14 June 2021

Gurwells Implicated in Attempted Lynching

From The Kansas Chief (Troy, Kansas), August 23, 1894, Thursday, Page 3 --


The Highland Station Scrape-- A number of citizens of Highland Station and vicinity were arrested and brought to Troy, lost week, and had their trial before Justice Hawley, on Thursday, on complaint of Lute R. Mead, the man who was recently almost lynched at Highland Station.  The persons arrested were N. N. Gallagher, Charles Sage, George Miller, Robert Sampson, James Gurwell, and Ralph Gurwell.  There was no evidence showing that Gallagher, Miller, or Ralph Gurwell had any hand in the affair, and they were discharged.  Sage, Sampson, and James Gurwell were permitted to plead guilty to assault and battery, and were fined $10 each, and costs.  The report that the express money package that was stolen had been found, is a mistake.  It is the prevalent belief that the partner of the complaining witness in this case got the money.  He did not come over to participate in the trial.  It seems, from their own story, that he raised the window of the depot, and got a drink of water.

James G. Gurwell (1834-1926) was my 2xg-grandfather.  Ralph Wesley Gurwell (1873-1959) was his son, and my great-granduncle.

Copyright © 2021 by Kevin W. Walker

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