• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Sandhenge Publications

Jim Potter, Author

  • About the Author
  • Author Blog
    • Sign Up for Jim’s Posts
  • Blog Podcasts
  • Book Reviews
  • Contact the Author
  • Read the Behind the Books Blog
    • Listen to the Audio Blog
  • Check Book Reviews
  • Sign Up to Receive Blog Posts
  • All Books

Reno County: Diamond Dicks

June 16, 2021 by Jim Potter 10 Comments

Share this blog post

Email
Share
Tweet
Share
Pin
https://jimpotterauthor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Reno-County-Diamond-Dicks.mp3

“Diamond” Dicks

•

Reno County Jail, 15 Avenue B east, Hutchinson, Kansas, opened May 1888, ca. 1889. Photographer: W. B. Glines. Credit to Reno County Historical Society

It’s Tuesday, November 14, 1899, at the Reno County sheriff’s residence attached to the jail, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Sheriff William “Bill” Long, 37, and his under sheriff, Ed Metz, 60, are drinking coffee.

Sarah “Cassie” Baker Long, 28, is supervising the feeding of 16-month-old Clella Elizabeth.

*

Alex Millar, 63, the jail’s turnkey, is waiting for the sheriff and under sheriff to pick up two prisoners. The lawmen will be escorting “Diamond” Dicks and Ed Clark to Lansing Penitentiary via train.

*

Jacob “Diamond” Dicks, 29, former salt raker at Western Salt Works, who murdered his foreman, Jacob Shenefield, 39, with a shotgun, is in a good mood.

Ed Clark, 58, former local attorney, convicted of being an accessory after the fact of the murder of W. C. “Clarence” Boyd, is still pleading his innocence, though the Kansas Supreme Court has denied his appeal.

*

“We see a lot of tragedies in this work,” said Cassie. “The murders make the headlines and the funerals are well attended, but what about the families after the burials?

“When Diamond got drunk and murdered his boss, two families, including ten children, were upended to their core by his temporary insanity. Ten children no longer have a father to help care for them.”

“It’s going to be a harder life for everyone, that’s for sure,” agreed Bill. “The men were the wage earners.”

“Lydia, Diamond’s wife, has fewer choices now,” said Cassie, “the family was near poverty before the killing.”

“At least Diamond had an income,” said Bill. “Being a salt raker is hard work.”

“The alcohol was a contributing factor to Shenefield being murdered,” said Ed, “but shooting anyone in the face with a shotgun is cold-blooded.”

“Bill, you told me during the trial that Diamond’s face was lined with sadness,” said Cassie, “that he made a good impression on the jury.”

“He displayed regret,” said Bill, “but no one can really know if it’s regret at killing his boss or regret at facing a long term in prison away from his family.”

“I’m not defending Diamond,” said Cassie. “I think he was rough on Lydia, but Superintendent Shenefield wasn’t innocent either. I believe Lydia’s testimony about how Shenefield forced her into improper relations after he moved Diamond from the day shift to the night shift. He hounded her at night until he found an unlocked door.”

“There were some salt rakers who testified that Shenefield had bragged about how he was going to get next to Diamond’s wife and then he told them each time he succeeded,” said Bill.

“Shenefield was acting like he was reporting the score of a baseball game,” said Cassie. “He began by promising Lydia that he’d increase Diamond’s pay if she cooperated, then threatened to fire Diamond if she didn’t do what he wanted, and finally promised he’d make sure her husband was never hired again by anyone in town unless she gave him what he wanted.

“What were her choices?” asked Cassie. “He kept saying he wanted to get acquainted with her. He made improper proposals; she begged him repeatedly to go away. Shenefield told her that if she didn’t yield, he would go to the salt block and tell the workers that he had had the desired relations with her. He had the nerve to tell her, ‘You might as well have the game as the name.’”

Cassie concluded her take on the squalid affair by asking Bill and Ed, “How could someone like Shenefield be so smart, yet so stupid?”

Neither Bill nor Ed attempted to answer her question.

“When Lydia told her husband what had happened, he went crazy,” said Bill. “I think the jury did about as good a job with their task as they could. Some of our citizenry are pleased and some are angry with the sentence of ten years for second degree murder.”

“Diamond nearly saved you a trip to Lansing when he attempted suicide,” recounted Cassie. “Cutting his artery with that piece of glass and being quiet about it was a desperate act.”

“When Alex found the bucket half-full of blood, he didn’t think the doctor could save him, but he did,” said Bill. “Surprised me.”

The Nickerson Argosy, October 19, 1899

“You know, he’s changed his life purpose since his recovery and sentencing,” said Cassie. “I believe he’s seen the light. Now he’s thankful that he received the minimum sentence. He promises to follow the rules at the penitentiary so he can shorten his time. He talks about taking care of his three children when he’s released.”

“Time will tell,” commented Bill,. “We’ll see how he handles his years of hard labor in the coal mine. I’m still having a hard time with Diamond begging the judge to be merciful just prior to his sentencing. I know Diamond was extremely intoxicated when he shot the superintendent, but he showed no mercy.

“Recently he’s been telling Clark that digging coal in the mines 700 feet underground, will be rough on the old man. Clark responds that he’d prefer instructing a Sunday school class if they have one.”

“The men will manage,” offered Cassie. “At least they’ll each have a roof over their head and food on the table. How about the women and their children? They’ll shoulder a great deal of anxiety because of the actions of their husbands. Mrs. Shenefield and Mrs. Dicks will need a lot of help from family and friends.”

“We have one child and we’re busy,” said Cassie. “How will Mrs. Shenefield, with seven children and without a husband, cope? Lydia Dicks has three little ones and a husband sent away for years. I’ll bet their children are split up if they haven’t already been sent to relatives or adopted out.”

*

Little Clella sat quietly, using a spoon to eat her meal. Then, the infant said, “Mama,” as she held up her empty cup.

Cassie wrapped her arms around the seated child and whispered, “I love you, baby girl. Mommy and daddy will be here for you.”

Clella squirmed in her mother’s arms, as Cassie kissed her daughter on the neck. “No,” said Clella, as she held up her empty cup and again said, “Mama.”

Bill and Ed stood up, ready to collect their prisoners for the trip to the passenger depot.

“Ed,” said Cassie, “even though Diamond and Clark are acting all cooperative and happy, please be careful.”

“Will do, Mrs. Sheriff,” responded Ed, as he gave her a half-salute.

“Bill,” said Cassie, “Clella and I will wait for your safe return. We love you dearly.”

“Love you, too,” said Bill, as he kissed Cassie on her lips and Clella on her forehead.

Cassie told Clella, “Say, ‘bye-bye daddy.’”

Clella again lifted her empty cup to her mother and cried out louder, “MAMA!”

*

Hutchinson Gazette, November 16, 1899

 

Until next time, happy writing and reading.

Share this blog post

Email
Share
Tweet
Share
Pin

Related

Filed Under: Blog posts Tagged With: Alex Millar, Clella Elizabeth Long, Diamond Dicks, Ed Clark, Hutchinson Kansas, Hutchinson News, Jacob Diamond Dicks, Jacob Shenefield, Jim Potter, Kansas Authors Club, Reno County, Reno County Sheriff, Sarah Cassie Baker Long, Sheriff William E. Long, Sheriffs of Reno County, Under Sheriff Ed Metz, W. C. Clarence Boyd, Western Salt Works

Sign Up for the Blog

You will never have to check this site for the latest blog post, and you’ll get the latest and the greatest first! You will receive a confirmation email that you must respond to in order to be officially subscribed.

IMPORTANT! Check your Junk and Spam folders as needed!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Alex says

    June 16, 2021 at 9:40 am

    Love the women’s perspective on this situation. Baby made me laugh out loud!

    Reply
    • Jim Potter says

      June 17, 2021 at 7:54 am

      Thanks. Getting accurate research information on the women is tough if they aren’t famous. I have to use historical data and creativity to include them in the stories.

      Reply
  2. Nancy Julien Kopp says

    June 16, 2021 at 10:28 am

    Seems there have been good and bad people, no matter the era. Ever since Cain and Abel fought and one ended up dead. A sad state of affairs for our world that continues to this day. Disheartening!

    Reply
    • Jim Potter says

      June 17, 2021 at 7:55 am

      I plan to focus on the good and the bad, not only the bad.

      Reply
  3. Marilyn Bolton says

    June 17, 2021 at 6:57 am

    Suspenseful! How will their trip to Lansing go??

    Reply
    • Jim Potter says

      June 17, 2021 at 7:56 am

      Uneventful.

      Reply
  4. Richard Hill says

    May 30, 2022 at 3:10 am

    I am the great great grandson of Jacob Dicks. I grew up knowing his daughter-in-law, (my great grandmother), but I never knew of this story until earlier this year.
    I’m speechless.

    Reply
    • Jim Potter says

      May 30, 2022 at 6:59 am

      Richard,
      Thanks for writing. History is always disappearing while, at the same time, history is always being made. Family history is very interesting because sometimes certain topics are taboo to mention or they just get lost to the next generation as insignificant.
      Lately, I’ve been doing a lot of research and writing (and posting) on my father, Harold L. Potter, especially his time in WWII. I still learn things and have questions that will never be answered.
      Also, I just published a novella titled “Deputy Jennings Meets the Amish.”
      Are you related to Tim Hicks?
      Thanks again for sharing,
      Jim

      Reply
  5. Holly says

    November 27, 2022 at 9:44 pm

    Hi there!
    I am the great great granddaughter of Mr Dicks, and have been looking at his story for years. This is a very enlightening conversation you’ve shared, and I thank you! How did you find this information? I’d be happy to share anything I have as well.

    Reply
    • Jim Potter says

      November 27, 2022 at 10:14 pm

      Hello Holly, My historical research was reading a lot of Hutchinson Newspaper articles, the US Census, and find-a-grave.com. Oh, and using my imagination to create dialogue once I had as much information as I could find.
      After posting this blog, Tim Dicks contacted me and shared “Diamond” Dicks’ prison mug shot/photo.
      How are you related to Tim?
      Thanks, Jim

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Jim Potter, Author

author

Recent Blog Posts

  • Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Draft Status February 2, 2023
  • Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Choosing a Title January 26, 2023
  • Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Multitasking January 19, 2023
  • Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Networking January 12, 2023
  • Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Introduction January 5, 2023

If you prefer to listen . . .

If you prefer to listen to my blog posts, you can do so … List of podcasts about Podcasts

Post Archives

  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • September 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • January 2019
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017

What People Are Saying

Footer

Follow Jim on Facebook

Follow Jim on Facebook

Interviews with Jim Potter

Video interview with James Lowe outside Bookends Bookstore July 21, 2022

Print interview with author Bill Bush September 1, 2022

Print interview with author Cheryl Unruh February 28, 2019

Hutchinson Magazine Article

Copyright © 2023 Sandhenge Publications · Website by Rosemary Miller