PROCEEDINGS OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF KANSAS, APPOINTED AT THE SESSION OF 1891, TO INVESTIGATE THE EXPLO- OCTOBER 18, 1888. TOPEKA. KANSAS PUBLISHING HOUSE: CLIFFORD C. BAKER, STATE PRINTER. 1891. Whereas, It is alleged that on the 18th day of October, 1888, a package of dynamite or other deadly explosive was deposited in the office of the Pacific Express Company, at Coffeyville, Kansas, and directed to be sent to Winfield, Kansas; and Whereas, The dynamite did explode while in the custody of H. M. Upham, and dangerously, and well-nigh fatally wounded two innocent women; and Whereas, It is charged that a person is now in the employ of the State of Kansas who, it is charged, was implicated in a conspiracy against the lives and property of certain citizens of the State of Kansas; and Whereas, It has been charged that the Republican State Central Committee was the instigator of this conspiracy to destroy the property, reputation, and possibly the lives of some of our people, for political effect; and Whereas, It has been charged in certain prints, and on the floor of this House, that the aforesaid alleged crime has not been investigated in the courts of the State, by reason of the refusal of certain officers to perform their sworn duties; and Whereas, Parties making such charges have withheld from the public all authority to make the same, and have used the information they claim to have for political effect, thereby making their pretended knowledge of crime a basis of political agitation instead of attempting to bring criminals to justice; therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring therein, That a committee of five on the part of the House and three on the part of the Senate be appointed to make a full investigation of all facts pertaining to this outrage, with a view that the guilty may be punished, the innocent vindicated, and the lives of the people protected. Resolved, That said committee be empowered to compel the attendance of witnesses, the production of books, papers, and to administer oaths, examine witnesses, and employ a sergeant-at-arms and a stenographer, and that the testimony taken shall be printed, and that the said committee sit with open doors. Sergeant-at-Arms, MR. J. F. MALONE. Clerk and Stenographer, MRS. MAUDE SMITH. [NOTE. On the 23d day of February, 1891, Mr. Andrews resigned as a member of the committee on account of ill health, and was succeeded by Mr. Senn. On the 25th of the same month, Mr. Vandeventer resigned, and was succeeded by Mr. Crumley. Mr. Andrews, who had been elected chairman, of the committee, was, upon his resignation, succeeded in that position by Mr. Carey.] REPORT. TOPEKA, KANSAS, Friday, February 13, 1891. Proceedings of the Joint Committee of the Legislature of the State of Kansas appointed to investigate the facts in relation to the explosion which took place at Coffeyville, Kansas, October 18, 1888. The Committee met at Senate Committee Room No. 5. Present: Senators Kimball, Mohler, and Carroll of Leavenworth; Representatives Andrews, Carey, Bishoff, Vandeventer, and Rice. On motion of Senator Kimball, Mr. Andrews was chosen chairman of the Committee. Mrs. Maude Smith was elected clerk and stenographer, and J. F. Malone was elected sergeant-at-arms of the Committee. Senator Mohler moved that any member of the Committee should have the right to have subpoenas issued for such witness or witnesses as such member of the committee might desire to have in attendance upon the committee, which motion prevailed. Senator Carroll moved that Senate Committee Room No. 5 be used as a place of meeting for the Committee; and that Senator Kimball be requested to secure permission of the Senate to use the room for that purpose. Carried. Senator Mohler moved that the sessions of the Committee be held at Topeka instead of at Coffeyville or elsewhere, and that the witnesses be subpoenaed to attend the sessions of the Committee accordingly, which motion prevailed. The following witnesses were named, and the chairman of the Committeee was requested to issue subpoenas therefor, and place the same in the hands of the sergeant-at-arms of the Committee: I. D. Highleyman.. S. C. Elliott... O. P. Ergenbright.. H. M. Upham.... Joseph McCreary. Mary E. Lease... S. H. Snider.. J. W. Rush. David G. Jones.. Chetopa, Kansas. Winfield, Kansas. . Larned, Kansas. . Clay Center, Kansas. . Pueblo, Colorado. .Kingman, Kansas. .Kingman, Kansas. Kingman, Kansas. Tecumseh, Kansas. |