Murderer Captured
Newton, Kans., July 1 – Thomas Moore, alias William Light, a negro, wanted in Dyersburg, Tenn., for murder in the first degree, was captured Tuesday morning at Halstead. Moore came to Halstead about two weeks ago, and soon after obtained work in the harvest field. During this time he wrote home and the letter was intercepted by Sheriff C.C. Dawson of Dyersburg, who then wired to Halstead officials to arrest the man. He was captured today, brought here and placed in the county jail. Moore confessed today that he was guilty of the murder. He claims a white man assaulted him with a steel rod, and that he shot him in self defense. He was trailed for some distance, but succeeded in making his escape. He says that he fears he will be lynched if he is taken back. The Wichita Beacon, Wichita, Kansas. Friday, July 1, 1898. Page 3.
Murderer Caught
Thomas Moore, alias William Light, a Negro wanted for murder in the first degree at Dyersberg, Tennessee, was captured this morning at Halstead by Constable C. Philbrick and Deputy Constable T.B. Van Horn. Moore came to Halstead two weeks ago and after staying around town secured work on the farm of Joseph Thornhill, living two miles and a half from town, as a harvest hand. This morning Constable Philbrick received a letter from Sheriff C.C. Dawson of Dyersberg saying that the man was wanted for murder. Philbrick and Van Horn at once drove out to the farm and arrested the man and brought him to this city where he was placed in the county jail. It seems that about a month ago Moore was working in a stave factory in Dyersberg and got into a quarrel with the foreman of the factory, a white man, and the white man, according to the Negro’s story, threatened to kill him. Moore went home after a gun and coming back met the foreman, who picked up an iron bar and started after him. Moore shot him several times and then threw down the gun and ran. He was trailed with bloodhounds but escaped capture and reached Halstead. While at Halstead he wrote a letter home. The sheriff there intercepted it and wrote to Halstead asking that he be captured. Moore confessed to the murder this morning after being arrested, and told the story as above. He says that he fears he will be lynched if he be taken back, as they have no mercy on a Negro in that vicinity. Moore seems to be an intelligent man and while at Halstead seemed to be very peaceable and caused no trouble. Sheriff Dawson was wired this afternoon of the capture and is expected to arrive here tomorrow night or Friday. Moore was not told at the time of his arrest what he was wanted for and his confession was entirely voluntary. The Newton Daily Republican, Newton, Kansas. Wednesday, June 29, 1898. Page 1.
Thomas Moore Arrested
C. Philbrick, constable of Halstead township, brought in some rich game today. his prisoner was a negro who was wanted in Dyersburg, Tennessee for killing a white man. Last night, Philbrick received a letter from C. C. Dawson, sheriff of Dyer county, Tennessee, giving him a description of a negro by the name of Tom Moore, who three weeks before had killed a man in Dyersburg, and skipped the country. The negro’s wife lives in that town and it is through her that he was traced to Halstead. Moore gave the name of William Light in Halstead, when he came there two weeks ago. He was a good cook and polite, well-mannered fellow. He worked a few days in Steininger & Kaiser’s restaurant, and then began work in the harvest field of Mr. Thornhill, four miles northwest of the town. Philbrick caught him there this morning. He surrendered without a show of fight, and was brought immediately to this city. When told what he was wanted for, he admitted the deed. He said this white man had threatened to kill him and cornering him one night among some dry goods boxes attempted to do so. Moore said he shot in self-defense, but did not know he killed the man, as he(Moore) skipped immediately. Moore is now in jail awaiting the coming of the sheriff of Dyer County, Tennessee who wired that he would be here on first train. Philbrick is certainly entitled to a share of the reward at least for making this capture. The Evening Kansan, Newton, Kansas. Wednesday, June 29,1898. Page 1.
Took Him To Tennessee
C.C. Dawson, sheriff of Dyer county, Tennessee, came in this morning, accompanied by Jeff Vaughan, of the same place. Dawson left at noon with Thomas Moore alias Light, the negro arrested at Halstead Wednesday. Mr. Dawson says there is little doubt but that the negro will be acquitted, as provocation for the deed was very strong, and the plea of self defense can be easily supported. Moore has a good reputation at home. The Evening Kansan, Newton, Kansas. Friday, July 1, 1898. Page 1.
Take Moore Back
Sheriff C.C. Dawson and Jap Vaughn of Dyersberg, Tennessee, arrived in town this morning on No. 7 to take the Negro, Thomas Moore, back to Tennessee to answer the charge of murder, which is standing against him there. Dawson and Vaughn went to the jail immediately on arriving in town. They recognized Moore at once as the man they wanted. Moore himself knew both of the men and as Dawson came into the jail, said to Herman Means, “There comes Mistah Dawson after me. Reckon Ah’ll have to go.” Dawson says that Moore was a good negro and always had the best of reputation in Dyersberg. He is a hard worker, always dressed well and was far above the common run of Negroes. He claims that Moore need have no fear of being lynched as public sentiment has turned. The man he killed was a bully and was always abusing Negroes. Moore will probably be given a penitentiary sentence now, although he would have been lynched had he been caught at the time. Moore seems to like Dawson quite well and says that he is satisfied that if Dawson says he is safe that it is so. Dawson says that the name of William Light by which Moore went here is the name of Moore’s brother-in-law in Dyersberg. The officers left this noon on No. 6 with Moore for Dyersberg and expect to reach there Saturday evening. The men are typical Southerners and speak with a broad Southern accent. The Newton Daily Republican, Newton, Kansas. Friday, July 1, 1898. Page 1.
