Murder Mystery Stories Butler County Genealogy Trails Kansas

EL DORADOAN SLAIN DURING ROW; SHOT SEVEN TIMES

Ralph O. Brinkley Cut Down in Front of Café on North Main; Step-Son is Held

A 66-year old El Dorado man was slain about noon here today following an argument on the sidewalk in the 200 bock on North Main. Ralph Owen Brinkley, estranged husband of Mrs. Kathryn J. Brinkley, was shot down in a hail of gunfire from a .22 caliber target pistol. Brinkley's step-son, Charles Marshall Camp, 28, 209 North Gordy, is being held in the county jail pending charges.

The shooting climaxed a feud of long standing between the two men. A divorce action was pending between Mr. and Mrs. Brinkley, and according to a brother of Camp, an injunction had been issued in district court restraining Brinkley from entering the restaurant operated by his wife.

The shooting took place outside the restaurant located at 214 North Main.

Police Officer Jack Blurton arrested Camp as he stood talking to his mother in the rear of the café minutes after the shooting. Blurton found the gun on a bench outside the restaurant.

Fred Hurt, 625 North Star, who witnessed the shooting and the slaying was precipitated when Brinkley approached the restaurant and found Camp standing out front. Brinkley allegedly threatened Camp and then drew a knife.

Attempted to Escape

However, the witness said, when Camp drew a pistol, Brinkley attempted to escape between parked cars in front of the restaurant but fell before the rain of bullets.

Dr. James H. Shields, who made a medical examination immediately after the shooting in the absence of Dr. N. H. Overholser, coroner, said seven shots entered Brinkley's body - three in the back one in the left arm, one in the neck and two in the abdomen.

Brinkley was dead when officers and an ambulance arrived. In his hand he clutched a knife.

Undersheriff Glenn Tarrant, who was questioning persons who were in the vicinity of the shooting this afternoon said a statement will be taken from camp as soon as possible. Pending further investigation, he said no charges will be filed. (El Dorado Times, November 8, 1952)

MURDER IN FIRST DEGREE IS CHARGED

Charles Camp Held in Default of $20,000 Bond; Hearing Friday

Charles M. Camp, 28, is in Butler County jail today facing a charge of first degree murder in connection with the death of his stepfather Ralph O. Brinkley, 66, who was shot down in the El Dorado business district Saturday.

Arrested immediately after the shooting, Camp was arraigned in county court before Judge Ralph B. Ralston Saturday evening. Preliminary hearing was set for Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock. In default of $20,000 bond, Camp was committed to the county jail.

The shooting climaxed a long period of ill will between the two men. Brinkley was shot down in front of the café operated by his estranged wife, Mrs. Catherine J. Brinkley, at 214 North Main. According to Dr. James M. Shields, medical examiner, seven shots from a .22 caliber pistol entered Brinkley's body - two in the front and five in the back.

Admit Shooting

In a statement taken by Assistant County Attorney Robert King, Camp admitted shooting Brinkley. He told King he was standing in front of the café operated by his mother when his step-father approached.

I didn't say a word to him, he started cussing me, Camp said in his statement he called me something like ….and cussed like that two or three times and then he come at me and said I am going to spill your guts all over this sidewalk.

Camp said he did not see a knife in his (Brinkley's) hand but said he knew he had one. He told King that his step father swung his arm at him.

Did he hit you? King asked.

Well I don't know whether he did or not, yes it was right in here. I believe he did, Camp answered.

Was Going to Kill Us

He explained to King he had a .22 caliber pistol in his pocket because there was a man come in the restaurant this morning and told mother if she didn't talk to him (Brinkley) and go back to him, he (Brinkley) was going to him, he (Brinkley) was going to kill us. He told King the man was A.A. Parker.

King asked Camp if he attempted to dodge Brinkley's attempted assault or try to attempt escape.

Who made the next move?

I stepped back and shot him.

Two of the shots entered Brinkley's abdomen and as he turned to flee three shots entered his back one in his neck and one in his left arm. Brinkley was dead on arrival of police and an ambulance.

Police officer Jack Blurton arrested camp immediately after the shooting as camp stood talking to his mother in the rear of the café.

Brinkley Had Knife

Fred Hurt, 625 North Star witnessed the shooting and testified that Brinkley held a knife in his hand as swung on Camp. Also near the scene was Phil Latta, Route 2, who reported he saw a man firing at someone in the gutter. Mrs. Charles Hearn, 1102 Orient, was in the Brinkley café at the time of the shooting. They said that when Camp entered the café after the shots were fired, Mrs. Brinkley said, I didn't want you to do it.

A divorce between the Brinkley's was pending.

Services Tuesday

Private funeral services for Brinkley will be held Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock at the Kirby Funeral Home. Rev. Leonard J. Smoot, pastor of the First Methodist Church will officiate. Burial will be in Sunset Lawns Cemetery.

Brinkley was born May 12, 1886 at Buffalo, Kans., and came to El Dorado in 1924 from Fredonia. He was married to Catherine Camp in 1944 in El Dorado. She survives. He had operated restaurants here for several years.

Other survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Wilma Walters, Wichita, a step-daughter, Mrs. Charlotte Lewis, Route 1; one son, Rex Brinkley, Benedict, Kans.; two step-sons, Clifford Lee Camp, 802 South Topeka; and Charles Camp, 204 South Gordy; four sisters, Mrs. Lee Hilyard, Madison; Mrs. H. A. Wood, 818 North Gordy; Mrs. R. C. Wait, 642 Frazier; and Mrs. R. W. Putnam, Colorado Springs; a brother Cecil R. Brinkley, 318 North Gordy; and six grandchildren. (El Dorado Times, Monday, November 10, 1952)

CAMP'S FATE STILL RESTS WITH JURY

Deliberations in First Degree Murder Case Continue this Afternoon with No Indication of When a Verdict Will Be Returned.

The fate of Charles M. Camp charged with first degree murder in the death of his step-father, this afternoon rested in the hands of the jury of 12 men. At 2 o'clock the jury had completed more than five hours of deliberation but was still in deadlock and there was no indication of when a verdict would be returned.

The Hon. Carl Ackarman, District Court Judge, called the jurors from the jury room at noon. The jury reported a verdict had not yet been reached. Satisified that the deadlock was not hopeless, Judge Ackarman released the jury for lunch and ordered it to report back to court at 1 o'clock.

The trial of Camp who pleaded self defense in the slaying of Ralph Owen Brinkley on Nov. 8, 1952 has not been attended by as large crowds as those present for two recent murder trials here.

Attendance at the trial of John Richard Knowles, then 19 in April of 1952 was high. The jury in this trial returned a not guilty verdict after less than 30 minutes of deliberation. Knowles was charged with the fatal shooting of his father, Edward A. Knowles in his home here on Jan. 10, 1952.

The trial of Earl "Montana Red" Brumbo, ex-world champion bronc buster from Douglass was widely attended. Throughout the trial Brumbo wore colorful western clothing. It took the jury one hour and 47 minutes to return a verdict of not guilty. Brumbo was tried for the murder of his wife's step-father, William Enoch Byers, 56 year old Latham rancher.

The case against Camp was prepared by Bob King assistant county attorney. He has been assisted throughout the trial by county Attorney Morris Moon. Walter F. McGinnis presented Camp's defense.

Camp was arrested by Police Officer Jack Blurton in the rear of the Brinkley's café only minutes after Brinkley was shot down in the street in ….. Camp admitted shooting Brinkley but said he did so in self defense. When officers found Brinkley's body between two parked cars in front of the café, a knife, they said was clutched in his hands. (El Dorado Times, Thursday, October 29, 1953)

CAMP JURY FAILS TO REACH VERDICT

Jurors Dismissed after Deliberating Six Hours and 45 Minutes; Murder Case Is Set Over for Re-trial at a Future Term

The fate of Charles M. Camp, charged with first degree murder in the death of his step-father remained uncertain yesterday when a District court jury of 12 men failed to reach a verdict. After deliberating six hours and 45 minutes, the jury reported it was deadlocked. The vote was reported to be seven to five for acquittal.

Judge Carl Ackerman dismissed the jury and the case was set over for re-trial at a future term.

The trial of Camp who is charged with the fatal shooting of Ralph Owen Brinkley on a downtown street, Nov. 8, 1952, opened Monday. Testimony of state defense witnesses was given through Wednesday when at 4:15 p.m. the case went to the jury.

The jury deliberated until 6 p.m. on Wednesday from 9a.m. to noon and from 1 to 3 p.m. on Thursday.

Pleaded Self Defense

During the course of the trial, Camp took the witness stand on his own behalf and testified that he shot Brinkley in self defense. He said Brinkley was armed with a knife.

Brinkley was shot with a .22 caliber target pistol in the 200 block of North Main in front of a café he owned. He was shot twice in the abdomen, four times in the back and once through an arm. When officer moved Brinkley's body, a knife was clutched in the hand.

Pending re-trial, Camp is free under $20,000 bond.

The prosecution was handled by Bob King, assistant county attorney, Morris Moon county attorney, who because of a recent illness, acted only in an advisory capacity. Walter F. McGinnis was counsel for the defense. (El Dorado Times, October 30, 1953)

EL DORADO YOUTH SLAYS DAD IN FIGHT AT HOME

Edward A. Knowles Shot by 19 Year Old Son; Charges to Be Filed Following Full Inquiry.

Family dissension of long standing ended in tragedy for an El Dorado family last night when a 19 year old youth admittedly beat his father with a heavy wood ash stand, then shot him as he lay apparently unconscious on the floor.

Edward A. Knowles, 53, lost his life in a struggle with his son, John Richard Knowles, in the family home at 629 North Washington according to Sheriff Alva Gill.

No charges have been filed against the youth, Morris Moon, county attorney said that pending an inquiry and coroner's findings, charges will not be filed until Saturday or Monday.

In a statement last night to County Attorney Morris Moon, Assistant Bob King and sheriff's officers, John Richard said he was "tired of his father coming home and "fighting with mom."
Aside from the fact that his hands constantly juggled a briar and aluminum pipe he was smoking, the youth showed little emotion. Once when speaking of his mother, tears came to his eyes.

Acted Tough

The youth said in his statement to County Attorney Moon that yesterday's quarrel started when his father, who had been drinking, "acted tough in the kitchen and began telling mom how to cook the dinner."

After the meal, John Richard said he went to the divan and lay down to listen to the radio. His father he said was in the kitchen telling Mrs. Knowles "how tough he was," and scuffing with her. Later he said, the father came to John Richard and began scuffing.

"I just ignored him but he kept it up," the youth said. Finally John, related, he told his father he wanted nothing to do with him.

He said his father told him he would not have his "kids" telling him what to do. John said he got up to leave the room and when he looked back, his father was "fighting" with John's younger brother Robert Lee, 14.

Struck With Ash Stand

He told officers he went back and struck his father in the "short ribs" with his fist. He said his father fell to the divan, gasping for breath, John said he picked up the heavy inlaid ash stand made by another brother, Jerry, went to the divan and struck the older man 3 times across the head and face.

Once, John said, his father raised his right arm to ward off the blows. He said when he struck him the third time his father rolled off the divan to the floor face up. The ash stand lay in five pieces nearby.

Tears came to his eyes as he told officers how he then went to his mother telling her not to worry…"everything will be all right."

He said he began thinking that if his father regained consciousness he would "take it out on mom and maybe Bobby." He told officers he went to a shelf in the kitchen, took a .22 caliber shell from a box, then went to the bedroom closet for the rifle and returned to his father.

Thought It Over

"At first I couldn't do it, he said, but after thinking about it, he rasied the gun and pulled the trigger.

The bullet entered the older man's chest above the heart and passed through his body.

Although John was without shoes or a shirt, he said he went to a neighbor's house and called the police.

"I killed my father," he told them.

John said his mother has worked for as long as he could remember and that his father worked seldom.

The elder Knowles was born November 7, 1898, at Matfield Green. He joined the army in 1916 and served with the Rainbow division during World War I. He was demobilized May 15, 1919

Oil Field Blacksmith

Mr. Knowles was married to May Subke on Nov. 6, 1923, in El Dorado. He was an oil field blacksmith by trade and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Besides his wife, May, and sons, John Richard and Robert Lee, he is survived by two daughters Mrs. Dixon and Mrs. Betty Mills both of 1415 Edgemoor drive; two other sons Jerry Lee, U.S. Army at Fort Ord, Calif. And Charles Knowles, Wichita a sister in California and two brothers Earl and Roy Knowles, also of California; and four grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements will be announced by the Kirby Funeral Home. (El Dorado Times, January 11, 1952)

KNOWLES CHARGED IN SLAYING

To Trial for Murder in Second Degree

A second degree murder charge was filed today against John Richard Knowles, 19-year-old, El Dorado youth, who has been held in county jail since January 10 following the slaying of his father, Edward A. Knowles, 53.

In a statement to County Attorney Moon the night of the killing, John admitted beating his father with a heavy wood ash stand and shooting him through the chest as he lay unconscious on the floor.

Second degree murder which draws a sentence of one to 10 years on conviction, is defined by statute to be the "taking of another's life on purpose but without deliberation or premeditation."

"No Alternative"

Mr. Moon said today that the findings of the coroner's jury last Friday and statements by witnesses brought out certain facts which left his office no alternative but to file the murder charge.

Any degree of murder or manslaughter or any defense of the charge must be determined by a lawfully empaneled jury, Moon said.
A coroner's jury of six men empaneled by Dr. N. H. Overholser, found that the elder Knowles met his death feloniously and that death was caused by a bullet through the left chest and lung. Because no member of the Knowles family saw the shooting and because John Richard Knowles did not testify at the inquest, the jury was unable to determine who fired the fatal shot.

Judging the case on the facts now known, Mr. Moon said it would impossible to file a lesser charge.

Shot After Fight

In his original statement the youth said he fought and then shot his father because he was "tired" of the father coming home and "fighting with mom." Prior to the slaying, Mr. Knowles demonstrated wrestling holds on Mrs. Knowles. She testified that her husband then began his demonstrations on John Richard who was resting on a couch in the Knowles home at 629 North Washington.

John testified earlier that he asked his father to stop but that he persisted. He said he left the room to get away from his father.

Robert Lee Knowles, 14 younger brother of John testified before the coroner's jury that the father began scuffling with him when John left the room. He said that while his father scuffling, John circled through the kitchen and bathroom of the house, reentered the living room and struck the elder Knolwes in the short ribs from behind.

Fell To Divan

Robert said his father fell to the divan where in a sitting position he gasped for breath. It was then, Robert said, that John picked up the heavy ash stand and struck the older man. Robert testified that at this point his joined his mother in the kitchen. He said John came to the kitchen, "got a shell" and left. A few minutes later, he said he heard the shot.

John had earlier testified that after the shooting, he went to a neighbor's house where he phoned the police, saying, I killed my father."

The youth was expected to be arraigned late this afternoon or early Tuesday. (El Dorado Times, Monday, January 14, 1952)

YOUTH AWAITS FILING OF FORMAL CHARGES

John Richard Knowles, 19 year old El Dorado youth who admitted to County Attorney Morris Moon and Sheriff Alva Gill that he killed his father Thursday night was still in county jail today awaiting formal charges which are expected to be filed Monday by Moon.

Young Knowles called police to the Knowles home at 629 North Washington, Thursday evening. The youth's father, Edward A. Knowles, 53, lay dead on the floor when officers arrived.

Dr. N. H. Overholser called a coroner's jury yesterday to determine cause of death. After listening to the testimony of Dr. Overholser, who performed an autopsy on the body of the dead man yesterday and to testimony by the youth's mother and brother, Bobby, the jury announced that Edward A. Knowles met death feloniously. Cause of death was attributed to a shot through the chest.

The Expected Verdict

The jury was unable to determine who fired the fatal shot because John Richard, through his attorney O. J. Connell announced he did not wish to testify. Because none of the members of the family saw the shooting the jury returned the expected verdict.

Mr. Moon has not indicated what charge will be brought against the youth.

Graveside services for the victim will be conducted Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock at Sunset Lawn Cemetery. James Martin, chaplain of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post, will officiate. Graveside military honors will be conferred by members of the American Legion and V. F. W. Posts.

The Kirby Funeral Home is in charge. (El Dorado Times, Saturday, January 12, 1952)

PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO HOMICIDE CHARGES

Ottie Lee Smith, 28, Wichita, pleaded not guilty yesterday in Butler County court to a charge of negligent homicide in connection with the death of two persons in a highway accident three miles east of Rosalia Nov. 2, 1961.

Killed in the crash were Robert E. Lee Hall, 32, Wichita and his 4 year old son Bobby.

According to highway patrolmen and sheriff's officers who investigated the accident, the Smith car apparently went out of control and sideswiped two on coming cars before colliding head on with the Hall machine. Drivers of the other two cars were George Coulter, 47 Leon, and Leonard Nordyke, 52, of Wichita.

Judge Ralph B. Ralston, set January 16 as the date for Smith's trial. He was released under $2,000 bond. (El Dorado Times, Saturday, January 12, 1952)

FIRE DESTROYS OLD HOUSE WHERE SNYDER SLEW TWO MAY BE INCENDIARIES' WORK

Fire discovered at 2:15 a.m. Saturday and believed to be of incendiary origin destroyed an old frame house at the northwest corner of Eleventh and Mechanic streets, for many years used as the Fourth ward voting station and in early days the scene of a double murder. The property had been unoccupied since two weeks ago, when Peter Story, Mo. Pac. Section foreman, moved to Towanda.

It was owned by W. A. Stone of Cliftondale, Mass., whose interests here were handled by Judge S. E. Black up to four years ago.

Chas. Leonard, Fred Dunn and Roy Balch, living nearby were the first to discover the fire. The alarm was turned in over George Abraham's telephone and Robt. Green's auto took out the hose cart, which arrived in time to save the other houses nearby.

When I was awakened the flames were spouting through the roof at the west end of the house ina space that seemed to be ten feet square, said Mr. Leonard. The shack was dry as tinder and the fire leaped along over the roof rapidly. Fortunately the wind was not blowing or other houses would have caught fire.

This is the second fire within a week which is believed to be the work of firebugs. The other was Virgil Kilgore's residence at 424 Star street, Monday at 2:30 a.m. practically the same hour of the night. There C. A. Strong a neighbor saw a man run from the premises just after the fire broke out.

The house destroyed Satruday morning was the scene of a double killing in the fall of 1889 when Robert Snyder shot his wife and mother in law and tried to kill a sister of Mrs. Snyder. Old timers say that Snyder who was about 28 years old, had been drinking and went home one night with a gun said to have been furnished by another woman and killed the two women. He ran away, but returned and gave himself up.

Charles Schram who was sheriff at the time took Snyder to Wichita to escape a mob led by Abraham Matheney. The gun used in the killing was procured by the woman from a son of Henry Dodson.

When the time came for Snyder's trial, George Stinson and Sid Blakeman went to Wichita after Snyder taking him to Augusta and driving here with him in Stinson's buggy. It was thought that an effort would be made to mob Snyder and that all trains were being watched to see when he was brought in.

Snyder was sentenced to life imprisonment but afterward was pardoned and William I. Hoy then a penitentiary guard said that he married again. Snyder had lived here for nearly a year before the murder. He was not engaged in business.

Bloodstains remained on the woodwork of the house until it was burned and the fire is thought to have started in the room where the two women were killed. (El Dorado Times, Saturday, August 30, 1913)