876, an omnibus driver, known by the name of "Leg," was shot and killed by Michael Meagher, City Marshal. "Leg" had been taking part in a "Ragtag" procession, had been drinking freely, and was turbulent and boisterous. While in the march he assaulted and broke one of the arms of Mr. Dennison, as "Four-Eyes." Afterward he attacked the City Marshal, known who was compelled to shoot "Leg" in self-defense. (William G. Cutler's History of the State of Kansas, Sedgwick County, Part 3, Murders & Tragical Events)

BLOUDGEONING BRINGS SENTENCE OF 4-TO-15 FOR WICHITAN, 24

Steven Reichenberger's former girlfriend told police he had admitted killing Jeff Wagoner.

A Wichita house painter, once diagnosed by military psychiatrists as schitzophrenic psychopath with suicidal tendencies, was sentenced Thursday to 4 to 15 years in prison for beating a 24-year-old Wichitan to death with a 2-by-4.

Steven Reichenberger, 42, was originally charged with second-degree murder in the 1990 deaths of Jeff Wagoner, but a Sedgwick County jury found Reichenberger guilty of the lesser crime of voluntary manslaughter.

Arguring for a maximum sentence, prosecutor Kim Parker said Reichenberger had shown no remorse during his May trial. Parker said that after Reichenberger beat the victim, the defendant drove to the nearby liquor store to buy beer.

"He still had the blood of the man on his hands and feet," Parker said. "That shows a callous attitude".

The defendent, showing no outward display of emotion, addressed Judge Russell Cramner, telling him he was not guilty and that he plans to appeal.

"I'm not a callous individual," he said. "Done's done. I don't cry. I didn't cry at my own father's funeral."

Cranmer received Reichenberger's 23-year criminal record, which begane with the defendant was 9 and placed a call for an ambulance that wasn't needed.

In the front row of the courtroom, the defendant's sister nervously shook her foot and wiped tears from her eyes.

Police originally believed Wagoner was hit by a car while walking in west Wichita. But last year, Reichenberger's ex-girlfriend told officers that he had told her he'd killed Wagoner. A co-defendant in the case, Richard Skelley, 43, faces a trial on the second-degree murder charge.
(Wichita Eagle ~ 3 July 1992)