Murders, Mysteries, Spooky Articles for Leavenworth County, Kansas

PREMEDITATED SLAUGHTER

Horrible Triple Crime in Leavenworth--Murder and Suicide Inspired by Jealousy--The Partie Known in this City

A triple tragedy, planned in a most fiendish spirit and carried out with wonderful coolness, occurred at Leavenworth, yesterday afternoon, the victim being R. J. Maddy, foreman of the pattern works of the Great Western stove company, his wife, Eva J. Waddy, and Miss Mollie Logue, a friend of the murdered woman. The crime was committed in a room on Miami St., between Third and Fourth sts., where Waddy and his wife had formerly lived.

The parties had lived unhappily together for some time, and about six weeks ago they seperated, Mrs. Waddy coming to this city, where she found employment at Woolf Bros. Her husband wrote for her to return but she refused to do so, and he came to this city loaded down with whiskey and guns, determined to put an end to his wife's existence. He was arrested and fined $100, which amount he paid and then returned to Leavenworth.

Yesterday's tragedy occurred about 4:30 and the only witness to it was an elderly lady named Mrs. Weber. At that hour Waddy gained access to the room and after conversing a few minutes with the woman, drew a revolver and shot his wife, the ball penetrating her left lung. Miss Logue sprang forward to protect her friend, when Waddy fired three bullets into her body, one penetrating her right breast, another the small of her back and the third clipped her right thumb. The murderer then placed the pistol to his own head, pulled the trigger and fell to the floor, dying instantly. That the terrible deed was contemplated days before it was executed, is shown by the statement which Waddy addressed to the coroner last Friday and which was found in his possession after the crime had been committed.

Waddy stated in the opening sentence that "Sunday, October 19, will end the career of an infamous, treacherous, deceitful and adulterous woman," and then follows with a terrible arraignment of his wife who, he states, lived with him for two years as his mistess. He recounts his trip to this city and the arrest that followed and closes his epistle with the declaration that he will be revenged. Waddy also furnished a sketch of his wife, from which it seems that she was born at Petersburg, Reno County, N. Y., and that her maiden name was Eva J. Nichols. She married a man named E. B. Manchester, by whom she had two children. Manchester parted from her in 1878, and she took up with a man named Fanning, with whom she lived for a year or two. Coming west she took up with a man named Dan Newcomb, and went by the name of Eva J. Newcomb. She was marrie to Waddy last March, but they lived together unhappily, her husband being jealous of her emotion towards other men.

From parties in this city who were acquanted with Mrs. Waddy, it was learned that she left her husband on account of his cruel treatment and came here where she found employment at Woolf Bros., and boarded at Sixth and (uknown). Waddy wrote for her to return to (article was unfinished).
(Kansas City Star ~ October 20, 1884 - Submitted by Lori DeWinkler)

DOUBLE MURDER AND SUICIDE

Horrible Tragedy In Kansas---A Husband Kills His Wife, Her Friend and Himself

LEAVENWORTH, Kan., October 19, 1884---This community wa horrified and shocked this afternoon about five o'clock by one of the most brutal and cowardly attempts at murder that has ever been perpetrated. It was the shooting of two ladies named Mrs. Richard Waddy and Mrs. Mollie Louge by the husband of the former.

The story dates back about a year, and was commenced at Troy, N. Y., where Richard Waddy married, and his connubial life not turning out what he thought it would, he left his wife and family there and came to Leavenworth. Here he met a lady from Troy named Mrs. Evan Newcome, to whom he was subsequently married. She did not know that he had previously been married, and they went to housekeeping here. From letters to him from her it seems that her life was one constant roud of abuse, and at last she learned that he had a wife in New York State and her life with him became intolerable. She left him about six weeks ago and went to Kansas City. He frequently importuned her to return to him, but she refused. He then wrote her that if she would come to Leavenworth they would make an equal division of their household effects and she could go her way. She wrote him from Kansas City on the 14th that she would come to Leavenworth today and make the final settlement. Prior to this her companion had been Mrs. Mollie Logue, who accompanied her to Kansas City, and they were employed there in a dry goods house.

Waddy seems to have taken a great dislike to Mrs. Logue and whenever she visited their house a family quarrel would be the result, and when he learned that his wife was accompanied by Mrs. Logue to Kansas City he made threats against both their lives and followed them to that place to carry out his threats. He was arrested by the police for carrying concealed weapons, and heavily fined. He then returned to Leavenworth and concocted the contemptible plan whereby his own worthless life was ended and the lives of his wife and her female companion are hanging in the balance.

PRELIMINARIES TO THE MURDER

He wrote her on the 12th, as stated, concerning the household effects, and on the 14th she replied that she would be here today, and that forever hereafter she cared not to hear from him. True to her promise she arrived here at half-past ten this morning, and while passing up Delware street he met them saying that he had made all arrangements and asked her to call this afternoon at the house of Mrs. Webber, No. 317 Miami street, where the final details could be arranged. His wife, in company with Mrs. Logue, started for that point about four o'clock and arrived there sometime ahead of him. When he did arrive he found his wife giving her address in Kansas City to another lady, and he abruptly asked her what she was doing. She replied that some of her friends were about to visit her and she was giving them her address.

THE MURDERS

He then said, "I have got something for you," and, drawing a pistol, commenced a shot. His wife jumped from her chair and started to run into an adjoining room, but the bullet aimed at her proved too true, and passed under her right shoulder blade and through the right lung, felling her to the floor. He then turned his attention to Mrs. Logue, who had ran screaming into the kitchen, and following her there he grabbed her by the throat she seizing him by the arm. He then fired one shot at her, which passed through both of her hands. She released her hold on him and started to run, when he grabbed her by the dress and pulling her on her knees fired two more shots, the first one passing through her left breast and through the lung, and then, reaching behind her, fired the third shot, when entered the small of her back and passed into her stomach.

Waddy then stepped over her body, and, walking to the middle of the room where his wife's body lay, put the pistol to his left temple and fired one shot, which tore a frightful wound, killing him instantly. He fell beside the body of his wife, and they lay side by side, with the blood gushing from their wounds, presenting a horrible and sickening sight.

From Waddy's clothes was taken another loaded revolver and a long, villainous looking knife. In his pockets were a large number of letters.
(New York Herald ~ October 20, 1884 - Submitted by Lori DeWinkler)

A KANSAS GIRL MURDERED

The Body of Miss Carrie Forbes of Leavenworth Found in a Gully

Leavenworth, Kas., Nov. 7---Miss Carrie Forbes, aged 19 years, was assaulted and murdered last night. Her body was found lying in a gully close to her home. The murder occurred between Walnut and Chestnut streets, on Lawrence avenue, some time between 7 and 8 o'clock last night. Miss Forbes worked at the Leavenworth cracker factory and left there to go to her home on Maple avenue shortly after 6 o'clock last evening. She went part of the way and spent some time with a girl companion. She was last seen alive about 7 o'clock.

The body showed that she had been choked to death and there were bruises about the neck. She had evidently been walking along the street near the spot where her body was found when she was seized and thrown into the gully. A woman living in the neighborhood says she heard a woman's scream, but paid no attention to it. So far not the slightest clue has been discovered that would lead to the discovery of the murderer. The parents of the girl started out to hunt her when she did not return at the usual time. They were not able to find her during the night. Miss Forbes bore an excellent reputation.
(Kansas City Star ~ November 7, 1900)

A Mr. Brown, of Leavenworth, Kansas, has been brutally murdered. He had been to Easton with a party of free State men, to assist those residing there against the border ruffians. On the way home, they were taken prisoners by the Missourians. Brown was murdered in the most in-human manner. Another sacrifice to the Moloch of slavery.
(Wisconsin Chief ~ February 12, 1856)

LEAVENWORTH HAS TWO MURDERS IN SAME WEEK; HUSBAND KILLS WIFE AND WOMAN MURDERED IN ARGUMENT

LEAVENWORTH, Kansas---Family troubles, said to have started by jealousy, ended in Ezrel Smith killing his brother-in-law, Yustes Daniels at the Smith home on Cedar street in Bain City. Smith shot Daniels in the left temple causing instant death.

Deputy Sheriff Ted Morrow, who was called out, after a brief investigation, brought Mr. and Mrs. Smith and William Pinkson and Stephen Y. Waters, generally known as "Texas Red," white men in the Smith house at the time of the killing to the county jail. Statements were taken from all four of them relative to the killing of James N. Snyder, assistant county attorney.

The two white men said they were sleeping in the Smith house and did not know what occurred in advance of the shooting and the first they knew about any trouble was on hearing pistol shots. The white men are World war veterans.

Deputy Sheriff Morror said that when he arrived at the Smith home he found Daniels had been shot in the left temple at close range. He said that Mrs. Smith told him that she had a fight with her husband over attention that he allegedly was paying to another woman when he pushed her, Mrs. Smith, through a window, cutting her about the head.

Mrs. Smith said after this she secured a pistol and shot five times at Smith without any bullets hitting him. She said that afterwards Smith took the pistol from her and placed a cartridge in it.

Mrs. Smith said her brother came into the room and started after Smith who fired the pistol, the bullet entering the left temple of her brother, causing instant death.

LEAVENWORTH, Kansas---A woman is dead and her husband injured, not seriously, following a shooting at Third and Kowa streets which witnesses said resulted from an argument between Wade Portee, 219 Iowa street, and Lewis Lett, 319 Seneca street, the injured man.

Mrs. Estella Lett, wife of the injured man, died at St. John's hospital from a bullet wound allegedly inflicted by Portee, after she had stepped in between the alleged slayer and her husband.

Arthur English, 530 Cheyenne St., a driver for the Blue Line taxicab company, came to police headquarters and reported a man and woman were lying in the middle of the street at Third and Kiowa. He told officers the woman was near death from a bullet wound in her neck.

An ambulance was called and the injured woman was taken to St. John's hospital. Dr. A. R. Adams, city physician, was called to the hospital where he said Mrs. Lett had little chance to live. The bullet, Dr. Adams said, struck Mrs. Lett in the neck, passed through her right lung, and emerged from the back. The woman was unable to make any statement before she died.

The husband suffered a slight head wound from a bullet which grazed his head on the left side. He was treated at the police emergency room by Dr. Adams and then placed in the city jail.
(Plaindealer ~ April 8, 1938)

FARMER SHOOTS BOY'S FRIEND

Convict on Harvest Parole Near Death From Wounds Inflicted by Farmer Near Lansing

SAYS FARMER USED SHOTGUN

Prisoner Claims He Found Boy Chained To Door

C. W. Ray, the Farmer, Is Under Arrest--Sheriff and Deputies Find Boy in Cabin With Lock Around His Neck

Leavenworth, June 20---C. W. Wilkes, a prisoner in the Kansas state prison, is in a dangerous condition today as a result of gunshot wounds, after being shot last night by C. W. Ray, a farmer living on Steiger's Island in the Missouri River opposite the penitentiary near Lansing. Wilkes, according to his story, was shot when trying to persuade Ray to release a small boy whom he had chained in a room of his home. The boy was found by Sheriff Russ Wilson, of Leavenworth, and two deputies when the Ray home was visited after the shooting, chained in a room with the chain about his neck and the lock under his chin. The ends of the chain were attached, one to a door, and the other to one side of the room, the sheriff states.

Wilkes, who was working on the island on a harvest parole, disocvered the small boy chained and argued with Ray about releasing the child. Ray is said to have told him that he was breaking the child from the habit of running away. In the argument, Ray declares, Wilkes dared hom to shoot him, and obtaining an automatic shotgun, he fired five times at the prisoner, two of the shots taking effect.

The farmer was arrested on a warrant charging him with assault and attempt to kill, issued by county authorities. Being unable to furnish $3,000 bond, he was placed in the county jail to await a preliminary hearing June 24.
(Emporia Gazette ~ June 20, 1919)

LYNCHERS FOILED BY DEATH

The Suicidal Act of a Wife Murderer Defeats Popular Vengeance

Leavenworth, Kansas, Oct. 27, 1886 - On Monday night Cyrus Lafferty, the wife murderer, was taken from the county jail by his guards and hurriedly driven to the Penitentiary. There being a law against his incarceration there for any length of time he was taken to Wyandotte at half past four o'clock yesterday morning. A telephone message was received from the Sheriff of Wyandotte county saying that Lafferty died there at nine o'clock from the effects of his attempt Monday to commit suicide by cutting his throat.

After Lafferty had been taken away from the jail James Johnson the brother of Lafferty's wife arrived from St. Louis and immediately organized a mob and led them to the jail. The doors were thrown open and the jail thoroughly searched, but of course the prisoner was not found. (New York Herald, October 28, 1886, page 5)

A KANSAS MURDER

A dispatch from Leavenworth, Kansas states that Thomas C. Thurston killed W. W. Embry yesterday afternoon. Embry was the man who shot Colonel Anthony of the Leavenworth Times, about four years ago. He and Thurston were partners in the publication of a Sunday paper which is in business troubles. They have been quarrelling for a week, having had each other arrested on counter charges of embezzlement. Thurston was playing cards in a saloon yesterday afternoon, when Embry having given bail on his arrest, entered and approached the table. Thurston drew a revolver and shot him through the heart so that he died inside of three hours. Thurston was arrested and asserts that he shot in self defense, because he believed Embry intended to kill him. (New York Herald, January 3, 1880, page 10)

A DARK TRAGEDY

Leavenworth, Kan., Oct. 28, 1875 - The body of a beautiful young lady found in the Missouri River at Leavenworth - was it murder or suicide? - A terrible crime suspected -arrests to be made.

A most foul and dastardly murder was committed in this city one week ago, the particulars of which have just been learned. The body of a strange woman, richly dressed and beautiful in death was found floating in the river below the city, wedged in between the carcases of drowned cattle.

Cards, letters and a railroad pass found in her pocket give her name as M. Maria Blackwell of Chicago, Ill. A lady answering to her description was seen in the city one week ago, but those whom she was with reported that she had gone to Denver. When here she had plenty of money, but only $1.75 were found on her person.
No arrests as yet have been made, but detectives are shadowing strongly suspected parties. It appears that she had been enticed into a house of prostitution kept by a noted courtesan, robbed, murdered and her dead body cast into the river. Arrests are hourly expected. The coroner has her trunk and property.

Another Account - The Case Declared a Suicide

Leavenworth, Oct. 28, 1875 - The body of a beautiful woman, aged about twenty-five years, was found in the river yesterday. The corpse was richly dressed, wearing a purple silk dress and jet breast pin and earrings. In the pocket of the dress was found $1.75; also a card case, containing cards bearing the name of "M. M. Blackwell" a check for barrage to Leavenworth and a pass from Chicago to Kansas City. The police are doing their utmost to ferret out the affair. (New York Herald, October 29, 1875, page 7)

ARRESTED FOR A LEAVENWORTH MURDER

St. Louis, Mo., July 13 - George L. Gruse, alias George Sebastian, who is wanted at Leavenworth, Kas., for the murder of a man named Taylor two months ago was traced to a farm not far from here where he was working by means of a letter and was brought to the East St. Louis station. He protested his innocence. Officers from Leavenworth who may identify him are expected today. (Kansas City Star, July 13, 1896, page 3)

MURDER AT LEAVENWORTH

Leavenworth, Kan., Dec. 18 - Frank Garrison, 20 years of age and Frank Ulrick who is incharge of Stiger's island, south of here, got into a dispute yesterday about $2 the former had loaned to Ulrick. Ulrick fired a shot at Garrison, who fled, but returned to Ulrick's house last night and fired three shots at him each of which took effect producing mortal wounds. Guards at the Kansas penitentiary captured Gassison and he was brought to this city and jailed. Ulrick was removed to a neighbor's and will die. (Emporia Gazette, December 18, 1896, page 1)

A NEGRO HANGS HIMSELF IN JAIL

Awaiting Trial in Leavenworth for Murder, He Commits Suicide

Leavenworth, Kas., Nov. 13 - Walter Mitchell, a negro prisoner, under indictment for murder, was found hanging in his cell at the county jail yesterday morning. He was dead. He had hanged himself between midnight and morning by making a rope out of part of a blanket and fastening it to the top of the cell door.

Mitchell was sent to the Kansas penitentiary from Wyandotte county for larceny, and about two months ago killed Joseph Reynolds, a negro convict, with whom he had quarreled. A few days ago he was brought into the city and bound over for trial in the district court. At the preliminary trial he said that his killing of Reynolds was premeditated. It was the intention of the penitentiary officials to have Mitchell tried in the district court during the coming week, and if he had been `convicted and sentenced to death the governor would have been asked to sign the warrant for the execution of the sentence.

Two nights before his death a party of serenaders called at the county jail to congratulate the sheriff on his re-election. Mitchell thought the crowd intended to lynch him and he was moody afterwards. He told a jail prisoner Saturday night that he would be out Sunday morning. (Kansas City Star, November 13, 1899, page 8)

KILLED HIS COMRADE

A Leavenworth Home Veteran Convicted of Murder

Leavenworth, Kan. Dec. 13 - George Murphy, a veteran was convicted in the district court tonight of murder in second degree for the killing of Alfred Cummings, which took place in a hut in "Uniontown," close to the Soldier's Home in October, 1896.

Cummings was hit on the head with an axe while eating supper and no clue as to the author of the crime could be discovered at first. Murphy recently sold a watch and other jewelry belonging to the murdered man and strong circumstantial evidence was piled against him.

The old soldiers from the home crowded the court room during his trial. (Topeka Weekly Capital, December 17, 1897, page 2)

A LEAVENWORTH WOMAN MURDERED FOR MONEY AND HORRIBLY BUTCHERED

Kansas City, March 28 - A special to the Star from Leavenworth says: Two boys made a horrible discovery this morning. On the Missouri river bank, about a mile and a half north of the city, they found the mutilated body of a woman of about fifty years. The body had been quartered with a knife and disemboweled. Both legs had been severed from the trunk. Three deep stabs in the breast had left gapping wounds. There was a hole made by a bullet in the back of the head and fifty pounds of rocks, fastened in a shawl, were tied about the neck. The intestines and one leg were found about fifty yards from where the trunk was the intestines being in a gunny sack. The body is supposed to be that of Mrs. Mettman who disappeared from her home in west Leavenworth Saturday night. The murderer of murderers probably committed the crime in this city then took the body to the river bank where they intended to cut it in pieces. Some accident must have interfered with this plan, and the murders were compelled to leave the body on the shore. An inquest will be held when a son of Mrs. Mettman who is a brakeman on the Rock Island, returns from his run.

The body has been fully identified by her son. The mutilated trunk was found in the river, partly lodged. The arms had also been severed from the body. The woman's husband is employed as a teamster at the fort. Mrs. Mettman was last seen at the house of a neighbor where she dictated a letter to one of her daughters who lives in New York. Ever since her absence, the father and son have sought for her between their hours of labor, but could find no trace of her. The love of money was probably the motive of the murder as $400 in cash which was concealed in the house is gone.

No clue which will positively fasten this terrible crime upon anyone has yet been found. Mettman has been arrested, however and it thought that developments of a sensational character will be made.

A Clue Discovered

Leavenworth, Kan., March 28 - No especially new facts have been brought out this afternoon in the Mettman murder case. It was learned however that Mettman's horse had blood on the neck and a trail of blood was found leading from the house to a vacant lot near by. Some feeling has been worked up and threats of lynching are said to have been made. Mettman and his son also take the matter very coolly and exhibit little or no emotion. The affair is the most horrible which has ever occurred here and feeling is very high. (Topeka Weekly Capital, April 3, 1890, page 2)