THREE SKELETONS UNEARTHED IN MAPLE HILL CASE
John Woody, Paxico Youth Found Sunday by Officals
Near Livery Barn Formerly Owned by Rufus King
Maple Hill, Kas. - Another skeleton identified
as that of John Woody, the missing Paxico youth, the third uncovered here in less than two weeks, was unearthed
Sunday near the old livery barn of Rufus King.
The skeleton was found buried under about six inches
of soil in the livery barn yard. The evidence indicates that the man had been slain in his sleep, as the body was
apparently without clothing other than a night shirt. It was buried face down in the shallow grave.
Gold Teeth Gave Identity
Identification of the skeleton was made immediately
by the boy's father, Dawson Woody, through means of two gold teeth and the youth's black hair. The father announced
last Friday that he would be able to identify his son through the means used Sunday. Mr. Woody was present when
diggers struck the skeleton of his son.
Maurice McNeill, assistant attorney general for
Kansas, who has charge of the investigation and was present when the Woody boy's skeleton was unearthed, announced
another murder charge immediately would be filed against king.
Was Choked to Death?
Woody probably was choked to death, according to
Assistant Attorney General McNeill. The skulls of the other two men, whose skeletons were found on the King place
were badly crushed and the officials were greatly interested before Woody's bones were found as to whether he met
death in the same way. It is the theory now, however, that he was seized by the throat while asleep and strangled.
The unearthing of the third skeleton on what now
firmly is felt was a veritable "murder farm" was shortly before 4 o'clock. The Woody boy's skeleton was
found by diggers about thirty feet east of the spot where what is believed was the skeleton of the old jewelry
peddler was discovered last Thursday.
Big Crowd was There
Although Sunday, it appeared almost the whole countryside
was present to witness the somewhat gruesome scene, Men, women and children came in motor cars, in buggies and
on horseback when it was learned the digging was to be resumed.
When it was announced the excavators had struck
another skeleton, the awe stricken crowd filled the old barn lot and the street in front in an effort to view the
grave and its contents. Those who were not present at the time of the finding soon managed to get into town. The
Woody boy's skeleton was taken in charge by the sheriff and it is likely it will be taken to Alma where the other
two are being kept.
Disappeared Ten Years Ago
The Woody boy disappeared about ten years ago while
in the employ of King at the livery barn. Following his disappearance King, according to the youth's parents, said
the boy had gotten in trouble with a girl and decided to leave. Horses, a buggy and other personal property belonging
to the boy were in King's possession. He said he bought them from Woody prior to his leaving. Although suspicious
of the story, the Woody family never caused an investigation.
A few months after the boy disappeared, King told
his parents he had received a letter from him and furnished the family with the youth's supposed address. A letter
was written, but was returned undelivered. From the day of his disappearance the Woody family had never heard from
the boy, who then was about 21 years old.
Used Rifle Barrel to Slay?
The skeleton uncovered last week a few feet from
where the Woody boy's grave was found Sunday in King's barn lot, is believed that of the old jewelry peddler, who
like the Paxico youth and Reuben Gutshall suddenly disappeared.
Buried with the skeleton believed that of the old
peddler was the barrel of a .22 rifle. The skull was crushed. It is the opinion of the authorities that the rifle
barrel was the weapon with which he was killed. The skeleton was wrapped in a horse blanket and a rope was found
around the neck. With the body was a cuff link made from a small shell similar the authorities declare to some
that King had. Medical testimony before a coroner's jury was to the effect the skeleton was that of a man past
middle age.
Had Gutshall's Team Too
Gutshall with whose murder King is now charged,
disappeared in December, 1913. King the last to see him, explained Gutshall as in the case of Woody had gotten
in trouble with a girl and left. The next day King had possession of the Gutshall youth's team and wagon. A day
or two later he went to Gutshall's home and loaded up eighty bushels of corn and other possessions of Gutshall
stating that he had bought the boy out paying him $160 for everything.
Last week while a shed on King's old home in Maple
Hill was being cleaned out, a sack containing a skeleton was found. Later the bones were partly identified as those
of the Gutshall youth by a brother, John Gutshall. The height, jaw bone and other marks, together with medical
statements that the skeleton was that of a young man, were responsible for the part identification. It was then
a complaint charging King with murder, was issued and the investigation which has resulted in the uncovering of
two additional skeletons was started.
King's Hearing to be Thursday.
King was arrested near the foothills of Pueblo,
Col., and returned to Alma, the county seat of Wabaunsee County. When the second skeleton was found the sheriff
removed King to Topeka because of the tense feeling here.
King's preliminary hearing on the Gutshall murder
charge is set for Thursday at Eskridge. In the meantime Richard J. Hopkins, attorney general for Kansas is seeking
the wife of King. Her parents who live near Eskridge, have not heard from the daughter for some time, the authorities
declare. In addition officials are seeking a woman who lived in the town near where King was arrested. What she
may know, if anything, is not disclosed. (Kansas City Star, August 20, 1919, page 2)
SEEKS FATHER ON MURDER
FARM
Land Baron went to Wabaunsee in 1912, Daughter
says
Topeka, Aug. 22 - Believing her father, Fred Williams,
wealthy land owner, who disappeared while on a land buying trip in Wabaunsee County in 1912 may have suffered a
fate similar to that of men whose skeletons have been found recently at Maple Hill, Mrs. L. B. Atkinson of Kansas
City has written the attorney general's office of her father's disappearance.
The letter stated a large amount of money was known
to have been in Mr. William's possession when he left home.
Mrs. L. B. Atkinson, Thirteenth and Wood Avenue,
Kansas die, said late today she had written to the attorney general asking him to make an investigation to learn
if the body of her father, Frederick Williams, who disappeared seven years ago could not be found at Maple Hill.
Mr. Williams who was 52 years old when he disappeared went to some point in Kansas to see a man by the name of
Oldham with regard to a possible purchase of land and live stock.
He left his home at Versalles, Mo., where his wife
and several children lived, carrying with him a large amount of money he boarded a train at Tipton, Mo., with an
old friend, Peter J. Schmidt of Kansas City. Williams went to the smoking car and Schmidt says he never saw him
again, Mrs. Atkinson says.
An investigation developed the fact a man answering
William's description had visited the stock yards a short time later, but Williams never was seen again by his
relatives. Mrs. Atkinson says.
The investigation of the probably murder farm at
the Maple Hill livery barn of Rufus King now held on several murder charges following the unearthing of three skeletons
caused Mrs. Atkinson to send the letter to the attorney general she said. (Kansas City Star, August 22, 1919, page
1)
KING STOOD ORDEAL COOLY
At Times, However, the Accused Was Nervous and
Apprehensive
Eskridge, Kas., Aug. 21, - In holding King for
trial, Justice Skeen said:
"I have listened to this case with utmost
care. A murder has been committed by somebody, somewhere. There is probably cause to believe this is the skeleton
of Reuben Gutshall and that there is probably cause to believe Rufus King guilty of the crime. I therefore find
that he be held for trial in the District Court of Wabaunsee County.
The justice then announced the original bond in
the Gutshall case, fixed at $3,000 would be increased to $18,000. No effort was made to offer the required surety
in behalf of the defendant.
Despite the many reports of threats that have been
heard against the accused man since the finding of the first skeleton and the subsequent unearthing of two additional
ones, King bore up under the ordeal of the day with unusual coolness.
Two or three times in the course of the day the
former Maple Hill liveryman was plainly apprehensive. Shifting his eyes over the crowded courtroom the prisoner
at times nervously chewed at a cigar, which was his principal companion from the time he left in the motor car
from Topeka for Eskridge until he again started the return journey. If there were any courtroom rules forbidding
smoking King failed to observe them, for many times he relighted the stub of the cigar and puffed vigorously.
Although not conclusive, a strange web of circumstantial
evidence was wound about the accused man by the state. The absolute identify of Gutshall was the weakest spot in
the state's case against the former Maple Hill resident. William Gutshall a brother and probably the state's principal
witness, had testified early in the day that "to his best belief" the skeleton was that of his missing
brother. Defense counsel throughout the hearing, whenever reference was made by state's attorney or witnesses to
the effect Gutshall was dead, objected on the grounds that such statements to that effect were mere presumptions
that Gutshall was dead.
Of the evidence introduced at the afternoon session,
that of the physicians probably was the most damaging to the defendant. Dr. C. E. Menard of Paxico, who examined
the skeleton of Gutshall, testified that it was that of a man between 18 and 25 years old.
The bones declared to be those of Gutshall again
were in evidence . In answer to questions, Doctor Menard exhibited the skull, pointing out a large hole over the
right ear. Asked if the blow that caused it would be sufficient to cause death, the physician testified it would
but would not say such was the cause of death in this particular case. The witness stated it was his opinion the
skeleton was that of a man who had been dead six or seven years. Dr. J. M. Kemper of Alma, who with Doctor Menard
first examined the skeleton practically corroborated the first physician's statement.
Charles Miller of Maple Hill dealt a blow at the
accused man when he denied he saw Gutshall the night of his disappearance as King had claimed ever since the recent
discoveries. Through Fred Banta, a state's witness who had testified to finding the skeleton in a sack in a shed
on premises formerly occupied by King, the defense showed admittance to the old shed could be grained through.
(Kansas City Star, August 22, 1919, page 2)
HUNG SIX MINUTES
BUT MURDERER LIVES
Lynched by a Kansas Mob, and Is Cut Down by a Marshal
in Time
Alma, Kan., July 10 - Dick Williams a negro charged
with the murder of two white men, was lynched here last night by a mob of white men.
The mob left the negro hanging to a telegraph pole, and six minutes later he was cut down by the town marshal and
taken back to the county jail, where he recovered consciousness.
The negro is still alive but cannot live.
Yesterday Sheriff True of Wabaunsee County, brought
Twilby to Alma to lodge him in jail. When he arrived a mob of at least 200 men met him with his prisoner at the
Rock Island depot, but were foiled until the prisoner was being placed in jail, when Trilby was seized, dragged
with a rope around his neck a block and strung up. (Philadelphia Inquirer, July 11, 1899, page 9)
