Submitted by
Loyd Bishop

RAILROAD MAN MURDERED.

The officers of Kansas and the Territory and special officers of the Santa Fe are trying to solve the mystery surrounding the death of James Hess, a Santa Fe switchman, who was murdered in the yards here Saturday night.
When the crew of an extra freight train, in charge of Conductor J.F. Malone, which left Arkansas City for the south Saturday night, reached Noble, Okla., one of the trainmen made a ghastly find in a freight car. It was the body of John Hess, lying stiff and cold, pierced by a bullet. The train proceeded to Purcell where officers took charge of the case.
Hess had worked in the yards here off and on for sometime. He returned a few weeks ago and went to work, saying he would have to leave as he had gotten into trouble with a woman, and a man had threatened his life. He could not draw his wages, as there was a garnishment on them so he stayed around town until Saturday night, when he talked with two switchmen. He was not seen again alive by any of the railroad men.
There are many different stories as to the probable cause of his death. It has been ascertained that he was shot from the front. Some think it was by bums in the car as one of the trainmen says he heard loud talking in the locality of that car while the train stopped at Guthrie, but as the man had been dead for some time when found at Noble, that this theory is untenable. Others think he had been shot by the man who had ordered him out of town, after he had gotten into the car. The officers have been following every possible clue and it is probable the truth will be learned yet. It has been said that Hess had caused the breaking up of three families in this city and that his horrible fate comes deserved. -Arkansas City Enquirer.