RENO COUNTY, KANSAS
RENO COUNTY, KANSAS
The Messrs. Hale, of this city,
yesterday received the sad intelligence of the murder of a brother, Mr. Chas. Hale, at Hutchinson, Kansas, on the
night of the 10th inst. Mr. Hale was in the employ of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Company, and on
the night in question was engaged in watching the company's property. He was shot twice and apparently killed instantly.
The company had suffered depredations upon its coal bins, and it is supposed to be encountered some of the thieves,
resulting as above. He was 35 years old and leavs a wife and one child.
(Sioux City Journal ~ October 18, 1874)
Kansan Tells Why He Murdered His Five Children
McPherson, Kas., March 22---John
A. Moore, who murdered his five children at Hutchinson and who was brought here as a precaution against a threatened
lynching, confessed his crime today before a Notary Public. The prisoner stated that he had quarreled with his
wife and that a separation was talked of. In which event he feared that his children would come under the control
his wife's family, whom he disliked. It was brooding over the prospect of his children being reared amid such surroundings,
he deposed, that prompted him to crush their skulls with a hatchet, cut their throats and fire the house in which
their bodies lay.
(St. Louis Republic ~ March 23, 1899)
CHILDREN KILLED WHILE THEY SLEPT
Kansas Father Charged With the Murder of His Five Little Ones
House Was Destroyed by Fire After the Crime Was Committed
Hutchinson, Kas., March 20---A fiendish crime, similar to the recent Gilbert murder in Clay county, occurred here this morning. Five children, while asleep, were murdered. The crime is charged to their father. The house was afterward burned over them. The children were Carl Moore, aged 12; Mary, aged 10; Pearl, aged 8; Charlie, aged 7; and Lee, aged 3 years. All were the children of John A. Moore.
This evening, after the close of the Coroner's inquest, Moore was arrested upon the charge of murdering the children.
At 2 o'clock this morning the house in East Tenth street, in Hutchinson, where Moore and his family lived, was partly destroyed by fire. When the flames were under control and the firemen entered, Moore's five children were found dead upon a bed on the floor. Their bodies lay side by side, indicating that they had been asleep. The lower parts of their bodies were badly burned.
During the day the belief spread that the children had been murdered before the house was burned. At first about the only evidence of this was the fact that the children had not moved in their bed and the presence of blood upon parts of the bed.
At the inquest it developed almost beyond a doubt that the children were murdered by the father.
Before the inquest the physicians made an examination of the bodies. On the skull of each was found a fracture, made by a heavy blow with some blunt instrument. With one exception, each child also was cut on the neck, evidently made with a knife. This evidence was produced by the physician at the inquest.
The father's story, told before the Coroner, was that he slept in the next room to the children. He accounted for the fire by saying that he left a lamp burning low in the children's room and that it had exploded. Moore talked indifferently about the affair. He said he was awakened by the smoke in the room and rushed outdoors. He was about 15 minutes recovering from the effects of the smoke and gas, when awakened by a neighbor, who lived about 20 feet west to the next lot. He did not try to get the children out, as the fire had too much of a start. When other arrived, he could not tell where the children were sleeping. No one else was at the house, the mother having gone out to nurse a sick woman. Moore's testimoney was given before he had an intimation that it was known the children had been murdered. He said that when he saw the children could not be saved, he went to his wife's father's and stayed until morning. When the doctors testified that the children had been murdered, Moore gave close attention, but this countenance did not change. Once or twice he sneered.
Although not under arrest, he was closely watched during the trial and made no attempt to get away. When the verdict of the Coroner's jury was brought in, charging him with the awful crime, he appeared as indifferent as before. He refused to talk after the trial. He was taken to Reno County Jail for the night and will be tried at the District Court here next month.
John Moore has no relatives in
Kansas and his native State is not known. He is a medium-sized, dark-complexioned man. Those who know him say he
talks very little and that his main ambition always has been to educate his children, having had little or no education
himself. He came here from Emporia three weeks ago and has brooded much about being out of work.
(St. Louis Republic ~ March 21, 1899)
How Moore Describes the Murder of His Children at Hutchinson, Kas.
McPherson, Kas., March 23---John Moore of Hutchinson who, it is charged, killed his five children with a hatchet, Sunday night and set fire to his home has made a signed statement on the subject. The statement is attested by a notary. A summary of the statement follows:
'I, John Moore, make the following statement in relation to myself and death of my children. I am 35 years old. I ran off from home when small. I have no relatives. I farmed near Emporia until last spring. My wife's folks were a hard set. I did not want to go to Hutchinson. Have wished a thousand times I had not done so. The world looks black. I have had bad spells for seven or eight years. I have a ringing in my head nearly all the time. I often have these spells.'
Moore continues. 'I had been feeling pretty bad for two or three days. I got supper for the children and we all ate together. I felt pretty bloue and discouraged and the children were all in bed when I came back and were asleep. There were all five on the floor in the one bed. When I came in I turned the lamp down and went to bed. I then had one of my worst spells and my head hurt me awfully and everything seemed floating before me and the next thing that I remember after this was in trying to get out of the house myself. The whole thing seemed to be an awful nightmare to me. I didn't talk any to the children. I do not recollect anything about the hatchet or the knife. If I dont that, I don't have any recollection of it. I told my wife that I was going to leave and it looked that I had to leave and she told me to leave and I could not bear to leave my children and leave them with that family. I could not bear to think of leaving them to live like the Franklin children. My 12-year-old boy could read and write and could figure pretty well.
'I told my wife that all I wanted to live for was to see what my children would come to and these things kind of drove me to despair and when I came in and these things looked so black to me I seemed to lose my reason. I have no recollection after this of killing the children. I then recollect of going over to the neighbors when the house was burning and the children were in there. It seems as though I had a fearful dream in which the children were there and I hardly know how it was. I have a recollection of going through a struggle like a dream that I half remember. All the recollection that I have about this is that I would rather see my children dead than for me to leave them in the hands of those people. I mean by that my wife's people. It seems like a dream to me now and that I done something to the children but I do not recollect using the knife or the hatchet. I loved my children and I lived for them and would have had them education.'
Moore's signature is witnessed
by Alex S. Hendry, notary public. Moore was taken to Hutchinson this morning.
(Kansas City Star ~ March 23, 1899)
A Jury Holds the Hutchinson Man Guilty of Killing His Five Children
Hutchinson, Kas., May 8---John Moore was convicted of murder in the first degrees last night for killing his five children. The case went to the jury at 5 o'clock and the verdict was returned two hours later. After the verdict Moore replied to his attorney a question whether he killed his children by saying: "If I did, I don't know it."
When he left the courtroom, Moore broke from the officers and ran. Several shots were fired after him by the sheriff, none of them taking effect. The wholel crowd joined in the chase. Moore ran several blocks to the home of his father-in-law, M. W. Franklin, where he entered the house and fought the officers. He was captured after a short struggle and was taken to the jail.
After the verdict was in, a letter
came from Dr. F. F. Grubbs of Blackwell, Ok., saying he had treated Moore for epileptic insanity several years
ago. Moore killed his five children here March 20. After crushing their skulls and cutting their throats he burned
the house. Insanity was the plea of the defense.
(Kansas City Star ~ May 6, 1899)
Abbeyville, Kas.--William Fox,
33, a farmer was found shot to death in his home. Coroner H. M. Stewart pronounced the case suicide.
(Kansas City Star ~ November 5, 1919)
Hutchinson, May 15---Thomas Robertson, a farmer and stock raiser near this place,
was trampled to death by a bull last night. The animal had been dehorned some time ago on account of its viviousness.
Mr. Robertson went on foot into his pasture, carrying a pitchfork with which to protect himself from the bull.
The animal made a sudden charge. Robertson lost his footing and fell and the bull jumped upon him. The body was
recovered only after the bull had been shot and killed.
(Kansas City Star ~ May 15, 1899)
ROBBERS SLAY A NONAGENARIAN (Frances Guthrie)
Hutchinson, Kan.—The most brutal crime committed In this community since the atrocious Moore murders of ten years ago, was brought to light when the body of Mrs. Frances Guthrie, an aged negro, was found in her home on the western edge of the city. She had been tortured by beating, garroting and gagging before death resulted, In an evident attempt to force her to reveal the hiding place of money she was supposed to have had. Mrs. Guthrie was between 90 and 100 years old. (Alma, Wabaunsee County, Kansas, October 2, 1908, page 2, submitted by Barbara Ziegenmeyer)
TO OUST HUTCHINSON, KAN., MAYOR
Topeka, Kan.—Attorney General Jackson will Wednesday morning file two ouster suits In the supreme court, one against the city of Hutchinson and the other against its mayor, John P. Harsha. Both are brought under the provisions of the prohibition law. The suit against the city asks for an Injunction to restrain it from receiving fees from keepers of joint and disorderly houses in lieu of licenses and the suit against the mayor asks that he be ousted from office.Alma, Wabaunsee County, Kansas October 16, 1908 Page 1, submitted by Barbara Ziegenmeyer)
Three Former Omaha Men Meet With a Terrible Accident in Kansas
A telegram received in Omaha yesterday announced the death at Hutchinson, Kas., of three men formerly well known in this city, from injuries received through the explosion of a tank in the N. K . Fairbanks lard refinery. The men were George D. Lewis, Joseph L. Woods and John Gavin. The refinery was under the management of Woods. Lewis was superintendent of the Fairbanks refinery at St. Louis, and had gone to Hutchinson for the purpose of testing the plant, and Gavin was a steam fitter employed about the works. They were testing the heat in a tank, and were directly over it when the explosion occurred. The men were thrown against the ceiling above, and were deluged with boiling lard. In addition to frightful bruises Woods was terribly scalded. Lewis was also scalded in a frightful manner, was cut badly about the head, and sustained a compound fracture of the left ankle. Gavin was awfully scalded. The men were removed at once to their hotel and medical aid was summoned, but nothing could be done for them.
Joseph L. Woods was a young man, and when in Omaha lived on South Tenth St. About two months ago he left here for Hutchinson, taking his wife and family with him.
George D. Lewis once lived in Omaha, on Woolworth ave. He went from here to St. Louis.
The third victim, John Gavin, until about two weeks
ago, lived at 603 Pierce st., with the family of John Booney. He was about 25 years of age and unmarried. His parents
reside somewhere in Iowa.
(Omaha Herald ~ June 8, 1889)
KANSAS MAN KILLS MOTHER-IN-LAW AND WOUNDS WIFE'S FATHER
Hutchinson, Kas., Feb. 19---Abe Ostatter, a pawnbroker,
last night shot and killed his mother-in-law, Mrs. Joe Coahn, and shot and dangerously wounded his wife and her
father in a family quarrel. He was arrested.
(Jonesboro Evening Sun ~ February 19, 1914)
HUTCHINSON, KAN., Feb. 8---Cora Wilson, a very
pretty 18-year-old girl, was arrested here today for passing counterfeit money. She claims to have come from Salina
recently, but the crime for which she is awaiting final hearing was committed at Lindsborg, where it is asserted
she had been creating sad havoc among the susceptible young men attending the Swedish Lutheran college at that
place. She admitted that her right name was not Wilson, and that she was the wayward daughter of a Presbyterian
minister in an Ohio village, but refused to give her father's name. Though quite talkative on most subjects, when
the question of her guilt as to the charges against her was put she would not answer.
(Kansas City Times ~ February 9, 1889)
John Moore, the murder of his children at Hutchinson is insane. There is not motive behind his awful deed. Brutality cannot explain his crime, for beasts have parental love. There are lots of queer beings passing off for men. (Sedan Lance, March 30, 1899, page 6)
Brother-in-law of William McDannald Killed Last Week
William McDannald, representative-elect, is home from Hutchinson where he was called last week to attend the funeral of his sister's husband, Thomas Fowler, who was shot and killed by an unknown man there last week.
One evening about a week ago, a kit of burglar's tools was found in an alley back of one of the store buildings at Hutchinson. It was believed that if a watch were placed over it the thief could be caught. The A. H. T. A. took the matter up and Tom Fowler offered to watch the place until morning. He was a member of the order and also a deputy sheriff. In the early hours of the morning the burglar came for his tools and Mr. Fowler at once arrested him. They started to the police station. On the way to that place Mr. Fowler was shot and killed. Whether the deed was done by the man arrested or by an accomplice is not known. Most persons think an accomplice did it from behind, since it is not believed that Mr. Fowler would take his man until he knew he was unarmed and the probability is that the man was searched immediately after his arrest. Be that as it may, the assailant fled and has not been found yet, although every effort has been made to locate him. A big reward has been offered by the state and county and the A. H. T. A. is also on the watch.
Mr. Fowler was a man who stood high at Hutchinson. The funeral was conducted from the M. E. church there and the I. O. O. F. had charge of the burial. The Hutchinson News in reporting the funeral says:
"Most beautiful tributes of flowers were sent by the friends of the late Tom Fowler. The green houses in this city sold every flower that they had in stock early this morning to friends.
"One hundred and fifty of the residents of Burton and vicinity came over for the funeral, and over a hundred came from Haven.
"Tom Fowler had a host of friends in all parts
of western Kansas. He was well known among the officers of the western district and many of them were at the funeral.
"All who knew him speak his name with respect as a brave officer and a steadfast comrade. (Sedan Times Star,
December 22, 1910, page 2)
LAW TO MAKE KIDS LEARN NATIONAL AIR
Kansas Senator Says Every Child Should Know "America" and "Star Spangled Banner"
Hutchinson, Kas., Jan. 2---State Senator Will S. Thompson has one bill up his sleeve. He would have a state law enacted which would make it necessary for every school boy and girl to know the words of the national hymn, "America", and also of "The Star Spangled Banner," before receiving a certificate of graduation from a grade school.
"Christmas night we had a community Christmas
program," said the senator. "The congregation was expected to join in singing the national hymn. When
the band struck up the national air, most of the grown folks stood up, but the children, who comprised two-third
of the congregation, had to be told to stand. Then when the crowd sang, only a few could sing. It was dead wrong,
and I'd like to see a law passed that would require every child to know the words of our national hymn before they
can get out of the grade schools. And I'd require our schools to teach the children more of patriotism and regard
for the flag, too."
(The Wichita Beacon ~ Tuesday ~ January 2, 1917 ~ Submitted by Lori DeWinkler)
GRAVE MARKER LAWSUIT ASKS $100,000
HUTCHINSON -- An apparent disagreement over a grave marker took on a new sense of importance when a $100,000 damage suit was filed in Reno county district court.
The suit concerns a widower, the grave of his wife, a former husband of hers, and a man believed to be a relative of the dead woman.
Opal Riggs, former beauty parlor operator, was married to John Webb, aviator, during the war. He died and she remarried.
In April, 1972, at Buena Vista, Colo., she married Orville B. Parks, who is the plaintiff in the lawsuit.
Named as defendant was the man believed to be a relative of Mrs. Parks, Richard D. Lewis.
She died in May of 1972, a month after her wedding, and was buried at Hutchinson. In his suit, Parks said he had accompanied the body to Hutchinson and had taken care of all funeral arrangements, including a bronze grave marker bearing the name Opal Irene Parks, plus the dates of her birth and death.
Then in May of 1974, Parks' suit claims, he (Parks) visited the grave and discovered the bronze marker had been replaced with a granite stone bearing a different name.
The granite marker bears the names of John H. Webb and Opal Webb and the quotation "Together Forever", the suit said.
Parks alleges that Lewis replaced the marker, and that the discovery of the replacement caused him "mental anguish, humiliation and shock in the sum of $50,000."
In addition, he is seeking by reason of malicious,
willful, and wanton conduct of the defendant....$50,000 in punitive damages.
(Salina Journal ~ January 26, 1975 ~ Submitted by Lori DeWinkler)
NOT MUCH LIFE IN TOMBSTONE SALE
One slightly used tombstone was sold Monday morning at the Reno County courthouse.
The events behind this unusual sale set much of the courthouse in an uproar as efforts were made to halt the sale, then delay it and even to determine who owned the stone and who paid taxes on it.
The strange transaction started when the sheriff's office attached the used grave marker for unpaid 1960 taxes. The taxes due on the tombstone are owed by E. M. Hotaling, former manager of the since reorganized Hutchinson Monument Co. Hotaling subsequently left town and the stone was seized at the Hutchinson Memorial Co., 202 North Maple.
As the hour of sale drew near, Clifton A. Park of Wichita, representing R. W. Park and Sons, a tombstone firm, appeared before the county commission and asked the sale be postponed. He said Hotaling hadn't owned the grave marker and that it already had been taxed in Sedgwick County.
Park said the grave marker had been made for a family in Macksville but the name had been misspelled and since it was hard to find anyone with that name who needed a tombstone, the marker was returned here and used for display. He said it was on consignment to Hotaling and that it was owned by the Wichita firm.
Apparently someone goofed when carving the stone. The name was supposed to be Johnston, but somewhere the "T" got lost and it came out Johnson.
Commissioners and members of the county attorney's office searched the statutes for a solution to the bizarre situation and found themselves powerless to stop the sale.
After the stay of sale was denied, bidders gathered in a hastily arranged tombstone territory near the front door of the courthouse.
"I have for sale one two-piece, red granite headstone hearing the name Johnson," said Undersheriff Elwood Mendenhall. "Who'll start the bidding?"
Bidding was not lively.
After only two bids, Park bought the grave marker for $70. The sale price did not cover the back taxes which were $75.62.
A waggish attorney then offered to start legal proceedings to change anyone's name to Johnson.
"We never sold a tombstone before," said
Calvin Sheppard, sheriff.
(Hutchinson News ~ December 4, 1962 ~ Submitted by Lori DeWinkler)
ROBERTO 54 YEARS; NOW HE'S ROBERT
NEW citizen Tavolino, with naturalization
certificate
Juco Custodian A Citizen
His chin held several degrees higher, Robert (formerly Roberto) Tavolino, smiling custodian at Hutchinson Junior College, this week became an American citizen.
"I feel more honest about it," he says. "If there's any trouble, I won't be moved about. I'm in the same boat with the same responsibilities as other Americans."
After he had answered questions on the constitution at the hearing in Wichita this week, the examiner said he was proud of Tavolino and wished all applicants could do as well. Tavolino had appeared for an examination once before with witnesses, Bert Chaney, juco instructor in political science, and Mrs. Frances Arganbright, retired teacher, but was required to take the examination again.
He ruined two signatures under his picture at the ceremony by signing his name "Roberto."
"You're Robert now," the official told him.
"Please don't expect me to change in five minutes," he pleaded, "I've been Roberto 54 years."
Mr. and Mrs. Tavolino came to this country from Argentina five years ago, under sponsorship of Mr. and Mrs. James M. O'Mara, 3004 Farmington Rd. Mrs. Tavolino, a professional cook, worked for the O'Maras for a time, now is a cook at St. Elizabeth's Hospital. Tavolino has been at the junior college the past two years.
In Buenos Aires, Tavolino was a tourist guide and confidential employe in the American embassy 15 years and a tourist guide for General Motors eight years. He met the O'Maras when they toured the GM plant.
The new citizen's wide range of interests and accomplishments includes completion of correspondence work in automotive mechanics and diesel and practical English from a Los Angeles school, playing the accordion and many others which enable him to enjoy the college atmosphere and college students. Mrs. Tavolino hopes to become a naturalized citizen, but language has been a handicap.
Since his naturalization became official, Tavolino's laborious memorizing of names of congressmen, senators and other officials is fading fast.
"I'm not trying to remember them any more,"
said Tavolino, "I'm just like other Americans."
(Hutchinson News ~ September 3, 1964 ~ Submitted by Lori DeWinkler)
Participate in the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Birth of Kansas
Hutchinson, Kas., Sept. 26 --- President Taft was the central figure here today in the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the birth of Kansas as a state. Governor Stubbs, Senators Curtiss and Britton and several of the members of the Kansas delegation in congress were present and again politics were laid aside. All parties and all factions joined in greeting the president and applauded his tribute to the sunflower state.
The president will spend the entire day here, leaving at midnight for Topeka. His program includes a review of the big parade, an address at the state fair grounds and an inspection of the more important exhibits at the show, the laying of the cornerstone of the new convention hall and dinner at the Country club.
In his address the president referred at some length to the late Congressman E. H. Madison, who died suddenly a week ago. It was at Madison's invitation that the president came to Hutchinson. (North Dakota Evening Times ~ September 26, 1911 ~ Submitted by Lori DeWinkler)
Charley Owens, a cement walk builder, of Hutchinson, shot and killed "Tex" Mullins, a Santa Fe brakeman, in the Santa Fe yards. Alleged attentions paid by Mullins to Mrs. Owens is responsible for the shooting. (Wichita Searchlight, August 31, 1907, page 3)
Hutchinson, Kansas - The finding of an old piece of gas pipe in an alley back of a restaurant gave rise to a report printed here that a bomb, which was supposed to have been used in an attempt to assassinate President Taft had been found. The police say the piece of pipe was harmless. (Wichita Searchlight, October 7, 1911)
Died on Prairie with Baby clinging to Her - Woman's effort to Shield Little One Probably saved his Life - Wandered all Night
Hutchinson, Kansas - After an all night search
in a blinding snow storm, amounting almost to a blizzard, W. D. Nifton found the body of his wife buried in the
snow near Fowler. Clinging to her breast was her five year old son. The boy was partly protected from the cold
by his mother's body and was still alive. He may recover.
Mrs. Nifton taught school at St. Jacob's Well, 16 miles from Minneola.
The mother evidently decided to try to reach home by walking across fields and taking her son with her, deserted the horse and buggy.
When the wife did not return home at the usual time the husband became worried and later set out to search for her. He visited the school first and found she had left there. He then started searching along the road leading from the little country school to their home.
The hunt continued throughout the night, the husband and his friends trampling miles through the drifts and across fields. But their efforts met with no success until daylight came, when the body was found far from the road and almost covered with snow.
After being carried to his home and partially revived, the little boy was able to tell of the wanderings of the mother in the storm, which ended when she could drag herself no farther. Part of the time she carried her son and part of the time he stumbled along after her, his hand clasped tightly in hers. Finally the boy was unable to travel longer in the snow, which reached his armpits in places. (Wichita Searchlight, January 6, 1912, page 2)
Jury to begin hearing evidence in murder trial
A Reno county jury of eight men and four women today begins hearing evidence in the murder trial of Roy R. McClanahan, who is accused of breaking into his estranged wife's apartment and shooting her boyfriend in bed last Memorial Day weekend.
McClanahan recently was returned to Reno county jail after undergoing mental evaluations at Larned State Security Hospital. His bail is set at $502,500.
Assistant Reno County Attorney Kevin Fletcher had requested the exam to determine what type of mental defect of disease McClanahan might use in his defense. Fletcher wanted to know whether McClanahan would claim diminished mental capacity or voluntary intoxication.
McClanahan, 46, is charged with shooting Michael Martin, 38, the boyfriend of McClanahan's estranged wife, Josephine on May 26 last year.
During jury selection McClanahan's court appointed attorney Frank Meisenheimer said expert witnesses would testify about McClanahan's mental condition. However, he said McClanahan did not plead not guilty by reason of insanity.
McClanahan is charged with aggravated burglary and first degree murder but the jury could find him guilty of second degree murder or involuntary manslaughter, instead of the first degree murder charge.
If McClanahan is found guilty, Fletcher said the jury also would be asked to consider a "hard 40" sentence, which provides that people convicted of first degree murder must serve 40 years in prison before becoming eligible for parole.
McClanahan's wife, Josephine McClanahan, testified at a preliminary hearing last July that her husband broke into her apartment at 1015 North Main in the early morning hours of May 26 with a 12 gauge shotgun in hand. She said he walked past her into the bedroom where he fired one shotgun blast into Martin's chest as sat in bed.
Mrs. McClanahan's baby daughter, Briana, was in the room where Martin was shot, but she was not injured. Mrs. McClanahan's roommates, Ginger McClanahan and another woman named Vanessa, were upstairs with another child, Tyler McClanahan than 2-1/2.
Later that morning Police said McClanahan surrendered
to police and admitted he had shot Martin. Two shotgun shells - one fired, one not - were found in his car in front
of the police station. (Hutchinson News, March 24, 1992, page 19)