| | January 31, 1910 POPULAR FIREMAN DIES.
"Bob" Hamilton of Kansas City, Kas., Was "Children's Friend." 
LIEUTENANT "BOB" HAMILTON.
" 'Bob' Hamilton is dead." This report yesterday in Kansas City, Kas., brought grief to young and old alike in hundreds of homes in that city, for big, good natured "Bob" Hamilton was the most popular member of the Kansas City, Kas., fire department. His death was due to typhoid fever. Officially he was known as Lieutenant Robert Hamilton of No. 1 hose company, but to the "boys" and to his hundreds of friends he was "Bob." Tributes to his personal bravery and efficiency as a fireman were paid yesterday by his superior officers and the men who worked with him.
Robert Hamilton was 31 years old and had been connected with the city fire department since June, 1906. His record as a fireman is unsurpassed, and his engaging manners and Irish wit won for him hundreds of friends. Little children or women calling at the fire station to inspect the apparatus invariably asked to be conducted about by "Bob" Hamilton. He will long be remembered as the children's friend.
Mr. Hamilton died yesterday at Bethany hospital in Kansas City, Kas. His father, John Hamilton, his mother and immediate relatives were present.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been completed, although it is probable that the burial will take place in Kansas City, Kas.Labels: children, death, Fire, hospitals, Kansas City Kas, typhoid January 31, 1910 WATER BOTTLES WARM TOTS.
Lack of Blankets at Mercy Hospital Forced Substitute.
Every bottle, jug, or other vessel that would hold hot water was in use at Mercy hospital Saturday night, and for the unusual purpose of raising the temperature in the rooms to compensate, to some extent, for lack of blankets.
In numerous instances it necessary to place little patients in the glass-enclosed balconies where they can have the benefit of plenty of fresh air and be isolated from other inmates. But, while fresh air is necessary in these cases, it is also essential that their bodies be amply protected from the cold. It was the lack of adequate bed clothing that nearly drove the nurses distracted Saturday night, and after using everything available, the hot water vessels were resorted to.
Mercy hospital needs fifty pairs of blankets and needs them right now. That it will get them is practically assured, for Kansas City is quick to respond to any appeal from this worthy charity. In making the appeal the officials of the institution state that they prefer donations of money with which to purchase the necessary equipment. The blankets in use at Mercy hospital are made to order, of a certain size and weight, and are purchased at a much smaller figure than individual buyers can secure them.Labels: charity, Mercy hospital January 31, 1910 FINAL "JIM CROW" ACTION TONIGHT.
Alderman J. E. Logan, Au- thor of Measure, Disclaims Any Political Motive.
The council is expected to take action tonight on the ordinance requiring the Metropolitan Street Railway Company to furnish separate cars for negroes, or if permitted to ride with white passengers, to designate certain seats for them. As the measure is championed by Democratic aldermen there is every probability that Republican members will permit them to do all the voting in favor of the passage of the ordinance. This is the sentiment in the upper house, but not altogether in the lower house, for if Alderman Frank Askew, a Republican, has not changed his mind he will second a motion to be made by Alderman Miles Bulger, a Democrat, that the ordinance be passed under suspension of the rules.
This will call for ten affirmative votes, and if they are not forthcoming the ordinance will have to go to a committee.
All of these possibilities depends of course on the action of the upper house. A special committee headed by R. L. Gregory, president of that branch of the council, will recommend the passage of the ordinance and this can be done with eight affirmative votes. There are nine Democratic aldermen in the upper house, and the tip has gone out that they have been lined up to vote for the ordinance. Some of the Democrats were hesitating on the propriety of passing the ordinance on account of "political policy," but it is now stated that they have been induced to see it differently.
In political circles the cry has been set up that the ordinance has been introduced at this time to cripple the candidacy of a Republican alderman, who is seeking the nomination for mayor, and who will be called upon to cast his vote either for its passage or defeat. Alderman J. E. Logan, a Democrat, who fathers the ordinance, denies this allegation.
"There is no politics or racial question involved in the ordinance," said Alderman Logan yesterday. "Similar laws are in effect in other cities where there are large negro populations, and they are entirely satisfactory to both races."Labels: Alderman Bulger, Kansas City council, Metropolitan Street Railway Company, politics, race January 31, 1910 HOW JUSTICE ROSS MADE HIS FORTUNE.
DONOR OF MONEY TO MA- HONEY CHILDREN WAS ONCE A LAMPLIGHTER.
Formed Partnership With John Mahoney Twenty- Five Years Ago.
Justice Michael Ross, of Kansas City, who in the Wyandotte county, Kansas, probate court Saturday gave the children of his dead partner, John Maloney, $50,000, was born in Cincinnati, O., December 19, 1859. His father, Alexander Ross, came to Kansas City in 1866 to aid in the erection of the first gas plant the city had. In June a year later, the family followed him, coming from St. Louis by boat.
"The Missouri was full of boats in those days," said Justice Ross last night, "and was the principal means of navigation between here and St. Louis. Kansas City had a real wharf and it was a busy one."
Two brothers, William J. and James Ross, and a younger sister constituted the children at that time. James was drowned while swimming in the Missouri river in 1872.
"We attended a little frame public school down in the East Bottoms just opposite what was known as Mensing Island," said Justice Ross. "Later we went to Washington school which still stands at Independence avenue and Cherry street. A ward school education was as high as one could go in those days unless he went away, and that was all we received."
After the erection of the gas plant Justice Ross and his brother William secured positions as lamp lighters. It required them to get up at all hours of the night, according to the condition of the weather and the fullness of the moon, both to light and turn out the street lamps. After doing this work at night Justice Ross worked all day on an ice wagon for J. E. Sales. Later on he worked in the old Davis brick yard, which stood about where the Zenith mill now stands in the East Bottoms.
Justice Ross always had in view the day when he would go into business for himself -- be his own boss. With his savings and some help from his mother he started a little grocery and general store on the levee at First and Campbell streets in 1874. After a time his brother, William, was taken into partnership, but remained but a few years. The latter for several terms was a member of the city council.
BOUGHT OTHER STORES.
As the city began to grow away from the river, Justice Ross saw better opportunities and opened a grocery store at 1401-3 East Fifth street, at Lydia avenue, and later another at 1100-2 East Fifth street, at Troost avenue. These two stores were money makers and enabled him later to branch out along other lines.
In September, 1888, Justice Ross was married to Miss Bessie Egan. All of their children, seven boys and four girls, are living, the oldest daughter being away at school near Cincinnati, and the oldest boy at St. Mary's, Kas. Six of the nine children at home attend the Woodland school.
"I knew John Mahoney from the day he came here with the C. & A. railroad," Justice Ross said. "He was doing small jobs of grading in those days and his mother went with him over the country. They used to trade with us at the little store on the levee and when in town Mahoney and his mother stopped at our home."
It was almost twenty-five years ago that Mahoney and Ross went into partnership and the latter has been a silent partner ever since, Mahoney seeing to most of the details and looking after the work. Justice Ross also had other interests, such as tree planting, and planted the trees around the finest residences and along many of the prettiest boulevards. In speaking of some of the work done by himself and Mr. Mahoney, the justice said:
"We built all of the Southwest boulevard, also Fifteenth street, doing the grading work. Roanoke boulevard is another piece of our work, as was the ill-fated Cliff drive, where poor John and his wife met such a tragic fate. We did lots of work on the country roads in Jackson county and built almost all of the roads in Wyandotte county, besides many of the brick-paved streets.
LARGE CONTRACT WORK.
"We also did much work away from here, such as government work on the levee at New Orleans, county roads in Southern Indiana and railroad grading in Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Colorado. Mahoney was a man who made friends wherever he went. I just received a letter from Indiana asking if he and McGuire were the same men who were there asking for all particulars."
As Justice Ross's business ventures thrived he found it impossible to give the time required to his two grocery stores, and a few years ago he disposed of them. Previous to that, however, he had established the Missouri Carriage and Wagon works at 308-10 Broadway, which he still operates.
For many years he has been buying property and erecting modern flats thereon. He does not build flats to sell, but he keeps them for what they bring in. When Admiral boulevard was cut through at Virginia avenue, Justice Ross owned a big row of old flats immediately in the right of way. They are brick and their moving back was the biggest job of that kind ever done in this city. He made them modern and is erecting more flats near them.
The prettiest and most costly structure erected by Justice Ross is a flat building at Benton boulevard and St. John avenue, on a promontory overlooking the entire city. He owns forty or more pieces of improved property in the city.
In the fall of 1898 Michael Ross ran for justice of the peace on the Democratic ticket and was elected. Since then he has held the office for three terms, twelve years, winning each time with ease. He said last night, however, that he would not seek the office again. He intends to build a big home in the southern part of the city and he and Mrs. Ross will devote their time to their children. He now lives at 626 Troost avenue.
"John Mahoney almost decided to go to Jacksonville, Fla., with our party," said the Justice. "The ground was frozen and he could not work. But he was such a home-loving man he hated to leave his family, even for a day. I had a premonition when I left that something would happen. When I got the wire the first thing I thought of was his automobile. We did not get the particulars, however, until we got a paper at Memphis, and did not get full particulars and learn that McGuire was killed and the others hurt until we got The Journal at Paola, Kas.Labels: business, Campbell street, East bottoms, grocers, history, Independence avenue, Justice Ross, New Orleans, politics, public works, real estate, schools, St Louis, Troost avenue, Utilities
January 31, 1910
IN WHITE PLAGUE FIGHT.
Men's Brotherhood to Learn How to Escape Tuberculosis.
A meeting in behalf of the suppression of tuberculosis will be conducted tonight by the Men's Brotherhood of the Linwood Boulevard M. E. Church at the church, Linwood and Olive. Dr. M. T. Woods of Independence will tell how to escape tuberculosis; Dr. Seesco Stewart, dean of the Kansas City Veterinary college, will describe tuberculosis in the lower animals and how it affects public health. Dr. A. T. Kinsley will present stereoptican views.Labels: churches, doctors, health, Independence, Linwood boulevard, Olive street, stereopticons January 30, 1910 TINGE OF JEALOUSY IN ELTINGE GOING ALONE.
His "Hands" at the Theater and "Loud" Type for Lauder on Bill- ings Cause Separation Here.
Julian Eltinge and Harry Lauder came to the parting of the ways yesterday. Last night they bade one another adieu and probably will not be seen in the same company again. Mr. Lauder departed for Chicago on a late train and Mr. Eltinge will leave some time today for Excelsior Springs where he will endeavor to take off a few pounds of surplus flesh, after which he will go to New Orleans.
There has been more or less professional jealousy between Messrs. Lauder and Eltinge ever since they were together, the name of Lauder growing larger on the billings, although friends of Mr. Eltinge say that he was the man who got the greater number of "hands" during the performances. This piqued Mr. Eltinge and a couple of weeks ago stories began floating East to the effect that he had severed his connection with the Lauder company. Ted Marks, the advance man and the representative of the Morris interests, was kept busy denying these stories.
The final breach came in Kansas City. Mr. Lauder thought that Kansas City theatergoers did not appreciate his "art" as much as the people in other cities and that Mr. Eltinge got entirely too much attention. Mr. Eltinge saw his name in small type. He believed that he was doing the work that carried the show along. There was but one thing for Mr. Morris to do. That was to separate them.
Both are under contract with him, so now he is taking a chance that they will make more money for him playing individually in different sections of the country than they will together. In any event it will give the theatrical people an opportunity to determine for themselves just how strong Mr. Eltinge is with the masses.Labels: Excelsior Springs, New Orleans, theater, visitors January 30, 1910 SCIENTIST STONE EDIFICE BURNED.
THE FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST REDUCED TO CHARRED WALLS.
Building Supposed to Be Fireproof When Con- structed Years Ago. 
FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST.
Beautiful House of Worship Almost Totally Destroyed Last Night by Fire.
Four charred walls is all that remains of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, at Ninth street and Forest avenue, which cost its congregation $150,000.
Fire broke out in the basement of the building, near the west end, at 8 o'clock last night. Despite the constant playing of ten streams and the concerted action of as many fire companies, it burned steadily and fiercely to the ground, furnishing one of the most spectacular fires which has occurred in Kansas City for many years. The loss is estimated by J. K. Stickney, president of the board of trustees, about $155,000. The insurance was $85,000.
The flames were first noticed by T. Russel, who owns apartments next door to the church at 912 Forest avenue, at 8:05 o'clock. At that time smoke was issuing form a window leading into the boiler rooms. The first alarm brought No. 5 and No. 8 companies.
Firemen broke into the rear of the church on the alley, but at first failed to locate the blaze. So confident were they, however, that it was already beyond control that a second alarm was turned in and companies 14, 10, 11, 25, 2 and 3 were sent. By this time a bright, red glare flamed from the second story followed by tongues of eager flame which reached from the old auditorium toward adjoining apartments.
It was stated by Chief John C. Egner last night that had the church not been located at one of the highest points of the city, where the water pressure is seldom above forty pounds, the fire might have been checked at the outset. Waiting for the heavy engines to be dragged over slippery streets probably doomed the building.
The First Church of Christ, Scientist, was built of gray stone and furnished in Flemish oak. It was considered fireproof when it was erected, thirteen years ago. Because of the many prominent names connected with its building, as well as its maintenance, the fire attracted an unusually large crowd for one so far from the business district. People came from Kansas City, Kas., Sheffield and Westport to see, and stood about, shivering, for nearly three hours.Labels: churches, Fire, Forest avenue, Ninth street January 30, 1910 GIVES HIS HALF TO MAHONEY CHILDREN.
JUDGE MICHAEL ROSS, SILENT PARTNER, DISCLAMES SHARE WORTH $50,000.
"John Was My Friend and
He Would Have Done That for Me," He Says.
Judge Michael Ross, John Mahoney's silent partner, yesterday startled the court of Van B. Prather, probate judge of Wyandotte county, by announcing he wished to disclaim a $50,000 share in the Mahoney estate so that it would go to his friend's orphans.
John Manoney was the Kansas City, Kas. contractor who, with his wife and foreman, Thomas F. McGuire, met death in an automobile accident on the Cliff drive Monday afternoon Judge Ross has been justice of the peace in the North End for many years.
One feature about Judge Ross's gift is that he wanted no one except the firm's lawyer to know about it. At the opening of the hearing Judge Prather said he understood that a silent partnership existed in the contracting business between Mr. Mahoney and some one else, and that if such was the case it would be necessary to take different action in the appointment of the administrators than if such a partnership did not exist.
"HE WAS MY FRIEND."
At this announcement Judge Ross arose. He said he had been a full partner of Mr. Mahoney in the contracting business, but that he desired to "wipe the slate clean" and give the children his half of the estate. Judge Prather asked Judge Ross to explain more fully.
"John Mahoney was a good friend of mine," the judge began. "He loved his four children dearly, and I am comfortably situated, and I want those little children to have my interest in the estate. And further, if any of the contracts which Mr. Mahoney left unfinished show a loss when they are fulfilled by the administrators I will give my personal check to make up for it. John was my friend and I know he would have done the same for my family."
When Judge Ross had finished speaking there were tears in the eyes of many in the court room. Judge Prather said nothing for a moment then rising, he reached over and grasped Judge Ross's hand.
"I am 60 years old," Judge Prather said. "I have read of such men, and heard of them, but you are the first of this type whose hand I ever have had the privilege to grasp."
1,000 ATTENDED FUNERAL.
The funeral of Mr. and Mrs. Mahoney was held on Friday in Kansas City, Kas. The services were held at the home, 616 North Seventh street and conducted by the Rev. Father James Keegan of St. Mary's Catholic church. It was estimated that more than 1,000 persons gathered about the house during the services. The children at Central school, where the younger Mahoney children attended, stood with bowed heads while the funeral cortege passed.
Nellie Mahoney and her sister, Lillian, age 6, were still in St. Mary's hospital and were unable to attend the services. They were, however, told for the first time of the deaths of their parents. The girls were taken from the hospital to their home in a closed carriage last night. Lillian is now able to walk about, and the attending surgeons say she is recovering rapidly. The girls are being attended at their home by a trained nurse. Mr. Mahoney's sister is in charge of the house.
Judge Prather said yesterday that he would visit the Mahoney home tomorrow morning in order that Nellie might sign a bond and qualify as an administrator.
Mr. Mahoney did not leave a will, at least none has been found.Labels: children, churches, Cliff drive, Funeral, Judge Prather, Judges, Justice Ross, Kansas City Kas, ministers, North end, probate January 30, 1910 BELIEVE ISNARDI DEAD OR FUGITIVE.
LITTLE ITALY DIVIDED AS TO THE FATE OF MISSING CONSUL.
Only Charge Which Might Be Brought Against Him Not Extraditable There.
As days pass and there is no sign of Peter Isnardi, the missing Italian consular agent, the theory gains force in "Little Italy" that he has either taken his own life or else gotten well out of the country. In line with the latter belief comes a statement from Judge Ralph S. Latshaw of the criminal court that in Mexico the crime of embezzlement is not extraditable. Embezzlement is the only charge Isnardi has to fear from his enraged fellow countrymen.
Since he took "French leave" two weeks ago yesterday, Signora Isnardi declares she has had no word from her husband. She was a little calmer yesterday than she has been at any time since the occurrence, but still refuses to discuss any of the affairs that might serve to incriminate the man to whom she had been a helpmate for twenty-five years.
It is rumored about the Italian quarter that the signora is one of those who believes that the delinquent consular agent has taken his life. This idea was first suggested by Father Charles Delbecchi of the Holy Rosary Catholic church, and it is now becoming general.
"I believe Isnardi went down to the Missouri River the night he left and threw himself in," said Antonio Sansone, who lent the agent $1,000 two weeks before he dropped out of sight. "Isnardi was what you Americans call a good fellow. He was rather extravagant and believed firmly in keeping his head up, whether or not he had the money to justify his pretensions. He was not dishonest at heart.
CONSUL APPEARED WORRIED.
"During the two weeks preceding his departure he acted queerly about his office, seeming at times to be almost beside himself with worry. There is no doubt in my mind that his delinquencies finally drove him to suicide."
Signora Isnardi yesterday gave Sansone a written order to take possession of the fixtures in the consulate. They are worth about $200.
Notwithstanding the pressure brought upon the prosecutor's office to issue a complaint against Isnardi, nothing of the kind has been done nor will be done, it was stated yesterday, until the charges assume a more concrete form.
Speaking of the case, Judge Latshaw said he incline to the belief that Isnardi has taken flight in Mexico or Canada.
"He has had plenty of time to reach other of these countries," the judge said, "and if he has, he is safe from extradition. I can quote many instances where men in danger of arrest on charges of embezzlement or obtaining money under false pretenses have gone to Mexico and openly gone into business there. If Isnardi feared that it would be construed that his business had not been altogether fair to his clients here, he may have taken the precaution to drop across the frontier until matters quiet down."
The consulate remained locked up yesterday, and the private papers of the consul were not examined.Labels: embezzlement, immigrants, Judge Latshaw, ministers January 30, 1910 TO BUILD THEATER HERE.
Morris Says Kansas City Will Have Independent Vaudeville.
"We are here." This was the positive declaration of William Morris, of William Morris, Inc., of New York city, last night, in speaking of the probability of his company establishing a vaudeville house in Kansas City.
"Walter Holt Seeley, our architect," continued Mr. Morris, "will be here from San Francisco in a week or ten days, and he will overlook such sites as are submitted to him and also examine all propositions for theatrical buildings which may be made in the near future.
"Our company has been reaching Westward and we are coming to Kansas City. We need Kansas City worse than it needs us. We need it to break a jump and we believe the people of Kansas City need us because we will give them a class of vaudeville such as no one else is able to furnish.
"We have been looking over the Kansas City field for some time and it is only because of other business that we have not established a house here. We are going to have a theater which will be convenient to every street car line in the city and then when we put on our bills I know that we will get the patronage that we deserve."Labels: New York, theater January 30, 1910 USE OF AEROPLANE IN WAR.
Taft Will Be Asked to Urge Devel- opment of Craft.
ST. LOUIS, Jan. 29. -- Congress is to be petitioned, according to a resolution passed at a conference of the aero clubs here today to determine the value of aerial craft in warfare.
A committee from the aero clubs is to call on President Taft and ask him to undertake steps to insure the development of aerial craft.
The conference, which was presided over by Cortlandt F. Bishop, president of the Aero Club of America, represented clubs from thirteen cities and states. Mr. Bishop represents by proxy the aero clubs of New England, California and Colorado. Dayton, O., Kansas City, Peoria, Ill., Rochester, N. Y., Indianapolis, Des Moines, Baltimore and Washington had representatives here.
Applications for the international aviation and balloon races were announced from Kansas City, Peoria, Indianapolis and Philadelphia. Baltimore and Washington entered a joint application for College Park, Md.
The place for holding the international aviation and balloon contests will be decided on by the Aero Club of America within thirty days.
Kansas City delegates tonight told of the advantages of their city for the meet, particularly because the winds in the fall blow east and Kansas City is centrally located.Labels: aeroplanes, conventions, President Taft, St Louis January 29, 1910 CHEMISTS FIND POISON IN THE SWOPE ANALYSES.
ARRESTS ARE NOT EXPECTED UNTIL LAWYER RETURNS FROM CHICAGO.
Attorneys Hurriedly Called Together on Receipt of Telegram.
That poison in a large enough quantity to produce death has been found in the stomachs of Colonel Thomas H. Swope, Kansas City's millionaire benefactor, and Chrisman Swope, his nephew, is known almost to be a certainty. The Chicago chemists telegraphed the result of their analysis yesterday afternoon to John G. Paxton, a Swope attorney.
Mr. Paxton will leave today for Chicago. He will return immediately with the official report of the two chemists and the internal organs of the Swopes, to be sustained in evidence at the coroner's inquest early next week.
An arrest is expected to be made Friday or Saturday of next week.
Mr. Paxton received the telegram from the Chicago specialists at 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon. when in that city he arranged with Drs. W. S. Haines and Ludwig Hektoen that they should wire him the results of the post mortem examination as soon as completed. From Chicago it is learned that a message of one word was to convey the information that poison in quantities large enough to produce death had been found, and that he, Mr. Paxton, was to go to Chicago immediately.
CHEMISTS' WORK FINISHED.
Though the attorneys here refuse to divulge the information contained in this message, it is known that the work of the chemists has been completed, and that the men here who are pushing the prosecution are satisfied with the results. Prosecuting Attorney Virgil Conkling said last night that he expected the official report of the chemists, and all other evidence in the case, in his hands within forty-eight hours -- or Monday at the latest. The coroner's inquest will probably be held Tuesday. Two or three days after this, if the evidence is found satisfactory, warrants will be issued.
"I am satisfied with the results," said John H. Atwood, after reading the telegram.
"Ifs the examination of the stomach completed?" was asked.
"Drs. Haines and Hektoen are through with their work," was the reply.
Further than this Mr. Atwood refused to make any statement. Mr. Paxton was non-committal. He would neither affirm nor deny the report that poison had been found.
"Are you going to Chicago?" was asked him.
WILL SLEEP AT HOME.
"I will sleep at my home in Independence tonight," was his answer.
Neither the coroner nor the prosecuting attorney has received one word from the Chicago chemists. A duplicate copy of the report is to be sent to the coroner. The prosecuting attorney was apprised of the receipt of the telegram by Mr. Paxton yesterday afternoon, but concerning the contents of the message, the prosecutor refused to say what it contained.Labels: attorney, Chicago, Independence, poison, Prosecutor Conkling, Swope Mystery, telegram January 29, 1910 MRS. SWOPE TAKES A DRIVE.
Her First Public Appearance Since Investigation of Colonel's Stomach.
A drive from the Swope residence in Independence in company with her nurse yesterday afternoon, marked the first public appearance of Mrs. Logan O. Swope, since the recent examination of the stomach of her brother-in-law, Thomas H. Swope. Mrs. Swope was on a shopping trip, but did not leave the carriage, her nurse attending to all of the details of the trip.
Since the first public announcement of the recent investigation, none of the members of the family have been seen either in public or on the grounds. All callers at the residence were met at the door by a servant, and none but the most intimate friends were allowed to see any members of the family.
Mrs. Swope's appearance on the streets of Independence was taken by some as an indication that the Chicago scientists had reached a tangible decision in regard to Colonel Swope's death, in the report that was transmitted here yesterday.Labels: Independence, Swope Mystery January 29, 1910 PICTURE MACHINE EXPLODES.
Patrons of James Street Nickle Show Cry "Fire" and Stampede.
A loud explosion followed by a tongue of flame, which burst from the operator's room at the "Star" nickle show, No. 8 South James street, Kansas City, Kas., about 8 o'clock last night, caused a panic to spread among the one hundred or more patrons who had gathered for the first performance. The cry of fire was followed by a mad stampede for the rear exits. Men, women and children trampled over each other in their frenzy, and a large gate at the rear of the theater was literally torn from the hinges by the frightened crowd. Luckily no one was seriously hurt in the rush, and aside from a few bruises, the crowd was none the worse for its experience.
Christ Clark, the picture machine operator, did not escape so lightly. When the films of the machine became ignited Clark, in his attempt to extinguish them, was badly burned. He fell from the elevated room where he was working and was treated at No. 2 police station by Dr. Mortimer Marder. Clark lives with his mother at 2012 North Fifth street. The fire department was called, but most of the fire was extinguished by the use of chemicals. The proprietor, Frank Spandle, probably saved the life of Clark. The young man was overcome and had sunk to the floor of the room among the burning films, when he was pulled from his perilous position by his employer.Labels: explosion, Fire, Kansas City Kas, moving pictures January 29, 1910 FRED'S RELIGION DIDN'T STICK.
He Was "Converted" by Hart, but the Workhouse Caught Him.
Why did Fred Marshall become a backslider so soon? The board of pardons and paroles yesterday tried to solve the problem. Marshall has been in the workhouse twice before, but last Sunday night he "went forward" at the revival being conducted by Evangelist Hart in Kansas City, Kas. He came to this city Thursday and took aboard too much liquor. The result was a workhouse sentence when he could not produce $15 to pay his fine.
Yesterday Marshall's sister appeared with him before the pardons and paroles board at the workhouse. She pleaded for him, and promised to see that he got less religion and more work in the future. He will be released on parole today.Labels: alcohol, Kansas City Kas, ministers, parole board, workhouse January 29, 1910 HE ONCE BUILT HOUSES HERE.
But Now George O. Purdy Is Chief of Police in East St. Louis.
George O. Purdy, chief of police of East St. Louis, Ill., for the past eight years, whose department has the record of capturing a greater percentage of malefactors than any other police department in the country, arrived at the Savoy hotel last night. It was Chief Purdy who adopted the system of putting practically all of his policemen in plain clothes and sending them out in the shape of a dragnet whenever a crime was committed, and he has advocated this plan at every meeting of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, of which he is a member of the executive committee representing Illinois.
Twenty-three years ago Chief Purdy was a Kansas City contractor. He laid the foundation and the first story of the old Missouri, Kansas and Texas Trust Company building, the first of the Stilwell propositions in this section.
"Kansas City is destined to be the coming inland city," said Chief of Police Purdy last night. "It may take a few years, but she has the advantages and just look at the territory that is dependent on this city for supplies. A score or more years ago the wildest dreamer of the then boom days of this city could not have predicted the advances it has made. It is wonderful. There is a hustle and a bustle about this city that does not exist in other cities in this country and although I am across the river from St. Louis I will say that unless St. Louis gets a move on itself and that in a hurry, Kansas City will soon leave it behind."Labels: police, Savoy, St Louis, visitors January 28, 1910 HARD TOIL, MONEY AND BANKER GONE.
"LITTLE ITALY" AROUSED OVER THE DISAPPEARANCE OF PETER ISNARDI.
Many Italians Deposited Savings With Missing Consular Agent.
Little Italy was never before stirred as it was yesterday, when the announcement was made that Peter Isnardi, consular agent of the United States government, had left for parts unknown. Several hundred Italians are worried about sums aggregating about $12,000, the savings of years, which they had deposited with him. Most of those who entrusted their money to Isnardi were railroad section hands and laborers, recent arrivals from Sunny Italy, and unable to speak the English language. Some had been saving to pay the passage of wives or sweethearts to the land of promise; others that they might some day return to their old homes in Italy and to pass the sunset of their lives among friends and amid familiar scenes and surroundings.
A subscription paper will be started today by J. P. Deo, publisher of an Italian newspaper at 210 East Fifth street, to raise money with which to hire lawyers and detectives to seek Isnardi. A committee of Italians will call upon the United States district attorney today to learn what can be done in the matter.
"We intend to secure an order tomorrow from the prosecuting attorney," said Deo last night, "to open Isnardi's safe. He kept all his books locked in it. Not until we can see the books will we know the facts in the case."
A telegram was sent to the minister of foreign affairs at Rome to find whether or not the money that Isnardi was to forward to the bank at Rome was ever received there.
The Italian consul-general at Chicago announced yesterday that the Kansas City office would be abolished. Roma Ladife, vice consul at Chicago, arrived here yesterday to close the office. He took possession of the Italian flag, which hung in front of the agency at 512 East Fifth street, also the seal of the Italian government and the coat-of-arms. Consul Guido Sabetta, in Chicago, that the Italian government funds were not involved.
OPERATED PRIVATE BANK.
In addition to occupying the office of consular agent, Isnardi operated a private bank. This was wholly outside of his official duties, and for any losses that might occur the Italian government is in no way responsible. The consular agent is supposed to have received nearly $8,000 in savings of Italians in the three and one-half years he has held the office. The remaining $4,000 is money he collected for steamship tickets and to be sent to Italy, to be deposited in the bank of Rome.
Local Italians were opposed to Isnardi from the day he was appointed. charges have been filed against him several times with the Chicago office. Though there were rumors among Italians in Kansas City regarding the consular agent, deposits continued to come from those who lived in the country or in railroad camps.
Ten per cent interest was offered by Isnardi on deposits. This was more than the Italian Central bank at Rome pays, which they had all known in Italy. The Italian bank pays 3 1/2 per cent on time deposits. Those who did not want to send their money to Rome could deposit it with their consular agent, Peter Isnardi, in his private bank.
The office of consular agent pays no salary. It is an honorary position. Isnardi had no other business here, and no apparent private income. The Italians say his sole income was from money he collected from his private bank.
APPOINTMENT WAS PROTESTED.
Isnardi succeeded G. G. Lanvereri as consular agent in Kansas City. Isnardi was appointed by Count A. L. Rozwadowski, who died shortly after the appointment. His office was in Chicago. Signor Sabetta succeeded him. A committee of Italians went to Chicago when the count died and asked for the removal of Isnardi. Charges of dishonesty were made against him, but Sabetta refused to act without first having an investigation.
Before his appointment as consular agent here, Isnardi was a traveling book agent. H represented an Italian publishing house and sold his books for $10 each. His home was then in Pueblo, Col. Isnardi was in Kansas City when the question of a vice consul arose.
Isnardi went immediately to Chicago. Count Rozwadowski and he had known each other in Italy. Against the protests of a committee of Kansas City Italians, who wanted a man from here appointed, Isnardi returned two weeks after the dismissal of Lancereri with the commission of consular agent. His appointment, though recommended by the consul at Chicago, was made directly by the foreign minister at Rome.
The consular agent is an American citizen. A consul general, however, must be a subject of the king. This being the case, as an American citizen, the Italians here think that Isnardi can be prosecuted under the laws of this state, in case the funds are not intact. The consul general, under the extra-territorial provision of international law, is immune from arrest and prosecution in the country where he represents his government.
PROSECUTOR WILL ACT.
"I will thoroughly investigate these charges," said Virgil Conkling, prosecuting attorney, last night. "If I find that consular agents are amenable to the laws of this state, Isnardi will probably be arrested and prosecuted."
A dozen complaints have been made the past two months at the prosecuting attorney's office against the consular agent. Isnardi was charged with taking money from Italians to send to the bank at Rome, and appropriating it to his own use. Two weeks ago today the consular agent was called to the prosecutor's office. There he was told that if he did not refund $800 to an Italian who gave him the money for deposit, that criminal action for embezzlement would be begun. He was given until March 1 to refund the money.
Isnardi left Kansas City January 16. His wife said yesterday he had gone to Chicago, but reports from that city say he has not been seen by the consul general. Mrs. Isnardi has been conducting the business since her husband left.
When the news that the office had been closed spread among the Italians in the North End a crowd of 200 m en and women, most of them depositors in the consular agent's private bank, gathered in front of Isnardi's office. At dark the crowd dispersed. when the door to the office would rattle a dog's bark could be heard. The dog had been turned loose in the office to prevent the angry foreigners from making a forcible entrance.
"What will you do if he does come back?" was asked one in the crowd.
"String him up," was the prompt answer of an Americanized Italian.Labels: banking, Chicago, embezzlement, federal court, Fifth street, immigrants, newspapers, Prosecutor Conkling January 28, 1910 DRUMMER RECOVERS OUTFIT.
Detectives Looking for "Good Fel- lows" Who Pawned It.
The detective department is looking for four "good fellows" who appropriated the drummer's outfit of William G. Viquesney, a member of H. O. Wheeler's band, during the automobile show in Convention hall. The date on which the drums, tambourines, whistle, etc., were supposed to have been taken was January 19. It was on that night that four well dressed white men, half intoxicated, took the instruments to a pawn broker on Grand avenue and realized about $25 on them. The more valuable of the collections were recovered by Mr. Viquesney yesterday.Labels: Convention Hall, crime, detectives, Grand avenue, music, pawn brokers January 28, 1910 THOUGHT LIME DUST POISON.
Woman Believed Enemy Had Schemed to Kill Her.
Much reading of the Swope mystery stories may have been the reason Mrs. Caroline Goble believed a scheme was on foot to poison her in her home, 1837 East Seventh street.
Mrs. Goble went to the office of Daniel Hawells, assistant city attorney, yesterday, carrying with her seven samples of powder she believed to be some deadly drug, found near her water cooler.
"I am just sure an enemy I know of is trying to kill me like they say Colonel Swope was killed," she declared.
The samples or exhibits were carefully preserved by the attorney and examined by Dr. Walter M. Cross, city chemist. Dr. Cross noticed a lump of "poison" larger than the rest with some paint on it. He tasted it and found lime.
When the anxious Mrs. Goble returned to the city attorney's office to learn the result of the test she was told that the powder was only plaster dust sifted from a small hole in the kalsomine on the ceiling.Labels: City Chemist Cross, poison, Seventh street, women January 27, 1910 HER PARTY CLOTHES RUINED.
But Gertie Harris Couldn't Fix the Blame on Discarded Suitor.
"My name is Gertie Harris, and I want a warrant."
Norman Woodson, an assistant prosecuting attorney, interrupted late yesterday afternoon while working at his desk, looked up to see a blonde girl, 17 years of age, standing before him with fire in her eye.
"What is the trouble?" asked Mr. Woodson, laying down his pen.
"I want a warrant for a young man -- his first name is Harry. He and I used to go together. Last week we had a fight. I made a date to go to a dance with another fellow tonight --"
"I don't care for the history of your life; give me the facts," interrupted the assistant prosecutor.
"I guess this made Harry mad," continued Gertie, nonplussed. "Last night while I was away from home someone broke into the house. Before going to bed last night I looked in my wardrobe. What should I find but all my party clothes cut to shreds. My dancing pumps were ripped. In fact, nearly every dress I have was ruined."
"But are you sure Harry did this?"
"I am sure he did, though I did not see him," continued Gertie. "He did it to keep me from going to the dance tonight. He was awfully jealous of me, anyway."
The assistant prosecutor told her he could issue no warrant, as she could not positively swear that it was the jilted sweetheart who ruined her party clothes.Labels: clothing, romance January 27, 1910 MONUMENT TO GEN. PRICE.
Will Be Erected in Independence by Daughters of the Confederacy.
A monument to General Sterling Price will likey be erected within a short time on the east side of the Independence court house by the Independence chapter, Daughters of the Confederacy. Yesterday afternoon a delegation from the chapter went before the county court seeking permission, which was granted, providing the monument erected would be an ornameantal one.Labels: Civil War, county court, Independence, statues January 27, 1910 FATHER'S FEARS UNFOUNDED.
Italian's Effort to See Girl Starts Black Hand Story.
Fearing that he was about to become a victim of a Black Hand plot, Petro Marsala, a wealthy Italian living at 410 Oak street, appealed to the police for protection yesterday. Detectives immediately investigated the case and reoprted that Marsala's apprehensions were for the most part unfounded.
Petro has a 13-year-old daughter whose name is Dora. She recently had an ardent suitor, Sam Valenta, who proposed marriage to her. The father promptly interposed an objection and ordered Sam to desist his attentions. Volenta's feelings were hurt and it is said that he wrote imploring letters to Dora and finally formed the habit of frequenting the Marsala premises in an effort to see the girl.
Then Marsala seemed to take alarm. He had heard that Valenta had relatives who were said to be members of the Black Hand society. Neighbors told him they had heard rumors to the effect that Sam and some accomplices plotted to kidnap Dora. No arrests have been made.Labels: black hand, children, detectives, immigrants, Oak street, romance January 27, 1910 TEACHER ALSO BALL PLAYER.
Banquet for Dr. Gill, Candidate for White Sox Berth.
Twenty-one members of the Kansas City chapter, Delta Sigma Delta, the members being students at the Kansas City dental college, gave a banquet last night to Dr. Warren Gill, a faculty member, at the Sexton hotel. In a short time Dr. Gill will leave for California to begin practice with the Chicago White Sox, in which team he is a candidate for first baseman. Dr. Gill is well known in baseball. He was first baseman for Minneapolis last season.Labels: California, dentists, fraternal organizations, hotels January 26, 1910 THEY'RE NOT MISSOURI LIONS.
Girl's Damage Suit to Federal Court, As Owner Is Non-Resident.
Complications in the damage suit brought by Ella May Cushman against the Hippodrome Amusement Company and C. W. Parker of Abilene, Kas., resulted yesterday in the transferring of the case from Judge Slover's division of the circuit court to the federal court. The girl asks damages in the sum of $10,000 for injuries received, it is alleged, when a lion at the Hippodrome, two years ago, reached through the bars of its cage and clawed the girl's head.
After the plaintiff had completed her evidence yesterday the Hippodrome company showed that the lion was owned by Parker, who has a herd of wild animals which he exhibited, and on the showing the liability of the company was removed. Parker then had the case transferred to the federal court on the ground that he is not a resident of Missouri.Labels: animals, circuit court, federal court, hippodrome, Judge Slover, Lawsuit January 26, 1910 MABEL HITE LOVES TO WRITE.
But Refused to Make Out Check for Furs She Says Were Not Stylish.
NEW YORK, Jan. 25. -- Mabel Hite, formerly of Kansas City, wife of "Mike" Donlin, the former Giant ball player, while not busy "coaching" her husband's "game," loves to write checks. She admitted this in a little by-play while on the witness stand in the Third district municipal court. She was defendant in an action brought for $185 for a fur neck piece and muff ordered last September for her mother. That Mabel's checks are always honored was not questioned. She simply refused to write one, although wanting to, when the furs, she says, did not prove to be of the latest styles. Mrs. Donlin's counsel admonished her several times not to lose her temper during cross-examination.Labels: Mabel Hite, New York January 26, 1910 A HERMIT FORTY-NINE YEARS.
Grinter Dies in White Church Cabin; Mourned for Wife.
Ambrose B. Grinter, known in Wyandotte county as the "Hermit of White Church," died yesterday morning in the little old frame house he built for his bride in 1859. Had he lived until February 23 he would have been 92 years old. He left no near relatives.
He arrived in White Church in 1859 in a wagon, bringing with him a young wife. They built a little cabin of rough logs. Two years later his wife died. Since that time he had lived a life of seclusion, rarely visiting even the village store and shunning society. The little children of the village used to be afraid of the odd old man and at sundown the hermit could be heard calling his chickens. "Come along, little ones; come in, Wyandottes."
The little children's fears were groundless, though for a year or more before his death he at times chatted with the school children as they passed his door.
Early this winter he sat by a cheerful wood fire in his house and told a story of his life to a friend.
"I was born in Logan county, Ky., February 23, 1818," he said. "My daddy was a farmer and a hunter and he early learned me to use a rifle. When I was a lad of 14 he bound me out to a cabinet maker, William McMullen, who was afterward my 'daddy-in-law," and I learned his trade. I married his daughter, Mary Elizabeth, when I was 22. We lived in Kentucky till 1858, when we started out for Kansas in an old linch-pin wagon, which my 'daddy-in-law' had made for us. We drove two sleek oxen. When we reached Wyandotte county I bought fifty-four acres from the government. We built a little cabin and were very happy until Mary died and since then somehow or another, I don't care for the society of others. I spent my time in the woods with my dog and gun until I became too feeble to get about and now I must sit by the fire and smoke and dream."
Mr. Grinter had suffered with a cancer on his face for many years. About two years ago he went to Bethany hospital for treatment, where he remained for more than a year. While he was gone his neighbors cleaned up the house, which no woman's hand had touched since Mrs. Grinter died. One of these rooms was filled almost entirely with copies of old newspapers, neatly folded. Among these were copies of the Kansas City Journal and the Wyandotte Herald of the '50's. Mr. Grinter has been a reader of both papers for many years.
Another room, apparently that of his wife, was found in the condition it was left many years ago. An old sunbonnet hung on the post of the old-fashioned cord bedstead, the covers of the bed were rumpled and a woman's dress hung over the footboard. Mothers in the little village have long told stories to their little ones of how old Mr. Grinter, with a tender remembrance, had never touched the room since her death and never allowed strangers to look into it.
Funeral services ill be conducted by the Rev. J. W. Payne this afternoon at 3 o'clock at the old Grinter chapel. Burial will be in the chapel grounds.Labels: death, newspapers, pioneers January 26, 1910 GENTLY SLAPPED WITH A KNIFE.
Then Fork Is Used in Restaurant Quarrel Over "Profits and Loss."
Angus Harding and Frank Barber are owners of a restaurant at 2600 Independence avenue. Monday they quarreled over "profits and loss," and Barber is alleged to have used a fork. A complaint was filed yesterday by Norman Woodson, an assistant prosecuting attorney, charging Barber with felonious assault.
"When the argument came to the boiling point," said Harding yesterday, "Barber grabbed a butcher knife. I thought I was cooked, sure, but instead of stabbing me, he gently slapped me on one cheek and then on the other with the flat side. I made a dive for him. Then he grabbed up a fork and jabbed me in the forehead." Harding exhibited a long gash cut the breadth of his forehead.Labels: Independence avenue, restaurants, violence January 26, 1910 HIS SKULL AS AN EXHIBIT.
County Court is Willing to Pay for Removing It.
Robert Carel, who has a claim against Jackson county on account of falling rocks from a blast striking his head and crushing his skull, gave the county court a portion of his skull in a glass jar yesterday.
Isaac Kimbrell told the court that he understood perfectly well that the county could not be sued. He stated that the injured man was driving by a repair gang managed by Thomas Gaines. The blast was set off and falling rock crushed Carel's skull.
The court asked Mr. Kimbrell to confer with the county counselor in regard to the county making an appropriation covering Carel's expenses. The injury, Mr. Carel stated, occurred October 8.Labels: county court, Lawsuit January 25, 1910
3 KILLED, 3 HURT WHEN AUTO SKIDS OVER CLIFF DRIVE.
MACHINE DROPS EIGHTY FEET AND IS DEMOLISHED ON ROCKS.
John Mahoney and Wife and Thomas McGuire the Victims. 
WRECKED AUTO WHICH PLUNGED OVER EMBANKMENT ON CLIFF DRIVE, KILLING THREE.
Three persons were killed and three, who by a miraculous streak of providence escaped death, were injured yesterday afternoon when a large automobile plunged over an eighty-foot embankment on the Cliff drive, at Scarritt's Point. The dead:
John Mahoney, aged 51, grading contractor, 616 North Seventh street, Kansas City, Kas.
Mrs. John Mahoney, aged 46 years.
Thomas McGuire, 50, a foreman for Mr. Mahoney; resided at 53 South Forest avenue, Kansas City, Kas. Father of six children.
THE INJURED.
John O'Connor, 42 years old, of Fifty-first street and Swope parkway.
Miss Nellie Mahoney, 19 years old, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Mahoney.
Lillian, 6-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Mahoney.
The O'Connors also have two other children, John, age 8, and Anna, age 13, who were in school at the time of the fatal crash which claimed their parents.
The accident is ascribed to a slippery condition of the driveway, water which trickled from the cliff having frozen. The machine, in rounding the curve at Scarritt's point, evidently skidded on the ice toward the precipice at the outer edge of the drive. Mahoney, who was the contractor that had charge of the grading work on this scenic drive, was driving the car. He evidently tried to steer it toward the cliff, with the result that t he heavy rear end of the car was thrown completely around, the rear wheels crashing through a fence and over the abyss.
FORTY-FOOT DROP.
At the point where the machine went over the cliff there is a sheer descent of probably forty feet, with probably forty feet more of steep hillside ending in an accumulation of boulders. Tracks in the roadway showed where the rear wheels of the car had backed over the precipice and the entire car was precipitated upon the rocks below, alighting on its side and crushing two of the victims. The others either landed on the rocks or were caught in the wreckage.
The scene of the accident is just above and a little to the southeast of the Heim brewery and the men who witnessed the tragedy, or who were attracted by the piteous cries of the victims, rushed to the place and gave first aid to the injured. Police from No. 8 station, who were notified, carried the injured down the cliff, which owing to the slippery condition of the ground, is almost impassable even for pedestrians, placed them in the police ambulance and hurried them to hospitals. The dead were removed later to undertaking establishments, the bodies of Mr. and Mrs. Mahoney being taken to the Leo J. Stewart parlors and that of Mr. McGuire to Carroll-Davidson's.
BODIES UNDER CAR.
The scene following the tragedy was a sickening and pitiable one. the first persons to arrive found pinioned under the wreckage of the big motor car the mangled bodies of Mr. Mahoney, Mr. McGuire, Mr. O'Connor and the two girls. Mrs. Mahoney lay on the rocks at the rear of the machine unconscious, but still alive. She expired within ten minutes. Mr. Mahoney and Mr. McGuire were killed outright evidently.
The younger daughter of the Mahoneys still grasped a doll which she had carried in her arms in the machine and, gazing upon the forms of her parents as they lay still puon the frozen ground she cried piteously:
"I want my papa, I want my mamma."
It was with difficulty that she was induced to leave the spot and her childish grief brought tears to the eyes of every bystander. Miss Mahoney was dazed badly. She talked little, though seeming to partially realize what had happened, and just before she was placed in the police ambulance she was prostrated. Mr. O'Connor also was dazed, though he walked about and declared he was not hurt.
TWO SEE ACCIDENT.
Daniel Ferhnback, 19 years old, of 28 Bigelow street, just below Scarritt's Point, with Thomas Nelligan, 10 years old, were eye-witnesses to the accident. Ferhnback was chopping wood in his yard and the Nelligan boy was with him when they glanced up and saw the machine go over the brink of the hill.
"It was terrible," said Ferhnback. "The rear end went over first and the whole thing fell down into the hollow. It was done so quickly I hardly knew what had happened, but it seemed to me that the machine partly turned over. The noise sounded like a bunch of sewer pipe falling and hitting something."
For a moment, Ferhnback said, he scarcely knew what to do. Then he heard a cry, "O, God! O, God! " It was Mr. O'Connor pinioned under the car.
Ferhnback and his boy companion at once started up the hill but Nelligan, being more nimble, arrived at the top first. The boy took one look at the mass of twisted iron and wood and at the blood covered bodies under and about the machine and he ran back the winding path to where Ferhnback was hurrying up.
"It's awful," said the boy, covering his face with his hands as if to shut out the sight.
CRASH IS HEARD.
About the time that Ferhnback and Nelligan were horrified to see the machine plunge over the cliff, M. G. Givson, of 2026 Charlotte street, was walking along the Chicago & Alton tracks, far below the Cliff drive. He hears a crash but paid no attention to it and was startled by the screams of a woman, evidently one of the Mahoney sisters. He also rushed up the hill, arriving about the time that Ferhnback reached the top.
Mr. Gibson picked up the little Mahoney child and bandaged her head with handkerchiefs. Mrs. Mahoney lay free of the car, and Mr. Gibson said that she still breathed when he arrived. He took one of the cushions which had been hurled from the automobile and placed it under the woman's head, but within ten minutes she was dead.
Miss Nellie Mahoney was carried to one side by the two men, who made her as comfortable as possible. Mr. O'Connor lay with one leg pinioned under a rear wheel of the car, a short distance from the body of Mrs. Mahoney. Mr. Gibson and Mr. Ferhnback managed to lift the rear portion of the car enough to extricate the man and Mr. O'Connor immediately got up and walked about, declaring that he had no pain and that he was all right.
POLICE NOTIFIED.
The accident happened at 3:15 o'clock. It was not so very many minutes later that Mr. Gibson, having done everything he could to help the injured, ran to No. 8 police station, 3001 Guinotte street. Sergeant Edward McNamara, Patrolman Gus Metzinger and Motorcycleman George A. Lyon responded at once. They were joined later by Park Policeman W. F. Beabout and the police carried the two Mahoney girls and assisted Mr. O'Connor down the cliff to the ambulance.
Coroner B. H. Zwart went in peerson to view the bodies, and he summoned undertakers. It was 5 o'clock before the bodies finally were removed, the conditions in the vicinity of the scene of the horror making it difficult to carry the bodies out.
Even the coroner, accustomed as he is to such things, was moved at the horror of the scene. Mr. Mahoney lay crushed under the car and a piece of the spokes of the machine was found to have penetrated his adbomen.
The Point, which is the highest on the Cliff drive, lies under the shadow of the north side of the cliff. the sun does not strike there, save during a small portion of the day, and water which runs down the hill is frozen, as it trickles across the roadway, into a mass of treacherous ice, making it difficult for motor cars without ice clutches to round the curve at that point without skidding.
Mr. Mahoney, who was driving the machine, sat in the front seat with Mr. McGuire, and the others sat in the rear seat. The car was a seven-passenger Pierce-Arrow. The tracks in the driveway show that the machine came round the curve well within the middle of the roadway and away from the precipice. It is probable that Mahoney had noticed the slippery condition of the pavement and purposely kept away from the brink.
When the fatal stretch of ice was reached, however, the auto was shown to have skidded greatly toward the chasm and the theory is that Mahoney, in order to avoid the very thing which happened, headed his car toward the inside of the road. If he did, he miscalculated terribly, for this swung the heavy rear of the car around over the edge of the cliff and the ill-fated occupants were hurled down up the rocks. The wooden fence, through wh ich the auto smashed, was erected as a warning to daring motorists. It went out as if made of egg shell.
That the machine did not take fire and add to the horror is believed to have been due to a final effort of Mr. Mahoney. the engine was found to have been shut down entirely, and it is believed that Mr. Mahoney automatically pulled his lever as the machine shot backward over the precipice.
At the emergency hospital, whither the two Mahoney girls and Mr. O'Connor were removed, it was stated last evening that Mr. O'Connor's case is the least serious of any of the injured. He sustained a wound on the back of his head and some bruises. He probably will recover.
After being removed to the hospital, little Lillian Mahoney lapsed into a coma and Miss Nellie Mahoney became hysterical. It was stated that neither of the girls knew that their parents are dead. It was feared neither could stand the shock.
The condition of both the girls is regarded as serious. Miss Nellie sustained a dislocation of one of the shoulders, a fracture of the right arm and bruises about the body.
The younger girl received a bad cut about the back of the head and bruises about the body. Both girls are suffering terribly from nervous shock, and this is what makes their cases so grave.
It was said at St. Margaret's hospital at midnight that Lillian Mahoney is probably fatally injured. The child is under the effects of opiates. It is belived her skull is fractured.
BUILT THE DRIVEWAY.
Mr. Mahoney executed the grading work on the very driveway where he, with his wife, met death. It is said that he was familiar with every foot of the ground along the roadway and that because of the pride which he took in the work he particularly liked taking a spin in his machine along the course.
 JOHN MAHONEY.
The ill-fated machine was purchased by Mr. Mahoney from the estate of Mrs. Mary S. Dickerson, who died. It is said that Mr. Mahoney paid $3,500 for the car.
FRIENDS SHOW SYMPATHY.
A telegram telling of the death of Mr. Mahoney was dispatched late last night to his old schoolmate and business partner, Justice Michael Ross, who is now visiting in Jacksonville, Fla. Mrs. Ross went to the residence of the dead contractor last night and arranged to take charge of the children.
"My husband and Mr. mahoney were lifelong friends. I know if Michael were here he would want me to take care of the children and and give them a temporary or even a permanent home," Mrs. Ross said.
Annie and Johnny Mahoney heard about the catastrophe at 4:30 o'clock in the afternoon. They were overwhelmed with grief.
CHILD PREDICTED ACCIDENT.
"Oh, I told papa not to buy that auto. I told him all along it would lead to some accident," sobbed the girl.
The boy, four years younger, soon quieted himself and began to assure his sister. The children were taken last night to the Ross home, where they may stay permanently.Labels: accident, automobiles, children, Cliff drive, Coroner Zwart, death, Guinotte avenue, Justice Ross, police January 25, 1910 RHEINSTROMS HERE TODAY.
Cincinnati Heir and Music Hall Bride on the Way to the Coast.
CINCINNATI, Jan. 24. -- Harry A. Rheinstrom and his bride, who was Miss Edna Loftus, an English music hall beauty, will spend Tuesday in Kansas city. They left Cincinnati this morning and spent today in Chicago. They say they are making a "stop-by-the-wayside" trip to Los Angeles and that they are going to see all of the country they can before they reach there. This is the reason given by Rheinstrom for lingering in many cities on the way to the Southwest. The family affairs of the young millionaire have been adjusted amicably and his mother is said to have asked that he take his music hall bride to Los Angeles and live there.Labels: California, visitors January 25, 1910 POOR MAN'S SHAVE ATTACKED.
Barber College Law, Which Prohibits Charging, Will Be Tested.
The "poor man's" shave may become a thing of the past. The State Board of Barbers is after the barber colleges that give a shave for a nickel. Complaint was made yesterday to the prosecuting attorney and information will be filed this week in the criminal court to test the validity of the barber law.
A barber college at Missouri avenue and Delaware street will be made the defendant. It is charged that the owner has placed a barber pole in front of his "school," and that he charges five cents for a shave. It is also charged that the owner, or "president," advertises in the newspapers and employs barbers.
The law requires that barber colleges shall not charge for shaves and hair cuts, the barber pole shall not be displayed and only the "students" shall work upon the "victims."Labels: barbers, criminal court, Delaware street, Missouri avenue January 25, 1910 JIM CROW CARS PLAN REVIVED.
ALDERMEN SHY AT ORDINANCE AND SPECIAL COMMITTEE IS APPOINTED.
Success in Southern Cities and Negroes Approve, Mr. Logan Said.
When an ordinance was introduced in the upper house of the council last night by Alderman J. E. Logan, making it obligatory on the Metropolitan Street Railway Company to operate cars for negro passengers, or to designate a part of the car for their use if they are to be carried with whites, there was a perceptible dodging of the aldermen to assume responsibility for having a hand in the legislation.
"I'd like to have the ordinance go to the streets, alleys and grades committee," proposed Alderman Logan.
"The streets, alleys and grades committee has all it can attend to now," replied Alderman Wirthman.
"Public improvements committee," suggested somebody.
"That's no place for such an ordinance," pleaded Alderman Baylis Steele. "It should go to the sanitary committee."
DODGING GETS LIVELY.
"The judiciary committee should pass on it," recommended Alderman W. C. Culbertson.
"Alderman Logan is chairman of that committee and he doesn't want it," volunteered Alderman W. A. Bunker.
The dodging began to get livelier.
"How would you like to have me appointed to a special committee, Alderman Logan?" interrogated President R. L. Gregory.
"That would suit me."
"Would you ask that I be put in the committee?"
"Yes, sir."
Gregory took an inventory of the aldermen.
"How do you stand on this proposition?" Gregory asked of Culbertson.
"As I have said before, it looks like a trouble-maker, but," Culbertson was saying when Gregory interrupted.
FAVORS ORDINANCE.
"You have killed yourself," he said, "and I appoint Alderman Thompson, Republican, and Alderman O'Malley, Democrat, and myself on that committee. I'm for the ordinance heart and soul. I think negroes and whites riding on street cars should be separated."
"I'd like to be excused from serving on the committee. I surrender to Alderman Logan," said Alderman Thompson.
"You don't want to serve?"
"No, sir."
"Well, I would like to have a Republican on the committee. How about you, Alderman Bunker?"
"I'm much obliged, but you'll have to excuse me," spoke up Bunker.
"How about you Alderman Tilhoff?"
"What is it you want to know?" innocently asked the alderman.
"We are going to put the negro where he belongs," answered Gregory.
TILHOFF UNWILLING.
"No, I do not wish to serve on the committee," promptly interposed Tillhoff.
"I'll put you on the committee, alderman," addressed Gregory to Alderman Logan. "I had hopes that we should make the committee non-partisan, but I can't get a Republican to serve, so, therefore, I'll draft Alderman Thompson on the committee." Thompson smiled, and did not object to being drafted.
The ordinance was drafted by Walter M. Lampkin, an associate city counselor. He explained its provisions, providing for separate cars for negroes, designation for them in the car if they ride with whites and placing authority in the conductor to seat passengers to fit conditions.
"Suppose passengers will have to stand. How about that?" asked Alderman Culbertson.
TO HAVE MORE CARS.
"That won't happen. We're going to have more cars," replied Counselor Lampkin.
"What's a passenger to do that wants to go forward to the lobby to smoke?"
"I had expected such questions, but I am not prepared to answer them."
"Have you prepared separate straps for negroes and whites?"
Lampkin appeared confused, and Alderman Logan came to his rescue.
"This is no joking matter," said Logan. "No political or racial prejudices should obtain. It is simply intended to facilitate the convenience and comfort of travel in the street cars. It is a success in Atlanta, Birmingham, Jacksonville, Mobile and other Southern cities. Whites as well as negroes vote it a welcome convenience, and if the ordinance is enforced negroes will be grateful recipients.
KANSAS CITY DIFFERENT.
"The purport of the ordinance is the greatest good to the greatest numbers. they have no such law in Northern cities as they they have not the preponderance of negro population that Kansas City has."
Alderman Isaac Taylor asked Counselor Lampkin if the city had a legal right to pass such an ordinance when there is no similar law in force in the state.
Mr. Lampkin answered that his first impression was that the city did not have the right, but upon consulting authorities he found that the city, under the laws of police powers, has the right. He cited the Florida supreme court as giving the cities of that state the authority, under police powers, to enact laws similar to the one proposed for Kansas City, and said that the supreme court of Massachusetts had ruled that school directors could segregate white and negro children attending public schools.
"I can see where good results would obtain by the enforcement of such an ordinance, but it looks like a trouble breeder to me," observed Alderman Culbertson.
LIKE SOUTHERN LAWS.
The ordinance is patterned after the law in force in Southern cities, and provides a fine of $25 for a person refusing to take a seat assigned him by the conductor or after refusal to leave the car for non-compliance of the rule. The company is subject to a fine of $500 if it fails to operate the separate cars, or comply with the required designation.
Should the ordinance become a law the New Orleans plan will be followed. The conductor will designate the seats in accordance with the prevailing conditions. It is proposed to have negroes occupy the front part of the car. Seats for their use will be appropriate labeled, and they must occupy no others. When their allotment of seats becomes filled, and standing in the aisles is necessary, they must keep within the limits of these seats. They must not seat themselves in seats reserved for whites, and any violation of this rule will necessitate the immediate retirement of the offender from the car or his arrest and punishment by a fine of $25 in the municipal court. The same rule applies to whites occupying reservations for negroes.Labels: Kansas City council, New Orleans, politics, race, Robert Lee Gregory, streetcar January 24, 1910 BOY ACCIDENTALLY KILLS STEPSISTER.
Carries Dying Child Into House and Runs Mile and a Half for a Doctor.
Sobbing with grief and carrying in his arms the unconscious form of Elizabeth Baumgarten, his little sister, who was bleeding form a bullet hole in her forehead, Willam Mudder, 16 years old, staggered into the home of his stepfather, Marten Baumgarten, Kansas City, Kas., yesterday afternoon.
Baumgarten, a carpenter, sat by the side of his wife, who is confined to her bed with a 2-weeks-old baby by her side in the bedroom of their little home. A number of old acquaintances were also in the room. It was while they were talking and laughing the boy entered with his burden.
"I didn't mean to do it papa," he shrieked. He hurriedly explained that he had shot the little girl accidentally with a .22-caliber target rifle. Bolting from the room, the boy ran a mile and a half to the office of Dr. David W. Thompson at Nineteenth street and Quindaro boulevard.
"Doctor, I shot my little sister accidentally, and I want you to come to her quick," he shouted as he entered the doctor's office.
Dr. Thompson hurried with the boy to the home. The bullet had entered the middle of the child's forehead and lodged near the base of the brain. She died about twenty minutes after the doctor arrived. Dr. Thompson notified Dr. J. A. Davis, coroner of Wyandotte county, who decided that an autopsy would be unnecessary.
The Mudder lad works during the week for his aunt, Mrs. John Smith, who runs a grocery at Twenty-seventh street and Bell avenue in Kansas City, Mo. He went home yesterday and began a romp with his four brothers and three stepsisters. He took a little target rifle belonging to the step father and, calling the children, started out in the back yard to shoot at a mark. All seven of the children walked down the back stairs from the porch. Elizabeth, 4 years old, was the last. Just as she reached the bottom step, by some unknown means which the lad himself cannot explain, the gun was discharged, the bullet entering the little girl's forehead.
Mrs. Baumgarten was prostrated over the little girl's death. The father, too, was grief-stricken. The Mudder boy was affected more than either. He could not be comforted and paced the rooms of the house back and forth. Dr. Thompson said last night that the boy was nearly crazed when he came to his office.
Martin Baumgarten, the boy's stepfather, said last night that William was absolutely blameless. "I am confident that the shooting was purely accidental," he said. "The boy loved his little stepsister just the same as if she had been his own sister. It was just one of those unfortunate, unavoidable accidents.
Funeral services for the little girl will be held tomorrow morning at the Church of the Blessed Sacramet in Chelsea place. Burial will be in St. John's cemetery.Labels: accident, children, death, doctors, grocers, guns, Kansas City Kas January 24, 1910 DEAD MAN'S HOARD HIS LAST PILLOW.
FIFTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS IN SECURITIES IN CASHBOX UNDER HIS HEAD.
Body of Oscar Schoen, Aged 70, Found Amid His Savings.
With his head pillowed on a cash box containing $15,000 worth of negotiable securities, mostly government bonds and money orders, Oscar Schoen, a retired shoemaker, 70 years old, was found dead in bed in a squalid room at Missouri avenue and Main streets yesterday morning.
The old man's hand clutched a half emptied phial of morphine tablets while at his side lay a loaded 38-caliber revolver. One of the cartridges had been snapped but had failed to ignite.
Coroner Harry Czarlinsky, who was summoned, stated that death was due to morphine poisoning, whether taken as an overdose or with suicidal intent he was unable to state. He ordered the body taken to Freeman & Marshall's undertaking establishment.
MONEY ALSO IN ROOM.
Although Schoen had occupied the same room in which he was found for over two years, little or nothing was known about him by the owner of the rooming house. He was last seen alive on Thursday morning by Guy Holmes, the janitor of the premises. He told Holmes that he was feeling sick and that if it were not for the expense he would visit a doctor. He used to retire regularly at 6 o'clock every evening and rise at 8 in the morning, when he would go out and buy the daily papers, return and stay in his room. Rarely he made trips up to town.
Police headquarters was notified of the old man's death and Patrolman John P. McCauley, who was sent to investigate, made a further search of the room. Concealed behind an old stove in which Schoen had done his cooking was found $60 in bills and silver, and in an old carpetbag apparently discarded and thrown under the bed, the officer located several abstracts and deeds to Kansas City property in the vicinity of Thirty-first and Troost avenue, which are supposedly of considerable value.
WILL IN POCKETBOOK.
Schoen's last will and testament was also found in an old pocketbook. By its provisions all his property is bequeathed to relatives by the name of Goetz living in Kempsvile, Ill. Charles A. Schoen, a brother at Darlington, Ind., was named as executor. The police have telegraphed to all parties concerned.
One of the witnesses of the will was the manager of a local real estate firm, through whom Schoen had conducted his business. He stated that he know that the old man owned a great deal of property. Schoen at one time conducted a cobbler's shop at 2442 Broadway, but left there about four years ago, giving his reason for selling out and moving the fact that robberies were too common in that part of town.
Naturalization papers dated 1872 and taken out at Darlington, Ind., were found among Schoen's effects, together with several applications to different German provident associations.
Schoen had lived in Kansas City about twenty-two years. He has a sister, Mrs. Bertha H. Goetz, at Kempsville, Ill., and a niece, Mrs. Agnes Yak Shan, residing in Alaska.Labels: Broadway, death, Dr Czarlinsky, immigrants, Main street, Missouri avenue, rooming house, Seniors, Suicide, undertakers January 24, 1910 PENSION FOR POLICE.
Kansas City, St. Joseph and St. Louis Department Officials In Conference Here.
Police officials from St. Louis and St. Joseph were in conference with Captains John J. Casey and John J. Ennis of the Kansas City department at police headquarters yesterday afternoon to formulate plans for the passage of a police pension fund bill through the state legislature.
The meeting was held in the private office of Commissioner Ralph B. Middlebrook, the commissioner himself being present. No definite line of action was decided upon. The rough draft of the bill already formulated requests that all cities in the state of Missouri with a population of 100,000 be allowed to set apart a percentage of their yearly income for the maintenance of a pension fund for the support of police officers, who, by reason of illness or injuries, may be incapacitated. Commissioner Middlebrook stated that he thought that it was a humane idea and worthy of success.
The visiting officers are Inspector Major Richardson McDonald, Lieutenant T. J. Donegan and Sergeant James Healey of St. Louis, and Chief of Police Charles Haskell, Sergeant Martin Shea and Patrolman Joseph O'Brien from St. Joseph. Another meeting will be held this morning.Labels: police, police headquarters, St Louis, St.Joseph, visitors January 24, 1910 TINY TOT TELLS THE TRUTH.
Assures Court He Never Sells Papers After Six O'clock.
Tony Grapes is the name of a diminutive Italian boy. He says he is 8 years old, but looks no more than 6. A few days ago he approached Judge E. E. Porterfield on a Brooklyn car and wanted to sell him a paper. Yesterday Tony and his father were in the juvenile court.
"Do you remember seeing me?" asked the judge.
"Yep," smile Tony, showing his white teeth. "I sell you paper."
"Do you remember when I asked you how late you quit selling papers and you said, 'Any old time?'"
"I quit all the time at 6 o'clock," said Tony, who had evidently been informed that little boys are not allowed to sell papers later than that.
Tony said he had made 15 and sometimes 25 cents a day and that he gave the money to his moth er. Tony acted as interpreter when the judge told the boy's father he must not sell papers any more until the youth is older
"You are sure you are telling your father exactly what I say to you?" asked the court.
"Sure," said Tony. "He says he no like me to sell papers. He 'fraid the cars run off my legs and arms and hands and feet. Then I wouldn't have any to sell papers when I get big."Labels: children, immigrants, Judge Porterfield, juvenile court, newspapers January 24, 1910
BLESSES WATERS OF KAW.
Custom of Greek Catholics Carried Out by Priest.
Clad in the rich silken robes of his office and surrounded by a number of vested altar boys, the Rev. John Markowitch, pastor of the Servian Greek Catholic church of St. George, at First street and Lyons in Kansas City, Kas., knelt before an improvised alter near the middle of the Central avenue bridge yesterday morning and invoked a blessing on the Kaw river. One thousand parishioners attended the ceremony. After blessing the river the priest sprinkled each one of the church members present with water drawn from the river and administered the sacrament to them.
The congregation met in the church yesterday morning and marched from there to the bridge. The procession was led by six vested altar boys, who carried candles. They were followed by the priest, who was dressed in rich robes and carried a crucifix. Following the priest was a brass band which led a column of about 600 men. After the ceremony, which lasted about one hour, the participants marched back to the church.
Later the priest visited the homes of each of his parishioners and sprinkled their door posts with the blessed water. The custom of blessing rivers, while comparatively new in Kansas City, is an old one in Servia. The rivers are blessed there once a year, and the water used for baptisms taken from them.
Father Markowitch, who conducted the ceremony yesterday, is 52 years old. He came to Kansas City, Kas., two years ago, and in January, 1908, performed a ceremony similar to that performed yesterday, which was the first of the kind in Kansas City. The parish has grown from 800 to more than 2,000 communicants since he took charge.Labels: churches, immigrants, Kansas City Kas, Kaw river, ministers, music January 24, 1910 DISLIKES TO HANDLE BONES OF QUANTRELL.
Historical Society Clerks at Topeka Not So Enthusiastic About Grewsome Relic.
TOPEKA, Jan. 23. -- If some person, in some manner, could slip into the relic vault of the State Historical Society and steal the old, dry bones of Quantrell, the famous guerrilla, he would confer a great favor upon the clerks of the historical society, even though he riled the temper of George W. Martin, the boss of the shop.
"Oh, how I hate to rattle those old, dry bones," said one of the clerks, as he exhibited them for the nineteenth time today to visitors. "Why, I pull them out, shake them around and tell about them so much that I actually detest the things."
Everybody who goes to the historical rooms wants to see Quantrell's bones. Secretary Martin says they are a great drawing card, and that they are one of the chief relics of his department. But he doesn't have to handle them or exhibit them. The clerks must do that.
For fear they will be stolen, Mr. Martin keeps them in the vault, and a special trip must be made to see them, the medal which Victor Hugo, the Frenchman, gave Mrs. John Brown and the Ford theater program which contains some splotches of Lincoln's blood. Officials around the state house know how the clerks detest handling the bones and always tell visitors to be sure to ask to see them.
The clerks do not handle the bones as tenderly as Secretary Martin does. They yak them around, shake them together, hoping, no doubt, they will fall to pieces.
"I guess the only way to get rid of them is to wear them out," said a clerk, "and they don't seem to wear very fast. I believe they will be here when Gabriel blows his trumpet the last time unless someone should carry them off."
When the bones were first donated to the historical society a great howl went up from some of the old free state men. They declared that it was an insult to exhibit the bones of the old guerrilla who sacked Lawrence and killed so many people. But Secretary Martin held on to them with a strong grip and finally beat down public criticism. Still he can't subdue his own clerks. They are still in rebellion.Labels: Civil War, Lawrence, organizations, Quantrell, Topeka January 23, 1910 PROBABLY YOUNGEST BILLIARD PLAYER IN THE WORLD.
Billy Ryle, Jr.,'s Father Is an Expert With Ivories. 
BILLY RYLE, SR., AND BILLY RYLE, JR.
Probably the youngest billiard player in the world is Billy Ryle, Jr., son of Billy Ryle, the local room keeper and three-cushion expert. This boy is but 5 years of age and is capable of making a run of five on a big table in the straight rail billiards, supposed to be the greatest feat ever performed by a boy this age.
Billy Ryle, Jr., learned the game of his own accord and in a peculiar way. He was at his father's hall one day and asked to be allowed to play. His father stood him on a chair beside a pool table and moved him around to make different shots. He soon pocketed the fifteen balls and was then allowed to play billiards. He showed remarkable skill for a child and was then given a private cue, small enough for him to handle. With not a great amount of practice he has learned to make a run of five and his father has ordered him a special table. It will be 3 1/2 by 7 feet, modeled after the Phister 5x19 table and will be twenty-four inches high. It will be equipped with a full set of ivory balls.
Before the table is completed this little fellow is playing on the floor at home, using a walking stick for a cue. This boy has seen the greatest experts in the country play billiards and is very enthusiastic over the game. His father believes he will be a champion by the time he is of age. Mr. Ryle will have the boy tutored by experts when he gets older.
Billy Ryle, Sr., is one of the best billiardists in the West and if he had had an opportunity when younger he would probably have been a champion at balk line. He is today one of the best three-cushion and balk line players in Missouri.Labels: billiards, children, sports January 23, 1910 BLASTING JARS BUILDINGS.
Tenants of Downtown Structures Feel Shock of Dynamite Shots.
What seemed like distant earthquake shocks have been felt in all the buildings on both sides of Grand avenue, between Ninth and Thirteenth streets during the last few days, the concussions being due to dynamite blasting in the conduit trench on the east side of Grand avenue.
When a shot is fired in the trenches there is a very perceptible chug and lift in the floors of all the structures in this district, and especially is this noticeable in the basements and first floors of the big buildings. In the basement of the R. A. Long building the concussion is so severe that some of the apparatus in a barber shop there has been moved out of the place. Higher up in the building the shock is not felt so markedly.
Blasting has been going on for several days and is likely to continue for several more. The trench is but partially completed and at present the work is hindered by a vein of rock which has to be blasted out. It isn't at all probable that the blasting will damage any of the big steel buildings, but it is altogether possible for it to do some damage to some of the less substantial structures, it is said.Labels: explosion, Grand avenue, public works, R A Long building January 23, 1910 A YIDDISH THEATER HERE.
First Playhouse of This Character to Be Opened Here Tonight.
Kansas City's first Yiddish theater will be opened tonight in the Hippodrome annex, Twelfth and Charlotte streets. Manager Jacobs has fitted up a snug home for Yiddish drama here, the annex being cut off entirely from the Hippodrome proper by an outside entrance, though there is, of course, an entrance from the inside as well. M. B. Samuylow, who was seen here at the Shubert this season, will head a strong Yiddish company playing "Kol Nidre," a four-act opera with book by Charansky and music by Friedsel. Other Yiddish companies will be seen here from time to time and it is hoped to make the Hippodrome Annex theater the home of permanent Yiddish attractions, as there is a large clientele from which to draw.Labels: Charlotte street, hippodrome, Jews, music, theatre, Twelfth street January 23, 1910 NELSON HERE THIS WEEK.
Durable Dane Will Referee Matches at Century.
Battling Nelson, lightweight champion of the world, will spend the coming week in Kansas City with a friend who is in the company at the Century theater. Nelson was with the show for a time, and he cancelled his theatrical engagements to accept several offers to fight lightweights in different parts of the country.
While resting in Kansas City this week he will referee wrestling bouts at the Century and visit Kansas City friends.Labels: sports, theater, visitors January 22, 1910 REEDER PICTURE MOVED.
For Half a Century It Has Hung at Coates House.
For the first time in several years the life-size oil painting of Andrew H. Reeder, the first governor of the territory of Kansas, which has graced the walls of the Coates house for half a century, was removed from its place in the lobby yesterday so that steamfitters could get at a defective pipe. The painting will be cleaned and re-hung in its old place.
The removal of the picture yesterday resulted in a flood of questions at Clerks Mong and Preston. Each told the story of the picture at least a score of times during the day and evening. The painting was made at the direction of Colonel Kersey Coates, the founder of the Coates house, from a photograph. The painting pictures Governor Reeder in flight.
It was back in 1856 that Governor Reeder had much trouble with the pro-slavery men and was forced to hide in Kansas City. He was a close friend of Colonel Kersey Coates, and Colonel Coates successfully hid the governor for two weeks at the Gillis house and other places about the city, finally furnishing him with a disguise in which he was able to escape as a deck passenger on the Missouri river steamer, the A. B. Chambers. When he arrived at St. Louis he had a photograph taken and sent it to Colonel Coates.Labels: arts, boats, Coates house, Kersey Coates, Missouri river, photographs, St Louis January 22, 1910 BRILLIANT COMET IS SEEN IN WESTERN SKY.
May Be DeRake's or Halley's, and Resembles a Woman's Hat With Willowy Plume.
The "comet" appeared last evening with great brilliancy as seen from Kansas City. It was slightly west of southwest, and was first visible about 6 o'clock. It remained in sight until near 6:30 o'clock when it became obscured by the clouds. The smoke of the city prevented it being very brilliant although it was quite noticable in the western sky.
There are various statements regarding this comet and various theories have been advanced regarding it. Prof. Woods of Washburn College, Topeka, says it is De Rake's comet, while others say it is Halley's. But who is De Rake? is a question on the lips of the average citizen. Be that as it may, the comet, no matter whose personal property, is visible in the soutwestern sky.
A dozen people went to the roof of the Scarritt building last evening about 6 o'clock to catch a glimpse of the comet. It really was a beautiful sight in the gathering twilight, and but for the smoke and the thin fleece of clouds which soon hid it from sight would have been visible for an hour or more. Its motion was barely perceptible except as one watched it past the corner of some fixed object.
The tail was a faint band of light trailing behind the main body of the comet, increasing in breadth as it receded and slightly curving toward the south. The impression received from the general appearance of the comet was that of a woman's modern white hat with its willowy plume on a windy day.Labels: Scarritt building January 22, 1910 GETS WHAT HE ASKED FOR WIFE'S AFFECTIONS.
Jury in Five Minutes Gives A. L. Sherman $50,000 Verdict Against J. C. Silverstone.
After less than five minutes' deliberation yesterday morning a jury in Judge Thomas J. Seehorn's division of the circuit court gave A. L. Sherman, a Kansas City lawyer, a verdict of $50,000 as a balm for a wound his feelings sustained when his wife lost her love for him in favor of another man three years ago. The suit, for $25,000 exemplary and $25,000 actual damages, was instituted by Attorneys L. C. Boyle and C. M. Howell.
The defendant was J. C. Silverstone, who for several years owned a drug store at Ninth and Wyandotte streets, but is now in Seattle, Was. Silverstone was not present at the opening of the case yesterday, but his lawyers were, and there was some interesting testimony. Mrs. Sherman obtained a divorce a year ago and is not in the city.
According to the testimony of Sherman he and Mrs. Sherman were married in September, 1898. Their life was happy until about January, 1907, when, he testified, Silverstone rose over the domestic horizon and began to shed compliments and other attentions on Mrs. Sherman.
One time Sherman said he asked his wife how it was she could buy millinery and fine dresses without approaching him for a loan. He had noticed for several months past that she was making purchases with out either consulting him or having the bills charged. She told conflicting stories of how she could perform the miracle, Sherman testified. He was not convinced and went to Silverstone's store to see him about it.
Sherman said he seized Silverstone by the throat and forced him back on a barrel in the rear of the drug store. Under threats of killing him, he said he obtained a partial confession and made the druggist beg for his life.
"After that my wife and I had frequent quarrels, and finally she left me, taking our child. The last I heard of her she was in Seattle."Labels: attorney, circuit court, Divorce, druggists, Judge Seehorn, Lawsuit, marriage, Ninth street, Wyandotte street January 22, 1910 KANSAS CITY FIVE SHATTERS RECORD.
The Brunswick-Balke Team Hangs Up Score of 2,209 in St. Louis Tourney.
ST. LOUIS, Jan 22. -- The Brunswick-Balke five from Kansas City hung up a new Middle West bowling record tonight in the tournament here, when they shot 2,909, breaking last year's record of 2,831, held by the Nichols team, also of Kansas City.
J. Yerkes and W. H. Lockwood of St. Louis made the high mark of the tournament in the two-men events this afternoon with 1,223. The 633 score of Fred Schultheis of St. Louis is in the singles, the opening day, still stands.
Today was largely given over to visiting teams from Omaha, Kansas City, Topeka, St. Joseph, Columbus, Neb., and Doe Run, Mo. These teams also will bowl tomorrow. The fight for the 1912 tournament lies between Kansas City and Omaha. It is believed the latter contingent will land it, as it has the backing of the St. Joseph bowlers.
Results of the first set of five-men teams tonight follows:
Felix & Son, Kansas City, 2,597.
Gordon & Koppel, Kansas City, 2,699.
Brunswick-Balke, Kansas City, 2,909.
Kid Nichols, Kansas City, 2,663.
Muelbach, Kansas City, 2,701.
Grayols-Grand, St. Louis, 2561.
St. Louis H. & R. Co., St. Louis, 2,458.
Keen Kutter, St. Louis, 2,352.Labels: Omaha, sports, St Louis, St.Joseph January 22, 1910 BRIDE LOYAL TO PRISONER.
Says They Have Plenty of Money and Charge is Absurd.
Clyde Houk, a prisoner at police headquarters awaiting the arrival of officers who will take him back to his home at Memphis, Tenn., on suspicion of having passed worthless paper, still retains the unshaken confidence of his bride of two weeks.
All day yesterday Mrs. Houk, a fragile little woman of about 25 years, sat in the matron's room holding her husband's hand and consoling him as best she could. They were visiting Kansas City on their honeymoon when Houk was arrested by Detectives Andrew O'Hare and D. D. Mitchell Thursday night.
"Of course Clyde is innocent," Mrs. Houk said yesterday. "The whole affair is a terrible mistake. Clyde is well known in Memphis, where he was engaged in the implement business. We have plenty of money, and it is absurd to connect my husband with anything dishonest. He merely overdrew his bank account a few dollars, that's all. Why, he did not even know that he had done so. I don't see the need of having policemen come to get Clyde, as we were going back to Memphis anyhow. I shall go with him and see the matter through."Labels: detectives, police headquarters, police matron, visitors January 21, 1910 WHEN ELMAN WAS POOR.
Charles Grossman Was a Childhood Playmate of the Violinist. 
CHARLES GROSSMAN.
"I am two years older than Elman," said Mr. Grossman yesterday. "I well recall the time when I first heard little Mischa play his father's violin at the age of 4 years. In my childish way I thought to have him punished and I told his father he was playing the instrument, which was about the only thing of value in the Elman home. The father was at first angry, but soon recognized the hitherto unsuspected skill of his son. He had no means to educate him, however, but my father gave him his first start by placing him under teachers in our home town of Tolnoe. Later he was sent to Schapola where a Jewish millionaire named Bodsky became interested in him and sent him to Odessa, where Professor Auer of the St. Petersburg conservatory took him up. the story of his phenomenal rise is history, but I know that he will be glad to see his playmate of the old days. He was the guest of my brothers in New York, one of whom is a rabbi and the other an attorney. I hope to have Elman as my guest next week.
"Incidentally I do not see why Elman should be called the Russian violinist. He is a Jew and though the czar himself has given him a medal and other honors Russia is the prosecutor of this race, and Elman himself was not allowed by law to live in St. Petersburg until he had secured the august permission of the czar."
Young Grossman himself bids fair to attain a high degree of success in his chosen profession and may yet be a dramatist who will shed luster on the Jewish race, as he is already the author of many successful plays.Labels: Charlotte street, immigrants, Jews, music, race, theater January 21, 1910 BOY SUSPECTS GIVEN FREEDOM.
NO EVIDENCE FOUND AGAINST LOUIS DYE, RALPH CLYNE AND HARRY SHAY.
Those Filing Charges and Making Identifications Fail to Appear.
Three boys, Louis Dye, Ralph Clyne and Harry M. Shay, accused of highway robbery, were dismissed from the charge by Justice James B. Shoemaker yesterday afternoon, completely vindicated. His action, Justice Shoemaker said afterwards, was warranted by the fact that they had not been sufficiently identified as the robbers, that their good character was obvious and that there was a want of prosecution, none of the the complaining witnesses nor any of the numerous persons alleged to have been robbed being present in the court room when the case was called.
A chance resemblance alleged to exist between the innocent youths and the boy bandits who committed innumerable depredations, including a murder, a month and a half ago, has followed the former since their apprehension in the Peck dry goods store December 7. Interrogated by police and county prosecutors, and an attempt made to personally assault one of them in the office of Captain Walter Whitsett at Central station by Thomas Spangler, whose father was killed by robbers in his saloon at Twentieth street and Grand avenue, the boys have had an unenviable six weeks.
Although Clyne, Dye and Shay worked in the same store in the capacity of elevator operators, they were scarcely acquainted before their arrest. They met often in the course of a day's work but it was only as other employes of a large commercial institution that hires hundreds of people meet. Now they are friends. Adversity and a common cause have brought them together.
The boys were arrested at the Peck store, at the insistence of Miss Stella Sweet, 529 Brooklyn avenue, and Mrs. L. F. Flaugh, 629 Brooklyn avenue, at 5:30 o'clock, December 7. Captain Walter Whitsett and Patrolmen E. M. Smith and E. L. Masson were the arresting officers.
While getting on the elevator to shop on the third floor the women, both of whom had been held up and robbed a week before, said they thought Clyne and Shay were trying to conceal their faces from them.
In the office of Captain Whitsett, the next day, the several persons previously robbed by the boy bandits were allowed to examine the boys in the presence of Captain Whitsett, Thomas R. Marks and Thomas Higgs, deputy county prosecutor. They were: Joseph Shannon, Miss Sweet, Mrs. Flaugh, W. S. McCain, Edward Smith, Albert Ackerman, Thomas Spangler and Edward McCreary.
When the case was called for trial before Justice Shoemaker yesterday afternoon Smith was out of town. He had left an assurance that he positively would not swear that the boys were guilty of robbing him. McCreary was not at the trial when his name was called, and it had reached the ears of the court likewise that he would not, under oath, associate the boys with the crime he had formerly charged against them.
Assistant Prosecutor Higgs asked for a continuance of the case until he could procure further evidence, but this was overruled. the boys were dismissed for want of prosecution.
"The police and the county had no case against them," said Justice Shoemaker. "This is another instance of someone acting prematurely. From all evidence to the contrary, these young men are as guiltless as anyone here in the courtroom."Labels: Brooklyn avenue, Captain Whitsett, courtroom, criminal court, jail, Justice Shoemaker, Spangler murder January 21, 1910 CHILDREN WON'T EAT MEAT.
Independence Sunday School Pupils Vote Thirty-Day Boycott.
The boys and girls of the Maywood Sunday school, near Independence, met last night and decided to eat no meat during the next thirty days. Petitions were circulated in Independence yesterday, but received few signers.Labels: children, churches, food, Independence, Maywood January 21, 1910 NO LOVE NOTES IN THIS GIRL'S SUIT.
Cigar Stand Manager, Young and Pretty, Sues Rich Saloon Keeper.
Miss Mabel Reeder, young and pretty, manager of the cigar stand in the lobby of the Savoy hotel, yesterday filed a suit in the circuit court against John E. Johnston, a saloon keeper at 810 Main street, demanding damages in the sum of $25,000 for alleged breach of promise of marriage. Johnston is said to be well-to-do.
It was on December 1, 1905, Miss Reeder asserts in her complaint, that Johnston promised to marry her. Since then, she alleges, he has discontinued his attentions and has informed her that he does not intend to marry her.
According to the complaint, the engagement of Miss Reeder and Johnston became publicly known and, it is set forth, Johnston's failure to perform his part of the agreement embarrassed, humiliated and wounded her "in feelings, affections, womanly pride and sensibility," and, it is added, her "prospects for life and eligible marriage are blasted."
"This isn't one of those love letter cases," said Miss Reeder last night in her rooms at the Tomlinson apartments, Eleventh and Broadway, "because I haven't any love letters to present. I would just love to give you a story, but I can't for several reasons. One is that my lawyer, Frank P. Walsh, tells me not to talk.
KNEW HIM IN WICHITA.
"You see, Mr. Johnston and I are from the same town, Wichita, Kas. We have known each other a long time and it was there that we became engaged. He was the proprietor of a hotel and I was working at the cigar stand in the hotel. We both came to Kansas City a couple of years ago and Mr. Johnston started a saloon here.
"I am unable to tell you why Mr. Johnston broke off his engagement with me. I don't know whether there is another girl in the case. He has known that I contemplated bringing this suit, because he was notified. Really, now, there isn't anything sensational about this case, and I want to escape all the notoriety I can."
Johnston refused last night to discuss the action brought against him by Miss Reeder.
"Let Miss Reeder do the talking now," he said, "and I will have my say later."Labels: Broadway, cigars, circuit court, Eleventh street, Frank Walsh, Lawsuit, Main street, romance, saloon, Savoy, Wichita January 20, 1910 TWO SERGEANTS STEP UP.
Commissions as Lieutenants for James and Anderson.
The first promotion of any moment to be made by the present police board took place nar the close of the meeting yesterday when Sergeants Robert E. L. James and Frank H. Anderson, who have given the better parts of their lives to the service, were made lieutenants. Anderson is said to be a Republican and James is a Democrat. Neither man got much encouragement from former boards though their records are both clean.
Anderson, now assigned to desk work at No. 3 station on the Southwest boulevard, went on the force November 9, 1889. On account of his intelligence and adaptability for the work he was assigned for m any eyars to duty in the city clerk's office where he served papers in condemnation suits and did clerical work. On January 9, 1907, while H. M. Beardsley was mayor, Anderson was made a sergeant by a Democratic board. His promtion is said to have been due to former Mayor Beardsley's efforts.
Lieutenant James went on the department as a probationary officer July 22, 1889, a few months before Lieutenant Anderson. As a patrolman James has walked every beat in Kansas City. On July 22, 1902, he was promoted to sergeant.
James early showed particular efficiency in handling large crowds. While outside sergeant at No. 2 station in the West Bottoms during the destructive flood of June, 1903, James distinguished himself.
Last July, when still a sergeant, James was assigned by the police board to Convention hall as instructor in the matter of police duty. This pertained to the old men, already on the force as well as new recruits. In all 241 policemen were instructed in groups of from twenty-five to seventy and their instruction lasted from seventy-two to ninety hours per group. Lieutenant James also had charge of the initial opening of Electric park a few years ago. For two weeks he has had charge of the desk at No. 7 station in Sheffield. Lieutenant James was born at Tipton, Cooper county, Mo., October 17, 1867. His father, Dr. P. T. James, was assistant surgeon general to General Sterling Price of the Confederate army. Some time after the war the family moved to Holden, Mo.. Lieutenant James is married and has four children. He is a brother of Dr. Samuel C. James, a member of the general hospital staff of visiting surgeons and physicians.Labels: Civil War, Convention Hall, Electric park, general hospital, Mayor Beardsley, No 2 police station, No 3 police station, police board, politics, sheffield, Southwest boulevard December 20, 1910 TO HOLD A SWOPE INQUEST.
Coroner Will Act Whether Poison Is
Found or Not.
"Before a preliminary examination can be held, in case an arrest is made, a coroner's inquest must be made," said Dr. B. H. Zwart, county coroner, last night. "Of course an arrest can be made before the inquest. "I am planning to have an inquest for Colonel Swope, whether or not poison is found by the Chicago specialists. As to Chrisman Swope, I have made no plans. In either case I will await the results from the post-mortem examination in Chicago. Unless poison is found in Chrisman Swope's stomach I will probably not order an inquest. If the latter inquest is held we will have to go into the charges of alleged inoculation with typhoid bacilli. "No inquest will be ordered for James Moss Hunton. I am assured by the family physician that he died from natural causes." Labels: Coroner Zwart, Swope Mystery January 20, 1910 BRICKLAYERS BAR MEAT ONE MONTH.
LOCAL UNION NO. 1 STARTS BOYCOTT MOVEMENT IN KANSAS CITY.
70 Cents an Hour Wage and Can't Afford Meat at Present Prices.
Kansas City bricklayers, hard-working but well paid, are the first here to take action toward boycotting meat, because of the prevailing high prices. At a meeting of the local union resolutions were adopted by a unanimous vote, to this effect:
"We, the members of the Bricklayers' local union No. 1 of Kansas City, hereby refuse to buy meat of any kind for thirty days."
The bricklayers' union has a membership of 138. There is another union in Kansas City, Mo., and also one in Kansas City, Kas. The other unions have been invited to join in the movement and action will be taken in a few days. The bricklayers of No. 1 union have extended an invitation to the organizations of other crafts to join in the movement.
David R. Morgan, business agent of No. 1 union, in discussing its action, said:
"We are prompted in adopting the resolution by a recent similar movement in Cleveland, O., which resulted in a material reduction of prevailing prices.
"We bricklayers work on a scale of 70 cents an hour. This is generally considered high pay, but when it is understood that we lose a great deal of time, our wages are brought to a normal workingman's standard.
"There are but few bricklayers in our union who feel that they can pay the present high price for meat. We have our own vernacular for certain meats. A 'bricklayer's turkey' is an ordinary undressed rabbit, fresh from the Kansas shortgrass, for which we pay 5 cents. A 'bricklayer's steak' is a small piece of liver. Even these meats are becoming so costly that we are willing to forbear their pleasures for thirty days.
"If the other crafts will join us in our movement, we believe the result will be the same as that attained in Cleveland, and that meat prices will be reduced within the reach of all."Labels: food, laborer January 20, 1910 BABY ROUTS AN ARMED MAN.
But Child Could Not Save the Family Diamonds.
John Church Ingles, 3 years old, son of Edward M. Ingles, 3830 Forest avenue, put to flight an armed burglar who invaded his nursery yesterday afternoon.
The man gained entrance by means of a skeleton key while Mrs. Ingles was visiting a neighbor. He made a search of the dining room and kitchen, taking two diamond bracelets and about $5 in cash, and was going up the stairs when John heard him.
The child called loudly for his mother. Mrs. Ingles came running from an adjoining house just in time to see the man dash out of the front door and across the lawn. He had a long bladed knife in his hand.Labels: children, crime, Forest avenue, jewelry January 20, 1910 OLD FIRE CAPTAIN DIES.
James O'Sullivan Was Member of Department Twenty Years.
James O'Sullivan, captain of hose company No. 21 of the city fire department, died at his home, 6616 Independence avenue, at 4:45 o'clock yesterday morning. A widow and four children survive. Captain O'Sullivan was born in Ireland in 1865 and came to America when only a few years old.
On May 18, 1990, he was appointed to the Kansas City fire department and assigned to No. 2 hose company. One year later he was transferred to No. 5 hose company, where he served as hoseman until the establishment of hose company No. 21 in March, 1904 to which he was transferred and promoted to captain, which position he held with a splendid record until his death. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Captain O'Sullivan was the inventor of the combination spanner and life-saving belt which was adopted by the department about two months ago.
The funeral services will be in St. Stephen's church, corner of Eleventh street and Bennington avenue, at 9:30 o'clock Friday morning. Interment will be in Mount St. Mary's cemetery.Labels: death, Fire, immigrants, inventors January 19, 1910 ALL GUARDED IN ONE ROOM.
Women Called to Mrs. Swope's Bed Each Evening, Locking Door.
To the general public, the Swope home in Independence continues to be the "house of mystery." None of the family has been seen on the streets of the little town since the autopsy of the physicians a week ago. Every morning two nurses, driving the Swope phaeton, are seen to leave the home and go to the market. They return immediately. But not a word as to what is happening behind the curtained windows of the Swope mansion, or the bolted doors, ever escapes their lips.
It is known, however, that Mrs. Margaret Chrisman Swope has suffered a collapse and is now in a serious condition. The revelation of the supposed plot to kill Colonel Swope and Chrisman Swope, coming as it did without a moment's warning, has shattered the woman's nerves. The family physician visits her home each day, and he declares that she is not in a critical condition.
Mrs. Swope sleeps little at night. The women in the house are called to her bed room each evening and there, behind bolted doors, and with a watchman guarding on the outside, the family pass the night in the one room.
There is little sleep for any member of the family. The wakeful hours of the night are passed in thinking of the terrible events brought to light last week, and when sleep comes to the eyes of the weary ones it is to dream of things even more horrible than what the members of the family experienced.Labels: Independence, Swope Mystery, women January 19, 1910 HEADLESS CAP'S JOURNEY.
Is Making Tour by Tag Via Express Companies' Lines.
LIBERTY, MO., Jan. 18. -- This express office here received last night the old cap started from Fort Worth, Tex., several months ago. It originally had but one tag on it which reads, "I wish to see the world." The tag was dated and asked that it be returned July 4, 1910. It had thirty tags on it representing different stopping places. It had been to Portland, Ore., New York, and many other large cities. At Liberty it had its first Adams Express is placed on it. After it has run on company's lines for a while it is changed to another. From Liberty it was sent to Cameron Junction.Labels: Liberty, New York, railroad, Texas January 19, 1910 S. S. FLEMING SERIOUSLY ILL.
Executor Is Kept in Ignorance of Swope Mystery Developments.
COLUMBIA, TENN., Jan. 18. -- Stewart S. Fleming, executor of the estate of his uncle, Colonel Thomas H. Swope of Kansas City, continues desperately ill with typhoid fever at Querius Lawn, his country home here. Mr. Fleming is so ill that he is kept in ignorance of the developments of the Swope mystery. A letter, advising him of the investigation of Colonel Swope's death, sent in care of his legal advisor, has been dept from him. Will S. Fleming, his cousin and legal advisor, has departed, ostensibly for Chicago.Labels: Swope Mystery January 19, 1910 BENEFACTIONS SWOPE HOBBY.
Judge John C. Gage Says He Talked of Them Forty Years Ago.
The theory that Colonel Thomas H. Swope may have been poisoned to keep him from making a new will, devising $1,000,000 to Kansas City, or some charitable institution, is given little credence by Judge John C. Gage, life-long friend of the millionaire benefactor.
"If old Tom Swope was poisoned to prevent this will from being made, he would have been murdered years ago," said Judge Gage. "For the past forty years he has been talking of making a great bequest to Kansas City. About every time we would meet he would tell me what he intended to do. We used to get tired of this, and tell him we did not think he was going to give a cent to Kansas City.
"He did not speak in private of his intended bequests. He told many of his friends he expected to change his will. If there was a plot to kill him to prevent him making the new will leaving over a million to Kansas City that otherwise would go to his relatives, it would have been made years before Colonel Swope finally died.
"When Tom Swope was as poor as the other boys, and when when we thought he never had a show of becoming a rich man, he used to tell us that he intended to make a large bequest to Kansas City, at his death. It was one of his earliest ambitions. In those days we paid little attention to it."
Judge Gage and Colonel Swope roomed together, and occupied the same office at the opening of the war. The former had a fox hound to which his roommate became greatly attached.
"It was in 1862, when Kansas City was garrisoned by Union soldiers," said Judge Gage. "The dog was running along Missouri avenue with Tom. A Union soldier fired at the dog, shooting it through the breast. That was the only time I ever saw Tom really mad. He started after that soldier and chased him down Missouri avenue to Grand, then down Grand for several blocks. He was compelled to give up the chase when the soldier had winded him . The dog did not die, so Tom's wrath was somewhat appeased. Something would have happened, however, if he had caught that soldier."
Old friends of the "colonel" say that he seldom used "cuss" words. It was only when exceedingly angry that he would let out a "damn." He would jerk the word out short and preface each one by spitting.Labels: Civil War, Judges, Swope Mystery, Thomas Swope January 19, 1910 MAYOR CALLS NEGRO HERO.
Modifies Prejudice Against Race and Will Try to Get Him a Job.
"You are a hero, Washington Johnson, and I take great pleasure in recommending you to Superintendent of Streets Pendergast for a job on the street cleaning gang," said Mayor Crittenden yesterday. Johnson, a negro janitor, was in charge of the Rialto building the night it burned. Risking his life, Johnson awakened sleepers on the several floors.
"For the once I am going to modify my prejudice against the negro in positions that bring him in contact with the public. I'm giving you temporary work until you can find something that will pay you better."
"Thank you, mayor," was Johnson's response.Labels: employment, Mayor Crittenden, race, Thomas J. Pendergast January 19, 1910 LIVED IN ABDUL'S HOUSEHOLD.
Kullujian Will Disclose Some Bloody Secrets of Yildiz Kiosk.
Thomas H. Kullujian, the Armenian exile, who is said to be the greatest living authority on Oriental rugs, will lecture to 1,600 pupils of Central high school, in the school auditorium, at 10 o'clock Friday morning. The lecture is not open to the public.
Mr. Kullujian will tell something of the history of the Oriental rug, its beautiful romance, the somber tragedies recorded in the wonderful figures. He will tell of the slow and painful years, centuries, sometimes, that go into the weaving of a real Oriental rug.
Mr. Kullujian will lecture in Convention hall on the night of Tuesday, January 22, exposing the world-wide swindle practiced on dealers and the general public alike, by makers of fake Oriental rugs. In his Convention hall lecture he will also tell some of the terrible, bloody secrets of the Yildiz Kiosk, the palace of the sultan of Turkey.
Mr. Kullujian lived in the household of the Sultan Abdul Hamid many years, from childhood to youth, until a plot against his life made it necessary for him to escape from the country.Labels: Convention Hall, immigrants, schools January 18, 1910 "HONK! HONK!" IS THIS WEEK'S TUNE.
CONVENTION HALL IN THROES OF FIRST AUTOMOBILE SHOW OF THE 1910 SEASON.
Thousands Surged Through Great Hall -- Beautiful Decorations a Feature.
"There was a sound of honking by night and bright the lights shone on fair women and brave men" -- slightly to modify a well-spouted quotation. All the "fuss" was over the opening in Convention hall last night of the automobile show given their this week under the auspices of the Motor Car Trade association and never was the debut of such an enterprise more signally successful.
Miracles of order had been wrought out of the chaos which prevailed in the big hall yesterday morning. By the time the doors were thrown open to the general public at 6 o'clock yesterday evening the hall had been transformed from a wilderness of glittering confusion into a most charming garden of exhibits, with trim paths winding in and but a green hedge dividing the big arena floor into two sections.
Overhead the "sky" was a beautiful canopy of blue and white bunting while the horizon was one of the most novel decorative effects ever seen at a Kansas City automobile show. It consisted of a huge panel running entirely around the hall and composed of heroic reproductions of Western paintings by the late Frederic Remington, a most tasteful and effective emphasis of the fact that this is a western event and that Kansas City is the "center, hub and core" of all the expanse of territory made famous by the gifted brush of the artist who "should have died hereafter."
"But the people! A, the people!" as another lamented American remarked. They were part of the show, and not the least interesting part. They came by the thousand and they swarmed, literally swarmed, all over the huge building, which seemed "cablined and confined" under the stress of their seemingly endless numbers.
Never were there such crowds at such a function in this city. If the spirits of the horses that were wont to attract other thousands of enthusiasts in days gone by were privileged to look down on that spectacle, they would not have been in the mood for any "horse laughs." Their occupation's gone. At least, their friends were not in evidence last night, for those interested throngs had gathered to worship at the shrine of the limousine and the coupe, the runabout and the chassis, the town car and the tourabout, even the elephantine commercial trucks.
No, it was not a horse crowd that filled Convention hall last night and if there were any horses in the vicinity they were the patient draught animals outside in the alley that had hauled accessories, exhibits and other loads of material to make up the "side lines" at the big show. That was "rubbing it in" just a little, and the more sensitive of the horses might have been pardoned for imagining that there was a note of derision in the occasional "honk! honk" t hat resounded throughout the hall.
AN IMPRESSIVE SCENE.
It was really an impressive scene that greets the spectator as he enters the arena at the southern end of Convention hall. Far at the other end of the hall he sees, in a delightful perceptive, a fairy grotto rising in tiers seemingly to the roof. That beautiful feature is the Japanese tea garden, one of the most effective pictures in the whole show so far as decorativeness is concerned. Above the spectator's head he hears the inspiring music of the Berry Military band.
By the time the spectator has taken in the general effect, he is ready for details. As he threads his way amid this orderly maze of about 175 cars of forty different makes, he realizes to some degree at least the extent of the automobile industry, the reason for the firm grip which the "buzz wagons" has on the pocketbooks of the people of the United States -- and why Kansas City sold something like $10,000,000 worth of automobiles last year.
The green hedge divides the central space of the arena into two sections, taken up with the exhibits of six local agencies. A wide walk runs entirely around this central space and between this walk and the arena boxes are other spaces filled with immense varied and complete exhibits, beginning with the Studebaker lines at the right, next to the arena entrance and ending with the big Ford display on the left, after the circuit of the hall has been completed, during which the exhaustive displays of Maxwells, Marmons, Reos, Detroit electrics, Hupmobiles, Regals, Mitchells, Stoddard-Daytons and other lines carried by the McGee-Huckell Company have been included.
IN THE ARCADE.
While the interior decorations this year are more cleverly done than ever before, the other parts of the hall have not been overlooked. As there are automobiles, touring cars, runabouts, electrics, and trucks on every inch of available floor space, pretty decorations have to go with them.
The entire arcade is crowded with displays and some of the best exhibits of the entire show have been placed here, for the arena floor is by no means all there is to Convention hall for exhibition purposes. The big Columbus-Firestone, Standard Six and Hupmobile exhibits are in this section of the building. Every nook and cranny of the balcony is taken up with accessories exhibits and it will require more than one visit to exhaust the treasures of this big carnival of automobiles.Labels: automobiles, Convention Hall January 18, 1910 IN WAY, MAJOR'S WIFE GETS DECREE.
Told She Hindered His Army Progress, Returns From Islands for Divorce.
When Mrs. Ruby B. Rutherford returned to the Philippines after a visit with her mother at Columbia, Mo., her husband, who is a major in the army, met her at the boat and frankly told her he was sorry she came back to hinder his progress as an ambitions officer. Mrs. Rutherford lost no time in returning to "the States." Yesterday a divorce was granted her by Judge Seehorn in the circuit court.
Mrs. Rutherford lives at the Brunswick hotel, at Eleventh street and Broadway. She introduced as character witness her brother, C. P. Bowling, cashier of the Exchange bank of Columbia, and Judge James E. Goodrich of the circuit court. Her daughter, Dorothy, aged 9 years, was not in court.
CALLS HIM INSOLENT.
The Rutherfords had domestic trouble before they went to the islands, and Mrs. Shepherd, wife of a captain, who often visited them at the Presidio, San Francisco, was a witness. Major Rutherford, she said, was insolent.
Mrs. Rutherford said most of her trouble had been at the Presidio, although she said the major stayed out nights after they went to the Philippines and was sorry when she returned to him after visiting at home.
A highball incident when Mrs. Rutherford gave a party at the Presidio was told in court. She said they ran out of whisky. She thought they had had enough, any way.
ANOTHER BOTTLE GOTTEN.
Another officer insisted, Mrs. Rutherford said, in going out for one more bottle. When he returned Mrs. Rutherford had her highball made "light," and Major Rutherford was angry because it wasn't the same strength as the drinks served the guests.
"When I insisted on a light drink," said Mrs. Rutherford, "my husband became angry because I did not drink as fast as he thought I should and he came and pured whisky into my glass until it ran all over me."
Mrs. Rutherford testified that while she liked to have a clean, neat house her husband, in his insolent manner, always made fun of her tidiness.
PUT FEET ON TABLE.
One of his delights, she said, was to finish his meal before his wife and then "rear" back in his chair and put his feet on the table.
When Major Rutherford, the wife testified, told her she was a "drawback," that she hindered his progress in the army and that he was downright sorry to see her back again, she left him, determined to sue for divorce.
Major Rutherford is connected with the medical corps and has an income of $4,000 yearly. They were married at Columbia, Mo., January 10, 1900, and Mrs. Rutherford left him February 14, 1909.Labels: Broadway, California, circuit court, Divorce, Eleventh street, hotels, Judge Seehorn, military January 18, 1910 WORK OF BOY, AGED THIRTEEN.
Never Took Art Lesson. 
MASTER JOHN WOOLSEY'S IDEA OF AN EASTER HAT.
John A. Woolsey, the 13-year-old son of J. T. Woolsey, 1131 State street, Kansas City, Kas., the author of these sketches, never had a drawing lesson in his life, but ever since he was old enough to write his name he has shown more or less talent and interest in sketching. He has no particular subject for his drawings, but will sketch whatever comes to his mind, one time a farm scene or landscape view, and perhaps the next will be a comic picture or series of pictures along the lines of the comics in the Sunday edition of newspapers. He also takes great interest in making cartoons. Young Woolsey attended the Lowell school until two years ago, when he went with his father to Texas, and remained until a few weeks ago, when they returned to Kansas City. He will be sent to an art school as soon as his other education is finished.Labels: arts, children, Kansas City Kas, Texas January 18, 1910 PROSPERITY BAD FOR NAVY.
Few Acceptable Men Enlist When There Is Work Elsewhere.
Prosperity is bad for Uncle Sam's navy, in a way. Few healthy young men of good moral character want to ship when there's work to be had at good pay elsewhere. Just now times are mighty dull around the navy recruiting office in the federal building. Those who apply for enlistment are inferior, as a class, and few get by the rigid standard set by the regulations.
Since January 1 but thirteen men have been enlisted. Plenty apply, and a sorry looking lot they are, as a rule, bu the government has no place, in time of peace, for fellows who "ship" because there's nothing else to be done. Out of thirteen applicants yesterday but one man was accepted.Labels: federal building, military January 18, 1910 NEARLY WRECKS STORE.
Horse Smashes Through Plate Glass Window and Damages Stock.
Frightened by a passing automobile, a blind horse attached to the market wagon of Maurice Abramovitz, a vegetable peddler, stampeded and did $300 worth of damage to J. E. Biles' shoe store at 21 East Fifth street, yesterday morning. The horse freed itself from the shafts of the wagon and broke through a $150 plate glass window into the store and badly damaged the stock.Labels: accident, animals, automobiles, Fifth street, retailers January 17, 1910 MORBID CROWDS AT HOME.
Hundreds of Curious Pass Swope House at Independence.
Drawn by curiosity, several hundred people passed back and forth in front of the Swope home in Independence yesterday, looking up at the great house which sets well back in a park, in the hope of getting a glimpse of some life about the premises. It was a murky day, the drizzling rain made it gloomier, if possible. The large forest trees, which flank the drive, dripped with moisture. Some of the more curious people went up into the yard, but they did not approach the home, as if in fear of the mysterious things which have happened there.
The officer was on guard as usual and as he has been for the past eight weeks. He has never left the house and he alone opens and shuts the doors to allow ingress and egress. None of the family, so far as known, even greet the most intimate friends at the portals of the home.
Yesterday morning at the Independence churches prayers were sent up during the services held for those bowed down in grief and sorrow, and unmistakable allusion was made in invoking divine care for the family so sorely afflicted. In the sermons no especial allusion was made to the tragedy which has shocked the city as never before.Labels: Independence, Swope Mystery, weather January 17, 1910 CANADIAN CITIES COPY K. C.
Winnipeg Contractor Here Making Investigation of Boulevards.
"Canadian cities are copying Kansas City in the plan of its boulevards, in the material used in them, and their ornamentation," said A. R. McNeil of Winnipeg, at the Hotel Baltimore last night. Mr. McNeil is a contractor and came to Kansas City to make a thorough investigation of the boulevard system, the paving materials used and their life under the various sorts of usage. He will call on Mayor Crittenden and the other city officials today in quest of further information.Labels: Hotel Baltimore, visitors January 17, 1910 DABNEY WAITS TO GET EVEN.
Wouldn't Trust His Temper After Christmas Treat from Bartender.
Dabney had not been seen around the saloon near Eighth street and Grand avenue since Christmas. His absence was noticed by his friends, who asked the reason. Squires, the big, genial bartender, only smiled when anyone asked. "What's become of Dabney? I haven't seen him lately."
A few nights ago Dabney dropped in. He looked at Squires, and it plainly was evident that Dabney had something serious on his mind.
"I'll get even with you," he said, between clenched teeth, "if it takes the rest of my natural life and part of the hereafter."
The the cat was let out of the bag. It appears that the evil day for Dabney was Christmas night. He stood about the saloon most of the evening suggesting, "Most saloonkeepers give patrons a present on Christmas."
The proprietor was away, and Squires spoke of him as being the one to make gifts. Dabney persisted, however. It so happened that while he was making one of his curt suggestions Squires spied an empty whisky bottle beneath the bar. It was a dark red bottle and still had the "bottled in bond" stamp partly intact. The big bartender quietly filled the bottle from the water faucet. He replaced the cork and the stamp without being detected.
"Here," he said, as he wrapped up the bottle of water. "I will break the rules of the house in your case. Here is a quart of as fine a whisky as you ever tasted. Compliments of the house."
Dabney was delighted, for he recognized the brand. The following day was Sunday, and, being so well supplied, he did not take home is customary "life saver."
"Come up, boys," he said, inviting the house to the bar. "I will treat back when I get a quart of good booze like that."
He not only treated once, but twice. Carefully stowing the bottle of water away in his overcoat pocket, he set out for home. He is a bachelor, and a friend who was invited the next morning "to have a nip at some of the best stuff you ever tasted" told the rest.
"Dabney loves his hot toddy," said the friend. "He especially likes it on Sunday, because everything is closed tightly. On this day he called me and two others into his quarters to 'have a toddy' out of his Christmas present from 'Tom.'
"With great care he got his hot water, sugar and lemon all ready. The proper amount was pured into each glass. While the water was steaming and the smell of lemon was perfuming the air Dabney, with a great show of pride in his gift, unwrapped his bottle of 'whisky.' When the cork came out with a 'thop' Dabney smiled and said: 'Get ready for the big treat, boys.'
"After all that preliminary, what was our surprise when the contents of the bottle proved to be plain, old Missouri river water. We had no toddy, as hot and cold water, lemon and sugar make a very insipid drink. Dabney frothed at the mouth, he was so mad. He swore vengeance, for he had to wait until midnight before he could get a real drink -- but he never went to call on Squires that night. He said he feared he might lose his temper and spill blood."
Dabney is patiently waiting on his opportunity to "play even" with Squires. He swears he will "make somebody feel as they made me feel -- Sunday, the day after Christmas, and not a drop to drink."Labels: alcohol, Eighth street, Grand avenue, holidays, pranks, saloon January 17, 1910 KANSAS CITY GIRLS FOR PICKLE FACTORY.
Plant Will Be Only Stage Affair, But Beauties Will Handle Real Pickles.
"Working in a pickle factory" will no longer be a joke with a score of pretty young women from various walks of life in Kansas City who will hold forth at the Orpheum theater this week as employes of a pickle factory in Helen Grantley's sketch, "The Agitator," the top liner on the bill. They will handle real pickles and after a week's training and rehearsals and their participation in the show this week it is predicted they will have no difficulty in getting work as experts in the business, should they so desire.
The sketch is based in part on the female suffrage movement. The scene in which the young women work is one in which Miss Grantley makes her plea for a strike. Of course the girls follow their leader, the strike is called and after the usual trials and tribulations of strikers, is won. The sketch created somewhat of a sensation in New York, the play there being made more realistic by the fact that the girls who counterfeited the pickle trimmers were really striking shirt waist makers.
Miss Grantley came here with her company a week ago ahead of her billing so that she might rehearse the score of young women supers, some of whom will be carried with the company at the close of the week.
An advertisement brought half a hundred replies and out of this number Miss Grantley selected a score of girls. Among those selected were stenographers, two high school girls who were "just dying" to go on the stage even if they had to work in a "pickle factory," a telephone girl who had often wished that she might appear behind the footlights, three art students who wanted the work for the "atmosphere," later to be transferred to canvas, and a couple of girls who had not worked anywhere, but who sought this as a stepping stone to the stage.
It was an ungainly and awkward squad, as they lined up for the first rehearsal. Only one of the girls had ever been back of the scenes, and she was fairly lionized by the others. The turn was not a difficult one, and after the story of the play was told, the girls quickly appreciated the points which it was desired to emphasize.
"A trained chorus direct from New York City could not have done any better," declared Miss Grantley last evening. "They still have another rehearsal, but they are letter perfect now and I am sure that some of them will come with me when I leave the city."Labels: employment, New York, suffrage, theater, visitors, women January 17, 1910 BOTH DIE OF PNEUMONIA.
George Fox's Death Occurs Just Week After Wife's Demise.
One week from the day his wife died of the same disease, George A. Fox, a foreman for the Faultless Starch Company, died yesterday morning at his home, 1417 Belleview avenue, of pneumonia. He was 59 years old.
A week ago Sunday Mrs. Eugenia Fox died after a short illness and her husband displayed symptoms of the same disease at the time. She was buried, and at once Mr. Fox's illness became serious. Six children survive. They are George A. Rhode, Hill, Henry H. and Eugenia Fox, and Mrs. J. W. Lane.
Mr. Fox lived in Kansas City twenty-five years in the employ of the Faultless Starch Company. Funeral arrangements have not been made.Labels: Belleview avenue, death, illness, marriage January 16, 1910 SWOPE'S SISTER IS FREED.
Mrs. Plunkett, Sent to Asylum by Husband, Is Declared of Sound Mind by Jury.
NASHVILLE, TENN., Jan. 15. -- The inquisition to establish the mental capacity of Mrs. Jane Plunkett, which has been going on in the chancery court for three weeks, came to an abrupt end today. The jury, after thirty-five minutes, decided her to be of sound mind, thus reversing the opinion of the Davidson county court, which about a year ago adjudged her insane and appointed her son-in-law, Percy Brown, her guardian.
Following addresses to the jury covering the last two sessions of court, made by the pick of the local legal talent, Mrs. Plunkett has been vindicated. She was sent to an asylum by her husband, Dr. J. D. Plunkett.
During the trial more than fifty witnesses were placed on the stand and charges of a sensational character were freely made by both sides. When court opened this morning a controversy between counsel for both sides took place over the instructions to the jury.
Those for Dr. Plunkett held that in addition to establishing her mental condition the value of her estate and the next of kin should be determined. The jury was finally charged to determine the state of her mind with reference to taking care of not only herself, but her own property, and upon this basis their verdict was rendered.
All of this was dependable upon a verdict of insanity and neither her estate nor her future can be further distributed. It is thought that her guardianship will be dissolved immediately.
The trial has caused an extreme bitterness to develop between former friends of the family who are now aligned on either side.
It is thought that a protracted trip with complete change of climate will be necessary, as the ordeal of the inquisition has tolled heavily upon her condition.Labels: mental health, Swope Mystery January 16, 1910 MAYOR CRITTENDEN NOT A CANDIDATE.
Makes Formal Statement That He Will Not Accept a Renomination.
"I shall not be a candidate for mayor." -- Mayor Crittenden.
This terse and positive statement, stripped of all provisos and conditions, was made yesterday by Mayor T. T. Crittenden.
"I have made up my mind and there is no changing it," he told Alderman James Pendergast, with whom he had a conference. Alderman Pendergast labored long and unsuccessfully in an effort to get the mayor to reconsider his attitude. The same declaration had gone to J. B. Shannon and other leaders of the Democratic party a few days ago and the mayor turned a deaf ear to their pleading to again be a candidate. Men representing civic and commercial bodies also petitioned the mayor to withhold his letter of declination until February 1, but he kindly yet with much emphasis said there was no use.
"I shall not be a candidate for mayor," he repeated and thereupon dictated the following statement:
THE MAYOR SAYS NO.
"No, I shall not be a candidate for mayor. I would not accept the office if it were tendered me without opposition. It is a distinguished honor and should be passed around, and then I can no longer afford to remain away from my business. I have given the city two of the best years of my life. I have worked ceaselessly day and night for the people of Kansas City, at a great financial sacrifice to myself. I have done my duty as I have served without prejudice or favor.
"I did not seek the nomination and only accepted it at the solicitation of friends. When I entered upon my high duties I was ambitious to keep faith with my pledges and make a fight for the upbuilding of Kansas City, and today I can look the world in the face and say that I have kept the faith and fought the fight. No man can truthfully say that I have violated a single political pledge and the work I have accomplished will speak for itself."Labels: James Pendergast, Mayor Crittenden, politics January 16, 1910 ANOTHER SWOPE HEIR FALLS ILL.
Stewart Fleming May Have Contracted Typhoid in St. Louis.
COLUMBIA, TENN. -- Jan 15. -- Stewart S. Fleming, one of the heirs of the late Thomas Swope of Kansas City, and an executor of the Swope will, is critically ill of typhoid fever at his home here. Mr. Fleming became ill shortly after arriving home from a recent visit to St. Louis.Labels: St Louis, Swope Mystery January 16, 1910 TRACE OF POISON FOUND, IT IS SAID.
MYSTERIOUS WHITE POWDER DISCOVERED IN CHRISMAN SWOPE'S STOMACH.
Representatives to Confer With Chemists Before Decisive Action.
According to attorneys representing the Swope estate poison has been found in the stomach of the late Chrisman Swope. It is said this fact was known before the body of Colonel Thomas H. Swope was taken from the vault at Forest Hill cemetery last Tuesday to Independence, where the stomach was removed for the purpose of a chemical evaluation by Chicago specialists. The white powder found has been declared to be either strychnine or some other poison.
"Chrisman Swope's stomach was sent to Dr. Haynes in Chicago nearly two weeks ago," said John H. Atwood, attorney for the Swopes, last night. "An analysis was immediately made. The result was the finding of white powder in a large quantity. This powder was either strychnine or some other deadly poison. The name of the second poison I am unable to tell you. there is no doubt in the minds of the attorneys or of the Chicago specialists that the white powder is poison."
COUNSEL GOING TO CHICAGO.
John G. Paxton and Mr. Atwood, counsel for the Swope heirs, will leave this evening for Chicago. Mr. Paxton will return Tuesday night. Mr. Atwood may remain longer. When Mr. Paxton returns he will probably bring with him the official report of the doctors' investigation.
At a conference yesterday at the Swope home in Independence, participated in by Prosecuting Attorney Virgil Conkling and counsel for the Swopes, the nurses who attended Thomas Swope told their stories.
A dispatch to The Journal from Chicago last night stated that Dr. Walter S. Haynes, the toxicologist, worked all day on the analysis and examination of the stomach of Thomas Swope with a view of tracing the typhoid bacilli which are said to still exist in the stomach and other organs. The work was carried on behind closed doors in the laboratory of the Rush Medical college.
Professor Ludvig Hektoen of the University of Chicago medical faculty has left Chicago for a few days, but when he returns he will work in conjunction with Dr. Haynes.
NO PUBLIC REPORT YET.
"I have not progressed sufficiently to make any statement as to my findings," said Dr. Haynes. "The examination will occupy several days at least. Professor Hektoen will carry on the work of making the exact microscopic tests."
The case is one of the most extraordinary presented for criminal investigation for some years.
Dr. J. V. Bacon in discussing the investigation in Chicago yesterday said that the placing of life in jeopardy by administering the bacilli of typhoid, tuberculosis or another diseases was simple, the only thing necessary being to administer the germs in milk, soup or other foods, wherein it would be impossible to detect by taste.
"The result in administering typhoid germs would simply be to create a case of typhoid," said Dr. Bacon. "The patient might recover or might die, just as in the case contracted in the ordinary way, and the percentage of recoveries is high enough to render such a method of attempted murder very uncertain. Of course in the case of an old man, enfeebled already by years, the risk of death in typhoid is heavy."
INTENDED CHANGING WILL.
It was not until a week ago, when an unofficial report was received from the Chicago specialists that poison had been found in the stomach of Chrisman Swope, that the family realized the extent of this alleged plot. Colonel Swope's body was removed from the vault in Forest Hill cemetery. The autopsy was held Tuesday and the following day the stomach and other vital organs sent to Chicago to be examined.
The investigation branched from this to the presence of typhoid fever among the Swope heirs. Eight members of the family had been taken down with typhoid fever, between December 1 and 18. Physicians were called in. then it was believed that the members of the family had not contracted the disease by natural means.
It is known that the millionaire benefactor was planning several days before his death to give $1,000,000 or more to Kansas City.
"This fund, held as a residue and bequeathed to no one," said John Paxton, attorney for the Swope estate, "contained about $1,000,000. He realized that he had provided for all his relatives handsomely, and this reside he had, I think, made up his mind to give to the public of Kansas City or for some charity. He died before he could change his will, and this residue of over $1,000,000 consequently was divided among the heirs."Labels: attorney, Chicago, Independence, poison, probate, Prosecutor Conkling, Swope Mystery, typhoid January 16, 1910 KYLE RENTS HEADQUARTERS.
Candidate Will Erect Electric Sign at Eighth and Walnut.
The Kyle canvass for mayor promises to take on a spectacular hue. The entire second floor of the Gumbel building, Eighth and Walnut streets, has been leased as campaign headquarters and they will be opened Wednesday night with music, song and oratory.
An immense electric sign of red, white and blue lights, having in the center a profile of Judge Kyle, is to be strung across Walnut street. Beneath the picture of the candidate will be the words, "The Man of the People -- Harry G. Kyle, Republican Candidate for Mayor."Labels: Eighth street, Judge Kyle, politics, Walnut Street January 16, 1910 GREETERS' CARDS FOR GUESTS.
Hotel Patrons Will Be Given List of Best Business Places.
Members of the Kansas City Greeters' Association, comprising hotel clerks, will be supplied today with cards of introduction which are to be given to guests who ask for information as to the best places in which to make purchases, theaters and offices of various sorts. The cards are intended as an assistance to the hotel guests and also to indicate to the merchant or the person to whom they are addressed that there is such an organization as the Kansas City's Greeters' Association, and that it is through one of the members that the customer or client is sent there. The cards contain the names of the officers of the association.Labels: hotels, organizations January 16, 1910 PHONE SERVICE VIA ROSEDALE.
New Cable Across Kaw, to Argen- tine, Being Constructed.
The residents of Argentine, now the Seventh ward of Kansas City, Kas., whose communication over the Missouri and Kansas Telephone Company's lines to the rest of the city was cut off by the breaking of the company's trunk line across the Kaw river, when a pier and one span of the old Southern bridge went into the river Friday afternoon, are now getting service through the Rosedale exchange. The service was out only a few hours. Linemen are now at work stretching a new cable over the Kaw, and until that work is finished the operation of hte Argentine lines will be through the Rosedale exchange.Labels: Argentine, Kaw river, Rosedale, telephone, Utilities January 15, 1910
INDEPENDENCE "HOUSE OF DEATH" CLOSED TO VISITORS.
Swope Home in Independence Guarded Day and Night by Special Officer. 
The Swope Home in Independence.
The Swope home, a magnificent three-story brick structure on South Pleasant avenue in Independence, is regarded as the abode of death by nearly every resident of that rural city.
The sudden death of J. Moss Hunton, closely followed by that of Thomas H. Swope, the millionaire benefactor and that of his nephew, Chrisman Swope, awoke suspicion that all was not well and that the Swopes were a marked family among even the most easy-going of the inhabitants. Men and women passing to or from their homes during church hours of a Sunday evening gazed fearfully up at the now tomb-like building with its darkened windows and barred doors. If they ahd been asked ubruptly why they did this they would have stammered out the answer that they did not know. It was all so mysterious that one after another of the same family should be stricken with a fatal illness of different kinds, but uniformly ending in convulsions.
Where there are suspicions there are those to invent tales of various sorts or to uncover significant incidents from the charmed house of the past. Some of the stories were undoubtedly founded on fact. Many were as wild and incredible as any ever bandied about the boar's-head dinners of King Arthur's court or the tales taken as evidence in the days of Salem witchcraft.
Some of the followers of Joseph Smith, the Independence seer and prophet, it is said, believed that sometime in the life of the philanthropist he had offended his God and that a curse was now being visited on his household. There would be no end, they said, until the last vestige of the family was swept away.
Another rumor that always had credence was that someone skilled in the use of subtle poisons was profiting by his knowledge.
WATER FREE OF GERMS?
Soon after the death of Chrisman Swope, it was announced by physicians of the family, that a city chemist of Kansas City had been summoned and that he had declared the presence of typhoid germs in the water used by the Swopes. In the same statement was added that the well formerly used by the family had "played out" and that another long out of commission was furnishing the supply. The water, it was said last night, was analyzed and said to be free from typhiod bacilli, notwithstanding the report.
"There is evidence that Mrs. Logan O. Swope believed the house unsanitary. About the time the well story was given out, she sent word to John Welch, a plumber, to come to the place and overhaul everything. This was done. Not a pipe but was inspected, not a hydrant or sewer outlet but was dested and disinfected. They were, according to the plumber, in ship-shape. No trace of disease laden decomposed matter was found.
HOUSEHOLD TERRORIZED.
All this time solicious neighbors were making inquiries of Mrs. Swope and others closely conneted with the family, touching the cause of the unusual spread of typhoid in the home. They seemed at their wits end to account for the disease.
Thus it was given out that the milk used in the kitchen was tainted; that the water was stagnant; that there was a quantity of decaying sewage in the pipes and that a servant girl, recently hired, who had had typhoid, had thrown her infected clothing in the milk house adjacent to the kitchen. No one knew what to believe.
Just when Mrs. Swope or her lawyers awoke to the real peril is not known definitely It is supposed to have been less than a month ago, when the doors of the palatial home were shut finally upon all visitors and a private detective employed to watch that no one should step within.
This detective is William C. Rice, former chief of police at Fairmount Park. A reporter who knockked at the big outer folding doors last night was met by him and warned off the place.
"I am here to see that no one shall see Mrs. Swope," said he. "There is no hope of getting an interview. She is indisposed and would not talk for publication. It is impossible."
The bland officer said this with a degree of finality. Without another word he stepped backward into the lobby. the heavy doors swung to. A bolt dropped in place. While the disappointed interrogator was yet on the porch a distant click like that made by an electric switch, was heard. The great house was as dark as a tomb.
SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES.
The story of several deaths in the Swope family, as told by some of their intimate friends last night, points to many susicious circumstances.
The family from the oldest member to the youngest was described as about of one disposition, kind, generous and impulsive. Thomas H. Swope would travel many a mile to help a friend.
Logan O. Swope, brother of Thomas H., died about ten years ago leaving a large inheritance in property around Independence. Naturally the burden of hte care of htis estate would devolve on the shoulders of Thomas, who already was loaded with business cares of his own. the year following Logan's death, Thomas sent for a cousin, J. Moss Hunton, then in Kentucky.
Hunton was a good manager anda man of high social standing in St. Louis, where his father, Judge James Hunton, is conisdered an authority on corporation law. Hunton came to Independence nine years ago and assumed the management of Mrs. Logan O. Swope's estate. He was acting as her major domo at the time of his death.
BECAME CONFIDANTS.
The Swopes, with the exception of Thomas Swope, a son of Logan, who owns a farm three miles northeast of the city, resided in the home on South Pleasant avenue. Hunton also lived there and as time went on Thomas H. Swope and he became inseparable companions and confidantes. Not a charity did the philanhopist indulge in but was previously laid before Hunton and met with his approval. The people of Independence came to love one as the other and Hunton acquired the unique reputation of being the only man in the city who would give a cigar or a box of candy to collectors presenting him with his month's end bills.
"I am Colonel Swope's bodyguard," Hunton told a friend on one occasion. "there is no danger of his ocming to grief when I am about. I guess things would go different if I shou ld die."
On the evening of Friday, October 1, the night of Hunton's death, he came home from a trip to the business district in good humor.
Suddenly, a few minutes after supper, he complained of feeling mortally sick and threw himself on a lounge in the sitting room, calling Mrs. Swope to his side. they had always been the greatest of friends.
"Maggie," said Hunton, "I believe this is the end." He then closed his eyes and the fatal convulsions came. Two hours later he was dead.
The death of Homas H. Swope came quite as suddenly two days from that of his confidant and friend, at about 8 o'clock the following Sunday morning. The abrupt taking away of all that was dear to Mrs. Logan O. Swope, except her children, was a great strain on her nerves and for several weeks she was on the point of a break down. She was advised to go to Chicago to recuperate. She followed the instructions and went in company with two of her personal friends, Mr. and Mrs. C. R. Thomas.
HURRIES TO DEATH BED.
While she was in Chicago word was sent to her that her eldest son, Chrisma, 31 years old, and a daughter, Margaret, were very sick of typhoid fever. She hurried back and arrived at the home four days before the death of Chrisman.
The home to which Mrs. Swope returned wsa one of hte blackest sorrow and apprehension. Margaret and Chrisman were both at death's door. One of hte servants was sick and MIss Cora Dickson, Margaret's governess who had thrown over her position as teacher of the third and fourth grades in the Columbian ward school to attend to her mistress, was down with the fatal malady.
In mortal dread of impending trouble as deep and poignant as any that had occurred heretofre, the widow cabled at once another daughter, Stella Swope, taking music lessons in Paris, to come home as quickly as steamship and train could carry her. Before she arrived in America, however, Chrisman was dead from a convulsion which turned the trend of his sickness to the worse at the climax.
Perhaps Mrs. Swope at this time believed as did some of her neighbors, that there was something supernatural in the calamities which had come to her in such close succession. anyway she sent a distant relative by marriage to meet Stella at New York and escort her home. Stella contracted typhoid fever on the train or home, it is alleged, and when she arrived was ready for the sick bed.
ADDED TO MYSTERY.
When the body of Thomas H. Swope was taken from its resting place in the vault in Forest Hill cemetery to the morgue of the H. J. Ott undertaking establishment in Independence it was about as much of a mystery as the more important details of this remarkable case. The physicians who examined the body, the lawyers at whose insistance the body was exhumed and the undertaker and coroner would not talk yesterday.
It is known that the body was at the Independence morgue, however, at 4 o'clock Wednesday afternoon, for it was at this time that a special coroner's jury was called to the Ott undertaking rooms to formally identify the body.
After they had been filed through the rooms and gazed at the face of the dead benefactor they were dismissed on call. The jurors were T. J. Walker, A. J. Bundschu, S. T. Pendleton, S. H. Woodson, Bernard Zick, Jr., and William Martin.
"We were asked merely to identify the body and our opinion as to how Colonel Swope came by his death was not asked," said T. J. Walker, one of the jurors, afterwrds. "We probably will not be called again until the contents of the stomach have been examined by the Chicago specialists.
Henry Ott of the undertaking firm would not give out a statement last night. He said he has been instructed to tell nothing and he intended to do as he was told.
Dr. B. H. Zwart, county coroner, said that Dr. Frank Hall asked his permission of the autopsy on the body of Colonel Swope, which was granted. the autopsy, he said, was performed by Dr. Heptoek of Chicago and Dr. Hall. A jury ws provisionally impaneled and viewed the body. This jury will be reimpaneled, according to Dr. Zward, providing an inquest is held.
"If there is a request for an inquest, I will order one," he said. "If after a reasonable time nothing further is done in the matter, I will then have to investigate and find why no request is being made for an inquest. It will be my duty to learn why the autopsy was made."Labels: Chicago, Coroner Zwart, detectives, Independence, St Louis, Swope Mystery, Thomas Swope, typhoid, undertakers January 15, 1910 NOSE PARTY AT HIPPODROME.
Finding Matching Nose Was the Problem.
Another novelty entertainment was given at the Hippodrome last night in the form of a nose party. False noses in pairs were given out to all skaters, one of each pair to men and women. The problem was for the man to find the wearer of the temporary nose matching the nose worn by him. This feature provoked unlimited fun and the evening was spent skating after the grand march had been negotiated by the nose-matched pairs.Labels: amusement, hippodrome, skating January 15, 1910 PARISH FOR COLORED CATHOLICS.
St. Monica's Catholic Mission Organized by Franciscans.
A Catholic mission, known as St. Monica's Parish for Colored Catholics, has been organized by the Franciscan Fathers of the city at 2552 Locust street. The first divine services of the new mission will be held at St. John's school, 534 Tracy avenue, tomorrow. Regular services will be held at the parish headquarters on the second and fourth Sundays of each month, a Sunday school service following the services.Labels: churches, Locust street, ministers, race, Tracy avenue January 15, 1910 MORE SHELTER FOR HOMELESS.
Helping Hand Annex, 401 Wyan- dotte, Will Be Opened Today.
The Helping Hand Institute annex, 401 Wyandotte street, will be opened at 3 o'clock this afternoon. Addresses will be made by Mayor T. T. Crittenden, W. T. Bland, Rev. Charles W. Moore and Gus Pearson.Labels: Helping Hand, Mayor Crittenden, ministers, Wyandotte street January 15, 1910 HUNTS DOWN WOMAN TO REWARD.
Laura Kessler Befriended Harry Shaw Years Ago.
If Laura Kessler, who several years ago befriended Harry Shaw after the latter was injured in a street car accident, still is in the city, Shaw is here and anxious to reward her. Shaw's home is in Davenport, Ia., but he has been West the last few years and has made money in the mines.
Last night he called at police headquarters and asked the assistance of the police in locating Miss Kessler. When he was injured he was working for the Depot Baggage & Carriage Co., he says.Labels: missing, police headquarters, visitors January 14, 1910
COL. "TOM" SWOPE VICTIM OF PLOT OF POISONERS?
Scheme to Gain Control of Millions by Wholesale Murder of the Relatives of the Great Public Benefac- tor Believed to Have Been Unearthed.
BODY OF CAPITALIST TAKEN FROM CEMETERY.
Stomach Will Be Sent to Chi- cago for Analysis -- Chris- man Swope, Who Also Died Suddenly, May Have Been a Poison Victim -- Suspect Under Close Surveillance. 
COL. THOMAS H. SWOPE.
Was the late Colonel Thomas H. Swope, whose benefactions to Kansas City, including Swope park, amounted to more than a million and a half dollars, the victim of a scientific plot which had for its aim the elimination of the entire Swope family, by inoculation with the typhoid fever germs, looking to ultimate control of the $3,000,000 estate?
Acting on the theory that a poisoning conspiracy rivaling in fiendish ingenuity the most diabolical deeds of the Borgias was responsible for the death of Colonel Swope, October 3, last, and later of his nephew, Chrisman Swope, the body of Colonel Swope was removed Wednesday from the vault where it rested in Forest Hill cemetery and taken to Independence, where an autopsy was held.
The stomach was removed and will be taken to Chicago for analysis by chemists and toxicologists of national repute, in the hope of finding traces of poison, which members of the Swope family, their counsel and friends believe to have caused death.
RESULT OF AUTOPSY.
The autopsy of Colonel Swope's body Wednesday, attorneys for the Swopes say, resulted in the finding that death was not due to apoplexy, as was given out at the time. All the organs, including the brain, were found to be in normal condition. This could not have been the case had he died of apoplexy. The same was found in the Chrisman Swope autopsy. His brain was found to be normal, as were the other organs of his body. A slight trace of typhoid bacilli was found, but not enough, it is claimed, to have caused his death.e
But with this the plot does not end. After Colonel Swope and his nephews were out of the way, a plot was hatched, it is alleged, to kill off the entire family.
NEPHEW'S BODY EXHUMED.
Suspicion of foul play was aroused at the sudden death of Chrisman Swope last month. An autopsy was held, the stomach was removed and a thorough examination made. The stomach is now in Chicago, where it is being analyzed by a commission of eminent chemists and toxicologists.
"It will be several days before an arrest is made," said John H. Atwood of the law firm of Reed, Atwood, Yates, Mastin & Harvey. "We have the evidence well in hand. There is not a particle of doubt in my mind but that both Thomas Swope and Chrisman Swope were poisoned, and that they did not die of the diseases which they were said to have in the newspaper accounts."
TO KILL THE HEIRS.
This plot, said to have been planned with more deliberation, and even more heinous intent than the now famous Gunness affair, had for its supposed end the extermination of all the Swope heirs. Shortly before Chrisman Swope's death, it is charged, a man visited the office of a well known bacteriologist of Kansas City and secured some typhoid germs. With these deadly bacilli, those pushing the matter believe he hoped to innoculate the members of the Swope family.
Colonel Thomas H. Swope and Chrisman Swope are said to have both died after the same manner. The former died October 3. He arose the fateful morning, and was given a bath. An hour afterwards he died in convulsions.
Chrisman Swope was a man of about 30, young and vigorous. Shortly before this it was given out that he was suffering from typhoid fever. He was taken down December 2 and died four days after. He is said to have been administered a capsule an hour before his death. the nurses say that he died in convulsions.
EIGHT OTHERS STRICKEN.
The man suspected secured his typhoid bacteria November 10. His first visit to the Swope home in Independence was made Thanksgiving day. It was only a week after this that Chrisman Swope was taken down with the contagion. The plot is thought to have been to kill off the heirs by typhoid fever.
The sudden death of Chrisman Swope, following so close after the fatal illness of Colonel Swope, immediately aroused the suspicions of the family. An autopsy was held with the result that it was claimed that the last member of the family had not died of typhoid, as was said. The stomach was soon after sent to Chicago.
During this time, it is claimed, there was more evidence of a plot to kill off the entire family. Mrs. Logan Swope was taken down with typhoid fever early in December.
In rapid succession other members of the family were taken down with typhoid fever. They follow in chronological order:
Dec. 2 -- Margaret Swope.
Dec. 4 -- Miss Dixon, the governess. A negro servant by the name of Coppidge, Miss Compton, seamstress.
Dec. 5 -- Stuart Flelming.
Dec. 9. -- Sarah Swope, 14 years of age.
Dec. 11 -- Stella Swope.
Dec. 22 -- Lucy Lee.
None of the victims were in a critical condition.
NURSES FIRST SUSPICIOUS.
Lucy Lee was on her return trip from Europe. It is thought that she was inoculated with the typhoid germs in route to Kansas City. It is known that it takes from six to seven days after inoculation, for the first symptoms of the disease to show. In the case of Miss Lee, she was taken down four days after her arrival in Kansas City.
The investigation which resulted in these startling disclosures was largely at the insistence of the nurses employed in the Swope home during the illness of Chrisman Swope. At their suggestion Dr. G. T. Twyman of Independence was called in to make an investigation. He found the house to be in a sanitary condition and no place from whence the disease germs could possibly originate. Dr. Frank Hall also made an investigation with the same results.
FIVE DETECTIVES ON GUARD.
Mrs. Logan Swope and other members of the family told their suspicions to John G. Paxton, attorney for the Swope estate. At first Mr. Paxton would not believe that there could be anything in these charges. But after an investigation he, too, became convinced that there was truth in them. Mr. Paxton yesterday employed the law firm of Reed, Atwood, Yates, Mastin & Harvey, to push the investigation.
One man suspected is now under the espionage day and night of five private detectives employed by the Swopes.
Dr. Hekpeen of Rush Medical College, Chicago, is in Kansas City making investigations. He will take the stomach of Colonel Swope back with him for a thorough examination. Dr. Haynes of Chicago, a chemist of national reputation, will assist in the chemical tests to be made in the effort to find a trace of poison.
"The Swope millions will be used to run this mystery to the ground," said Mr. Atwood.Labels: attorney, cemetery, Chicago, doctors, Independence, murder, poison, probate, Swope Mystery, Thomas Swope, typhoid December 14, 1910 DR. NEAL'S BROTHER HURT.
Physician, Called to West, Quits Hospital Place at Once.
Dr. J. Park Neal, house surgeon at the general hospital, left last night for Los Angeles, Cal., in answer to a telegram that his brother-in-law, E. C. Briggs of Great Bend, Kas., had sustained a badly fractured leg. Dr. Neal, who has been house surgeon since the new hospital was built, tendered his resignation Tuesday, to take effect January 25. As most of the time between now and that time will be consumed in this trip, yesterday virtually was his last day at the hospital.
The position of house surgeon may be abolished. Most of the surgical work is done by visiting surgeons. Dr. Neal also held the position of assistant superintendent. It is not likely this office will be discontinued.Labels: California, Dr J Park Neal, general hospital January 14, 1910 EQUAL SHARE FOR ALL.
United Order of Enoch to Have Communistic Settlement.
A communistic settlement, following in general the ideas of the late Henry George, is planned by the Reorganized Church of the Latter Day Saints at Independence, in articles of association filed in the circuit court. The United Order of Enoch is the name chosen.
The purpose of this association, says the petition, is for a "Benevolent society to work in the interest of the poor and needy; to supply work for the unemployed; to build homes and furnish social entertainment for its members." There is to be a common store house. At the annual meeting last April, at Lamoni, Ia., the local members of the Latter Day Saints' church were instructed to organize an association of this kind.
In addition to securing homes for the poor and equal opportunities for the needy, financial, educational and social, the association is to promote temperance, morality and the equality of the members. It is "To provide against selfishness and covetousness," and there is to be a "voluntary co-operation in the use, application and distribution of wealth." It is not to be run for individual pecuniary profit. All property is to be held in common and the debts of members are to be paid by the association. The boys and girls are to be educated in the public schools and later sent to college.
The petition provides for an annual settlement of the "stewardships." All surplus in worldly goods is to be turned into the common treasury, and an itemized account of what is needed for the coming year filed with the officers and directors. In case of a shortage, after a "faithful performance of duty," the member is to be supplied from the common treasury. "Each one is to seek to the interest and good of his neighbor. the annual meeting of the officers and directors is to be held the first Monday in April.
The officers are: E. L. Kelley, president, F. M. Smith, secretary, Ellis Short, treasurer.Labels: churches, Independence, organizations, real estate January 14, 1910 FUND ONE-FIFTH COMPLETED.
Mercy Hospital for Children Still Needs $4,000 for Extension.
One-fifth of the $5,000 needed by the Mercy hospital to furnish the second floor of their hospital for children, has been received and several other donations promised. "We have to have the money to furnish this floor," said Dr. Alice Graham, superintendent of the hospital, last night. "A short time ago we had all the patients that we could care for. I consider that $5,000 will furnish this floor and leave enough funds to pay the help for the year. We have no private income. We received a check the other day from a woman in Detroit, Mich. One large room is to be fixed up for the permanently afflicted children."Labels: charity, children, doctors, hospitals, Mercy hospital January 13, 1910 SOLDIER DICK AND GIRL ARE PARTED.
"WAIT 'TIL I'M 21" HE SAYS, "I'LL BE TRUE," GIVES CHESSIE.
"Mooning" Around Third and Main When Arrested by Policeman. 
CHESSIE NAVE AND RICHARD WILIFORD.
Chessie Nave is 16, and Richard Wiliford is 20, but they each felt a great deal older and more responsible than when they arrived in Kansas City yesterday morning on an early train, with a wish and a determination to get married. they didn't feel so old nor so responsible last night. This is the way of it:
Last Tuesday the young people ran away together from Lexington, Mo., where the young man is a student in Wentworth Military academy. The girl is just a girl. they were accompanied on their matrimonial excursion by two friends, Grace Nave, a cousin of Miss Chessie, and Calvin Cook of Bartlesville, also a student in the military academy. The plan of the eloping kittens was to get a marriage license in Kansas City, Kas., where officials dealing in Cupid's paper are generally supposed to be gentle and kind. They missed the direction and went "mooning around the vicinity of Third and Main streets at an early hour yesterday morning. There a policeman found them.
The police had been notified that the young people were headed toward Kansas City with some kind of a prank in veiw, and the policeman saw them and happened to remember. He nailed them.
HIS FATHER ARRIVES.
Joel Wiliford, Woodford, Ok., father of Richard, had also been notified of his son's unceremonious leave in company with a little girl in skirts. The old gentleman hopped a train and got to Kansas City about as soon as the elopers. He dropped into central police station about the time that Richard and Chessie, Grace and Calvin were making a botch of trying to argue the police into the belief that while the resemblance was probably great, it was not absolute.
Papa Wiliford tried moral persuasion on his son. Nothing doing. Son was obdurate. What's the use of trying to make a soldier of a fellow, anyway, if you expect him to give up his girl at a mere parental command Richard said a soldier should never surrender. And he further declared he wouldn't. So into the dungeon cell went he, like any real, spicy, belted and buckled Don Juan of old. His good friend Calvin went along with him, but not from choice.
As for the girls, they saw life as it is from the matron's room Thus stood the matter all day. Richard would not desert the principles of academic soldiering, and Chessie vowed she would be as true as "Beautiful Bessie, the Banana Girl, or, "He Kissed Me Once and I Can't Forget." Then came Nash Ruby, brother-in-law of Chessie. He came From Lexington. He looked real fierce.
HERDED BEFORE CAPTAIN.
Forth from the dungeon cell marched Soldier Richard, and friend Calvin. Down from the matron's melancholy boudoir minced Chessie and Grace. They were herded into the office of Captain Walter Whitsett, where more moral suasion was rubbed on.
Richard, during the afternoon, had agreed with his father upon a compromise, bu which he was to return to school and finish his education. Later he took it all back. And w hen he saw Chessie he said:
"I'm going to marry you, Chessie, even if I never become a great general."
"That's where you're wrong," mildly said Papa Wiliford.
Then Chessie put in her word. But it didn't move anybody at all. Unless it was Nash Ruby, Brother-in-Law Nash. "You'll come along home with me, miss," said he. Chessie subsided. But when it came to parting, Richard uttered his defiance. "I'll be 21 before long," said he, "and then we can marry."
"I'll be true to you," sobbed Chessie.
Brother-in-law Nash led her away to catch a train for Lexington. this morning Richard will go to Woodford, Ok., with pa. Friend Calvin went home last night. That's all, except it is said Chessie made a face at her future father-in-law.Labels: Captain Whitsett, Central station, Lexington, Main street, oklahoma, police matron, romance, Third street, visitors January 13, 1910 BIGAMIST PAROLED FOR FAMILY'S SAKE.
Benjamin Franklin Hughes
Must Support Family and Avoid Primrose Path.
Benjamin Franklin Hughes, 51 years old, formerly a real estate agent of this city, pleaded guilty yesterday afternoon in the criminal court to a charge of bigamy and was sentenced to six months in the county jail. Hughes was paroled on condition that he would support his wife and family and follow the straight and narrow path. He is to report April 4 to Judge Ralph S. Latshaw of the criminal court.
With bowed head and trembling voice, Hughes stood before the bar of justice and told of his mishaps. He admitted that he had acted a "silly, old fool," but promised, with tears in his eyes, to reform and devote his years to his wife and children. Mr. Hughes has secured a position as a real estate salesman in Illinois. He stood alone in court, deserted by his friends and disowned by his wife and family.
"It is not for your sake, because under ordinary circumstances I would have sent you to jail, but for the sake of your wife and family that I parole you," said Judge Latshaw. "They have suffered as much as you; they are disgraced because of your foolhardiness. It was not so much for the crime of bigamy that you deserve punishment, but a far worse crime -- infidelity to your wife, and family."
Hughes's defense was that he was forced into an unfortunate alliance with Miss Vairie Wilder, aged 17 years, who lived with her mother, Mrs. Cora Westover, 1622 Madison street. The real estate agent married the girl in Kansas City, Kas., early last month when he had a wife and family living in this city.
THOUGHT HIM WEALTHY.
Hughes charged that Mrs. Westover compelled him to marry her daughter. he said she thought he was a wealthy widower. Hughes and the girl met last April, and immediately Hughes became enamored of her. Then he furnished rooms in a flat on Troost avenue and lived with her there.
"I spent hundreds of dollars," he said, buying her clothes and presents. "I was forced to pay this girl's board at home, and all her expenses. Now I am broke and have exhausted my credit.
"When I asked to take the girl to Excelsior Springs for her health, Mrs. Westovermade me deposit $15 with her. Besides that I was forced to pay all the expenses while in Excelsior Springs. We stopped at a $4 a day hotel.
"After the girl got in trouble, Mrs. Westover demanded that I marry her, thinking all the time that I was a wealthy widower. I thought Miss Wilder an innocent young girl and that I alone was responsible. I wanted to do the right thing so I decided to marry her. I thought I would be able to keep it a secret from my family. But the farther I went the more trouble I found. Then the girl faced me and my wife with her charges. I was a fool. Who knows this better than I? A silly old fool."
"Yes, you were a silly old fool," interrupted Judge Latshaw. "Your conduct is inexplainable. How could you expect to gain the love of this young girl? You, with deadened passions, shoulders bending under the weight of years, and with deep-wrinkled brow. Every furrow in your brow was an unfathomable chasm, dividing you from her. The law of nature ordained ages ago that a man of your age could not win the love of a fresh young girl, as is Miss Wilder. It would have been like the union of January and May, as impossible as the laws of nature themselves to overcome. But the fool that you are, you followed your fancies.
" 'Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive,' said the poet.
UNNATURAL ROMANCE.
"The farther you went the deeper your feet sank into the mire. Did you hope to win this girl's love? Do you think that she ever cared for you? It is natural for the young to love the young, and for both to despise the old -- the doting, old fool. With one hand she caressed you and with the other hand she was seeking to take the money from your pockets. It was not you but what your money could buy that she wanted.
"But the crime you committed against this girl and later your becoming a bigamist were the least of your offenses. You violated the trust of your wife. What could be more disgusting or inhuman than a man with a good, pure woman at home, totally forgetting his obligations and duties that marriage has brought upon him.
"When the exposure comes they must suffer the same as you. when the name of Hughes is held up for ridicule, made the subject of ribald just, not you alone suffer, but your wife and family also. No wonder the woman whom you swore to cherish and love, despises and hates you. No wonder you are a disgusting sight to her eyes.
"But I think this one experience has cured you. If you fall again you must end with a suicide's grave or the felon's cell. Go out into the world and start anew. you cannot forget the past, because with your sensitive nature and cultivated tastes, the consciousness of your wrong-doing must remain with you forever. You must retrieve your past black record. The rest of your days should be spent in working for your wife and family, the ones who have suffered so greatly because of your misdeeds. If when you come back here, I find you are not supporting your family, you will be sent to the county jail to serve the sentence just imposed on you. Go and make good."Labels: bigamy, criminal court, Excelsior Springs, Judge Latshaw, Madison street, real estate, romance, Troost avenue January 13, 1909 ICE FLOES WRECK SHIPPING ON BLUE.
Pleasure Craft Smashed and Swept Away by the Grinding Cakes.
Great havoc among the shipping in the Blue river was wrought by a sudden break-up of ice on that stream yesterday afternoon. Several costly houseboats and launches were crushed, or their moorings snapped and carried away down the river. In all the damage amounts to several thousand dollars.
At the Kansas City Boat Club's moorings, Fifteenth street and Blue river, Harvey H. Espenship's thousand-dollar houseboat, fully furnished, was swept from its berth by the ice and carried down the river. Marion Bolinger, a boatman at Independence avenue and the Blue, saw it being carried by. It was crushed, and floating on his side. The boat contained several hundred dollars' worth of furniture, including a piano.
HOUSEBOAT AND LAUNCHES.
Mr. Espenship lost two launches, also the Iona I and the Iona II. These boats were valued at $600. both were carried down the Missouri river, one of them smashed in a jam of ice as it passed Independence avenue.
Bert Claflin of Centropolis lost a houseboat and a launch. More than twenty small boats were swept away or crushed in the ice at Fifteenth street.
Charles Demaree's houseboat and launch broke their cables. The houseboat was secured, but the launch was lost.
A lighter belonging to Harry Harris, son of Postmaster J. H. Harris, was crushed. Mr. Harris intended to build a house on the lighter next spring. A houseboat, the owner of which is not known, was crushed as it passed Independence avenue. The riven timbers were scattered among the ice cakes along the shore.
SEVEN-FOOT RISE.
The rise in the river during the afternoon was more than seven feet. At 8:30 o'clock last night the river left its banks at Fifteenth street. Boat owners, alarmed by the residents along the river, hastened to the moorings and secured their craft with chains. the landing stage at the boathouse, Fifteenth street and the Blue, was carried away.
The ice was breaking slowly, or a great deal more damage would have resulted. The ice cakes, being thick and heavy, crushed the small craft as they ground against them. The Kansas City Canoe Club lost many small boats.Labels: Blue river, boats, Centropolis, Fifteenth street, ice, Independence avenue, organizations January 13, 1910 REBEL BILL NOT COUNTERFEIT.
Person Using One Can Be Tried Only on False Pretense Charge.
To pass a worthless Confederate greenback is no violation either of the state or federal law, decided the prosecuting attorney's office yesterday, and the only charge that might be entertained is the obtaining of money under false pretenses.
A five-dollar bill, made in 1862 by the state of Georgia and issued by the Merchants and Planters' bank for the states of the Southern Confederacy, was passed a short time ago on Mrs. Max Joffey, Missouri avenue and Locust street. The woman who presented it bought 60 cents worth of goods and was given $4.60 in change. The case was presented to the United States district attorney.
"This five-dollar bill is not counterfeit, as at one time it was genuine legal tender," said Norman Woodson, assistant prosecuting attorney, yesterday. "The only charge the woman can be tried for is false pretense. No warrant has been issued."Labels: Civil War, counterfeiters, federal court, Locust street, Missouri avenue January 13, 1910 WEE BABE PROVES MAGNET.
Tot Reunites Parents, Who Thought They Couldn't Agree.
"It was 'Jimmy' who reunited us," said Mrs. Mary A. Judkins, of 2131 Madison street, who with her divorced husband went to the recorder's office yesterday to procure a marriage license.
It was about a year ago that the couple, newly married, decided they could not live together happily. Shortly before this a boy had been born to Mrs. Judkins. She named him "Jimmy." When the divorce was granted, Mrs. Judkins was given the custody of the babe. The father, however, was permitted to visit his child once a week. These weekly visits resulted in a reconciliation between Mr. and Mrs. Judkins and yesterday they decided to be remarried.
"We're going to try it over again," said Mrs. Judkins, and the husband smiled his approval.
No happier couple, if appearance counted, was ever granted a license to marry by the county recorder, declare the deputies in the marriage license department. Mr. and Mrs. Judkins hurried out of the court house to find a minister.Labels: children, courthouse, Divorce, Madison street, marriage January 12, 1910 ADAMS IDENTIFIED AS K. C. MURDERER.
LOCAL MAN PICKS YOUTH AT OMAHA AS SLAYER OF M. A. SPANGLER.
Victims of Holdups Insist on Identity -- Lads Will Be Brought Here.
OMAHA, NEB., -- Jan. 11. -- John Adams and Earl Brown, two youthful alleged desperadoes who were arrested by Detective Mitchell and others on December 10 for alleged connection with a series of holdups and one shooting affair, are wanted at Kansas City on murder and robbery charges.
They were identified this morning by several victims who came here from Kansas City.
This morning three victims of recent holdups in Kansas City arrived. They were S. W. Spanglerr, Al Ackerman and Joe Shannon. With them were Detective Wilson, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Norman Woodson and Cash Welch, proprietor of a Kansas City messenger service.
Ackerman identified Adams as the youth who killed Spangler's father November 23 while attempting to hold up the latter's saloon. they said Brown resembled the companion of Adams on that occasion.
SHOT OMAHA MAN.
On December 7, E. S. Ashcroft, of 1811 Chicago street, Omaha, was held up at Seventeenth and Chicago streets by two young men, who ordered him to throw up his hands. He refused, and started to run. they fired two shots at him, one taking affect in his right arm. Two nights later Marvin Kohn, a young business man, was held up by the same two youngsters, it is alleged, at Twenty-fifth avenue and Douglas streets, and robbed of $5. Next Day Detective Mitchell located Adams and Brown in a lodging house at Fifteenth and Capitol avenue and arrested them on suspicion. Kohn positively identified them and they were held to the district court on a charge of robbery under $500 bonds. They are now in the county jail.
When arrested the two young men were in bed, although it was then noon. In the sole of one of their shoes was secreted considerable money and a revolver was found wrapped in a shirt and hidden in a dresser drawer.
The murder in Kansas City with which Adams is charged occurred shortly after midnight November 23. M. A. Spangler was killed and his son, Samuel, had both arms broken. Ackerman was present at the time.
TO BE BROUGHT HERE.
Young Spangler and Ackerman were confronted at the city hall this morning by a group of ten prisoners, among whom were Adams and Brown. Ackerman immediately picked out Adams as the man who killed the elder Spangler. They also said that Brown looked like the other holdup.
Joe Shannon, a Kansas City politician, who was held up and robbed of his watch and $48 shortly before the murder, positively identified Brown as one of the desperadoes. He says the second man looked like Adams.
George H. McCray, a Kansas City business man, identified Adams and Brown as the two robbers who held him up and robbed him of $2. He says that Brown's mask dropped from his face and that he therefore got a good look at him.
Cash Welch, the messenger service man, identified the two young men as having worked for him during the robberies.
It is thought that Adams will be sent to Kansas City to answer a murder charge. Brown will probably be also sent there on a robbery charge, since the Missouri cases are even stronger than the Omaha ones.Labels: crime, detectives, murder, Omaha, saloon, Spangler murder January 12, 1910 IRON BAR IN MIDDLE OF SONG.
Warrant Is Issued for Arrest of Painter Who Used It.
Music hath charms, but not for Henry Ray. Ray is a house painter employed at 1212 East Forty-forth street. Complaint was issued by the prosecuting attorney yesterday, charging him with felonious assault. Jesse Helm was the prosecuting witness.
Helm was musically inclined. He broke the monotony occasionally with a few verses of popular song.
"I was singing this morning," he told Edward J. Curtin, an assistant prosecutor, "when Ray came down from the scaffolding and struck me in the back with an iron bar."
"What were you singing?"
"Oh, simply 'I Love My Wife, But Oh, You Painter,' " said Helm. "He told me I sang as though I had a busted reed in my organ. I can't imagine why it made him sore when I refused to stop."
"I can guess," said Mr. Curtin, and he issued the complaint.Labels: Forty-fourth street, music, violence January 12, 1910 De JANON SUSPECTS FREE.
Girl's Love for Joke Caused Arrest -- Reed and Miss Horton Leave for Salt Lake City.
Harry J. Reed and Marie Horton, arrested Monday afternoon on suspicion of being the eloping Philadelphia heiress, Roberta de Janon, and Ferdinand Cohen, her waiter-sweetheart, were released from police headquarters yesterday afternoon.
The couple ordered their trunks and other baggage, which had been stored in the office of Captain Walter Whitsett, taken to the Union depot and checked to Salt Lake City. They left by an afternoon train.
Although from the time of his arrest to that of his release Reed absolutely refused to make any sort of a statement, either to Pinkertons or the police, Marie Horton was more communicative.
"It was really my own fault that we got into this trouble," she stated. "I knew that because I have a slight foreign accent, and I am dark-haired and young looking, people thought we were the eloping couple. Everywhere we excited curiosity. At first I thought it was a good joke, and used to call Mr. Reed Ferdinand, and ask him if he did not think it a shame to run away with a 17-year-old girl. I don't think it is a joke now. I was mighty glad to read in the papers this morning and find that things were straightened out. Our experiences in Kansas City have not been very pleasant, and we are going away to escape the notoriety. Where? Well, just say further West."
Answers received from the police departments of Seattle, Detroit and Chicago in regard to the antecedents of the couple were declared satisfactory by Frank F. Snow, chief of police. Chief Henry Ward of Seattle, Wash., stated that Reed had been for several years connected with a gambling establishment there, but that his record was first-class.Labels: captian whitsett, detectives, visitors January 12, 1910 ITS MOST SUCCESSFUL YEAR.
Girls' Industrial Home Cared for 1,927 Persons in 1909.
At the annual meeting of the Industrial Home for Girls Association held at the home, 2940 Highland avenue, it was stated that the year 1909 was the most successful in the seventeen years of the home's existence. During the year it has cared for 1,925 girls, one boy and one old woman.
The Industrial Home, which was formerly the Door of Hope, organized originally to care for wayward girls. A year ago it bought the premises it now occupies for $7,000, of which all but $300 is paid. the report for the year shows receipts of $4581.20 and expenses $4,347.97.
The new officers elected yesterday were:
President, Mrs. E. L. Chambliss; vice president, Mrs. John B. Stone; recording secretary, Mrs. George r. Chambers; corresponding secretary, Mrs. George E. Ragan; treasurer, Mrs. J. M. Moore; board of managers, Mrs. J. W. Stoneburner, Mrs. George A. Wood, Mrs. William Waltham, J. M. Givvons, E. R. Curry, Miss E. Ellis, Miss Ella Albright, Miss W. H. Buls, Mrs. W. Matthews, Mrs. J. Fulton and Miss Foster.
Trustees -- R. D. Middlebrook, Judge J. H. Hawthorne, J. N. Moore.
Advisory board -- I. E. Burnheimer, H. R. Farnam, Porter B. Godard, Rev. W. F. Sheridan, Judge E. E. Porterfield.
House surgeon -- Dr. H. O. Leonard.
Matron -- Mrs. S. E. Dorsey.
The retiring president, Mrs. George A. Wood, expressed her thanks to all who helped to give the girl inmates a merry Christmas.Labels: charity, Highland avenue, Judge Porterfield, women January 12, 1910 FINED FOR ASSAULT ON BOYS.
Milkman Brody Had Trouble With Two Sons of Judge Ross.
On a charge of having assaulted the two small sons of Justice Michael D. Ross, Philip Brody, a milkman, was fined $15 in the municipal court yesterday morning.
Justice Ross lives at 626 Troost avenue and Brody lives in a house to the rear of the premises. The two Ross boys, it is alleged, threw stones at the Brody home and the milkman climbed over a fence and went into the Ross kitchen to chastise them. He was in the act of administering a spanking, it is claimed, when William Ross, the judge's eldest son, appeared on the scene, and after throwing Brody out, called a policeman.Labels: Judges, Justice Ross, municipal court, Troost avenue, violence January 11, 1910 HELD AS SUSPECTS IN HEIRESS CASE.
KANSAS CITY POLICE THOUGHT THEY HAD FOUND MISS- ING COUPLE.
Arrested as They Disem- barked From Train From Excelsior Springs. 
MARIE HORTON, ALIAS HENRIETTA VON ETTEN.
Reed's Companion and for a While Believed to Be Roberta De Janon.
While the Kansas City police were arresting a man and a woman suspected of being Ferdinand Cohen and Roberta De Janon, respectively waiter and heiress, ho eloped from Philadelphia more than one week ago, the real Cohen and De Janon were being taken into custody in Chicago.
The Kansas City suspects were arrested by plain clothes officers from Central station as they alighted from a train from Excelsior Springs at the Union depot yesterday afternoon. Information leading to the arrest was given to Captain Walter Whitsett of the Central police district by R. E. Mackey of the Pickwick apartments at Excelsior Springs by long distance telephone. Patrtolmen John Torpey and T. H. Gillespie were awaiting them at the depot.
They were taken to police headquarters and examined by Captain Walter Whitsett. The man gave his name as H. J. Reed, and address as Chicago. He said he had been for some time in the gas fixture business with offices in the Holland building in that city. On his person was found $1,200 in currency, and letters addressed to H. J. Reed and H. J. Ross. He said he was not married to the woman in whose company he was arrested. He said he had known her for eight years. He refused to make any other statement.
 H. J. REED.
Arrested Under Suspicion That He Might Be Ferdinand Cohen.
Men from the Pinkerton detective agency who have been working on the De Janon elopement case declare that Reed resembles the missing waiter, Ferdinand Cohen, in almost every respect, and asked that he be held until information could be secured from their Philadelphia office.
WOMAN TALKED FREELY.
Reed's companion, although visibly worried over the fact that she was detained, was willing to talk. She said she was Marie Horton of Detroit, Mick., but after cross-questioning declared taht her real name is Henriette von Etten. According to her story she was born in Vienna, Austria, and was married in that country to a man who was at one time connected with the foreign embassy at Washington, D. C. She left her husband and went to the Pacific coast eight years ago, where she met Reed, who, she stated, was at that time conducting a place in Seattle, Wash. She says Reed is suing his Seattle wife for divorce. In March, 1909, she went to Detroit, where she conducted a rooming house. She came to Kansas City two weeks ago and met Reed. They lived in a hotel on Baltimore avenue until they went to Excelsior Springs. They intended going on to Salt Lake City.
Two big trunks, a dress suit case, a valise and a handbag were brought from the baggage room at the Union depot by the police officers. The contents were emptied and examined, but no further indenifying evidence was obtained.
Pinkerton men and the police were soon convinced the woman is not Roberta De Janon. The eloping girl is only 17 years old, while the woman at present in custody appears to be 25. Marie Horton has several false teeth, while Miss De Janon has none.
SHORT STAY IN EXCELSIOR.
The man and woman had spent Thursday night at the Elms hotel. They registered as H. J. Reed and wife of Chicago, and rented rooms Friday in the Pickwick apartments, saying they would remain a month. They kept close to their room during their stay. Considerable wine was delivered to the rooms. The woman was in Kansas City Saturday.
They gave no reason for leaving here hurriedly. When asked by another guests of the apartments to show credentials as to who he was the man exhibted papers from Salt Lake City and Tacoma, Wash., but had nothing to show he was from Chicago.Labels: Baltimore avenue, Captain Whitsett, Chicago, detectives, Excelsior Springs, romance, Union depot, visitors January 11, 1910 THE FROZEN APE.
Moving Picture Comedy at the Subway.
An unique moving picture comedy, "The Frozen Ape," at the Subway theater today and tomorrow, offers side-splitting merriment for fun-lovers. A scientist goes into the arctic regions to discover things and makes a find that astonishes the world. It is an ape, frozen into the side of an icy glacier. He sends the ape, packed in a box, to his friend, Professor Knowall. The expressman leaves the box in his wagon in front of Professor Knowall's home. Two boys, building a bonfire, need more wood. They push the box into the fire. The heat thaws the frozen ape, who gets out. Then funny things begin to happen.Labels: moving pictures, theater January 11, 1910 HADLEY ADDRESSES K. OF P.'S.
Local Lodges Will Celebrate Fortieth Anniversary May 5.
Governor Herbert S. Hadley was the principal speaker at the special meeting of the Knights of Pythias in their hall at 1330 Grand avenue last night. The occasion was the merger of Brooklyn Lodge No. 118 with Lodge No. 1 of this city, and over 500 Pythians attended. Senator Solon Gilmore, ex-senator A. L. Cooper and Joseph Hawthorne also gave brief addresses.
Prior to the speaking plans were discussed for the big celebration of the fortieth anniversary of the local lodge to take place May 5, in Convention hall, where it is estimated that at least 20,000 members under the password will assemble in secret session. This will be one of the most brilliant Pythian functions ever attempted in the United States.Labels: Convention Hall, Grand avenue, Herbert Hadley, lodges, organizations December 11, 1910 JUDGE TAKES PART OF RUNAWAY GIRLS.
Homes Have Been Found for Ava Jewell and Hattie Hayes.
"I told them 'If you never do anything worse than sit on a rock pile and crack rock for papa you will be queens on a thrown with jewels in your crowns.' "
T. W. Jewell, 920 Cambridge avenue, Sheffield, made this statement in the juvenile court yesterday afternoon after admitting that he had required his daughter, Ava Jewell, 16 years old, and his stepdaughter, Hattie Hayes, 15 years old, to crack rock in his quarry "because they were useless to their mother in the house."
About three weeks ago both girls ran away from their rock cracking work, Ava going to Kansas City, Kas., and Hattie Hayes getting employment at a cracker factory. For the past week she had been working as a domestic in a Sheffield hotel. She was taken into the juvenile court on the request of her mother and stepfather.
"Why did you put these girls, young women, I might say, to work on a rock pile?" asked Judge E. E. Porterfield earnestly.
"It was honest labor," said Jewell, "nothin' of which they should be ashamed. They might o' done far worse. You tell him how it came about, mamma," concluded Jewell, addressing his wife.
"Well, they just wouldn't do the housework right," said Mrs. Jewell. "It kept me continually following them about doing the work over again. I knowed somethin' had to be done to keep 'em busy, so I asked papa if he could use 'em in the quarry on the rear of our lot. 'Yes,' says he, 'I can use 'em breakin' up the small stones. Then he put 'em to work down there. That's all.'
"They was there about two or three weeks," said Jewell, "not over three at the outside, and all the work they done could be did in ten to twenty hours. I built 'em a nice platform on which to work. All they had to do was gather the small rock, carry it to the platform and break it. It sells for $1 a yard, judge. It's valuable."
"You know what they done, judge?" asked Jewell in apparent surprise, "they hammered holes in their skirts and kept me busy putting handles in the stone hammers. They would strike over too far and break the handles, just for meanness. Why, there mamma used to come down there just to encourage them, you know, an' she would crack more rock in an hour than they'd crack in a whole day. Mamma liked to crack rock, didn't you mamma? All the time them girls was a complainin' and talkin' o' runnin' away, an' one day both of 'em up and run away."
"I am surprised that they waited so long," said Judge Porterfield when Jewell had finished his explanation. "They should have gone the first day you put them there. A stone quarry, using a hammer and a drill, as this girl says she had to do, is no place for young women."
It was at this point that Jewell delivered himself of the tender sentiment about "jewels in your crowns."
"That sounds nice," suggested the court, "but it doesn't go with me. Any place on earth for a girl or woman but the rock pile, whether it be for papa or in jail. I do not approve of it. this girl will be made a ward of the court and a place secured for her. Working promiscuously in hotels and factories is not the best place for her, either, so long as she is not remaining in the home."
Hattie, who was 15 in October, was turned over to Mrs. Agnes O'Dell, a juvenile court officer, who will secure a place for her in a private family. Her stepsister, Ava Jewell, has a place as a domestic in Kansas City, Kas.Labels: children, employment, Judge Porterfield, juvenile court, Kansas City Kas, sheffield, women January 10, 1910 SOCIETY'S AIM TO UPLIFT PRISONERS.
National Organization to Be Formed During Present Convention.
To make good folks out of bad ones is the object of a convention of men and women representing eight states, which began in Kansas City yesterday and will continue until Wednesday.
The meeting is that of the Society of the Friendless, which has for its purpose the uplifting of men, women and children within prison walls and their conversion tion good citizens when they are released. The society was started ten years ago in Kansas and Missouri, but at the present convention a national organization will be perfected.
The opening meeting of the convention was held yesterday in the Institutional church, Admiral boulevard and Holmes street, and the feature was an address by Fred M. Jackson, attorney general of Kansas, who declared that in enforcing prohibition of the liquor traffic Kansas is doing more than probably any other state in the prevention of crime. Other speakers of the afternoon were Henry M. Beardsley of Kansas City and Dr. A. J. Steelman of Seattle, superintendent of the Washington branch of the society.
J. K. Codding, warden of the Kansas state prison at Lansing, was to have spoken, but was unable to attend the meeting yesterday because of injuries received several days ago. He expects to be present at the session today.
Mr. Jackson was assigned the topic of law enforcement as a preventive of crime. He said, in part:
"In Kansas it is figured that one-fifth of the men in prison are there by accident or thorugh the miscarriage of justice, another fifth is a criminal class andd the remaining 60 per cent are men who may either be saved or become criminals.
"We proceed in Kansas the best way to save this 60 per cent, and that is to enforce the law against the organized liquor traffic. The greter per cent of men in prison go there because of the liquor traffic and the state claims the right to oust any business which contributes so largely to the public expense and to public detriment.
"Some people ask why w do not have a local option law or some other measure than prohibition. When you grant licenses in one part of the state, you bot those who do not want liquor as an element of government. When we have prohibition it should be enforced. The state demands it and I do not claim the least bit of credit for my part in enforcing it. An officer who merely does his duty doens't deserve any credit.
"There result where the law ha been enforced is that society and the man have been repaid. Business men realize the poverty which liquor causes and are against it. What is a saloonkeeper? He is a man who wants to share the responsiblilty of government, who helps run the police power, whose consent is necessary to levy taxes and disburse them. By putting him out of the way, more than half hte counties of Kansas have dispensed with their poor houses and in other counties these institutions are but poorly populated.
HAS PAID KANSAS.
"We have decreased crime and criminals. Has it paid Kansas? The results speak for themselves."
Dr. Steelman, who talked on the reformatory side of the prison, told of the wonderful progress made in the treatment of prisoners and of modern methods for making them good citizens after their release. The first step in the movement, he said, was saving the services of the prisoners to the state and this was succeeded by the idea of saving the men themselves. Dr. Steelman was formerly warden of the Joliet (Ill.) penitentiary.
Mr. Beardsley devoted his talk to outlining the purposes of the society. He said the work of the society is both preventive and to help the fallen.
"Criminals," said Mr. Beardsley, "ought to be on the credit instead of the debit side of the state's accounts. A small amount invested in reclaiming these men brings big returns to the state."
Mr. Beardsley said the work of the society has been costing about $12,000 a year, but that this year $15,000 will be required.
Warden Codding of Lansing, in a telegram to the society, expressed regret at his inability to be present and conveyed his good wishes.
The Rev. E. A. Fredenhagen of Kansas City, corresponding secretary of the society, presided at the meeting yesterday.Labels: Admiral boulevard, alcohol, conventions, Holmes street, jail, Mayor Beardsley, ministers, organizations, penitentiary, prohibition, visitors January 10, 1910 HOBOES RAID ROOMING HOUSE.
But Police Cut Short Their Rest; 17 in Jail.
Tired of loafing around on street corners, seventeen hoboes organized themselves Saturday night and made a raid on a rooming house at 427 Delaware street, taking possession of all the beds after driving the keeper and guests away. The police were notified and the gang taken into custody.
"We got to sleep in a bed once in a while to keep from forgetting how," declared one of the tramps at police headquarters. "But I reckon you've got some bunks here."Labels: Delaware street, hoboes, police headquarters, rooming house January 10, 1910 SON OF ACTRESS IS BURNED.
Father Dead, Mother Away, Boy Hurt Fatally Playing Indian.
While playing with some other boys in a vacant foundry at Nicholson and Prospect avenues yesterday morning at 11:30 o'clock, Eddie Campbell, aged 8 years, was so badly burned that he died four hours later at the University hospital.
The lad was attempting to make an Indian fire with some logs, and as the timber would not ignite readily he poured some kerosene on the heated portion. An explosion followed and young Campbell's clothes caught on fire. His playmates made frantic efforts to extinguish the flames, but did not succeed until after the boy had sustained fatal injuries. The body was taken to Stewart's undertaking rooms.
Eddie Campbell had been living with an uncle, Albert Campbell, at 728 North Chestnut street, for some time. His father is dead and his mother, Stella S. Campbell, who is an actress, is touring Michigan.Labels: Chestnut street, children, death, explosion, Fire, Nicholson avenue, Prospect avenue, theater, undertakers, University hospital January 10, 1910 HYDE PARK M. E. CHURCH A REBUILT RESIDENCE.
Upper Floors Refurnished for Parsonage -- Congregation Formal- ly Takes Possession.
The congregation of the Hyde Park M. E. church yesterday formally took possession of their new house of worship at Valentine road and Broadway. This is probably the first instance in the history of religion of the transforming of an old residence into a church. For years the property was known as the Allen residence and a year ago it was bought for $20,000 by the congregation. At an additional expense of $5,000 the first floor was made over into an auditorium beautifully decorated and fitted out with comfortable pews and an attractive pulpit. The upper floors were re-decorated and refurnished for the parsonage and the basement arranged for sociables and a meeting place for the different church organizations. Three-fifths of the cost has been paid with out assistance from the public, and in bringing about this satisfactory condition the congregation has received generous support from George N. Neff, J. W. Vernon, Fred B. Houston and William S. Kirke.
Prior to yesterday the church society to the number of 100 have been conducting services in a store room at Thirty-seventh and Main streets and have had as their pastor for a year the Rev. Dr. Napthall Luccock, who resigned a $5,000 a year pastorate in St. Louis to come to Hyde Park to help it grow at a salary of $1,800 a year.Labels: Broadway, churches, Hyde Park, ministers, real estate, St Louis, Valentine road January 9, 1910 SEE RAINBOW AND THE BAG OF GOLD.
Reputed Hiers to Vast Ger- man Estate Retain Law- yer to Fight Claims.
Sixty reputed heirs to the estates of Baron Ludwig von Fischer gathered at the Metropolitan hotel in Independence yesterday for the purpose of taking aggressive measures to recover form the German government $80,000,000 said to be awaiting them.
For the past thirty-eight years strenuous endeavors have been made by a number of heirs to obtain title to the property, but it has been hard to establish identity or form a plan which will prove acceptable to the whole. The gathering yesterday filled the hotel dining room, and heirs and their representatives from various states were present.
The story of the estates of Baron Fischer resembles many other similar stories and has bee handed down from generation to generation.
ONE SON FLEES.
Baron Fischer lived in Baden, Germany, in the latter part of the sixteenth century. He had two sons. One of them was a great nimrod and one day entered the forests and by accident got upon the game preserves of the king. He shot a deer there, and the game warden notified him that he had better flee to America. The boy feared the king's wrath and sailed for America, locating in Madison county, Va. The other son remained in the old country and the estates went to him.
Time passed and a search was made for the missing brother, who was found in America. the German estates, he was informed, later, had been left by a will to him as was also a large amount of property in this country. Fearing to return to the old country, the baron allowed the estate to go to the German government for the building of a canal. He died in this country, but he left his estate to his three sons. One of them was educated for the purpose of returning to the fatherland to establish his lineage. After reaching maturity he set sail and en route died of smallpox. The papers and identification documents were buried with him at sea.
EMPLOY A LAWYER.
The heirs in this country took up the fight and all manner of schemes have been formulated. Much money has been expended without result. Some years ago a lawyer was employed to go over to Germany. He went, so the story goes, but came back with nothing to say and plenty of spending money for the balance of his days.
The heirs are now renewing their effort. Yesterday the gathering was for the purpose of entering into a contract with Attorney Emory Smith, of Fort Worth, Tex., for one-third of the amount secured. It took some time to agree upon the carefully worded document which was finally signed.
Fifteen similar gatherings have been held in Independence by the Fischer heirs and when these reunions take place the rainbow with the bag of gold at the end is painted in all of its colors. Some say the estate will amount to $150,000,000. In the United States there are 450 heirs, as far as known.Labels: hotels, Independence, probate, Texas January 9, 1910 PENDERGAST TO FLORIDA.
The Alderman Decides to Change Winter Resorts This Season.
California as his winter retreat has gotten to be such an old story with Alderman James Pendergast that he is going to make a change this season and spend the balance of the inclement season in Jacksonville, Fla.
"I'm going to take my winter's rest amid the fragrant magnolias," poetically observed the alderman yesterday.
The alderman expects to remain in Florida until spring planting begins on his farms in Kansas and Missouri.Labels: farmers, James Pendergast January 9, 1910 WORK AND WAGES FOR DESERVING UNEMPLOYED.
Mayor Formulates Plan to Provide Living During Present Cold Weather for All Worthy Needy.
"Kansas City intends to be kind to the needy and unfortunate temporarily out of work," observed Gus Pearson, city comptroller, yesterday, "but we first are going to find out who is worthy of our time and kindness.
"This wail about the starving and homeless unemployed has been magnified. Investigation shows that on many of the coldest nights of the winter there were a whole lot of vacant beds in the Helping Hand institute, and I have it from the management that they had twenty-four more calls for work for men than could be filled.
"The trouble is that a great many well meaning people are imposed upon and their sympathies wrought up by classes of individuals who are continually preying on the purse strings of the charitable, but will not work unless the work meets with their particular tastes."
Mr. Pearson had a conference yesterday with William Volker, chairman of the pardons and parole board. They discussed the plan proposed by Mayor Crittenden of making an additional appropriation of funds to temporarily tide over the unemployed by giving them work at the municipal stone quarries in Penn Valley park and the municipal farm at Leeds. This will be done as quickly as possible after Messrs. Pearson and Volker have conferred with the heads of charitable institutions and the police in reference to the character of men considered really deserving.
"Bums and loafers who stray into Kansas City just to spend the winter and live off the charitable must move on or go to the workhouse," said Mr. Pearson. "We feel that we have a citizenship of our own who should receive our little acts of kindness in times of distress, and so far as the present city administration is concerned, there will be no deserving man or boy without a place of shelter or a meal."Labels: charity, employment, Helping Hand, Leeds, Mayor Crittenden, parole board, Penn Valley park, workhouse January 9, 1910 GENERAL DELAY IN TRAINS.
Weather Warmer in Kansas City -- Travel Is Unusually Heavy.
Although the weather was much warmer in Kansas City yesterday, winter conditions elsewhere continued to derange the train schedules of the railroads running into Kansas City. Few trains are operated on time. The delays are general in all directions.
"For some reason, prosperity I guess, travel is unusually heavy just now," said a Union depot official yesterday. "Many people get laid out here because of late trains."Labels: railroad, Union depot, weather January 9, 1910 LIVED HERE FIFTY YEARS.
Mrs. Elizabeth Tobener, Widow of Henry Tobener, Is Dead.
Mrs. Elizabeth Tobener, 73 years old, the widow of Henry Tobener, who operated a plug tobacco factory at Fifteenth street and Grand avenue for thirty three years, died late Friday night at her home, 2826 Woodland avenue, of acute pneumonia. She was born in Germany and had lived in Kansas City fifty years.
Mrs. Tobener is survived by four sons, Robert H., Frank W., William C. and Edward F. Tobener, and two daughters, Mrs. Dr. B. W. Lindberg and Mrs. Edward Oberholz. Burial will be in the family vault at Elmwood cemetery. The details of the funeral had not been made last night.Labels: cemetery, death, immigrants, tobacco, Woodland avenue January 9, 1910 DYING FROM KNIFE WOUNDS.
Roommate of Isaac Dimich Held as a Material Witness.
Isaac Dimich, a butcher living at 28 North James street, in Kansas City, Kas., is dying at St. Margaret's hospital as a result of two knife wounds. dimich and his fellow workman and roommate, Mike Wookas, attended a celebration of the Greek Christmas Friday night. Early yesterday morning, it is alleged, they quarreled and later the police officers found Dimich injured on the floor of his room. Dr. Mortimer Marder, a police surgeon, was summoned, and after he had given him emergency treatment he ordered the man taken to the hospital, where it was said last night that he could not recover.
Wookas was arrested at the packing plant of Morris & Co. yesterday morning and taken to No. 2 police station, where he is held as a material witness.Labels: doctors, hospitals, immigrants, violence January 8, 1910 MAKING WIFE OBEY IS "BUTTING IN."
Parole Board Rules She Is "Lord and Master" in Kitchen Affairs.
In an effort to make his wife obey, as she had promised to do when he married her nine months ago, J. M. Hall, stock clerk for the Great Western Manufacturing Company, 1221 Union avenue, landed him self into the workhouse on a $300 fine three days after Christmas -- during the most joyous week of last year. The "you must obey your master" stunt took place at the Hall home at St. Clair station, near Mount Washington.
A. B. Coulton, manager of the Great Western Manufacturing Company, appeared before the board of pardons and paroles at the workhouse yesterday and asked for Hall's parole. William Volker, president of the board, then looked over the testimony which was given in the municipal court when Hall was convicted and given the highest fine in the power of the court. It ran something like this:
WOULD NOT OBEY.
Charged with disturbing the peace. Wife appeared to prosecute him. She said that ever since their marriage last March he has been dictatorial and domineering and insisted that she obey him as she promised. The day of his arrest he went into the kitchen and, seeing the stove door open, told her to close it. She did not want the door closed and told him so. Then he demanded that she stoop and close the door and she flatly refused.
"Then I'll teach you to obey as you promised," he said. With that Mrs. Hall testified, he grabbed her by the wrist and forced her to her knees demanding that she obey him. Still she refused. Then she was thrown back so as to strike a couch with her back. She did not shut the stove door. Couple have been married since March, 1909. She said she started to leave him several times, but was induced to return.
STICKS TO HIS RIGHTS.
Hall still thought he "had a right" in his own house to make his wife obey. He was obdurate until he found out that his parole hinged upon his apparent change of heart. Then he asked the board for terms. As Mrs. Hall soon will have to go to a s hospital the board provided that Hall pay over to L. H. Halbert, secretary to the board, $7.50 every Saturday night. That will be given to Mrs. Hall.
"Besides paying the $7.50 weekly," said Mr. Volker, "you absolutely must keep away from your wife. You also must report to the secretary once each week."
Hall, still defiant on the question of "obey," agreed meekly to the terms of parole. His employer, Mr. Coulton, said that a separate check would be made out to Secretary Halbert each week and Hall would be sent to deliver it. Hall will be released today.
"Before we parole anyone," explained President Volker to Hall, "we generally find out if he has any regrets for his actions; if he is sorry for doing the thing that caused his arrest. Are you?"
"I think I did as any husband should," said Hall calmly. "She refused to obey and I tried to make her. That's all."
"I see you have no regrets," said Mr. Volker, much in earnest. "I want you to know that I do not think there is provocation great enough for any man to strike a woman."
DEMANDED APOLOGY.
"But I did not strike her," insisted Hall. "I just tried to make her apologize and obey as any good wife should. What are you going to do when a woman absolutely refuses to obey?"
"If she refused to shut the stove door and I wanted it shut," said the board president, who is a single man, "I think I would quietly shut it. But if she wanted it left open I would leave it open. A woman knows more about a kitchen in a minute than a man does in a year. That is her domain; she reigns there as an absolute monarchy and a man has got no business going into the kitchen and telling the wife what to do. It's bound to cause trouble. Let her run the whole house. That's her place. You may run the rest of the earth if you choose, but think how puny, how little, how mean it is to force your wife to her knees by twisting her wrist simply because she would not 'obey her lord and master' and shut the stove door in a place where she, and she alone, has full command. I am not a believer in slang but I am forced to say that what you did might well be called 'butting in.' "Labels: domestic violence, marriage, Mt. Washington, parole board, Union avenue, workhouse December 8, 1910 SKYSCRAPER FOR "PETTICOAT LANE."
Northeast Corner of Main and Eleventh Leased for 198 Years.
By the leasing of the northeast corner of Main and Eleventh streets for 198 years, plans were made yesterday of a skyscraper, twelve stories of concrete and steel, to be built on the expiration of the old lease, February 1, 1911. The consideration was $18,000 a year, a total of $5,544,000 for the entire lease.
Hoyt-Ballentine-Kelley Investment Company acted as agent. John O. Patterson of is the lessee from the May-Stern Realty Company.
The rental of the ground, although of considerable size, is in reality less, per annum, than the rentals accruing from the out-of-date improvements now on the land. The property was purchased five years ago by the May-Stern Realty Company for $325,000, and just recently the firm refused an offer of $500,000 for it. The lot faces Main street with a frontage of forty-eight feet and runs back on Eleventh street for 115 feet.
"The new building will be equal in construction to any in the city," said Mr. Patterson. "The first four or five stories will be used for retail purposes and the upper eight stories will be entirely for commercial and office use. The building will be arranged that every office room in it will be exposed to light, and air." Mr. Patterson's offices are at present diagonally across the street from this corner.Labels: Eleventh street, Main street, Petticoat Lane, real estate January 8, 1910 FREE DANCE HALL FOR POOR GIRLS.
PUBLIC INSTITUTION, PROPERTY CONDUCTED, FAVORED BY PROBATION OFFICER.
Working Girls Would Be At- tracted From Vicious and Immoral Resorts.
A free public dance hall for the poor girls of Kansas City, to be built and maintained by the city or by some charitable institution, thinks Dr. I. E. Mathias, chief probation officer of the juvenile court, would be an agency of reform that would do an inestimable amount of good.
"Perhaps I am not orthodox, and maybe this scheme looks somewhat sensational, yet I think that it would do an immense amount of good," said Dr. Mathias yesterday. "Girls will dance, and so will boys. How much better it would be that they should have their good times in a free public hall, where they would be protected from rowdies and immoral young men, than in the public dance halls where there are temptations and immoral surroundings, that work to their downfall."
The probation officer was discussing conditions in Cincinnati, where he and Judge E. E. Porterfield of the juvenile court went last month to attend a national meeting of juvenile court officers.
"This meeting was held in a church that maintained a free dance hall," Dr. Mathias continued. "Everybody is allowed to attend the weekly dances at the church, as long as they conduct themselves properly. There are no toughs and thugs, and the dance is as orderly as any social affair conducted by society people.
"In the ordinary public dance halls of Cincinnati liquor is sold, and the dances usually end in fights or drunken brawls. It was to give the poor girls and young men a chance to attend respectable dances that this church put in a dance hall.
"Many churches have built expensive gymnasiums for the boys. Charitable institutions here as well as in other cities have made ample provisions for the reform of bad boys. But these good people forget about the girls. Perhaps there is a sewing room set aside for them, or a kitchen where they are taught to cook. These things are all right. But how about their good times? The boys have their gymnasiums, their summer camps and their night schools.
"Did it ever occur to you that a girl enjoys a good time the same as a boy? She does not care for gymnasiums, summer camps or the like. The young woman's chief amusement is dancing, but the young men can do things and go places where girls cannot.
"What is left for the poor working girl? She can go to these public places where there is every influence to drag her down, but if she has any pride or self-respect she will prefer to remain at home and do nothing. Of course we do not have the evil surroundings in the public dance halls of Kansas City that the young woman finds in those of the large eastern cities, but here they are not what they should be.
"The city probably could not build a dance hall. The erection of such a building and its maintenance would be more in the province of the charitable institutions or churches. I think one or more of them in Kansas City would do much to better the conditions of the poor working girl, even more than some of the other philanthropic ideas that have been advanced in the uplift of the poor young men and women of this city."Labels: charity, dancing, Dr Mathias, Judge Porterfield January 8, 1910 MUCH LIME IN THE WATER.
Cold Weather Is Responsible for Its Unusual Hardness.
"Just natural conditions of the river," is the explanation given by the city chemist department for the hardness of the water from the Missouri. "It is lime that makes the water hard, the natural lime rock in the stream. Every time the weather gets cold the water becomes affected. The lime congeals with the water in greater proportions, and it is not as easily dissolved as in warmer weather. So long as the cold spell lasts so long with the water be hard."
Complaints of chapped hands and faces are general. People are blaming it to the hardness of the water.
"Every time I wash in Missouri river water my hands and face feel like nutmeg graters," complained a woman yesterday.
"Did it ever occur to that woman that probably she did not thoroughly dry her face and hands after washing, and that the chap is due to exposure to the cold and winds?" is the retort from the city chemist. "She should apply a lotion of glycerin and rose water after washing. It is a sure preventive for chapped hands and face."Labels: City Chemist Cross, Missouri river, Utilities, weather January 8, 1910 SMALL CHANCE FOR BABY.
Privation Getting Better of Infant Found in Union Depot.
Privation is getting the better of the week-old baby found shut in a shirt waist box in the Union depot three days ago. It was lying among some litter beneath a seat in the men's waiting room for many hours, the maids believing it was a package someone had thrown away. The physicians at the general hospital where the infant was taken declare it must have been so enclosed at least ten hours and that it has small chance of recovery.Labels: children, general hospital, Union depot January 7, 1910 BITTEN BY DOG, IS DYING WITH RABIES.
STRAY PUP FASTENED TEETH IN LIP OF CHARLES W. YOUNG.
Police Ordered to Kill All Stray Dogs in Kansas City, Kas. 
CHARLES W. YOUNG.
Two deaths within a few weeks, as a result of injuries inflicted by dogs suffering form rabies, has aroused public apprehension in Kansas City, Kas., to such an extent that extra precautions are being taken by the police department to protect the citizens against danger from this source. Orders have been issued by Chief of Police W. W. Cook to kill all stray dogs found in the city and a special officer has been detailed on this work. The general public has been notified to communicate with the police department with reference to any dog running at large.
Charles W. Young, a carpenter living at 436 Everett avenue, was bitten three weeks ago yesterday by a small fox terrier and is now in a critical condition at the Grandview sanitarium, where the attending physician said last night he could not live through the day. Violent convulsions, incident to the last stages of hydrophobia, have convinced the physicians that his condition is the result of the injury inflicted by the fox terrier.
A desire to relieve the suffering of a poorly fed tramp dog prompted him to reach down and pick up a little fox terrier, which promptly repaid this act of kindness by snapping his teeth through the lower lip of his would be benefactor.
The injury was dressed by a physician and Mr. Young continued with his daily work at the Union Pacific railroad shop. On Tuesday of this week he was obliged to quit work because of what he believed to be a severe cold in his throat. Yesterday morning Dr. Albert Huber was summoned and pronounced it a case of hydrophobia. The man rapidly grew worse and last night was removed to the sanitarium.
A small child was bitten several weeks ago by a mad dog in the northern part of Kansas City, Kas., and later died with what the physicians said was hydrophobia.Labels: animals, Grandview, illness, Kansas City Kas, rabies January 7, 1910 CURED OF ILLS OVER THE PHONE?
ABSENT TREATMENT PUT MRS. MOSTOW UNDER SPELL, WITNESSES SAY.
Spiritualist Seeks to Prevent Heirs From Depriving Him of Bequests.
That by giving her absent treatment over the telephone for rheumatism and in other ways, John H. Lee, said to be a spiritualist, won the confidence of wealthy Mrs. Victoria Mostow, 71 years old, and thus influenced her to bequeath him property worth $35,000, was the substance of testimony given yesterday in Judge J. G. Park's division of the circuit court.
The occasion was the trial of a suit by which Lee seeks to have set aside deeds transferring to James P. Richardson, principal of the Prosso school, and nephew of Mrs. Mostow, the property left to Lee by will. The heirs have a suit pending to set aside the will.
The story told by witnesses in substance follows:
Mrs. Mostow was the wife of the late Randolph Mostow, and a sister of the late Dr. De Estaing Dickerson. From the latter she inherited a large amount of property. Mr. Mostow died in the summer of 1908. During his last illness, he summoned Lee and was given treatment. In this way Mrs. Mostow became acquainted with the spiritualist.
TREATED BY PHONE.
After her husband's death, Mrs. Mostow became a believer in spiritualism. Through the medium of spirits and mesmeric powers Lee claimed that he could cure every known ill. Mrs. Mostow put in a telephone at her home, at Thirty-fourth and Wyandotte streets, and when she became troubled with rheumatism, Lee would give her absent treatment over the phone. At this time he lived near 4800 East Eighth street, several miles across the city from his patient.
In January, 1908, Mrs. Mostow made deeds to property at 817 Main street, and her home on Wyandotte, to her only surviving heir in Kansas City, James P. Richardson, owner of the Prosso Preparatory school. This was done to escape the payment of the collateral inheritance tax, and to prevent the heirs in Chicago from securing any of her property. The deeds were not to be recorded until after her death.
LIVED WITH HER.
In the summer of 1908, it is charged, Lee secured so great an influence over Mrs. Mostow that he secured permission to move himself and family into her home. Here they have lived since. The taxes are said to have been paid by the Mostow estate, and during her lifetime all the household expenses were met by Mrs. Mostow.
After Lee had been living in the Mostow home a few months, it is charged, it was seen that he gained an influence over the aged woman, and she began deeding small pieces of property to him.
Mr. Richardson, seeing the trend of affairs and fearing that he might lose the property that was to be his at the death of his aunt, immediately recorded the two deeds. When Mrs. Mostow died, it was found that she had bequeathed the same two pieces of property to Lee.
Suit was brought in the circuit court by Lee to set aside the deeds, charging undue influence. A similar suit was also brought by Richardson and the Chicago heirs to set aside the will.
The evidence was all submitted yesterday in Judge Park's court. The final arguments will be heard some time next week.Labels: Chicago, con artist, Eighth street, illness, probate, real estate, schools, telephone, Thirty-fourth street, women, Wyandotte street December 7, 1910 LEE'S SUMMIT GRATEFUL.
Sends Check for Kansas City Firemen's Pension Fund.
John Egner, chief of the fire department, received a letter yesterday from Mayor J. C. Ritterhouse of Lee's Summit, Mo., inclosing a check for $107.50, a donation from the citizens of Lee's Summit, to be applied to the pension fund of the department.
In the letter Mayor Ritterhouse stated that he was sending the check to show the appreciation of every citizen in Lee's Summit for the work of Kansas City firemen on the night of December 18 last, when they overcame a fire that without their assistance would have destroyed the business part of Lee's Summit.Labels: Fire, Lee's Summit January 7, 1910 SHOUTS MURDER IN YIDDISH.
Smitzle's Drop Into Salt Barrel Calls Out Police.
Charles Smitzle, who sells kosher meat to his co-religionists under the careful supervision of the rabbi in a store at 1603 East Eighteenth street, is undersized, so he stood on a salt barrel last night when he went to light the gas lamp. If he was just short there would never have been a feature to this simple act in a thousand years. However, he is also fat and just as he stood on tiptoe to apply the match to the jet the barrel collapsed.
It happened that Smitzle was alone in his store at the time of the accident, but two of his patrons were in the act of coming in and heard the crash coupled with an exclamation in Yiddish.
"Something has gone wrong with Smitzel," said one of them.
They pushed the door in and saw Smitzel arise out of the debris with a bloody nose. They took note of the wrecked condition of the store and thought they remembered that the word Smitzle had used was "murder." They then rushed out in search of a telephone.
Report that on top of several holdups and assaults that had occured earlier in the day a lone Hebrew was killed by highwaymen in his place of legitimate business produced a sensation in No. 6 police station. Sergeant Michael Halligan immediately dispatched a patrol wagon loaded with officers. When they arrived at the address on Eighteenth street Smitzel had succeeded in lighting the lamp. He had used the meat block and it had held. The blood on his nose and been washed away and the treacherous barrel converted to kindling.Labels: accident, butchers, Eighteenth street, Jews, No 6 police station, police December 7, 1910 SKATING ON ALL PARK LAKES.
Length of Season for This Sport Breaks All Records.
There has been consecutive skating on Penn Valley and Troost park lakes and the Parade since December 12 last, and if there is no unusual change in the weather the outlook for this winter entertainment continuing indefinitely seems promising.
"All skating records on the park lakes have been broken this winter," said W. H. Dunn, general superintendent of the system, yesterday. "Old timers tell me that this has been the severest winter Kansas City has had for years, and two feet of ice on the park lakes seems to bear them out. In the early part of the winter of 1908 there was no skating.
"The lakes were more adapted to boating, and the only skating last winter was from January 6 to 10 and from January 29 to February 5, twenty days, all told. There is a fine sheet of ice at the lagoon at Swope park, but thus far very few skaters have taken advantage of it. The downtown lakes are more accessible, and they are crowded afternoons and nights."Labels: Penn Valley park, skating, Troost avenue, weather January 6, 1910 JEU BING FLEES FROM TONG WAR.
CHINESE BOY, ESCAPING FROM FRISCO, SPENDS HOURS IN KANSAS CITY.
Hides in Union Depot to Evade Prying Enemies of His Family.
So that he, at least, might escape the tong war in San Francisco in which an uncle has met death and in which his relatives are all involved, Jeu Bing, a Chinese boy, was spirited from the California city at night and with $500 in gold in his pocket was placed aboard a train for Chicago. His ticket called for a change of trains at Kansas City, and he spent a couple of hours yesterday morning in the Union depot. The boy has letters to several Chinese merchants of Chicago and it will rest with them as to whether he continues East or remains there. A price, it is said, has been placed on Jeu's head by the tong faction said to be responsible for the death of his uncle.
Jeu is 16 years old. He was born in San Francisco's Chiatown and was left motherless when a little child. The boy attended the Presbyterian Sunday school there and acquired the English language rapidly. With his knowledge of the Chinese tongue and his familiarity with the denizens of his section of the city he was frequently called on by the authorities as an interpreter. It was while engaged in some of these cases that he gained the enmity of influential Chinamen who were his father's rivals in business.
MARKED FOR DEATH.
After the earthquake, Jeu was constantly in demand. The authorities wanted information on the mysteries of the Chinese section. They thought that they could get it from Jeu. If they did, it is a secret, for Jeu declares that he knew nothing of the underground passages and the hovels and haunts of the criminal Chinese. After the restoration of Chinatown much of the blame for the activity of the authorities was laid to the Bing family.
Then came the tong wars. How his family were interested in these, Jeu could or would not say. It was sufficient that there was bad feeling, he said, and to make matters worse his uncle was one of those who was stabbed in the back one night. His body was found the next day. There was much excitement in the Chinese quarter. There were other assaults and the other members of the Bing family remained indoors. Two weeks ago a friend notified them that Jeu was one of the Chinamen on whose head a price had been put by one of the tongs.
Friendly Chinamen were called in consultation. The authorities, who were told of the threat, suggested that Jeu secure the names of some of the Chinamen suspected and they would be arrested. He was unable to do this, and at a friendly council it was decided to send Jeu away from the city.
DONNED WOMAN'S DRESS.
This was the hardest part of the programme. It was known that the house was under surveillance, and it was with difficulty that Jeu was spirited out. He was dressed in a woman's walking suit with a heavy veil, and in this costume made his way to the railroad depot, where a detective purchased his ticket. He had a purse containing $500 in gold, the most of which he brought to Kansas City with him.
Arriving here early yesterday morning, Jeu presented a note to Station master Bell. The latter escorted him to Matron Everingham, who made the boy comfortable and kept him out of sight until the time for departure of his train to Chicago. The boy feared that if his presence in the depot became known some Chinamen, enemies of his family, might telegraph to San Francisco and that members of the tong who were sworn to kill him would follow.
Jeu was an entertaining conversationalist and also a good quizzer. He asked hundreds of questions of the "red caps" as to the size of the city, the number of Chinese in the town and also expressed wonder that there was no Chinese quarter and no Chinese servants. He took the names of several who had been kind to him and said that he would send them a little token of his regard when he returned to San Francisco, which he hoped would be soon.
Jeu said that he was a nephew of Lee Bing, the deceased Chinese philanthropist of St. Louis. Over a score of members of the Bing family, he said, came to America about a quarter of a century ago. Many of them are dead, while some live in El Paso, Chicago and New York. The rest all live in San Francisco.Labels: California, Chicago, depot matron, railroad, Union depot, visitors January 6, 1910 TRAINED "DAN" AND "JOE."
Mark Kesler, Former Kansas City Fireman, Passes Through City.
Mark Kelser, formerly of the Kansas City fire department, who trained "Dan" and Joe," the famous team of fire horses which won honors at London in the international exhibit in 1893, was in Kansas City yesterday afternoon, stopping off a few minutes on his way to Excelsior Springs.
Kesler is now with the Oklahoma City fire department, where he is engaged in training eight fire horses. He was here a short time ago, having been sent with three other firemen to make a study of the departments of large cities with a view of strengthening the Oklahoma City department.Labels: animals, England, Excelsior Springs, Fire, oklahoma, visitors January 6, 1910 'WORK, NOT CHARITY,' SLOGAN.
Men Out of jobs Will Hold Noon Meeting Today.
There will be a meeting of the unemployed today noon at 1112 Locust street, and the men out of jobs will endeavor to agree upon some plan that will better their condition. "Work, not charity," is to be the slogan of the assemblage, and several prominent citizens have been petitioned to assist in the cause.Labels: employment, Locust street, organizations December 6, 1910 TO GET ADAM OUT OF PENITENTIARY.
MRS. SHARP FAILS TO SEE GOV- ERNOR, BUT IS ADVISED WHAT TO DO.
Talks With Husband an Hour, Then Takes Train Back to Kansas City.
JEFFERSON CITY, Jan. 5. -- Mrs. Sharp, or "Eve," as she calls herself, came here from Kansas City today to see if she could accomplish anything toward getting her husband pardoned from the penitentiary. "Adam God," as her husband calls himself, is serving a twenty-five year sentence in the penitentiary, and has not served four months of it.
"Eve" did not have any recommendations whatever and was in ignorance as to how to proceed in the premises. She reached here thismorning and called at the governor's mansion to talk with Governor Hadley. There she was told that the governor would be found at his office, and thither she went.
While she did not get to see the governor, she saw Major Chambers, pardon attorney, who told her that she had best return to Kansas City, where her husband was convited, and see if she could get any recommendations favoring clemency for him.
GOES TO PENITENTIARY.
After leaving the state capitol, "Eve" proceeded to the penitentiary, where she talked with her husband for an hour and later in the day took a train to Kansas City.
About a year ago "Adam God" and "Eve" received a large share of attention at the hands of the newspapers. They appeared in Kansas City preaching on the streets some strange religion and caused such crowds to collect that the police sought to break up the outdoor meetings. "Adam God," "Eve" and their followers resisted with weapons. As a result two police officers, the male follower, a bystander and a child lost thier lives. "Adam God" and "Eve" were both indicted, but the prosecution against the latter was dropped.
"Adam God" is employed in one of the shoe shops and is known at the prison as an industrious and good convict.Labels: Adam God sect, Jefferson City, penitentiary January 5, 1909 GEORGE ADE AWAITS THE PROPER GIRL.
SAYS "HAVEN'T FOUND RIGHT ONE," WHEN ASKED WHY HE DOESN'T WED.
Sight of Jeffries Recalls the Days When He Was a Newspaper Man. 
GEORGE ADE, HUMORIST FROM INDIANA.
Now, girls, take notice. George Ade is looking for a wife.
George -- you all know George -- does not say so in as many plain, everyday words, but he intimates his inclination to move up that way, as the lady said when she jabbed the fat man with her hatpin in the aisle of a Vine street car.
But before you put in your application, don't get the idea that life with the humorist, as his wife, would be a never-ending scream of comedy. Professional humorists are a glum lot, and Ade is not more joyous than a bowl of glue. A professional humorist has to think it all you -- you'd never believe it, reading it over afterwards -- and the thinking process, to a humorist, comes hard. For George Ade, it has put a sprinkle of gray hairs all over his head, tracing what once was black with a presage of an early winter.
LOOKS REAL, SMILING.
Of course, you'll all want to know how he looks. Mr. Ade is a man of undoubted length of legs. He has a considerable breadth of shoulder when his overcoat is on, not much to go wild over when it is off. He has a countenance turned to the cynical cast when he doesn't smile, looking lie a chap that would, or might, at least pinch your arm if you didn't move over. His visage is thin and his nose is long, coming to a little hook at thee ends, like a pod of a kidney bean. When he smiles he looks read.
Mr. Ade was in Kansas City yesterday. He didn't come right out and say that he was in the matrimonial market. He, being a humorist, wouldn't be taken seriously if he did. In answer to the question, "Mr. Ade, why don't you marry?" he said: "Because I haven't found the right one."
So now, as the man with a house to build says, he is open to proposals.
Mr. Ade looks young, younger than he would have looked by this time if he had kept on doing prize fights for the Chicago paper with which he was connected ten years ago, when fame came along one day and put the shining mark upon him. The sight of the Hon. James J. Jeffries in the grill room of the Hotel Baltimore yesterday afternoon brought it all back to him.
JEALOUSY NOTICED.
"There's a crowd of gaping men around Jeffries down there," said he, "unable to breathe for admiration and awe." It may be excused the humorist if there was a tinge of professional jealousy in the tone. "It makes me think of the time, away back in '92, when I was writing newspaper stories about such fellows. I wasn't the sporting editor. Oh, no, I was just a reporter."
Mr. Ade is resting from the humorist business just now. He isn't even writing a play. Just taking things easy, and kind of hanging around, waiting for the right girl. No photographs exchanged.
When Mr. Ade talks, he talks English. It's only when he writes that he is picturesque. Yesterday afternoon he went to the Orpheum theater and sat through the programme, not even smiling when a big man in a little play took what he meant to be a humorous shot at him. Mr. Ade looks real good when he his dressed up. Tramping through the snow yesterday he wore a long ulster, buttoned to the chin, the high collar almost covering his ears. He carries a bit of a stick with a silver knob, with all the abandon and familiarity of an actor.
MODERN TRAGEDY.
Mr. Ade says the great American tragedy will be written about modern conditions. "There's lots of good stuff being written now," said he, "and lots of good stuff being staged. Some of this season's new pieces are exceptionally good."
Mr. Ade registers from Brook, Ind. "I live there in the summer and fall," he said, "and in winter I lock up the place and live in a trunk."Labels: Hotel Baltimore, theater, visitors December 5, 1909 PNEUMONIA EPIDEMIC HERE.
Other Infectious Diseases Are Prevalent Throughout City.
Pneumonia is quite prevalent throughout the city, and physicians say it has reached serious proportions. The severe and variable weather is a promoter of the malady. During December there were forty-two deaths from pneumonia. This is twelve more than for December of 1908.
Smallpox is another cold weather affliction, but thus far the city has been quite free from its ravages. Yesterday the second smallpox case since June 7, 1908, reached the attention of the health authorities. The victim was a white man and he was taken to the hospital for the treatment of infectious diseases from a house on Harrison street, between Seventh and Eighth.
Measles is another malady that is demanding the attention of the health authorities. It had its inception in the northeast part of the city, and has been steadily spreading.Labels: Harrison street, health, illness, smallpox January 5, 1910 JOHN F. LUMPKIN HONORED.
Governor Hadley Makes Him a Col- onel On His Staff Which Now Numbers Thirty-Seven.
JEFFERSON CITY, MO., Jan 4. -- Among the Christmas presents bestowed by Governor H. S. Hadley upon his friends is the appointment of John F. Lumpkin of Kansas City as a member of his personal staff, with the rank of colonel.
Mr. Lumpkin is one of the best known business men in Kansas City, and this new honor will be gratifying news to a very wide circle of friends. Mr. Lumpkin has been popularly called "Colonel" Lumpkin for years, and now his title is officially established. He has been on a visit to his family home at Baltimore, and the good news was conveyed to him by the governor by wire.
Colonel Lumpkin is the ninth member of the governor's personal staff living in Kansas City, which is Governor Hadley's home, and the thirty-seventh of the total number throughout the state. The governor also has on his staff ten naval commanders.Labels: Governor Hadley, Jefferson City December 5, 1910 BLAMES HOUSEKEEPERS.
Mrs. Lucy E. Bowman Says Hus- band Talked of Them.
Nine housekeepers employed by her husband at various times before their marriage are alleged to be in part responsible for a suit for divorce which Mrs. Lucy E. Bowman filed yesterday against Frank Bowman. Mrs. Bowman alleges among other things that Bowoman kept continually referring to his ex-housekeepers in a manner not conducive to family peace. The Bowmans were married August 4, last.Labels: Divorce January 4, 1910 SWOPE CISTERN IS BLAMED.
Brother-in-Law of Recent Victim Makes Seventh Case in Family.
The typhoid fever epidemic has struck the seventh member of the Swope family, Dr. B. Clark Hyde, 3516 Forest avenue, a brother-in-law of the late William C. Swope, being the latest. Dr. Hyde has been ill for a week, but his physician, Dr. J. W. Perkins, says his condition is not serious. The fever is thought to have been caused by drinking water from a cistern at the Swope family home in Independence.Labels: doctors, Forest avenue, health, illness, Independence, Swope Mystery, typhoid January 4, 1910 RABBI BECOMES A CITIZEN.
Final Papers for Father of "Sammie the Office Boy."
Fifteen aliens whose names had been posted for ninety days after the final application for citizenship papers had been made, were given their naturalization papers by Judge John F. Philips of the United States court yesterday. There were no Italians in the lot, the fifteen being distributed as follows: Six from Sweden, four from Russia, two from Roumania, and one each from Scotland, Germany and Hungary.
Among those who became citizens of the United States was Rabbi Max Lieberman, for years in charge of the Kenneseth Israel temple, synagogue of the Orthodox Jews, near Fifteenth and Oak streets. Rabbi Lieberman came to this country in 1891. He is the father of Samuel Lieberman, better known as "Sammy, the office boy," who died early in November last, after a brief illness. Sammy was an employe of The Journal, and it was here where he gained the name of "Sammy, the office boy," stories of his travels being published just as he had written them.Labels: federal court, immigrants, Jews, Judge Philips, Rabbi Lieberman, The Journal January 4, 1910 TETRAZZINI HERE FEB. 1.
Great Coloratura Will Sing in Con- cert in Convention Hall. 
MME. LUISA TETRAZZINI.
(Copyright, 1909, E. F. Foley, N. Y.)
Arrangements were completed yesterday by Manager Louis W. Shouse for the appearance at Convention hall on February 1 of Mme. Luisa Tetrazzini. It will be her only appearance outside of St. Louis and Chicago in this part of the West.
Mme Luisa Tetrazzini is today the recognised queen of colorature sopranos, both on the concert and operatic stages. She is the leading exponent of that now almost lost art -- the Art of Bel Canto. She is in the prime of her life and at the zenith of her career. Indeed, as a bravura singer, Mme Tetrazzini may be said to have no living rival. The characterizations applied to her by the London critics when she took the British capital by storm in the autumn of 1906 -- "The New Patti" and the "Florentine Nightingale" -- have been fully justified by the opinions of all the leading American critics who have heard her since Mr. Oscar Hammerstein brought her to this country as a member of his Manhattan opera company.Labels: Convention Hall, music January 4, 1910 BURGLARS LEAVE A NOTE.
Thank Proprietor of Store For Not Disturbing Them.
The burglars who visited the grocery store of W. B. Mumford at 2901 Main street, Sunday night, left a note addressed to the proprietor, pinned to his rifled cash drawer. It was written on a piece of wrapping paper and read:
"Dear sir, thank you very much for not disturbing us as we robbed your store, yours truly, M. E."
"M. E." and his friend got away with $3 in small change and about $16 worth of cigars.Labels: cigars, crime, grocers, Main street January 4, 1910 GOV. SPRY AT INDEPENDENCE.
Utah Party Returning From Christ- ening of Battleship.
William H. Spry, governor of Utah, and his party, who have been to the christening of the battleship Utah, stopped yesterday at Independence and were guests at the luncheon of S. O. Benion of the Central States' mission of the Mormon church. In the party were Mrs. Spry and daughter, who had the honor of christening the Utah; Mr. and Mrs John C. Sharp, Judge and Mrs. Stewart, Mr. O. Gardner, president of the state senate of Utah, and Mrs. Bonnemort, who is known through the West as the "Sheep Queen."
Governor Spry was at one time president of the Southern States' mission of the Mormon church, the post now being held by S. O. Benion. During the afternoon the party made a call on Joseph Smith of the Reorganized church and were well pleased with their visit with the venerable prophet. The party left for Kansas City to take a fast train to the West.Labels: boats, Independence, ministers, visitors January 4, 1910 CHARGED WITH USURY.
Warrant Issued for Pawnbroker on Complaint From Prosecutor's Office.
For the use of $16.50 for eleven months, $15 interest, or 10 per cent a month, is alleged to have been charged by O. H. Stevens, a pawnbroker at 125 East Twelfth street, of H. S. Elder. A warrant was issued yesterday for the pawnbroker's arrest on a complaint charging him with violating the state usury law.
The complainant says that November 20, 1908, he pawned a gold watch chain and locket for $16.50. When he went to redeem the jewelry last month, he said, 10 per cent per month interest was demanded.
"This office has not started a crusade, so to speak, against usurious pawnbrokers," said Ruby Garrett, the assistant prosecutor who has these cases in charge, "but anyone who has been held up for exorbitant rates of interest we would consider it a favor if they would report the same."Labels: jewelry, pawn brokers, Twelfth street January 3, 1910 POLICE WATCH POOL HALLS.
Breed "Boy Bandits." Chief's Orders Say -- Proprietor Arrested.
As the result of the general orders issued to the police force at roll call last night by Chief Snow, a close supervision is being kept on all pool halls in Kansas City. Officer Patrick Dalton last night visited a pool hall at Fifteenth street and Indiana avenue conducted by Henry Schillerbein, and, charging that he found several boys under the age of 18 playing pool, arrested Schillerbein, who was taken to the Flora avenue police station and afterward released on bond.Labels: billiards, Fifteenth street, Flora avenue, Indiana avenue, Police Chief Snow January 3, 1910 DID NUDE VISITOR BECOME SENATOR?
KANSAS CITY DETECTIVE TELLS OF EDITOR-POLITICIAN'S HUNT FOR CRIME.
Covered With Mud, He Broke Into Station, but Later Showed Big Roll. 
HALVEY SMOKES UP.
Murder was in the air in the detective bureau rooms of Central police station -- murder, along with other things, particularly tobacco smoke. This is said to be the atmosphere of a police secret service department the world over.
It is stronger when there is a story telling contest on and the sweating of a murder suspect in an adjoining room. Detective Joe Halvey had elected to while away the time until the end of the secret conference. His audience consisted of newspaper men, Inspector of Detectives Edward Boyle and Detectives Robert Truman and Dave Oldham.
"It was a late spring night three years ago," said Detective Halvey. "One of those chilly early mornings when reporters love to sit about the 'phone in the lobby and call up instead of going out after their stories," he added, with a ponderous wink.
A SCRIPTURAL WIND.
"It was a very cold night and a wind like the one spoken of in the scriptures was blowing down Missouri avenue."
"What kind of a thing was that scriptural wind?" inquired the reporter.
"I don't see why you intellectual cubs never seem to have had a religious bringing up," scornfully broke in Inspector Boyle, who prides himself in having maintained a Bible in his home since his marriage twenty years ago. "I think it is in Psalms where a March wind is spoken of that blows the straw hat wherever it listeth while many a good man and strong sweareth thereat."
The silence which followed the inspector's quotation was profound. The narrator took advantage of the lull.
"Well, it was getting along toward the second owl car. Michael O'Brien had just brought in a 'drunk' and booked him under the charge of investigation and Pat O'Brien and I were toasting our shins by a warm fire in this same office. I remember every detail, you see, just as though it was yesterday.
YELL AND A SOB.
"Suddenly there came from somewhere on Fifth street near the Helping Hand institute, a blood curdling yell ending in a sort of a sob, as though some man was being choked.
"There were twelve good men in different parts of the station, wherever there was a heating stove, and all jumped at once. There had been a good many holdups during the winter months and of course the first thing we thought was that some villain had made a touch under the eaves of the station. We were not going to stand for that, no sir-e-e-e.
"I was about the first of the officers to reach the big folding doors in the north end of the station. My six shooter was in my hand and there was blood in my eye, I can tell you. If there was something going on I wasn't bound to let the blue uniformed mutts with the brass buttons do the pinch act to the discredit of the detective department.
"Just as I had reached the last step the doors flew open in my face. There was just enough time for action and no time for thought. A lean white streak had started to unwind itself up the stairway when I dropped on it like a thousand bricks.
NAKED, SHIVERING MAN.
" 'Look out below!' I yelled, grabbing it by the neck and bearing it to the linoleum. Then I made a careful analysis. what I was holding was a naked man shivering with the cold and dirtier than any tramp from having been dragged in the mud. 'Great thunder,' said I, 'this must be Adam returned to look after his Eden interests. Who are you, anyway?'
 THOUGHT IT WAS ADAM.
"It didn't take much tugging and hauling after I got up off of him to get him in front of the desk sergeant and it took still less time for the entire force to see that he was in the last stages of destitution. He didn't have a finger ring left and his clothing was mud.
" 'What's your name?' the sergeant asked.
" 'You can put me down John Smith,' said 'Adam' with a groan. 'I ain't got any other name, for political reasons. Gentlemen, what I want is clothes, clothes, clothes.'
CLOTHES OBTAINED.
"The nude wonder somehow looked respectable and we could see that he was right about what he wanted. Half a dozen of us took him into the sink room and gave him a bath, while the rest of the shortstops went in search of clothes. He was not a very tall man and very slim, while the officers we had to draw from were all big, so when we got done with dressing him he looked like a Populist of the short grass country the year of the drought.
"I can't help but laugh when I think of him sitting there in the detectives' room with the waist band of the sergeant's extra trousers drawn up under his arm and his feet in shoes the size of four-dollar dictionaries.
 LOOKED BETTER CLOTHED.
"But for all his togs he couldn't help but look respectable. Every time he opened his mouth he emitted an idea by the double handful, which was strange considering his appearance when we first saw him. He was no ordinary man, that was a cinch. He was a genius.
ASKS FOR REPORTERS.
"About the time we were settling back into the humdrum of waiting until morning the unknown quantity took a hitch on himself and asked: 'Where are the reporters? Seems like there ought to be one or more around. It isn't time for the second mail edition yet.'
"We told him there was a little reporter named Billings in the room allowed for the use of newspaper men and that he was probably at that moment writing a story of how a naked, insane man had broken into the police station with the intent to murder the captain.
" 'I'll risk it,' he said with a laugh, 'send him to me.'
"We sent for Billings and it was evident that the two would be kindred spirits. The very first thing the stranger said to the reporter was what he refused to tell the sergeant, and that was how he had come to be naked. We had set him down to be a sort of a crank with spells of lucidness who had undressed and run into the station on a bet, but now we knew better.
HELD UP AND ROBBED.
" 'I was held up and robbed because I got into bad company trying to have a good time when I ought to have been decent,' he told Billings. 'I am sure none of this I tell you will get into the papers because I am a fellow newspaper man.
" 'Now what I want is clothes. I haven't got a cent but plenty of credit. I can get $10,000 anywhere when the banks open. I want you to strike some second-hand clothing store where the proprietor sleeps in the rear and get me a complete suit. I'll pay you when pay day comes.'
"Billings did not answer at once, and we could see he was studying hard. He had the money, for it was Saturday, the day he got paid, but he appeared not to like the idea of lending so much on such a short acquaintance. Finally an idea seemed to come to him. He looked sharply at the stranger and asked rather quick: 'What's thirty?' Now 'thirty' is a newspaper term that few people understand, but this one answered in a second, grinning from ear to ear: 'It means to chuck work and go home,' he answered.
REPORTER BUYS SUIT.
"Well, sir, the reporter did just as he said and got a whole outfit for $14.50 and the stranger left at daybreak telling us all to stick around until he could get another and better rig and return.
"In three or four hours he was back. He had on a brand new suit of the best ready-made clothes in town, patent leather shoes and a plug hat. Also he had a roll of $100 bills so large that they wouldn't go into his inside coat pocket without a special effort. He was showing us that he had the credit he had boasted about.
"This time when we saw him he was feeling better toward the world and would talk more about himself, but he wouldn't tell his name, although I have since suspected the reporter knew it. He told us, though, that he was a prominent Missouri editor with aspirations to the United States senate.
"He had been in politics for years with his paper and never wanted anything so bad as that Senate plum. His platform from the start, he said, had been the cleaning up of the state morally.
WANTED TO FIND TRUTH.
" 'I have preached against immorality so much," he explained, 'that I just had to get out and find the truth about the other side. If my political enemies get hold of last night's caper it will be my undoing.'
"After he had gone the reporter looked at me and said: 'Well, we have promised never to mention this and it is safe, I guess. But my! what a story it would be for some newspapers I know.'
"The reporter is out of town now. By the way, Billings wasn't his name, either. I wonder which United States senatorial candidate that was?"Labels: Central station, detectives, Fifth street, Inspector Boyle, Missouri avenue, newspapers, police, police headquarters, politics January 3, 1910 INDEPENDENCE WAS ONCE THE GATE CITY.
Pioneer Recalls the Days Before the Railroad Reached River.
Enchanting is the romance of the Golden West, the story of mountain and plain. Forming the most striking drama in American history, the record, alas, is but fragmentary -- the half has not been told. For, imperfectly have the annals been kept of the vast domain west of the Mississippi river from the time of early settlement to the present. Evidences of marvelous transformation are at hand, fruits of pioneer privations are enjoyed, but the annal of achievement in details has been neglected by historians. Reminiscences of early settlers can now alone supply the deficiency.
To a great extent has the history of Independence, Mo., to do with that of the West. This city was the scene of the initial step in the march of progress. Preparatory to crossing the desert, westward bound caravans procured supplies there. Frontiersmen, explorers and prospectors, returning home, brought to Independence the first news of discovery, for this city was then the greatest trading post in the West.
OUTFITTING POINT.
Prominent among the pioneers was Henry A. Schnepp, who is now a resident of Galesburg, Ill., but is now visiting his brother, David Schnepp, at the latter's home, 413 Whittier place. Mr. Schnepp was conspicuously identified with the early growth of Independence and lived there for fifteen years, leaving during the year 1890.
"In the early fifties Independence was the outfitting point for all the country west of the Missouri river and was the headquarters for frontiersmen," said Mr. Schnepp yesterday afternoon. "The paramount issue was to retain this lucrative trade and active measures were adopted with that end in view. This gave impetus to the construction of the first railroad in the West, which ran from the river to this city. A depot was built at Wayne City and a terminal established at the postoffice. The cars, which ran over wooden rails, were drawn by horses.
"Before the construction of the Hannibal & St. Joe Railway in1856 all transportation was by river. Apropos the recent agitating with regard to navigating the Missouri, it seems to me that as the river was navigable then, it should be now."
GOLD FOUND BY MISSOURIAN.
Mr. Schnepp staged through Iowa when that state was but sparsely settled. When he traveled along the Hawkeye frontier in 1854 the capital of that state was located at Iowa City and the territory west of Des Moines, the present capital, was inhabited almost exclusively by Indians.
"I could never forget the first overland mail route to Salt Lake City. The mail was carried by stage coach and the trip required many days under favorable weather conditions. The route extended from Independence to Westport, thence to Fort Riley, in Kansas; Fort Bridges, in Wyoming, and on to Salt Lake. The charge for carrying each letter was 25 cents, collectable on delivery. Prior to the establishment of the pony express in 1853-4, mail from the West was carried by a boat around Cape Horn."
Mr. Schnepp says that the gold fields of California were discovered by Joseph D. Childs, an uncle of C. C. Childs, an Independence banker. A contractor by profession, Joseph Childs was erecting a mill near Sacramento when workmen excavating a race found gold. This discovery started the rush to California, and Mr. Schnepp was one of the first to go for a fortune. He did not acquire fabulous wealth, but returned home with enough gold that he has not since been called a poor man.Labels: California, Fort Riley, history, Independence, Missouri river, pioneers, railroad January 3, 1910 DAMAGE TO CHESTER SLIGHT.
Steamer Was Forced on River Bank by Ice.
Officers of the Kansas City Transportation and Steamship Company received word yesterday that the steamer Chester had only been slightly damaged Friday night in the ice floe. It was reported that the boat had been crushed and thrown on the river bank. The boat has been pulled off the bank and floated. Outside a few broken lines the steamer appears uninjured.Labels: boats, Steamboat Chester January 2, 1910 DEPOT MATRON'S GUESTS.
Mrs. Everingham Cared for 9,120 People During the Year 1909.
About twenty-five persons a day have been cared for through the office of the matron at the Union depot, according to the report tabulated yesterday by Matron Ollie Everingham, and which will be submitted today to the depot officials. A total of 9,120 persons made use of this department last year. this was done with an expenditure by her of $110.80. Of this amount she personally donated $7.54. The total cost as given is exclusive of her salary. A fund box which she tacked up for donations last July received $11.10, and the balance was contributed by travelers. Her report shows a balance on hand of $1.13.
There were but two deaths in the depot during the last year. One was in April and the other in July. This despite the fact that a total of 1,046 sick persons received the personal care of the matron. But four women required the attention of the matron because of drunkenness. The matron's report does not show any runaway girls, while eight boys are given credit for having tried to run away by way of the Union depot. Fifteen young girls were sent to their homes, but there is no record of any boys being sent that way.
The matron's report classifying the people cared for through her department included:
Blind cared for, 76; babies left, 1; children cared for, 1,010; directed to address, 1,209; directed to hotels, 670; families cared for, 67; funeral parties, 9; insane cared for, 64; lost articles restored, 52; mutes cared for, 63; old ladies cared for, 1,096; old men cared for, 241; poor helped and fed, 191.Labels: charity, depot matron, Union depot January 2, 1910 TRAINS CHANGE TIME.
First 1910 Union Depot Time Card Is Issued.
The first 1910 Union depot time card was issued yesterday afternoon and took effect at 12:01 this morning. Three of the roads, the Burlington, Rock Island and Frisco, have made changes, effective at once.
Burlington No. 6 to Chillicothe and Brookfield, leaves at 5 p. m., instead of 6:03 p. m.
Rock Island No. 2, Chicago fast mail, changes to 3 a. m., instead of 8:15 a. m. No 37, the new El Paso and California special, leaves at 10:10 p. m., instead of 10 p. m. No. 25 arrives from Chicago at 7:43 p. m. No 28, the new east bound train, arrives at 6 p. m.
Frisco No. 107 to Springfield and Joplin leaves at 7 a. m., instead of 8:20 a. m. No. 109, "The Meteor," leaves at 7 p. m. instead of 7:30 p. m. No. 101 leaves at 11 a. m., instead of 12:15 p. m. No 110 arrives at 8:05 a. m., changing from 7:55 a. m. No 1316, from Springfield via Clinton, arrives at 4:35 p. m., instead of 4:30.Labels: Frisco, railroad, Union depot January 2, 1910
BUILDING LARGER, LIGHTER BIPLANE.
KANSAS CITY INVENTOR'S MA- CHINE TO CORRECT DEMON- STRATED FAULTS OF OTHERS.
J. A. McCallum Expects to Be Ready for Trial Flight Within Two Months. 
THE M'CALLUM STYLE OF AIRSHIP.
A flying machine that has a greater spread of wings, coupled with less weight than any other now in use has been constructed by J. A. McCallum, president of the Midland Electric Company, Gibraltar building. The machine has a thirty-two foot span, a five foot four-inch cord, or breadth, and tips the beam at precisely 550 pounds.
The big skeleton, for it has not yet been covered with the cloth, occupied the better part of a hall on the third floor. In appearance it is very much like the Curtiss plane now on exhibition at Overland park.
For as long as he can remember Mr. McCallum has been interested in the navigation of the air. When he was a little boy, which was not so many years ago -- he is now 31 -- he made many models of flying machines, some of them of the Darius Green kind, and calculated to break the neck of the adventurous aviator who tried them out.
CORRECTS WEAK POINTS.
The idea on which the present machine is built came to him after careful study of the Wright and Curtiss planes, six months ago. It seemed from the drafts of the successful flyers that there were many weak points in their construction, and McCallum set about improving them.
In the first place, he believed that the life of the army officer who was killed while testing a Wright would have been saved had the heavy motor been in front of the operator instead of just behind him. He reasoned that all the accidents so far had been with the machine hitting the ground head on and the engine piling on top of the person in the seat. Suppose, he said, that the engine was in front; why, then the operator could reach down and make his temporary repairs in case it stopped working. Sometimes the engine stops with nothing more the matter with it than a detached sparker, a defect that can be remedied by a turn of the wrist, and before the power is really shut down.
WILL WEIGH 550 POUNDS.
Another shortcoming he found in the foreign machines was the position of the weight of the man, the running gear and the engine above the center of gravity.
Place the operator, passengers, running gear and all beneath the wide spreading wings and in case of a catastrophe in the air the big bird would soar rather than tumble end over end to the ground.
"I will have my machine ready for a trial flight in a couple of months," Mr. McCallum said yesterday. "The engine is on the way here from London and the cloth covering, also an invention of my own, is ready. Perhaps I shall borrow a motor for a few days and make a flight in Overland park early in February.
"This bi-plane of mine is different from all others from the fact that it is intended to carry passengers. If it is a success, you can imagine how many passengers it will support. When I tell you that the Voisin plane of France weighs 1,312 pounds and carried three passengers while this one weighs, without sacrificing strength, only 550 pounds, and has a much greater spread."
LIKE AUTOS IN FIVE YEARS.
Mr. McCallum says that in five years flying machines will be as plentiful as automobiles in Kansas City. He believes a central spot in the downtown district will be reserved for a large shed to cover the machines of business men flying to and from their offices.
"A machine to thus become popular needs to be practical in the extreme," he went on. "It is needless to say that a flying machine which has to run at a rate of forty miles an hour in order to take wings is not practical. With my huge wings and light weight I am able to leave the ground at a speed of fifteen miles an hour, but, of course, this is entirely theoretical. No one can tell what a flying machine will do until after the trip. There is that inevitable chance that it won't work at all."
MAY NOT FLY ALONE.
"Will you make the first flight yourself and alone?" was asked.
 J. A. McCALLUM.
"I may, but that is not necessary," was the reply. "Before making the maiden flight an expert aviator will examine the craft to see if it is airworthy, and if he declares it is, he will probably be as eager as myself to be in it at the start.
"The trouble with getting someone else to operate the machine is that it is so different from all the others in its leading principles. For instance, the manner in which balance is preserved by Curtiss and the Wrights is by several levers which tilt the wings. In my flyer we will accomplish the same result by merely shifting the weight of the engine, passengers and running gear, and there will be one lever to do everything."
Mr. McCallum has worked at the biplane constantly since he decided to build one six months ago. He has had several helpers at times, but usually he has worked alone. The finer plans, he says, have been worked out at night in the library of his home near Northern boulevard station on the Independence street car line.Labels: airships, Independence, Overland Park January 2, 1910 OLD SETTLERS IN MINORITY.
Westport Pioneers Surrender Their Party to Young People.
A few old-timers of Westport watched a great many new-timers make merry in Little's hall, 311 Westport avenue, last night. As the affair was originally planned, the old settlers were to be the whole show, but so few of them attended that they were submerged in the swirl of young pleasure seekers, and they appeared quite content to sit along the wall and watch the nimbler heels knock off the score.
The Westport Improvement Association was the host. The three old-timers present, not including John Tobin, who was born there -- but not last night -- were Philip Becker, August Horn and Julius Beaver. These three old gentlemen would not be prevailed upon to do more than walk around the hall at the head of the grand march.
Alderman Darius Brown was an active figure on the dancing floor. John Tobin also ran. More than 250 people attended the dance.Labels: dancing, pioneers, Westport January 1, 1910 BIRTHDAY CAKE FOR JUDGE.
Seventy-Five Colored Candles, One for Each Year of John F. Philips' Life, Presented at Dinner Party.
The seventy-fifth birthday of John F. Philips, federal judge, was celebrated by a dinner party, at which there were many prominent guests, in the Mid-day Club rooms, yesterday evening. One of the features of the evening was the presentation to the judge of a mammoth birthday cake containing a colored candle for each year.
The coincidence of the judge's birthday with New Years eve afforded an opportunity to those present to stay the old year out at the club. The time was well taken up with speeches and was enjoyed thoroughly by all, not excluding the host, who is yet the better of his years.
Judge Philips was born on December 31, 1824, and has been a judge of the United States district court since June 25, 1888.Labels: birthdays, federal court, holidays, Judge Philips, New Years January 1, 1910 DREAMS OF HIS MISSING SON.
Stone Mason Believes This Story Will Bring Back Show Boy.
After six years of fruitless effort on the part of Guss Solomon, a stone mason living at 805 East Eighth street, to find his son, who disappeared from their home in St. Louis during the world's fair, visions of the lost boy have appeared to him in dreams the last four nights, and it is his belief that the boy will be returned to him through this story:
"We were living in St. Louis during the fair," said Mr. Solomon, "and my boy, then 11 years old, was employed in the picture show in the entrance of the Broken Heart saloon on Broadway. Near the close of the fair he came to me one day and asked permission to leave the next day with a show which had been playing at the fair grounds. I told him that he better stay with his mother and me and took him up to town and bought him a new suit of clothes.
Around 8 o'clock that morning he went out to play with some of the boys in the neighborhood, and I never heard of him since. The show he desired to leave with went East that same night, but I was unable to trace it. I wrote to the chief of police in all the large Eastern cities, but they were unable to find any clew. The boy, if still alive, would be about 16 years old. He was rather tall and slim for his age was light complexioned.Labels: children, Eighth street, missing, runaway, St Louis, theater January 1, 1910 
Labels: New Years January 1, 1910 HILARIOUS DINERS HAIL THE NEW YEAR.
Thousands at the Hotels and Cafes Watch Passing of 1909.
"It's 12 o'clock," said "Billy" Campbell, electrician at the Hotel Baltimore.
Frank J. Dean, manager of the hostelry, whose hand was on one of the big switch levers, gave it a pull, and in an instant the lights in the five dining rooms, the Pompeiian room, the grill room and the lobbies were extinguished. Bands in the dining rooms struck up "Auld Lang Syne," 1,200 diners blew souvenir horns, congratulated one another, and the new year was on.
Capacity crowds filled the dining rooms and cafes of the hotels and restaurants of Kansas City last night. At the hotels the lights were extinguished for a minute at midnight to indicate to the diners that the new year had been born. Special orchestras furnished the music and at most of the hotels the old Scotch refrain was sung.
The crowds this year were larger than last. The hotels began making reservations for last night over two weeks ago. A week ago practically all of the lists had been filled. Even at that, last night found hundreds at the big hotels, who waited in lobbies for an opportunity to get into the dining rooms before midnight.
A check system similar to that used in theaters, in which the tables were numbered and the diners held numbered checks, was inaugurated at the Hotel Baltimore this year. This avoided confusion. After dinner scores of men were put to work on the dining rooms. The tables were arranged for their guests and the decorations were put in place. The favors or souvenirs consisted of horns, in the base of which were bits of confections. The color scheme was red, roses and carnations being used in the decorations.
COFFEE AT MIDNIGHT.
The doors to the dining room were opened at 10:30, but dinner was not served until 11:30. The dinner was timed to last half an hour, with the service of coffee on the tables just at midnight. Orchestras were hidden behind banks of palms and ferns in the dining rooms.
The largest crowd was in the Pompeiian room. It was also apparently the jolliest. Long before midnight hundreds of would-be diners thronged the lobby and pleaded vainly for room in one of the dining rooms. As the midnight hour approached the doorways were crowded by those who would look in, even though they could not cross the portals. The balconies above the marble room and the main banquet hall were crowded early in the evening by those who could only watch the revelers.
SING "AULD LANG SYNE."
At the Savoy hotel the dining rooms were thrown together and the orchestra was placed in the hall so that the grill room, with its quota of stags, could be entertained. Dinner was served here at 11 o'clock. At 12 o'clock the lights were extinguished and the familiar Scotch melody was sung.
The Hotel Kupper dining room was crowded an hour before midnight and those who could not gain entrance filled the lobby and joined in the chorus of "Auld Lang Syne" when the lights were turned up after midnight.
At the Sexton hotel the crowds overflowed the dining rooms and were taken care of in the grill room in the basement.
The actors and actresses about the city had their celebration at the Century hotel. Immediately after the curtains were rung down at the various show houses a rush was made for street costumes and the members of the "profession" gathered at the Century hotel. The tables had all been reserved, and an orchestra greeted the crowd from each theater as they appeared.
The cafe of the Coates house held a capacity crowd. It was quieter than those at the other hotels.
At the Densmore, the tables in the dining room had been reserved for several weeks. Scores were turned away last night. Special music was the rule here also.Labels: Coates house, food, holidays, hotels, Kupper hotel, New Years, Savoy January 1, 1910 VOLUNTEERS GIVE A TREAT.
Needy Folk Fill Oak Street Hall On New Year's Eve.
The large hall at 1416 Oak street, occupied by the Volunteers of America, was crowded to its utmost capacity last night when Major R. A. Davis, who recently took charge of the institution, opened the New Year's eve services with prayer and song.
Between 200 and 300 men, women and children of the poorer classes enjoyed the entertainment of songs and New Year's recitations. A large tree, around which were piled the treats of the evening, stood at one end of the hall.
Each one present was given a bag containing oranges, candy, nuts and cakes.
"We will serve coffee and rolls after services Sunday night," said Major Davis.Labels: charity, food, ministers, New Years, Oak street | | | | | 
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