Features of All Members of Ellsworth Family Are Chopped With Axe
THREE CHILDREN LESS THAN FIVE YEAR OLD
Crime Not Discovered Until Twenty Four Hours After It Took Place
Ellsworth, Kan., Oct. 16 --- Slain as they slept Sunday night, the
bodies of Will Showman, a chauffeur, his wife and three small children
were discovered tonight in the Showman home by a neighbor who chanced
to call and who entered the house when no one responded to his knock.
The features of all the victims were battered past recognition by the
blows of an axe, which the slayer had used. The youngest member
of the family, a baby, had been beaten until its head was severed from
the body. All three of the children were less than 5 years old.
Although the crime was committed some time last night, it was not
discovered until 6 o'clock this evening, when a neighbor entered the
house.
The authorities so far have failed to find anything pointing to a
cause for the crime, or any clew as to the guilty person.
Showman was employed here as a chauffeur.
NAMES OF VICTIMS
The names of the victims are as follows:
WILLIAM SHOWMAN, about 33 years old
------------- SHOWMAN his wife, age about same
LESTER SHOWMAN, 5 years old
FERN SHOWMAN, 1 year old
The latter two are girls
The Showman home is a small two-room cottage in the outskirts of
Ellsworth and situated 300 or 400 yards distant from the nearest
neighboring house. Showman was employed as an all-around man at
an Ellsworth garage.
The bodies of the five victims were found in one room. All were
in bed, the father, mother and baby in one bed and the two other
children in a second bed which was in the room.
LOOKED LIKE SLAUGHTER PEN
The room where the bodies were found looked like a slaughter
pen. There was blood on the walls, ceiling, floor, beds and
every other article in the room.
In this room also was the bloody axe which the murderers had used and
which he had left in his flight.
Last night all the members of the Showman family visited at the home
of Mrs. O. W. Snook, a friend living several blocks distant.
They left the Snook home about 9 o'clock. This was the last time
any of them were seen alive, so far as has been learned.
WOMAN DISCOVERED BODIES
It was Mrs. Snook, upon whom the family called last night, who this
evening discovered the quintuple killing. She called at the
Showman home a few minutes before six o'clock. Her knock was
unanswered, so she opened the door and walked into the house, entering
the room in which the battered bodies of the five victims lay.
She quickly gave the alarm and the authorities were notified. It
was then nearly dark and the officers were unable to find anything
which would furnish a clue to the slayer or give any cause for the
crime.
Showman's wages as chauffeur and mechanic at the garage were small and
the family was in decidedly moderate circumstances. Consequently
the authorities are greatly puzzled to know the motive for the crime.
Because of the 11 or 12 hours, which elapsed between the time the
crime was committed and the bodies were found, it is feared the murder
or murderers has had time to get a long distance away from Ellsworth,
unless the crime might have been committed by some one living in the
town.
GOES TO HIS BROTHER'S HOME
As soon as Mrs. Snooks saw the bodies of the five victims, she rushed
to the home of John Showman, a brother of the slain man and an
itinerant patent medicine vendor and notified him of the
tragedy. John Showman's home is about two blocks distant from
the house where the murder was committed.
Ellsworth is a town of about 2,500 inhabitants, situated in an
agricultural community, with a police force consisting of one
policeman and a night watchman. In addition to the police force,
the sheriff of Ellsworth county, R. W. Bradshaw, is working on the
case.
Sheriff Bradshaw has sent to Abilene for blood hounds to be used in an
effort to track the slayer. The blood hounds will arrive in the
morning.
(Wichita Daily Eagle ~ Tuesday ~ October 17, 1911 ~ Submitted by Lori
DeWinkler)
SLAYER OF FAMILY OF FIVE FRIENDLY
WITH WATCH DOG
Ellsworth, Kan., Oct. 17 --- William Showman, his wife and three small
children, whose mutilated bodies were found in their home here last
night, were slain by someone who knew the Showman family accurately,
and who was on friendly terms with a family watch dog. This fact
was brought out today following investigations by the police.
The murderer completed his task and covered his crime well. To
prevent interruption of his work, he muffled the telephone with Mrs.
Showman's cloak. After the tragedy, the axe with which the crime
was committed, and the lamp the slayer used, were placed behind a
door, where they were found today. The lamp chimney was placed
in the kitchen of the house, under a chair, and it is believed the
crime was committed in the dim light thrown from a lamp wick, the
murderer evidently fearing the family might awaken in a stronger
light.
NO KNOWN REASON FOR CRIME
Mrs. O. W. Snook, a neighbor, who discovered the murders when she
called at the Showman house last night, said today she knew of no
reason for the crime. The Showmans had no enemies, she
declared. Mrs. Snook said the dog owned by the Showmans came to
her house several times yesterday and each time she drove him home.
"When I went into the house," said Mrs. Snook, "the dog was in the
room lying on the floor. I don't know how he got inside.
The doors were locked."
The authorities believe the murderer was well known by the animal, and
that the slayer must have returned to the Showman house yesterday
after the dog had visited the Snook house. The murderer then
locked the animal indoors. From the condition of the bodies it
was believed the crime was committed Sunday night.
The officers are looking for a former convict in connection with the
crime. He was released from the penitentiary a year ago, having
served a term for grand larceny. His wife, who was a sister of
Mrs. Showman, obtained a divorce and married. There is a rumor
that the man was seen here last week.
Bloodhounds were used in the day in an effort to trace the
murderer. Three times they were taken to the house and each time
took a trail and followed it to the railroad crossing, where it was
lost.
Today a blood-stained work shirt was found in a room of the Baker
hotel, which was occupied for an hour or two Sunday night by a
stranger who has not since been seen. It is thought that this
discovery may help throw some light on the murder of the five members
of the Showman family.
(Wichita Daily Eagle ~ Wednesday ~ October 18, 1911 ~ Submitted by
Lori DeWinkler)
ARREST MADE IN SHOWMAN MURDER
SHERIFF GOT MAN AT KANAPOLIS BUT
KEEPS QUIET
Cannot Give Good Account of Himself or His Actions on Fatal
Night---Identified as Hotel Guest Who Felt Bloody Shirt
Charles Marzyek, the suspected Ellsworth murderer, who is being sought
by police and sheriffs everywhere.
Ellsworth, Kan., Oct. 20 --- Sheriff Bradshaw has in custody a man who
was found at Kanapolis late last night and who answers a description
of the supposed murderer of the Showman family, who registered at the
Baker hotel the night of the murder, leaving a bloody shirt and a
letter.
He went to Kanapolis, where he gave the name of John Smith, the same
used by the supposed Showman murderer. The sheriff brought the
suspect to the Ellsworth jail quietly for he fears lynching.
The sheriff says the suspect cannot give a good account of himself on
the night of the Showman murder. He is in telephonic
communication with the Newkirk authorities in an endeavor to have the
suspect there identified as Markyek.
THUMB MARKS COMPARED
Ellsworth, Kan., Oct. 20 --- Thumb prints and Bertillon measurements
of Charles Marzyek, the suspected murderer of the Showman family here
last Sunday night, will be compared with the imprints left by the
murderer on the deadly ax handle and the door knob of the fated house,
and with known measurements of Marzyek here.
The county authorities have sent to the Lansing pen for the Bertillon
measurements of Marzyek and his thumb marks when he was sentenced to
the pen several years ago for larceny. They are expected today
or early tomorrow.
Sheriff Bradshaw has gone to Newkirk, Ok., to have a look at a suspect
there, the Newkirk police believing they have Maryzek in jail.
The "hunch" is believed here to be a poor one.
POSSES ARE SEARCHING
Posses today continued to search this and adjacent counties.
Many persons here now believe that Marzyek left for the South on a
train several days ago.
(Wichita Beacon ~ Friday ~ October 20, 1911 ~ Submitted by Lori
DeWinkler)
OUTLOOK GLOOMY FOR CAPTURE OF
SHOWMAN SLAYER
Every Report Investigated Except One Fails to Shed Light on
Mystery---Newkirk, Okla., Sheriff Positive
Ellsworth, Kan., Oct. 20 --- Private detectives and county officers
who have been searching since last Monday for the man who murdered the
five members of the Showman family say tonight that the outlook for
the capture of the slayer is gloomy.
Every report, save one, that the man detained at Newkirk, Okla.,
resembles Charles Marzyek, who is under suspicion, has been
investigated and no light shed on the mystery. Little confidence
is placed in the Newkirk clew, but an officer who knows Marzyek was
sent there from here tonight to attempt identification of the
man. The sheriff of Newkirk is positive he has the desired
fugitive. Several times today he telephoned the officers and
urged them to come and get their man.
"MYSTERIOUS SMITH"
For a time today officers thought they had John Smith, the mysterious
man who left bloody clothes at the Baker house here on the night of
the murders and who was found by a coroner's jury to be responsible
for the killing. At Kanopolis today, John Smitherman, a laborer,
from Junction City, Kan., who answered the description of Smith, was
taken into custody by the local officers. He was rushed in a
motor car and placed in the county jail. He admitted he was here
on the night of the murder and that he had registered at some local
hotel. But he could not say that he was at the Baker house, and
he was positive that he did not leave any bloody clothes there.
From here he went to Kanopolis and obtained a job in a salt works,
just as Smith was said to have done. Apparently he is the man
the officers have been trailing, believing him to be the murderer.
Sheriff John Harbes of Junction City came here tonight and practically
convinced the authorities that Smitherman had nothing to do with the
Showman case. According to the officers, Smitherman has lived in
Junction City for more than 20 years and has been a hard working
man. The suspect explained that he had been drinking hard for
several days and that he was not positive about his movements while
here. His family is in Kanopolis, where he intended to go to
work. He will be released, local officers say, as soon as he is
strong enough to travel.
FINGER PRINTS ARE FOUND
A private detective today found finger prints on a bucket in which the
murderer washed his hands before leaving the Showman house. A
message has been sent to Lansing prison requesting copies of the
finger prints of Marzyek.
No organized posses scoured the surrounding country today because it
is generally believed the murderer has left this section.
Feeling against him is still strong, however. A state of terror
exists among women and children as a result of the crime.
Hardware stores say they have sold more revolver since the slayings
than they had for a year previously. Many fear that the murderer
was a maniac, and for that reason they fear to go on the streets at
night.
(Wichita Daily Eagle ~ Saturday ~ October 21, 1911 ~ Submitted by Lori
DeWinkler)
SMITHERMAN RELEASED IN SHOWMAN PROBE
FINGER PRINT EXPERT DECLARES IMPRESSIONS
LEFT BY HANDS OF SLAYER ON
BUCKET WERE NOT HIS MARKS
Ellsworth, Kan., Oct. 23 --- John Smitherman, held as a suspect in
connection with the murder of the Showman family here a week ago, was
released from the county jail today. No evidence to connect him
with the killings could be found.
Before Smitherman was released he was put to the severest possible
test by a private detective and county officials. Late Sunday
night the authorities and their prisoner went to the Showman
home. The room, which resembles a shambles, was in exactly the
same condition as it was when the slayer left the house. The
suspect was taken into the house by the back door through which the
murderer effected his entrance. Suddenly the room was lighted.
"It was a horrible deed," remarked Smitherman, but that was all he
said.
Efforts to force a confession from him were futile.
Further proof of his innocence was furnished when William Ducket, a
finger print expert of Topeka, found that the impressions left by the
slayer's hand on a bucket were not those of Smitherman.
Following his release Smitherman went back to Kanopolis, where his
wife and five children have been waiting for him since he was
detained.
In the day a letter was received by Sheriff Bradshaw, postmarked
Denver, and signed "Crazy." This communication containing the
sentence, "The next murder will be by fire, October 28," also says
that the Ellsworth, Colorado Springs and Monmouth, Ill., murders, all
entailing loss of fourteen lives, were committed by the same person.
(Wichita Daily Eagle ~ Tuesday ~ October 24, 1911 ~ Submitted by Lori
DeWinkler)
CHARLES MARZYCK CAUGHT IN CANADA
Alleged Murderer of Showman Family at Ellsworth Last October Will Be
Brought Back for Trial
CHARGED WITH CRIME
Officially Accused in the Requisition Application----Recalls One of
Worst Crimes in History of State
CHARLES MARZYCK
From Photograph Taken While He Was In Prison For Stealing Wheat.
After months of searching all of North America, Charles Marzyck, the
Bohemian charged with the murder of the entire Showman family at
Ellsworth the night of October 15, last year, has been found. He
is under arrest at Kamloops, Province of British Columbia, Canada.
An application for a requisition for Marzyck was received yesterday by
the attorney general from Sheriff Samuel E. Bradshaw of Ellsworth
county. Before any action can be taken towards bringing Marzyck
back, the governor must apply to the secretary of state in Washington,
asking him to apply to the governor of Canada for an extradition.
Since soon after the famous Showman murder, detectives have been
looking for Marzyck, who is now said to be using the name of Charles
Mason as an alias. Rumors have been received from time to time
that he had been located, but they were proven unfounded, one after
another. This time the county attorney Ellsworth county is
satisfied he has the right man.
IS CHARGED WITH THE CRIME
Marzyck has been formally charged with the crime. The
application for a requisition makes the complete charge. It
charges him with five separate murders. He is charged with the
murders of William Showman, Mrs. Pauline Showman, and the three
Showman children, Leslie, Fern and Fenton.
William Showman worked in a garage at Ellsworth. He was no
particularly prosperous and he and his family lived in a little house
at the edge of the town. Neighbors missed them when they did not
appear October 16 and soon an investigation was made. The five
members of the family were found in the bedrooms, all dead. They
had been murdered during the night. The deeds were committed
with an axe, which was found later.
Many theories were advanced at the time, but dissolved and eventually
Charles Marzyck was suspected. He had not been seen in Ellsworth
for some time, but various things led the officers to believe that he
was the guilty person.
It is stated in the application for a requisition that Marzyck had
been married to a sister of Mrs. Showman, Minnie Kratke. Marzyck
was arrested once when he lived at Ellsworth, charged with stealing
wheat. He was convicted and sentenced to the penitentiary.
His wife secured a divorce during the trouble and he planned
revenge. It is said that he threatened to kill her, her sister,
Mrs. Showman, and the entire Showman family, "because they had turned
against him."
FORMER MRS. MARZYCK REMARRIED
That is one of the things upon which the Ellsworth county officials
base their belief that Marzyck is guilty. The woman, who was
formerly Mrs. Marzyck, shortly afterwards married James Vopat.
She lives on a farm, and, after the murders last fall, she was
satisfied that Marzyck committed the crimes. She and her husband
went armed in the fields and around the house. They feared
Marzyck would return to complete the job he had threatened when he
left the penitentiary.
County Attorney Bartlett has had considerable correspondence with the
British Columbia officials. The latter state that the man under
arrest fills the description to the letter and that the photograph
they have could be of no other man.
The man will be brought back to Ellsworth county, and if he proves to
be Marzyck, will be required to defend himself against the charge of
murdering the five members of the Showman family.
(Topeka Daily Capital ~ Saturday ~ May 4, 1912 ~ Submitted by Lori
DeWinkler)
HE REACHES ELLSWORTH
MARZYCK TO BE TRIED FOR THE
SHOWMAN MURDER----CLAIMS AN ALIBI
Ellsworth, Kan., May 16 --- Sheriff Bradshaw returned yesterday from
Kamloops with Charles Marzyck. County Attorney Bartlett went to
get him at Ogden to relieve him of care of the prisoner. Marzyck
was much surprised to hear that he was wanted at Ellsworth for the
Showman murder and protests that he is innocent and declares that he
can prove an alibi if given time.
Extradition was waived for this reason and if within three weeks, the
time that Marzyck wants to get his proof, he can prove an alibi, he
will be allowed to return to Kamloops.
The trial will be within three weeks and the officials believe that
they have a strong case against him. Sheriff Bradshaw was
compelled to chain Marzyck to him all during the long journey and
could obtain no rest until Bartlett relieved him at Ogden.
Marzyck states that he could never have done such a crime and pleaded
with him to release him as he was not guilty. The authorities
all believe that they have too much evidence against him.
The guard has been double at the county jail and every precaution is
being taken to keep the prisoner safe from the people most
concerned. The belief is general that when the trial comes
Marzyck will have to be taken away secretly to avoid mob violence.
(Lawrence Daily Journal-World ~ Thursday ~ May 16, 1912 ~ Submitted by
Lori DeWinkler)
CLEARED OF CHARGE OF SLAYING FIVE
Charles Marzyck Released at Preliminary Hearing---Murder of Showman
Family at Ellsworth Still Mystery
Ellsworth, Kan., June 17 --- Charles Marzyck today was acquitted of
the charge of murdering William Showman, his wife and three children,
here last October. He proved an alibi.
About twenty witnesses were examined, and with one exception their
testimony was favorable to the defendant.
John Herink of Wilson, testified he came from Kansas City the night of
the murder, and as he was walking up a street in Ellsworth a man
stopped and peered into his face; then walked on. Herink
declared this man was Marzyck. However, as he had said nothing
about this until two weeks ago, this testimony was given little
credence.
Marzyck detailed his movements since July 1, 1911, and letters in
possession of the county bore out his statements.
After the evidence was all in, Justice Wolf, without any hesitations,
discharged him.
This leaves the local officers just where they were in the beginning.
They have no clues and the mystery bids fair to remain unsolved.
Marzyck left tonight for his home at Denver. He was without
funds, and a collection was taken up and about $16 raised to help him
on his way. He was brought from Canada to stand trail, about six
weeks ago.
(Wichita Daily Eagle ~ Tuesday ~ June 18, 1912 ~ Submitted by Lori
DeWinkler)
SHOWMAN MURDER CLUE HAS BLOWN
THINK OFFICERS
Ellsworth Sheriff and County Attorney Get Little Information From Two
Wichita Suspects
"STOOL PIGEON" DIDN'T FURNISH EVIDENCE
Micky Flynn, Upon Whose Hint W. R. Lockhead Was Arrested, In Toils on
Charge of Burglary
"Mickey Flynn" and W. R. Lockhead, alias W. R. Johnson, who are
supposed to have valuable information concerning the Showman murder
case of Ellsworth, Kan., sweated for two hours last evening in the
"inner" office of the Wichita police station, under the rapid-fire
questions of the Ellsworth authorities and City Detective C. A.
Bish. Sheriff W. E. Bradshaw and Sam E. Bartlett, county
attorney of Ellsworth county, conducted the cross-examination, but
failed to find what they thought a valuable clue from either Lockhead
or Mr. Flynn.
Mr. Lockhead, who was arrested five days ago, was supposed to have
left letters belonging to the Showman family in a barn near where once
stood the notorious Callahan dump, but questioning failed to show that
he had any knowledge of the papers.
Mickey Flynn, who is supposed to be a sleuth when it comes to feigning
companionship with notorious characters, is considered by the police
authorities as a valuable "stool pigeon," although not always
reliable. Mr. Flynn furnished much of the evidence and facts
which led to the arrest of Mr. Lockhead.
Flynn hastened to police headquarters to report his clues, and
Detective Bish immediately ordered the arrest. Mr. Flynn
promised to appear at the station any time desired to state his
evidence against the suspected Mr. Lockhead, and the Ellsworth
authorities were summoned. Upon their arrival last evening, Mr.
Lockhead was called before them and was taken through the "sweat" of
cross-examination.
Whether Mr. Flynn predicted the detective's questioning of Mr.
Lockhead, or whether it was purely accidental, is not known. At
any rate, when the time came for Mr. Flynn's evidence and story of the
case, Mr. Flynn was found to be near at hand, as he had arrived to the
jail less than twenty-four hours before, in company with Officer G. P.
Moore and Detective J. W. Stanbridge. Mr. Moore and Mr.
Stanbridge, however, were unaware of Mr. Flynn's valuable connection
and clues pertaining to Mr. Lockhead, but were escorting him to the
bastile on the charge of burglary.
Officer Moore said last evening that Mr. Flynn had pried open the rear
door of the Kirker and Marsh undertaking establishment, 235 North Main
street, and was seen trying to take a silver lamp from of the
company's emergency wagon. It was for this suspected crime that
Mr. Moore and Mr. Stanbridge arrested Mr. Flynn a few hours later on
Tremont street and locked him in the city jail.
Concerning the attempted robbery, Mr. Flynn said that the charge was
utterly false and that he had not molested the establishment. He
said that he was acquainted with the night clerk and knew that a body
was in the back of the building. These facts intimated Mr.
Flynn, were sufficient to prove that he would be unlikely to molest
the place.
After the two hours of quizzing of Mr. Lockhead and Mr. Flynn,
Attorney Bartlett, Sheriff Bradshaw and Detective Bish held a confab,
going over the entire case of the murder of the Showman family.
All suspecting clues were traced to their ends, and a tete-a-tete,
such as might be heard in an inner office of a Pinkerton bureau, was
held. The men unraveled details, clues, tangles upon penciled
charts, only to find that each tangle was a straight string, that each
detail was a self-evident fact and that each ravel was a string
without end.
A few tangles and a few clues, however, were worked out, and their
development in the near future probably may throw enough light upon
the case to lead to the tracing and capturing of the murderer of
murderers.
This case, which has baffled all detectives, including the famous
Pinkerton force, and also the United States marshall, is one of the
most brutal in the Kansas annals.
The Showman family, five in number, resided peacefully in the
outskirts of Ellsworth, Kan. Last October, all five were found
dead in their home. The crime had been committed the night
before and had been done with an axe. As the family is not known
to have any enemies or to have kept any amount of money in their home,
the crime was evidently committed by persons in an abnormal
mind. Such reasoning has lead Detective Bish to believe that the
murder was committed by men under the influence of a drug.
(Wichita Daily Eagle ~ Saturday ~ June 29, 1912 ~ Submitted by Lori
DeWinkler)