Hold Two Men For Burrton Robbery. Five Stores Entered Monday Morning – Men Have No Certificates.
BURRTON – J.B. Murphy and Neal Williams are being held by the county officers for investigation in connection with the robberies which were pulled off in Burrton early yesterday morning. About four o’clock yesterday morning the telephone operator in Burrton was notified that some one was trying to break into Heinrich’s store. The operator immediately secured connection with Newton and notified Sheriff Smith who told them to notify his deputies Collins and Roberts and have them get out a posse to search the surrounding country for the robbers, who had in the meantime noticed that an alarm had been given and had made good their escape. A posse was soon formed and Williams was apprehended about one and one half miles out of Burrton on the Santa Fe trail and brought back to town while Murphy got on the interurban about seven miles out of Burrton and went to Hutchinson where he was shadowed and when he tried to make his get away was arrested and brought back to Newton.
It is reported that five stores were entered by the robbers; shoes were obtained out of Heinrich’s store, and clothing was secured out of a tailor shop. They also broke into a hardware store but so far nothing has been missing there. When these men were arrested they were searched and the officers failed to find any registration cards and upon being questioned the men stated that they had registered in Oklahoma and did not have their cards with them. Sheriff Smith is investigating this part of their story and if nothing is proven on them in connection with the robbery they will be held until it is ascertained whether or not they have registered.
A preliminary hearing will probably be given the men either this afternoon or sometime tomorrow. Williams was driving a new 1917 model Ford when caught, but the officers are inclined to the opinion that the car was not stolen. Williams is said to be of Indian descent, and his home is supposed to be near Chilloco. The Evening Kansan-Republican, Newton Kansas. June 12, 1917. Page 3. DX05. © Transcribed by Darren McMannis for the Harvey County Genealogical Society.
