Murder at Waunetta

[W. Gray]

This murder took place in Chautauqua County. The story is posted on the Chautauqua County Historical and Genealogical Society web site.

Note that a Squire is a justice of the peace, a judge.

Waunetta is midway between Cedar Vale and Sedan.


Cedar Vale Commercial

August 28, 1896



Murder at Wauneta

J. B. Byrnes Killed by a Drunken Assassin

One of the most dastardly, cold blooded, unprovoked murders it has been the unpleasant task of the Commercial to record for many year, took place in Wauneta Tuesday afternoon about three o'clock. J. W. Walker, one of the blacksmiths over there after turning up his courage with several whiffs of the ardent, got his revolver into his belt and went over to the shop of his competitor, Mr. J. B. Byrnes, and asked him for some more whiskey, where upon Mr. Byrnes replied that he had none. This apparently enraged Walker and he called Byrnes a d__n liar. Mr. Byrnes again insisted that he hadn't a drop about the place and then went on with work.

He passed out the side door of the shop to get some fuel for heating wagon tires, which he was setting. Walker came out at the front door, went around to the side and on meeting Mr. Byrnes, began firing at him without exchanging another word. He fired three shots in succession, two of the balls passing through his body, either of which alone would have proven fatal. The third shot missed, but the result was all the same. In less than two minutes after the first shot was fired Mr. Byrnes lay prostate on the ground, gasping his last breath, killed without warning or provocation more than before mentioned.

The murderer reloaded his gun and started for home, but giving everybody solemn warning to keep their distance. As there were no firearms in town, no one interfered or attempted to arrest him. He went home, made his wife get his horse and then started south, went down in where Winchell and Smith were making hay. He took one of Mr. Smith's horses and ordered Bob Hibbard to go with him and pilot him to the territory. Bob at first remonstrated but soon obeyed orders under the persuasive index of a six shooter. He warned Bob not to take him through any town or where they would be apt to meet more than he could stand off alone, warning him with the penalty of his life if he disobeyed.

They went down through the Leggett farm east of Hewins where there were some haymakers at work. While fooling with his gun there, Walker accidentally shot his own horse, but he picked the best in the bunch there and ordered it unhitched from the rake. From there he went south by Harts' Mill and met Squire Land whom he noticed was riding a better saddle than he himself had. He soon affected an exchange with the Squire, his pistol again being the moderator. When he got to the territory line he discharged Hibbard, saying he could go it alone the remainder of the day. Deputy Sheriff Mart Boyer and Sheriff Kiser were each notified that evening and the next morning started in pursuit, but up to the time of going to press he had not been captured.

Little is known of Walker's history in this count as he has not been here long. When sober, he is quiet, inoffensive citizen, but exhibit's a mania to use his gun and dirk knife when drunk. He is reported to be an expert with each and there were suspicions from words he has dropped when intoxicated that this is not his first murder. Personally he and Mr. Byrnes had always been on speaking terms, though rivals in business and experienced the little unpleasantness that happens under such circumstances.

The funeral for Mr. Byrnes was held Wednesday at one o'clock under the auspices of the Odd Fellows, an order of which he had been a long and worthy member. Although the time of notification was short, a large concourse turned out to show their last tribute of respect to the deceased.

[Diane Amberg]

It's interesting that the word ''allegedly" was never used.