A Negro Bum Killed
Dan Dupree, a colored tough well known to the Topeka police, in company with two other colored men of similar character, entered a box car in a Santa Fe train at Newton, Monday evening, with the intent to beat their way to Wichita. They were ordered off by the brakemen; after parleying for awhile two of them got off; Dupree had to be put off, when he shot at the brakemen, fortunately missing them, when Brakeman Scott Carpenter returned the fire, killing him almost instantly. An inquest was held Tuesday, when the foregoing facts were ascertained, and the jury found that Carpenter was justified in killing him. The colored people of this city were greatly excited over the killing, and for a time it looked as though there might be a few more “stiffs” requiring the attention of the undertaker, but the police were active and soon had the leader under arrest. He was fined $ 50 and costs, total $ 70, and committed for non-payment of fine. (The Newton Kansan, Newton, Kansas. Thursday, July 26, 1894. Page 3).
Colored Tramp Shot at Newton
Dan Dupree, a colored tramp, was shot and killed at Newton the other night by a Santa Fe brakeman. He and several companions were trying to steal a ride and when the brakeman attempted to put them off Dupree shot at him, which the former returned with fatal effect. (The Barton County Democrat, Great Bend, Kansas. Thursday, August 2, 1894. Page 2. The Cuba Daylight, Cuba, Kansas. Friday, August 3, 1894. Page 2).
Dan Dupree Killed
A Topeka Colored Man Shot by a Santa Fe Conductor. The news of the death of Dan Dupree, a Topeka colored young man, reached Topeka today. He was shot and killed near Newton last night by a Santa Fe conductor. It is said that Dupree was stealing a ride and attempted to shoot the brakeman who was in the act of putting him off. Dupree’s shot went wide of its mark but the conductor retaliated with a shot that was fatal. Dupree’s sister, Annie Clay, received a telegram today announcing the death and inquiring what disposition should be made of the body. She replied to send it on to Topeka. Some of the colored people are reported to be very angry at the death of Dupree and propose to have the conductor arrested. Dupree was well known in Topeka, especially by the policemen. (The Topeka State Journal, Topeka, Kansas. Tuesday, July 24, 1894. Page 3).
Dan Dupree
Dan Dupree was the name of the colored man shot at Newton night before last by a brakeman. The particulars of the tragedy so far as given are that four young colored men boarded the train to Newton to go to Topeka. The brakeman ordered them to get off, but they refused and he stopped the train to call the rest of the crew to his assistance. At this the men all jumped to the ground and one of them, Dupree, drew a revolver and fired a shot at the brakeman, but did not hit him. The latter returned the fire promptly and with fatal effect, the first shot striking Dupree in the right breast passing clear through his body and coming out below the left shoulder blade, while the second bullet struck him squarely in the center of the forehead and passing straight through came out of the back of his skull. It is stated that after receiving these two wounds Dan ran a short distance and then fell to the earth and expired almost instantly. His gun was found by him with one chamber empty, from which fact he was identified as the one who had shot at the brakeman. The body was taken to Newton and it had been the intention to bury it there, but the dead man’s sister and friends are making a strong effort to have the remains brought to Topeka for interment and will probably succeed. A delegation of Dupree’s friends called on the Santa Fe officials this morning with the request that the company send the body from Newton to Topeka free, but the proposition was declined, the officers saying that the dead man was alone in fault and would have nothing to do with the matter. It is probable that the body will be brought in by express at the usual rate. Dan Dupree had the reputation in Topeka of being a very tough man and had been in the police court a great many times. The police also say that he was in jail at Junction City at one time for some offense. Of these three companions, but one is known by name thus far, and that is Marshall Darratt, who served a term in the state prison at Lansing and bears a bad reputation. (The Wichita Beacon, Wichita, Kansas. Wednesday, July 25, 1894. Page 4).
(c) Excerpts from the book, Deadly Encounters: Murder In Harvey County by Darren McMannis. Used by permission.