17 Dec 2009

Freeman Selected Documents

Obituaries

Photocopy from unknown original source
c.10 Mar 1909

Oldest Sunday School Scholar is at Rest

Samuel Freeman was born in Hunterstown, Pa., in 1819. He was married to Maria Thoman in 1847, to this union were born 12 children. His wife and six children have preceded him to the other world.
He was a member of the Lutheran church which he loved so well all his life. Four sons and two daughters, two sisters, 27 grand children and 25 great grand children survive him.
At the age of 12 years he began to work at the plasterer's trade with his father, and when a mere boy he worked on the Lutheran College at Gettysburg, Pa. He worked at his trade about 70 years.
In 1878 he moved with his family to Abilene. He resided on the farm 3 miles west of town 26 years, where he died. In excavating the cellar for the addition to the Lutheran Church in Abilene he threw out the first dirt. He also with his son John, from Atchison, and the Rev. Mr. Lillie and C.H. Lebold helped to raise the bell on the old church, that called him to worship as weeks and years rolled by and also tolled his funeral knell. He was the oldest Sunday school scholar in the state of Kansas. Almost every Sunday found him in the Sunday school. He was loved and respected by all. At the time of his dath he was 89 years, 2 months and 17 days old. A kindly heart he had and his faith in all was sincere.

Cards of Thanks.
We wish to thank the kind neighbors and friends who so kindly helped us in the illness and death of our beloved father and grandfather. We also desire to thank the central girls for their good service.
Mrs. A. Sexton, Mrs. May Wetzel, J.F. Freeman, W.H. Freeman, S.L. Freeman, J.W. Freeman, and grand children.

Abilene Daily Chronicle, Abilene, KS, [newspaper].

11 Mar 1909

Samuel Freeman Dead.

Samuel Freeman, aged 89 years, 3 months, and 7 days, died at his home west of the city yesterday afternoon at 3 o'clock. Mr. Freeman had been sick for some time.
The funeral will be held from the Lutheran church tomorrow afternoon at 2:30, Rev. Bergstresser officiating. The burial will be in the Abilene cemetery.

News

Atchison Daily Globe, Atchison, KS, [newspaper].

7 Nov 1916

MURDERED IN COLD BLOOD
Ida Peterson Victim of John Freeman's Jealousy.
HE ESCAPED IN AUTOMOBILE
Crime Committed in Front of Postoffice Early Last Night - Fugitive's Trail Disappears on Leavenworth Road.

A lover's quarrel ended fatally last night for Miss Ida Peterson, aged thirty-four years. John Freeman, the murderer, is a fugitive, and committed the crime in front of the Atchison postoffice at 5:45 o'clock. He shot her twice with a revolver, then ran east to the McDonald mill, leaped into his automobile, and went south. At 8 o'clock last night he nervously ate supper at the home of his brother-in-law, James Servaes, four miles south of Atchison, and then went on south. The tracks of his automobile were traced from the Servaes farm to Oak Mills, thence west to the Leavenworth road, where the visible trail of the car ends.
Ida Peterson, the slain woman, was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H.F. Peterson, an aged couple living at 1223 M street. She was going to her home from the Troy laundry, where she was employed, when she met John Freeman and was murdered in cold blood by him. He is about thirty-five years of age, formerly was a Missouri Pacific fireman and a motorman in Atchison, and recently had been employed by a contractor who constructed the concrete pavement on the Waggener road southwest of the city. His parents, most estimable people, are Mr. and Mrs. John F. Freeman, and live on the Leavenworth road, west of the Atchison coal mine. Miss Peterson's father, who is now almost helpless with palsy, for thirty-six years conducted a clothes cleaning establishment here, and when he was attacked with sickness nearly two years ago his shop was at 114 North Seventh street. His daughter was his able assistant in the shop before he was compelled to sell out.
"I saw the murder committed." said W.R. Graham, a Kansas City insurance man, late last night. "I had just mailed a letter in the postoffice, and was coming out of the south door of the postoffice when I saw a man and a woman on the steps. They were talking in low tones. Suddenly the man drew a revolver from his pocket, and fired at the girl. She did not collapse at the first discharge of the gun, but turned as to run, and cried, 'O, God, don't.' But she could not escape him, and he put the gun against her back, and pulled the trigger again. At that she fell prostrate, and immediately became unconscious. The man, on firing the second shot, ran east, and put his revolver in his pocket as he ran. I did not follow him, as I thought it proper to do all I could at that time for the unfortunate girl. She almost fell into my arms. I'm a stranger here, and knew neither party. Life did not become extinct in the girl until at the end of a period of about fifteen minutes. A doctor arrived three or four minutes before she breathed her last. I am quite sure that between the two shots the murderer's revolver snapped two times without discharging. It was a horrible affair to witness, I assure you. It seemed to be deliberately committed."
Jack Henderson, an Atchison insurance solicitor, saw Freeman and Miss Peterson in front of the postoffice shortly before the shooting.
"They were talking in low tones, and did not seem to be quarreling." Henderson said today. "They were standing on the south steps, I believe. That was between 5:30 and 6 o'clock." Earl Van Liew witnessed the shooting from a distance, and his statements are said to concur with those of Graham, the Kansas City man.
Freeman escaped in his Ford automobile. It is not known what direction he took on leaving the McDonald mill at Sixth street and Kansas avenue, but he evidently was south of town while most of the police and county officers were scouring the country west and southwest of Atchison. About 10 o'clock Sheriff Roy Trimble arrived at the Servaes home, and learned that the fugitive had been there about 8 o'clock. The sheriff was unable to go farther south, as his automobile was not working properly. Later Chief Fred Snyder and several other men climbed into a big car, and went south. They followed the tracks of Freeman's car from the Servaes place to Oak Mills, and from Oak Mills west to the Leavenworth road, where the trail was no longer visible. However, they continued to go south, and on arriving at Leavenworth learned that an "Atchison man" had spent a few minutes at a dance there. It isn't probable that the "Atchison man" was Freeman. Snyder and his party went on to Kansas City, and no word had been reveived from them when this was written.
Fifteen minutes after the murder had been committed, the police department informed the officers of the law at Kansas City, Leavenworth, Potter, Winchester, Nortonville, Effingham, Holton, Horton, Hiawatha, Troy and St. Joe, and police officers and Atchison citizens were sent in automobiles to scour the county. They went to Potter, Lancaster, Arrington, Horton, Cummings, Everest and Valley Falls and other points. Nearly every searching party saw fast running Ford cars, and were told by farmers of fast running Ford cars, and quite naturally each searching party thought it was on the right trail. Chief Snyder and party were quite positive, from the reports they gathered on the road, that Freeman was the man who madly dashed through Arrington early in the evening. George Hendee and W.L. Buckmaster followed a scent to near Everest, where it ended, and then they went to Horton. Charlie Brown, motoring to Effingham with W.J. Bailey, to attend a political meeting there, was quite sure that a Ford car he followed into Effingham was occupied by Freeman. It was also reported that a man answering Freeman's description stopped at a house near the Omaha junction and bought gasoline. That report threw Chief Snyder off the trail, it is said. All officers were inclined to believe that Freeman would go to Topeka, where he has relatives.

[paragraph primarily containing rumors omitted for clarity.]

Dr. Tom Horner arrived at the side of Ida Peterson two or three minutes before she died, according to his own statement.
"She was unconscious, and blood was welling from her mouth." Dr. Horner said this morning. "I think the bullet that entered under her right collar bone produced the fatal wound. I think that bullet cut the sub-clavian artery. The other bullet entered the back, over the right kidney. Contrary to reports, the woman was not shot in the face. Her chin and left temple were cut when she fell. Another false report is that the remains were allowed to remain in front of the postoffice until the arrival of the coroner. The body was taken to Harouff's undertaking establishment a few minutes after she died. The law does not demand that the remains of a murdered person be untouched until the arrival of the coroner. That is an old belief, but unwarranted."
A pitiful spectacle occurred in the Freeman home south of town when John Freeman's mother learned that her son had committed murder. She at once became hysterical, and suffered several convulsions. She had been in poor health for a year, and was in Colorado several months ago, for her health. To Mr. and Mrs. Freeman and Mr. and Mrs. Peterson a whole community extends sympathy. They are the real sufferers as a result of the crime. John F. Freeman, although he lives in the country, is employed by the street commissioner. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson are very old, and he is very feeble, as a result of paralysis, and their grief is heartrending. Ida Peterson worked to assist in supporting her parents, and was the only child at home.
John F. Freeman, father of the fugitive of justice, has told the authorities that his son has been very peculiar in his conduct for a week or more. The young man seemed nervous, and could not eat, and to all appearances was worried. During recent weeks the young man had been running his automobile like a maniac. Several days ago, at Tenth and Main streets, he ran his car into the Harry DeLong car, and both machines were damaged considerably.
John Freeman, the son, departed from his father's home at 5 o'clock last night, in his car. He left his overcoat there, which leads to a theory that he did not premeditate the murder until after his arrival in town. The fact that he borrowed a dollar and four gallons of gasoline when he arrived at the Servaes farm, after the shooting, would indicate that he had not made any extensive plans to effect an escape.
Freeman did not tell his brother-in-law, Jim Servaes, that he had committed murder. He only inferred that he was in trouble, and would have to leave Atchison, and Servaes did not question him closely. In the Servaes home Freeman was very, very nervous. When he was not at his father's home, John Freeman occupied a room at the home of his sister, Mrs. Matt Childers, in Atchison.
Freeman is nearly six feet tall, probably weighs 180 pounds, walks erect, has black hair, freckles, and a dimple in his chin. Last night he wore a dark, checked cap. The left fender and running board of his car are bent, and the car has a new top. The number of the Kansas license on his car is 53991. The police department is offering a reward of $50 for his capture.
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Last night's murder was committed just as the police officers were changing shifts. Chief Snyder at once called out all officers, regardless of what shift they belonged to, and all special officers.
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Mrs. John F. Freeman, who collapsed last night on hearing of her son's crime, is in a very serious condition this afternoon, and the doctor will not permit anyone to enter her room.
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No arrangements for the funeral of Miss Ida Peterson will be made until after the coroner's inquest at 9:20 o'clock tomorrow morning. The brothers and sisters of the deceased have arrived.
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Mayor Louie Weinman to the police officers: "Get Freeman, regardless of expense."
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8 Nov 1916

JOHN FREEMAN CAPTURED
Asleep in Father's Barn Offered No Resistance.
WENT TO TOPEKA AND BACK
Came Back to Surrender, Then Changed His Mind - Says He's Sorry He Killed Ida Peterson.

John Freeman is in the Atchison county jail and has confessed that he is the man who shot and killed Ida Peterson, his sweetheart, Monday night. He was captured in the hay loft of his father's barn, south of town, at 1:30 o'clock this morning by Sheriff Trimble and other officers, and had been asleep in the hay. He seemed dazed when the sheriff threw the rays of his searchlight on him, and apparently was just awakening. He offered no resistance, made no effort to escape, was cool and calm, and a half hour later was in the county jail.
Freeman was persuaded to come back to Atchison and give himself up by his sister, Mrs. Barber, of Topeka, to whose home he went on fleeing...

[part of article missing from photocopy]

...made any plans to again leave this community.
"Yesterday morning, about 11:30 o'clock, I received a 'tip' that John Freeman would return to his father's home," said Sheriff Trimble today. "I at once placed Gail Trimble on guard near the Freeman house. At 2:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon I received information from Nortonville that Freeman was sure to return to his father's house last night. I again went to the vicinity of the Freeman house, and was accompanied by Assistant Chief of Police Fedderson, who went on guard with Gail Trimble. I returned to town for more men with the view of placing them on guard at the farm home of John Freeman's brother-in-law, James Servaes, south of town. At 1:05 o'clock this morning Fedderson and Gail Trimble, who were watching the Freeman house, were driven to the porch of Gail Trimble's farm house by the rain storm. Gail Trimble's house is only a short distance from the Freeman home. As they stood on the porch, they saw a dark figure crawl out of a ditch north of the Freeman house, and pass towards the Freeman house. Fedderson at once telephoned to me, and Albert Tucker, Will McNamara, Jess Torbett and I rushed to the Freeman house in my automobile. While the other men guarded all corners of the house, I entered, but did not find John Freeman, the murderer, there. We then passed to the barn, and in the hayloft I found him. It was dark in the loft, and I flashed a light on Freeman, and saw him reclining on the hay. He started to move his hands towards his pockets whereupon I drew my revolver and told him to put up his hands. He complied and a second later we had him in the automobile and were bringing him to town.
"During the trip to the jail, Freeman intimated that we must have considered him as a very dangerous man, considering our numbers. When we found him he was armed with the revolver with which he killed Ida Peterson. He readily admitted that he had killed Ida Peterson, said he was sorry, but he did not explain the reason why he killed her. 'I don't know why I did it.' he said several times. He said but little, but was cool and calm. I found five loaded cartridges in his revolver.
"Freeman has explained how he escaped from Atchison. After shooting Ida Peterson, he ran east on Kansas avenue to his automobile, which stood hear the Hendee garage. He drove the car to Omaha Junction, went south to school house No. 27, turned east at the school house, entered on the Leavenworth road, and eventually arrived at the Jim Servaes home, four miles south of Atchison. There he got four gallons of gasoline, a dollar and his supper, and on leaving the Servaes home he hit the Leavenworth road, went south to Potter, and from Potter he drove west to the north edge of Nortonville, and then on to Topeka. He arrived at Topeka about 5 o'clock yesterday morning, went to his sister's home there, and told her and her husband of the crime he had committed. His sister and her husband begged him to come back to Atchison and surrender to the law, and he consented, and they came back with him last night in his Ford car. He took them to the Servaes home, and then he went to his father's home. Later Freeman and his father, James Servaes, and other members of the family, held a conference at the Servaes home, and all agreed that John should surrender. But John then changed his mind about surrendering, and would not consent to spend the night in his father's house, but chose to hide himself in the ditch. The rain drove him from the ditch to the barn, I presume. He left his car at the Servaes home.
"Freeman admits his guilt, but since he has been in jail I have not closely questioned him. He has said nothing about wanting a lawyer, or desiring a speedy trial."
When John F. Freeman, the father, saw his son in the hands of the officers last night, he almost collapsed, and suffered an attack of heart trouble. The condition of the mother is slightly improved today. She was prostrated Monday night by the news of her son's crime.
John Freeman was willing to talk shortly before the noon hour today about his troubles with Ida Peterson. "I wanted to marry her." he said. "At first she promised me she would marry me when I could prove that I had become divorced from my former wife, but later she seemed to avoid me regardless of what I could prove or couldn't prove. I met her at the Troy laundry, where she was employed, at quitting time Monday night. I asked her if I could accompany her home. She refused my company. A minute or so later I met her at Sixth and Kansas avenue, and walked with her to the postoffice. She continued to act coldly toward me, and said I should go back to my three children. I became desperate, and the rest of the story is known. I'm sorry now. I now realize what a terrible thing has occurred."
Testifying before a coroner's jury this morning Sheriff Trimble said: "James Servaes came to town last night, and told me of the whereabouts of his brother-in-law, John Freeman, the murderer. Servaes came to town after John had changed his mind about surrendering to the law. John, at a conference held late last night in the Servaes home, agreed to give himself up, but while preparations were being made to bring him to town he changed his mind."
The coroner's jury brought in a verdict stating that Ida Peterson met her death as a result of bullet wounds. The jury was not asked to express a belief as to the identity of the murderer, as John Freeman has confessed all. The jury was composed of Horace Harouff, Robert Thompson, John Harl, Albert Cure, E.P. Saxton and Ernest Young, jr.
The funeral of Ida Peterson will occur tomorrow afternoon. The services will be conducted in the Evangelical Association church at 522 Atchison street, at 2 o'clock, and burial will take place at Mount Vernon cemetery.

Obituaries

Atchison Daily Globe, Atchison, KS, [newspaper].

16 Oct 1941

John Freeman Dies

John Freeman, 88, a resident of Atchison county 46 years died at 5.30 o'clock last evening at his home on the Atchison-Leavenworth road just south of Jackson park. Death was due to senility.
Funeral services will be held at 2pm Friday at the Sawin & Douglass chapel the Rev. Loyal Northcott officiating. Interment will be in Oak Hill cemetery. The body will be at the mortuary until the funeral time.
A plasterer by trade, Mr. Freeman followed other occupations during his lifetime. Until retiring because of illness in 1920 he was an employe of the Atchison city street department for eight years. He also followed farming for a few years.
A son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Freeman, John Freeman was born December 29, 1852, near Hunterstown, Pa. December 2, 1873, he married Amanda E. Fase at Pinetown, Pa. Ten children were born to the union. She died February 23, 1940.
Mr. Freeman was a member of the Christian church.
Surviving are five daughters, Mrs. Jennie Tice, Topeka, Mrs. Grace Clark, St. Joseph, Mrs. Ada Garrison, Nyssa, Ore., and Mrs. Laura Chapman and Mrs. Florence Barber, both of Atchison; 40 grandchildren, and 79 great-grandchildren; a brother, Henry Freeman, and a sister, Mrs. Maggie Sexton, both of Abilene.

Newspaper clipping
28 Sep 1954

Former Atchison Resident Dies

Mrs. Florence A. Barber, 66, of Robinson, wife of Joe L. Barber, died at 7:30 o'clock last night at the Hiawatha Community hospital. She was a former resident of Atchison. Mr. and Mrs. Barber operated a cafe, Joe's Place, in Robinson. They formerly operated the Joe & Flo cafe here at 1203 Main street.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Friday at the Stanton chapel. Burial will be in Oak Hill cemetery. The Rev. Louis Nelson of the First Baptist church will officiate at the service.
Mrs. Barber was stricken with a gallbladder attack Friday night and entered the hospital Sunday evening after complications developed.
She was a daughter of John and Amanda Freeman and was born at Junction City March 18, 1888. She was married to Mr. Barber in Atchison June 20, 1906.
They had lived in Atchison and vicinity until moving to Robinson three years ago.
She was baptized in the Lutheran church in Effingham in 1902.
Surviving besides her husband are three daughters, Mrs. Elsie Reichle, Houston, Tex., Mrs. Everett Wilson, Atchison, and Mrs. Carl Peterson, Wilmington, Calif.; a son, Leonard Barber, Torrance, Calif.; three sisters, Mrs. Grace Clark, St. Joseph, Mrs. Charles Garrison, Nyssa, Ore., and Mrs. Laura Chapman, Atchison; 16 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.