July 17, 1908 HIGH COURT IN SUGAR CREEK.
Justice A. P. Fonda, Ousted, Refuses to Grant an Appeal.
Jackson county justice put another bandage over her eyes yesterday and went on a rampage. While Chief Ahern's Gallagher lunacy commission was sitting without authority under the state statutes, in fact, in direct violation of them, Justice A. P. Fonda of Sugar Creek renewed the controversy of who is really the dispenser of the law in that refinery adjunct.
When the Sugar Creek Mercantile Company, which had run a garnishment on F. M. Dabney and had lost the case, wanted to appeal, Justice Fonda refused to allow the appeal. So the would-be appellant yesterday asked the circuit court for a writ of mandamus to compel Fonda to act.
It has been n early two week ago since Judge Walter A. Powell, sitting in the circuit court in Independence, decided that Fonda was not legally a justice. But Fonda keeps right on dispensing justice at the same old stand.
The whole Sugar Creek controversy originated some months ago when Albert Allen, justice of the peace, found business so dull that he wen tot California on a vacation. During his absence there was some need of a court and so the county judges appointed Fonda to the job. In three weeks Allen returned and turned again to the old trade of justicing.
Then enters the county court again. An order was made commanding Allen to surrender his records, so that they might be turned over to Fonda. Allen took the case before Judge Powell, who held that as Allen had never been disqualified, he was justice still.
So Allen has the circuit court back of him and Fonda is the protege of the county court. And justice goes merrily on in Sugar Creek, home of a court of last resort.Labels: circuit court, county court, Judges, Sugar Creek July 9, 1908 THEIR DREAM WILL END AT POOR FARM.
RUNAWAY COUPLE COULD NOT FACE A CRAFTY WORLD.
Mrs. W. T. Mead, Bride of the 66-77- Year-Old Couple, Applies to County Court for Permis- sion to Return.
A bride of a month, with wrinkles of age and care marking her face, tottered towards the bench of the county court yesterday at Independence. It was Mrs. W. T. Mead, who married W. T. Mead, librarian at the county farm, June 6. He was 66 and she 77, and, although the marriage had been forbidden by the county court, both thought they were old enough to know and both left the farm to carry out the twilight dream of their lives.
The county court does not allow inmates of the home to wed, and when the application came for a permit to marry the county court calmly refused the request, and the two old people, not to be thwarted, went to Kansas City and married. Each had saved a little money. He as librarian, and she sewing at the farm. Both had been at the farm a number of years and frequently she would go to the library to get a book and talk with William.
Yesterday the bride tottered towards the county judges and in a faltering voice made a plea for herself and husband that they be allowed to go back to the farm together. They had applied to the superintendent of the farm, but he had refused to allow them to come without the sanction of the court. Judge J. M. Patterson raised his eyes to the ceiling as the application was being made and the story told. Judge George J. Dodd assumed a thoughtful mood and Judge C. E. Moss whittled a pencil.
They would be taken back to the farm, but not as man and wife. They must be separated, not judicially, but constructively. The court could not tolerate a union of inmates at the farm, for it might become epidemic. The rule could not be broken if they married and then wanted to return to the shelter provided by the county.
Mrs. Mead told in faltering tones how she and her husband had purchased a small restaurant, as they had planned before leaving the farm. They paid all of their money over and signed the papers. When they returned to take possession the next day two wagon loads of goods had been hauled away and, in the pitiful helplessness of old age, they realized that they had been swindled.
"I won't live long, judge," she said. "I am destitute now, so is my husband. Please let us go back, won't you? Please let us finish our lives there. Both of us love the farm and we will not be a bother."
The county court was obdurate. "You may go back, but not as man and wife," said the presiding judge. "It's against the rules."
It was decided to allow them to go back, but as individuals and not as married people, and this order was placed on the book which gave Cupid a double jolt.
The order of the court changed the wrinkles on the face of Mrs. Mead to smiles, and she went away joyously to her home, 306 West Fifth street, Kansas City, to tell her husband about the order of the court, and last night they returned to the scene where they learned to love each other, these two old people, happy, but separated, to live the last chapter.Labels: county court, Independence, Judges, marriage, poor farm, Seniors June 19, 1908 POLICE OFFER A CHIP AS EVIDENCE AGAINST WIX.
Bit of Wood With Message on It Is Placed in Hands of the Grand Jury.
With a charge of murder in the first degree against him, Clark Wix was taken before the grand jury yesterday to testify in the investigation into the death of John Mason, a horse trader, who police claim was murdered by Wix on January 26. Mason's body was found in the Missouri river near Camden on May 31.
At a preliminary hearing before Justice of the Peace Mike Ross a few days ago, Wix was released on a $10,000 bond. Yesterday afternoon Wix was held in the witness room of the grand jury, but was not called to testify. He will be called again this morning. It is unusual for a grand jury to summon as a witness any person charged with the crime being investigated, and the attorneys for Wix believe the grand jury doubts whether the police have sufficient evidence to indict him.
According to the attorneys the grand jury probably intends to work along altogether different lines than the police have been working on. The police interested in the case were at the court house yesterday with their evidence against Wix. A small chip of wood was in the hands of the grand jury yesterday as evidence. The chip was found on Santa Fe street near Fifteenth by a man who desires the chip returned to him. Upon one side of the chip of wood was the word "Help" and "over," On the opposite side was the following: "Help -- I am in prison on an island one mile north of Quindaro. Was brought here by Clark Wix." The police believe the handwriting on the chip is that of John Mason, the murdered man.Labels: Fifteenth street, Judges, murder, Santa Fe street June 10, 1908 PLEASED WITH M'CUNE HOME.
County Judges Find Things in First Class Shape There.
Conditions at the McCune home for boys, located a few miles from Independence, were found to be satisfactory by two of the three judges of the county court who visited there yesterday for the purpose of making an inspection. Judges J. M. Patterson and C. E. Moss, accompanied by Frank Ray, the architect, and William Southern of Independence, county examiner for Jackson county, made the trip of inspection.
"We are much pleased with the way Thomas N. Hughes, manager of the home, has conducted its affairs," said Judge Patterson last night. "We found seventeen boys at the home and they seem to be happy and contented. The boys have a garden in which they raise many vegetables and this keeps them busy and out of mischief. Yesterday Mr. Hughes was putting some shingles o n the house and five of the boys seemed to enjoy helping him.
"We are planning to erect a temporary barn or shed in which the boys can play on rainy days and which can be sued as a sleeping room in case the home becomes crowded. We are also planning the erection of a series of cottages, but this work probably will not be taken up before net fall."Labels: architects, children, Independence, Judges May 21, 1908 "OF COURSE I'LL NOT OBEY HIM," SAID SHE.
And the Judge Had to Revise Civil Ceremony for This Laugh- ing Bride.
"Do you, Minnie Louise Kendrick, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to honor and obey, to cleave to in --"
Justice F. O. Miller's recitation of the ritual was interrupted by laughter from the girl in the white dress. There was something infectious in her laughter, it was so girlish and free. The judge fell to laughing and the mere man, Professor Joseph F. Bell, looked on in amazement. When the girl straightened her face finally , she said:
"No, of course, I won't obey him. How funny!" Then she laughed again.
"I think you ought to, after I came all the way from the Philippine islands for you," put in Professor Bell pleasantly.
Miss Kendrick didn't reply, except to keep right on laughing. And she won the point, too, for at last the professor surrendered.
"I guess I'll leave the obey part out," chuckled Judge Miller. And he did when he repeated the sentence.
Professor Bell is principal of the United States schools in Ilagan, P. I. He has been out th ere two years. His bride taught last year in the city schools at Brunswick, Mo. Professor Bell met her there fou r or five years ago, when she was a pupil under him in the high school.
After their marriage in the court house they left for Chicago. There is to be a trip over the Great lakes before they settle in Ilagan.Labels: Judges, wedding May 15, 1908 G. L. CHRISMAN SERIOUSLY ILL.
Recovery of Former County Judge and Banker is Doubtful.
G. Lee Chrisman, former presiding judge of the county court, is critically ill at his home near Independence. He suffered a relapse yesterday and the consulting physicians and surgeons fear blood poisoning. Judge Chrisman has been suffering for some weeks from bladder and kidney affection and while his condition was considered serious, it was not thought to be alarming. His change for the worse yesterday makes recovery doubtful.
Judge Chrisman has lived in Jackson county nearly all of his life. He served two terms as judge of the county court from the Eastern district, and one term as presiding judge of the county court, being succeeded by Judge Patterson.Labels: county court, illness, Independence, Judges May 4, 1908 SHE'LL FACE SECOND JURY.
Mrs. Morasch's Trial Begins in Kan- sas City, Kas., Today.
The second trial of Mrs Sarah Morasch, accused of killing Ruth Miller of 634 Cheyenne avenue, Armourdale, will begin this morning in the Wyandotte county district court under Judge McCabe Moore. Sixty-five jurors have been summoned for the panel, and the selecting of jurors to try the case may consume today and possibly tomorrow.
Attorney Joseph Taggart for the prosecution announces that he will have at least sixty witnesses for the state, some of them called from distant states, and that he will introduce some features in this hearing not introduced in the first one, a month ago. Attorneys Maher and Wooley, for the defense, are confident that the state will utterly fail to make a case against the accused.
Mrs. Morasch is confined in the county jail. The strain of the past two months, if there has been any, has left no visible effects, and her face, while a little pallid from the confinement, is much fuller.
The crime with which Mrs. Morasch is charged is that of sending a box of poisoned candies through the mails to Ella Miller, stepsister of Ruth Miller, Wednesday, February 12, this year. All the five children of Charles and Malinda Miller at home when the candy was received there tasted of the sweets, but only Ruth, 4 years old, died from the effects. Mrs. Morasch was captured by Sheriff Fred Hamilton of Cass county, Mo, a few days later. She had fled to Harrisonville.Labels: County Attorney Taggart, Death of Ruth Miller, jail, Judges May 1, 1908 NO CASE AGAINST HARPOLE.
Negro Did Not Shoot Three White Men -- Is Discharged.
Judge U. S. Guyer of the North city court, Kansas City, Kas., yesterday discharged Reuben Harpole, being tried for the shooting of Joshua Wells, Charles Johns and M. U. Martinson at Fifth street and Oakland avenue on the night of April 10. He said there was not enough evidence against the negro to convict him. The state's attorney expressed himself as satisfied with teh decision.
The three men named had been drinking according to their own statements made to the chief of police, and had quarreled with a party of negroes about a couple of small girls. A negro bystander then drew a revolver and commenced firing. Martinson, who was shot first, drew his revolver, but it would not work and he tossed it over an adjacent signboard into a vacant lot. Harpole was arrested a few days later and identified by the two girls as the man wanted for the shooting.
Joshua Wells is now in Bethany hospital, where he underwent an operation for the removal of a bullet, which is said to have lodged in the vicinity of the right lung. He will die.Labels: alcohol, hospitals, Judges, Kansas City Kas, race, violence April 29, 1908 CLERK STOLE MONEY FOR SICK BROTHER.
IN CONSEQUENCE JUDGE POL- LOCK IS LENIENT.
Editor of Art Book Fined Nominal Sum and Escapes Payment. Other Federal Offend- ers Sentenced.
It was sentencing day in the United States district court yesterday. Judge Pollock of Kansas was on the bench. Alfred Friend, formerly a clerk in the New England National bank had stolen out-of-town remittances by means of juggling accounts in the bank. The government prosecuted him for getting only $5, but he was supposed to have got about $2,000. After everything in the case was told Judge Pollock undertook to examine the prisoner on his own account.
"What made you do it?" he inquired.
"This made me do it, sir," Friend replied, displaying a small packet of letters and holding them out towards the bench. "Would your honor read them, please?"
FOR HIS SICK BROTHER.
Judge Pollock scanned some of them, interrupting his perusal to ask:
"And did you send the money to this sick brother of yours?"
"I have the money order receipt for it," Friend then said, at the same time producing another paper and handing it to Judge Pollock.
After reflecting a minute the court announced that as Friend had been confined to jail for six months, had lost his employment and had not profited by his thievery, he would be let off with a fine of $500, which means only thirty days in jail. The United States government never holds a prisoner longer than thirty days in liquidation of a fine, no matter how bit it may be.
JULIUS WAS SURPRISED.
Julius Planca, a Frenchman, who was surprised to know that it is contrary to the laws of this country to sell liquor without a license, was fined $10 and costs for bootlegging in a railroad camp east of the city. Arthur Anderson, a 14-year-old boy from the southeast part of the county, was given the same punishment for stealing stamps and coppers from rural free delivery boxes.
A week ago William Soper robbed the little postoffice at Mount Washington, just outside Kansas City's eastern limits, and got $2.50. Yesterday he got a year and a half in the government prison at Fort Leavenworth. He pleaded guilty, saying to Judge Pollock that he would not have broken into the store where the postoffice was had he known it was a postoffice.
"You would rather have broken the state than the federal laws, would you?" the court remarked, adding, dryly, "Either is wrong."
THAT'S WHEN HE GETS IT.
James A. Pope, editor of the Art Book, who was arrested a month ago on a complaint of a rival in business in St. Louis, got off handsomely. Pope had sent out printed post cards saying that he still owned the copyright to his journal, and that the issues being turned out by his rivals were false. He classified somebody as a "hunchback," and for that got into trouble. He would have gone to jail for the intervening nine weeks, having no bondsmen here, only for friends his tough-luck story made for him. As it turned out, District Attorney Van Valkenburgh took his personal recognizance and let him go. Yesterday the art editor, who is about 20 years of age, turned up "to take my medicine, as I said I would," he said. Judge Pollock heard his story and at the conclusion said:
"Have you $1 and the costs of this case?"
"I have not, sir," replied the editor, showing how dull business in the art journal business is just at present.
"Then if I fine you $1 you will have to go to jail, will you?" the court asked next.
"Yes, sir," the editor-prisoner replied.
"Then it will not do to try to collect it. The punishment will be a fine of $1 and costs, collectible upon execution," and slam went the judge's docket and another case was taken up. Pope did not know what was up, so he took his seat near one of the deputy marshals, supposing it was jail again in view of the fact that he had not the dollar and costs. While in the middle of the next case Judge Pollock caught sight of the little art editor's long curly hair and had to order him to freedom.
"You can get out, Pope," the court said. "That fine against you is collectible upon execution."
It took two lawyers and a deputy to explain this to Pope, who could scarcely believe all his good luck was real.Labels: alcohol, banking, courtroom, crime, federal court, immigrants, Judge Pollock, Judges, Leavenworth, Mt. Washington, post office, United States District Court April 26, 1908 TRIED TO TEAR HER FROM HUSBAND'S SIDE.
WHEN NACHMAN OBJECTED MILES BROKE HIS NOSE.
Wife Swears Out Warrant for For- mer Husband or Ex-Sweetheart, But Says Her Louis Fell Out of an Auto.
"I do wish that someone would send me a four-leaf clover or that Louis could find a horseshoe about town somewhere," pleaded Mrs. Louis M. Nachman last evening. "But he won't be able to go out and look for horseshoes for some time now, his nose being broken, and I can't leave his bedside."
Some of the Nachmans' bad luc is known and some of it remains a mystery. It is admitted that they were wed by Justice of the Peace J. J. Shepard at 8:40 on the evening of Decemer 14, 1907, after a week's courtship, and three days later the groom was rudely jerked away to the county jail and locked up until he could explain a charge of forging his father's name to a check to pay the honeymoon hotel bill. He explained it to the satisfaction of Herman Nachman, his father, and the prosecuting attorney, and was released. Al went smooth with the couple until 10:35 yesterday morning when, at Thirteenth and Central streets, the bridegroom met with either an accident or a coincidence.
It was a coincidence in the form of Edward C. Miles, former husband or jilted sweetheart of the bride, who used to be Mrs. Grace Miles, according to the story she told Assistant County Prosecutor Bert S. Kimbrell yesterday afternoon. Miles, she said, tried to take her away from her husband and when her husband protested, Miles swung at him with his right and upper cut with his left. Nachman fell upon the sidewalk and she clung to the body to avoid being kidnapped.
When Mrs. Nachman was questioned about the trouble at the house, 320 West Thirteenth street, half an hour later, she said, "It was a most unfortunate accident and so clumsy of Louis to trip w hen stepping out of our automobile. But he is not seriously hurt. He'll be out and around in a week or so."
She was reminded of the complaint against Miles she had sworn to, and replied with a soft accent of her eyebrows:
"Oh, did I do that? Well, anyhow, please write it up as an automobile accident."Labels: automobiles, Judges, marriage, Thirteenth street, violence, women April 9, 1908 MRS. MORASCH'S BOND $4,000.
Her Attorney Says She May Be Able to Furnish It.
The bond of Mrs. Sarah Morasch, accused of killing Ruth Miller of Armourdale, February 12, has been fixed by Judge McCabe Moore of the Wyandotte county district court at $4,000. Mrs. Morasch is now being held in the couty jail for a second trial in the district court, set for May 4. Daniel Maher, attorney for the defense, said last night his clielnt may be able to give bond.Labels: Armourdale, attorney, Death of Ruth Miller, Judges March 31, 1908 MORASCH GIRL TELLS OF THREE DAYS' TRAMP.
WENT TO HARRISONVILLE TO ESCAPE COUNTY ATTORNEY.
Mrs. Morasch Feared Prosecution for Death of Hughes's Foundling. Grieved to Hear of Ruth Miller's Death.
In low, even tones, Blanche Morasch, 17-year-old daughter of Mrs. Sarah Morasch, now being tried in the Wyandotte county district court, Kansas City, Kas., told the jury of the flight of Mrs. Morasch and herself to Harrisonville Mo., subsequent to the poisoning of Ruth Miller. While talking, Blanche seldom withdrew her eyes from those of County Attorney Taggart, except to cast them down toward the thin, nervous fingers of her left hand, which kept continually twisting at the folds of her skirt. he turned states' evidence upon the charge against her being dismissed.
"We were three days and as many nights on the way to Harrisonville," said the girl. "The first night we were at Peculiar, Mo., the second at Belton, the third half way between Belton and Harrisonville. We went all the way afoot, except one short ride in a farm wagon. There was snow on the round.
"Mother and I left Kansas City, Mo, about the morning of February 13. Mother was worried about something and insisted we leave at once for Wichita, Kas., She wanted to stop over a few days with friends at Harrisonville, Mo. We had a little money, which I had earned working at a laundry, and I turned this all over to mother, for I knew very well she could manage the expenses of the trip much better than I could.
"If mother knew anything of the poisoning she told me nothing about it and indicated in no way any knowledge of it. When we were talking over the walk to Harrisonville, the previous night, she told me she that she had just met County Attorney Taggart near our rooms at Eighth and Locust streets. She described him as having his hat pulled down over his eyes.
" 'The county attorney is following me everywhere,' she explained as a reason for our hasty departure from Kansas City. 'I've just got to go somewhere to get away from him. He thinks I killed the baby, which I adopted from the Hughes home If we don't pack up and leave the city he's going to get me sure. I can't stand his following me all the time.
"We set out on the trip about dawn. Both of us had new shoes and the walk to Peculiar, which consumed the greater part of the day, went off nicely. We stayed at a private home that night.
"The next morning, early, we got up, dressed and started out. Both of us were very tired yet from our tramp of the day before, but by noon the stiffness disappeared. Our shoes gave out in the uppers for the slag on the railroad grade was sharp as knives The center of the railroad track was filled with water and snow.
"We did not stop long at Belton, but passed through to a farm house a few miles beyond Before we left there the following morning the farmer's wife brought out a pair of shoes for mother, old ones, which she had thrown away.
""When we got to Harrisonville our feet were very sore and we were a sorry sight. Mother was completely exhausted."
GRIEVED OVER RUTH'S DEATH.
"When did you first see the Kansas City papers and get your first information of the death of Ruth Miller?" asked County Attorney Taggart.
"At Belton," replied the witness. "Mother went into a hotel or some place there and got a paper. When she saw on the first page the account of the little girl's death she wrung her hands and said over and over again: 'Poor Ruth! Poor Ruth!"
After dismissing Blanche from the witness stand, Taggart recalled Coroner A. J. Davis. Ella Van Meter, to whom the candies were sent, was recalled. Her testimony was similar to that given on the stand a week ago and went to show that the slip of paper containing the address, now marked 'exhibit No. 1,' was the one originally on the package.
Thomas D. Taylor, superintendent of the mails in the Kansas City Mo., postoffice, and Postoffice Inspector John C. Koons, partially identified the stamp on the candy box wrapper, on exhibit, as the one used in Kansas City, Mo., at the time.
CASE TO JURY FRIDAY.
Judge Newhall of the Kansas City, Kas., south city court, who presided at the preliminary, is to testify this morning as to statements made by Blanche and Mrs. Morasch at the preliminary hearing.
According to County Attorney Taggart, last night, the state will rest its case tomorrow, but has another handwriting expert to introduce. The defense has announced that it will produce only a few witnesses and is even now willing for the case to go to the jury without argument.
Mrs. Morasch has borne up well since the opening of the hearing. While being returned to her cell at the county jail, after court adjournment she kept up a lively and childish conversation with her little daughter, Hattie, who has spent most of her time in her lap, asleep.Labels: attorney, County Attorney Taggart, courtroom, Death of Ruth Miller, Eighth street, Judges, Kansas City Kas, Locust street, murder March 26, 1907 HE KILLED JIM CROW CHILES.
Because of That Independence Is Grateful to Judge Peacock.
Police Judge Peacock of Independence has been given an increase in salary of $100 a year. He is now in his 83rd year. No one runs against him, out of consideration of service rendered the town.
In 1876, while marshal of the city, he killed Jim Crow Chiles, whose revolver handle had many notches.
Chiles was a terror and generally cleared the square when he sought to do so. Merchants and business men, especially negroes, were afraid of him, for he would shoot them down without provocation. Chiles started out to kill Peacock and the battle ensued which resulted in the wounding of Peacock and the death of Jim Crow. The body was taken to the Morgan house, but even in death the negroes were afraid of him.
While it would be impossible for a man like Chiles to terrorize a town at the present age, yet in 1876 Independence was recovering from the civil war and killings were frequent and Jim Crow kept up his share of it and often worked overtime. Grateful people watched at Peacock's bedside until he recovered, but when he got out of bed Jim Crow's .44 bullet was still in his back and is there yet. The doctors said that it would cost him his life, perhaps, to have it cut out so the venerable man walks with a cane and goes to the police court every day to temper justice with mercy.
Both parties place Peacock in nomination and it is generally conceded that he will be police judge as long as he desires to fill the place, as no one can be found to make the race against him and neither party will nominate any one to displace the old gentleman who delivered the town from its "bad man."Labels: Independence, Judge Peacock, Judges, Seniors March 18, 1908 HE PLEADS GUILTY TO ARSON.
Action of Freeman Bennett Frees Aged Wife From Charge.
In the Wyandotte county district court yesterday afternoon, Freeman Bennett, who lives at Fourteenth street and Argentine boulevard, Armourdale, pleaded guilty to burning his cottage at that place last spring in order to get $1,000 insurance. Bennett had, at his preliminary hearing before Judge Newhall in the south city court, entered a plea of not guilty and was firm in maintaining this stand until his wife, 60 years old, burst into tears while under cross-examination in court yesterday afternoon.
"I can't stand this," he exclaimed. "My wife there, is getting to be a nervous wreck and is too old to stand all this harangue. For her sake, this can't go on. If I plead guilty will you excuse her from the charge?"
County Attorney Taggart recommended to Judge McCabe Moore that under this condition the name of the wife be stricken from the complaint, and it was granted.
"Guilty," was all Bennett said as he sat down. He was taken to the county jail in default of bond. He will not be sentenced until other cases are cleared from the docket.Labels: Armourdale, arson, County Attorney Taggart, jail, Judges, marriage, Seniors March 15, 1908
SHE'LL PLAY TWO PARTS NOW.
Miss Cleo Lewis, Actress, Assumes the Role of Wife.
From stageland into the sterner realities of life have plunged two members of the Parisian Widows company which will show at a local theater this week. At noon yesterday Miss Cleo Lewis and S. Frank Scheuer were married by Justice Festus O. Miller.
The wedding was a surprise to the other members of the company.
Mrs. Scheuer is in from Philadelphia and her husband is from New York. Mr. Scheuer is musical director of the company and his bride has a small speaking part in the show.
James W. Rowland, the comedian of the company, was best man and Miss Delia Walker, also of the company, was bride's maid. The bride was given away by Frank Abbott, manager of the company.Labels: Judges, theater, visitors, wedding February 26, 1908 THEIR NOISE RUINED HIS GENTLE HORSE.
SCARED HIS WIFE, HURT HIS BABY, INJURED HIM.
So Farmer Harnish Sues Members of the Motorcycle Club for Dam- ages Done Him Last Fall.
The Kansas City Motorcycle Club members, nineteen strong, have avoided the road to Greenwood, this county, since November 3. That day eighteen of them were waylaid by a mob of twenty-five farmers armed with stones. Only one escaped. And County Judge George J. Dodd was chief spokesman for the beseiging party.
It all came out yesterday when suit was filed in Justice Young's court by Angie Harnish against the club members for $800 damages.
Harnish, according to the papers filed, was driving in a top buggy with his wife and 2-year-old child to Greenwood, when just at the outskirts of the town the "the defendants in a body known as the Kansas City Motorcycle Club, mounted on motorcycles," bore down on his rear "at high speed," carelessly and negligently running upon and by him, the loud and explosive exhaust noises, frightening until he became unmanagable, the horse, which was "not acquainted with motorcycles."
Harnish attempted to alight to seize the horse's bits, and the lunging of the animal threw him into the rock road. The woman, busy with the lines, dropped the baby between her feet and frantically begged the cyclists to stop for the sake of hersef and the baby. Instead of this it is alleged the cyclists only laughed, and trying to outrun the maddened horses, allowing the whirr of the explosive sounds to continue until the horse and buggy smashed into a fence. The baby and Harnish were seriously bruised, the horse, formerly gentle, was ruined, its owner says, and the harness and buggy broken.
A few hours later, when the cycle club members came back that way, they were helf up with a threat of stoning Only one cyclist had the fear or the nerve to run the gauntlet. The others stopped and took their medicine in the form of threats as to what would happen if they ever came back -- and they haven't been back.
The cyclists say that udge Dodd, though an officer of the law, declared to them that he would take the law into his own hands if they did return. Nineteen of them are named, and the amount asked is $800, half of it for actual damages and half for exemplary damages. The case was set for March 3.
Those named as defendants are: R. D. Martin, president of the club; L. J. Vogel, F. J. Hahn, C. Hanson, J. B. Porter, Ned D. Bahr, O. V. Newby, J. N. Glass, Lloyd C. Shielaberger, Fred Berry, Oscar J. Plummer and Dan Patterson.
Bucknew and Houston are attorneys for the plaintiff, and they furnished the court constable with all the addresses of the defendants.
"I know the eighteen of us should have licked those two dozen farmers if the fight had really got started," said R. D. Martin, president of the club, last night, "but we are always considerate of people we meet, and we told them so then, instead of being ugly."Labels: animals, Judges, Lawsuit, motorcycles, organizations February 21, 1908 IN HONOR OF NEW POTENTATE.
Ararat Temple Holds Reception for Judge E. E. Porterfield.
A reception in honor of E. E. Porterfield, the newly elected illustrious potentate, and his divan was given at the Coates house last night by ararat Temple of the Mystic Shrine. There was dancing and music by a male quartette.Labels: Coates house, dancing, Judges, organizations February 20, 1908 COSBY IS RELEASED ON BOND.
Neither Hayes Nor O'Donnell, Shot By Him, May Die.
J. D. Cosby, proprietor of the Cosby hotel, Ninth and Baltimore avenue, was arraigned before Judge Festus O Miller yesterday afternoon, charged with felonious assault. Two informations were filed against Cosby, one for shooting J. F. O'Donnell and the other for shooting J. P. Hayes. He was released for $1000 bond in the O'Donnell case and $2,000 in the Hayes case, and his preliminary hearing is set for Tuesday next.
At St. Joseph's hospital last night it was said that O'Donnell was considered completely out of danger, and that Hayes was doing much better. Both bullets remained in Hayes's chest. An X-ray photograph will be taken today in an effort to locate them. If Hayes does not contract pneumonia from his injuries his chances for recovery are said to be good.
William Murray, the clerk who was cut several times about the head and face and bruised on the body in a tussle with one of the men, was released from the emergency hospital yesterday. He had been held for investigation since Monday night. Murray fell down the stairs and through a glass door.Labels: Baltimore avenue, domestic violence, hospitals, hotels, Judges, Ninth street February 9, 1908 REDUCES SENTENCE TWENTY-EIGHT YEARS
JAMES MARKIN WILL SERVE 15 INSTEAD OF 43.
Judge Casteel Says Long Prison Terms Are Not Good for Either a Criminal or Society. Markin a Burglar.
I agere with the mayor of Toledo, Brand Whitlock I think is his name, that long prison terms, except for particular cases, are not good for either a criminal or for society," delcared Judge B. J. Casteel from the Jackson County criminal court bench yesterday, after he had sliced twenty-eight years off the time a jury had declared James Markin should serve for robbing the residences of J. J. Heim and William Kenefick.
"There is no more sense in keeping a man in the penitentiary for thirty or forty years because of some crime, than in sentencing a smallpox patient to the hospital for a year, when he can be cured in two weeks. Whenever the authorities are conviced that a man has undergone a change of heart, he should be freed from prison, just as a sick man is released from a hospital when he recovers his health.
"Markin, whom a jury said should serve forty-three years for the two burglaries, is now 49 years old, I am informed. If he served his term in prison he would be dead or past 90 when the sentence expires. Ffiteen years from now he will be past 60. He ought to be old enough to know how to behave himself by that time and release should not be a detriment to society."
Phil Clear was Markin's attorney at his trials and made the appeal yesterday for the cutting down of the sentences. Prosecuting Attorney I. B. Kimbrell said that he did not favor shortening the sentences, as twelve men from over Jackson county who heard the evidence ought to have known what was a fit punishment. Kimbrell, however, asaid that he would make no recommendation other than that Judge Casteel follow his own sense of justice.
Judge Casteel presides over the criminal court of Buchanan county, at St. Joseph. He was assigned to try the Markin case by Judge W. H. Wallace when Markin filed an application for a change of venue.Labels: crime, criminal court, Judge Wallace, Judges, Prosecutor Kimbrell, smallpox February 4, 1908 HE DOUBTS WALLACE'S MERCY.
Justice Young Hesitates About Send- ing Case to Criminal Judge.
In endeavoring to save Herman P. Brumfield, 20 years old, from a prospective term in the penitentiary, Justice John B. Young yesterday refused to bind the young man over to the criminal court on his admission of having embezzled $60 from the Home Telephone Company. Brumfield had paid the money back and apparently expected this fact to absolve him from prosecution. The company chose to push the matter.
Brumfield's lawyers set forth that if the prisoner were held to the criminal court, inasmuch as he had made a confession in writing, he could not be saved from the penitentiary. They asked that he be allowed to plead guilty to a misdermeanor, but the prosecution declined this offer.
"If it is a case for leniency," said the prosecution, "put it up to Judge Wallace and let him be the judge of that."
"But I can't tell about the quality of Judge Wallace's mercy," answered Justice Young, "and I'm going to take this case under advisement for a week."
Brumfield was a collector for the telephone company and the money was taken in small sums, at various times, for a period of two months.Labels: embezzlement, Judge Wallace, Judges, telephone January 18, 1907 HE SAYS A WOMAN SHOT HIM.
Blind man May Not Recover From His Wounds.
T. A. McMillen, the blind man who was found in a stairway at 601 Delaware street late Thursday night bleeding from a bullet hole in his neck and another in his chest, lies at the emergency hospital in critical condition. He insists that he was shot by a woman as he ascended that stairway. Stella Arwood, a woman who runs a rooming house at 601 Delaware,who was arrested soon after McMillen was taken from the hallway, was arraigned late yesterday afternoon before Justice Shepard on a charge of assault with intent to kill. Her plea was not guilty and she was released on a bond of $1,200 to appear in the same court next Wednesday for a preliminary hearing. The shooting still remains a mysterdy to the police. McMillen is said to have been seen in a saloon in company of an unknown man shortly before he was shot.
James Gibson and William Bulger of 1031 Cherry street, who formerly lived in Harrison county, where they knew McMillen, saw in The Journal yesterday an account of his accident, and called on him at the emergency hospital. From them it was learned that the blind man had been married twice. His first wife is dead, but a son, Albert McMillen, now lives in Gentryville, Mo. . Ten years ago he married Miss Jennie Strong in Harrison county, but they soon separated. They had a son, Winford, now 9 years old, who is with his mother in Washington, where she is married to a railroad engineer named Crosby. George Strong, a brother-in-law of McMillen, used to live at 341 Haskell avenue, Kansas City, Kas. McMillen, has been blind about five years. He was formerly a painter, but since he lost his eyesight he has been a book canvasser.
If McMillen does not die from his injuries he may become paralyzed in part of his upper extremities.Labels: Cherry street, Delaware street, Judges, rooming house, The Journal, violence January 17, 1908 HE LIKED MURDER STORIES.
Grant Figs Delighted in the Reading of Crimes of Blood.
Ellis Mitchell, a son of Israel Mitchell, at whose house at 2211 Lydia avenue Grant Figgs, confessed murderer of two people, lived for a while before his arrest, was examined by Deputy Prosecutor John W. Hogan yesterday afternoon and his statement was taken in short-hand, transcribed and signed. He repeated his first story, that Figs frequently asked him to read newspaper accounts of murders and other crimes. Figs seemed excited at hearing the details of killings and often sat with his eyes on the door for some time afterwards.
When the officers went to Mitchell's house yesterday they found the entire family hidden in the basement. It was only after repeated knocking that there was a response. The negroes said that they feared some of Figg's friends had come to kill them for telling on him. The police promised to protect them in the future.
Israel Mitchell told Hogan that Figs had a habit of hiding in the basement whenever anyone knocked at the door. Both the Mitchells identified the hammer found in Woodman's store, at 1112 East Eighteenth street as their hammer, which Figs had secured possession of before the murder of Woodman.
Figs was arraigned in Justice Mike Ross's court yesterday afternoon on two murder charges, one for the killing of H. O Woodman at 1112 East Eighteenth street, August 28, 1907, and one for the beating to death of Edward Landman of 1107 East Eighteenth street, on November 25. Figs declined to plead in either case, and the hearing in both was set for Saturday afternoon. James A. Dyer, George Burgman and Deputy Prosecutor Hogan escorted him from the county jail to the justice court and back.
The arraignment was held in the justice court, instead of direct in the criminal court, says John George, clerk of the justice court, because Figs wants all the time possible. Figs has no attorney yet, and no money.
Claude Brooks was taken from the county jail to police headquarters for a few minutes yesterday afternoon, photographed, measured and his fingerprints made. He will be arraigned either in the criminal court or in a justice court this afternoon for the murder of his benefactor, Sid Herndon, at the Navarro flats.Labels: courtroom, Eighteenth street, Judges, Lydia avenue, murder, retailers December 2, 1908 ANTONE HEARD HIS GOAT CRY.
But His Neighbor Had Her Locked in Cellar With Bulldog.
"I don't want de damage. I want my goat back. She one good goat to milk in all de Kansas Cit'. My lawyer friend say I must replevin." Antone Bongiorno, who lives a stone's throw toward the sunrise from the Holy Rosary Church, was talking to Justice Mike Ross.
"Yes, your lawyer friend is right," said the justice. "You can replevin the goat. But you will have to wait until tomorrow, this is New Year's day, a holiday. But why can't you get the goat without going to court?"
"My neighbor, Ambrose, have her locked in his downstairs, the cellar, you call it, and he have a bull dog there, too. I cannot get her on account de dog. I go to de window las' night and hear her cry, but de dog, he bark and I do not go in."Labels: animals, churches, immigrants, Judges December 19, 1907 DIVORCEES ARE ALWAYS PLEASANT.
Judge Goodrich Gathers Fashion Notes as He Cuts Knots.
After granting twenty-eight divorce decrees in the circuit court at Kansas City yesterday, Judge James E. Goodrich remarked:
"I have been looking forward to this day with expectancy for many weeks. Divorce day is the occasion of the great semi-annual millinery display in the court house, and I always pick out a model for a new hat for my wife from the lids worn by the crowd of dissatisfied brides and their friends.
"There have been some wonderful hats in court today. One lady, whom her husband failed to feed, wore a top piece with seven ostrich feathers and a basket of fruit. It's the most astonishing lid I've seen in court in three years.
"Did I see a hat to suit me? No, not exactly, but I got ideas of the kind not to buy."
Divorce day always brings pleasant thoughts to judges and clerks. The wives and husbands always smile so kindly and their thanks are so sincere after the knots have been cut. As Hinton H. Noland, clerk to Judge Hermann Brumback, says:
"Next to getting married, a woman finds most joy in getting a divorce. At least that's what I glean from seeing them here on divorce day matinees, wearing their glad rags and chattering like a flock of school girls. Well, the judge made a bunch of them happy today."
The new dresses, rustling petticoats, chattering tongues and gay hats, cheered everybody in the court house. Even Joseph Goodykuntz, who had to write up all the decrees on the record, was caught humming:
"I wish the girls were all transported,
Far beyond the Northern sea."Labels: circuit court, clothing, Divorce, Judge Goodrich, Judges December 15, 1907 IT LEAD TO THE SANTA FE TRAIL.
Judge Goodrich Holds That Old Frag- ment Is Still a Road.
Memories of fifty years ago were revived yesterday by a decision in Judge James E. Goodrich's division of the circuit court declaring the roadway east from Gillham road, through a part of Janssen place, to be a city street, and ordering it graded preparatory to paving. richard and Oliva Smith fought the suit on the contention that the section of road was inclosed and belonged to them.
Fifty years ago that bit of street was a portion of the Independence-Westport trail, the main thoroughfare south to Westport, and practically the only wagonway from what is now the business center of Kansas City to the Santa Fe trail at Westport. There are men in Kansas City who have driven over it in a covered wagon.Labels: Gillham road, Judge Goodrich, Judges November 16, 1907 BANKER SHOT AT MIDLAND.
WITH A BULLET J. B. THOMAS OF ALBANY, MO., ENDED HIS LIFE.
Found in the Bath Room of His Apart- ment of the Hotel Yesterday -- Well Known as a Mason and to State Politics.
J. B. Thomas, cashier of the Bank of Albany of Albany, Mo., committed suicide in the Midland hotel this morning by shooting himself through the right temple with a revolver. Mr. Thomas's body was found in a bathroom at 2:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon.
Coroner Thompson was called and said the man probably had been dead several hours. He ordered the body taken to the undertaking rooms of Freeman & Marshall.
"Mr. Thomas came here last night," T. B. Bishop, the clerk at the hotel said. "He went to his room at about 8:30 o'clock. This morning the maid found his door locked when she went to the apartment to arrange it. About 2 o'clock she went there again and received no response when she knocked.
"No response was made to repeated knockings and the carpenter forced the door open. Mr. Thomas was found dead in the bathroom."
Mr. Thomas was fully dressed. The revolver was still clutched in his right hand and contained one empty cartridge. On his left hand was a Masonic ring. Engraved inside was "J. B. Thomas, Consistory No. 2, From Nicholson."
He wore a gold watch and a chain with a Knight Templar charm attached. In his pockets was found $3 in change and a bunch of rings.
"I can conceive of no reason for his act," Judge Thomas Morrow, who is a close friend of Mr. Thomas, said yesterday. "He was one of the leading citizens of his town. He was a prominent Mason."
T. B. Bishop telephoned the Bank of Albany at once. The officers of the bank could give no reason for the act. Mr. Bishop told them the body would be placed in the care of the Kansas City Masons subject to advice from his relatives.
Mr. Thomas, who was apparently about 60 years old, was a Kentuckian by birth. He came to Missouri as a young man and at first was a village blacksmith. He was elected circuit clerk of Gentry county in 1876 and re-elected in 1880. He was made cashier of the Bank of Albany soon after he retired from office, and had held that position ever since. He was elected grand master of the Masonic order of the state about six years ago and his Masonic ring was the first identification when his body was found. Mr. Thomas accumulated considerable money and invested most of it in mining properties around Galena and Baxter, Kas.
He left one son, Claude Thomas, cashier of a bank in Gravity, Ia., and a daughter, Mrs. Dr. Stapleton at Ha Harpe, near Iola, Kas. His wife is living.
Mr. Thomas was a familiar figure at nearly all Democratic political gatherings of importance. He wore a heavy beard which in recent years has been changing from a dark brown to gray.Labels: banking, blacksmiths, Coroner Thompson, Judges, Midland, politics, Suicide, undertakers November 1, 1907 SAID HE STOLE COPPER PLATES.
The Secretary of an Enbalming Society in the West Side Fined $25.
A. H. Peterson, 540 Washington avenue, Kansas City, Kas, was before John T. Sims, police judge, this morning.
"What is he charged with stealing?" asked Judge Sims.
"Coffin plates, Your Honor," replied an officer.
"How's that?"
"Coffin plates," again answered the officer.
"Coffin plates?" echoed the judge.
"Yes. Peterson is accused of stealing eight coffin plates on which names are inscribed. They are valued at $1 each."
Peterson pleaded guilty and was fined $25. He is secretary and assistant demonstrator of the Institute of Embalming and Sanitary Science in the West Side.Labels: crime, Judges, Kansas City Kas, undertakers, Washington avenue October 21, 1907 SHE MARRIED IN HASTE.
Grace White Was Dazzled by Her Suitor's Claims to Greatness.
On Tuesday, October 15, Fred Melleni, alias Fred Walden, met Miss Grace White, a young waitress in Clark's restaurant, 123 West Twelfth street. On the 16th and 17th he did some fast and furious courting, and on Friday, the 18th, Fred Melleni and Miss Grace White were married by Justice Michael Ross.
Three days before, Mellleni had been arrested by the police and held over night for investigation. His picture was in the rogue's gallery. He was released on the morning of October 13, upon his protestations that he was trying to live honestly. Then he met his affinity and married her. Melleni says he is an actor. He borrowed money from friends to get his marriage license.
Yesterday Sheriff King of Clay county took the groom away from his bride on a warrant charging Melleni with the theft of a suit of clothes from Fred Dunn, who keeps the Royal hotel at Excelsior Springs, and $13 in money and a gold watch from C. C. Michael of this city, who was a guest of the hotel. The thefts are alleged to have been committed about three weeks ago.
Melleni's wife says he told her that he was well connected, and that his father was owner of two opera houses in Hanover, Germany. The young wife's home is in Golden City, Mo., where her father is a structural ironworker.Labels: con artist, Excelsior Springs, Judges, romance, Twelfth street October 20, 1907
THEY WERE SO VERY BASHFUL.
Professor and Student Didn't Want to Be Seen Getting Married.
Cleo Claudius Duke, a young professor, and Bertha Chandler, a student in Monmouth college, Monmouth, Ill, came to Kansas City yesterday and were married in the courthouse by Judge George J. Dodd. The young couple, for the groom is but 26, and the birde 20, tried to keep the conclusion of their romance a secret and insisted that everyone, including the marriage license clerk, leave the recorder's office during the ceremony.
"These bashful people," mused Fred Chambers, chief deputy recorder, while he waited outside the door, "remind me of a bride who made us all move out one day last month to alow her to change her dress. She had purchased a new gown to be married in and brought it wht her in a suit case. Even the groom had to get out of the office while she put it on. And when she stod up to have the judge pronounce the ceremony the basting threads, which she had forgotten to pick out of the skirt, showed quite plainly."Labels: courthouse, Judges, visitors, wedding October 16, 1907 HITS THEATER MEN HARD.
GRAND JURY HAS PREPARED NINETEEN INDICTMENTS.
Four True Bills Against One Man- ager -- Will Report to Judge Wal- lace This Morning -- Injunc- tion Comes Up Friday.
The grand jury will report to Judge Wallace in the criminal court this morning at 9:30 o'clock. A force of clerks and assistant prosecutors worked yesterday on indictments, and it was generally understood about the criminal court building that at least nineteen true bills will today be returned against theater managers who keep open Sundays. Four of the true bills, it is understood, will be against one manager.
The grand jury was expected to report yesterday, Judge Wallace was called to the criminal court building late yesterday afternoon to receive the report. Judge Wallace had intended asking Judge J. B. Casteel, sitting in the Pryor murder case, to grant a recess that he might take the bench and receive the report of the grand jurors. At 5 o'clock, however, the grand jury had not completed the work, and Judge Wallace visited the jury room. He remained there for some time and after leaving the room, and an announcement issued that the jury would report today.
Many true bills are expected from the grand jury this morning, chiefly among the batch being a large number affecting the Sunday closing crusade. Immediately o the report of the grand jury, it is understood, new instructions touching the Sunday lid will be read by Judge Wallace. These instructions will be given in open court. No warrants have been received by the county marshal yet from the grand jury, but the marshal's force of deputies will be in readiness this morning for a "snowing under."
Senator Cooper, who represents the theater managers, stated last night that grand jury true bills would not worry him nor his clients. He stated that he would even rather have his case tried before the criminal court than let it go before the circuit court. The latter course is assured, however, for the assignment judge of the circuit court can not possibly send the case to the criminal court for trial. Friday, the theater managers' injunction proceedings to restrain the county marshal from arresting them will either be tried in Judge Brumback's court or will be assigned for trial by him.Labels: circuit court, criminal court, Judge Wallace, Judges, theater September 10, 1907
THE FATHER WEPT IN COURT.
And Then His 2-Year-Old Son Began to Wail Aloud.
Mike Ross, a fireman living at 1519 Franklin street, was before the juvenile court yesterday because he had failed to pay $2 a week for the care of his 2-year-old son, Jim, who has been living with Mrs. Marie Strauss, 1311 Crystal avenue, since Ross' wife left him.
"I want to take the boy and I'll give him a good home," Mike said. "I don't pay the woman the money because she won't let me see the boy."
"Mike was drinking and I was afraid," Mrs. Straus explained.
"The law says," Judge Porterfield broke in, "the law says, Mike, that you must support your child even if you never see him. We can put you in jail if you don't care for him.
"And you, Mrs. Straus, must let Mike see his child whenever he wants to."
"All I want is justice; I love the boy," Mike said and he began to cry. Little Jim, seeing his father in tears, climbed on his lap and wailed aloud. Mike and Mrs. Straus went away together, Mike carrying the child.Labels: children, Crystal avenue, custody, Franklin street, Judges, juvenile court September 10, 1907
ATE HIS CAKE IN COURT.
Sammy Hopkins Visits the Juvenile Court and Likes It.
Sammy Hopkins, 4 years old, was visiting the juvenile court yesterday. He was accompanied by an aunt, but she couldn't keep track of him.
"May I eat a piece of sweet cake after the judge gets here?" Sammy asked Dr. E. L. Mathias, probation officer, just before the afternoon session took up. "Yes, if the judge doesn't catch you at it," the doctor said.
So, while Judge E. E. Porterfield sat at the table and heard case after case, Sammy slipped up to the judge's bench, hid behind it and ate a piece of ginger bread. Then with the crumbs on his face, he crawled up into the chair and looked at the judge's back. He was a cute little tyke, and he wore a cap on his head that attracted considerable attention.
Judge Porterfield turned around to look at the boy, and he slid off the chair and crawled back under the bench.
There he went exploring and finally found a piece of gum sticking on the underside of the bench. Manipulating this with outh and fingers, he came running to his aunt to show what he had found.
"Take it back," she whispered, "it belongs to the judge."
So Sammy took the gum back and stuck it where he had found it under the bench.
"I'm going to be in court regular some day," Sammy said, after his aunt had prevailed upon him to talk for publication. "I hopped a street car once and had a policeman chase me half a block.
"Mamma calls me Sammy, but my real name is S. R. I live at 2808 Bell. I go to Sunday school on Nineteenth street near the school house."
Sammy stayed until the court was adjourned at 5 o'clock. Before he left he hunted up Dr. Mathias:
"The judge didn't catch me, did he?" were Sammy's parting words.Labels: Bell street, children, doctors, Judges, juvenile court, Nineteenth street August 30, 1907
UNDER POLICE BAN.
'THESE MEN ARE BEING JOBBED,' SAID CITY ATTORNEY.
REARRESTED BY THE POLICE, JUST THE SAME.
Men Who Had Once Transgressed the Law Declare the Police Will Not Permit Them to Live Upright Lives.
What appears to be a flagrant case of police oppression occurred in police court yesterday. Three young men, who, so far as the police know, have been leading correct lives of late, had been arrested on suspicion and were held on the indefinite charge of "investigation." The young men were Virgil Dale, Frank Smith and Thomas O' Neal.
When the men were arraigned before Judge Young, Detective Edward Boyle said:
These men are bad ones. They have all done time, they don't work and they are hop fiends."
"I never smoked hop in my life," said O'Neal, "and I am working now."
"I can prove that I am working, too," said Smith.
"I have been here but eight days," said Dale. "When I was younger I mixed in bad company and committed a crime. I confessed it before a justice and was fined. My mother lives here. No matter what I have been I still desire to see my mother. On account of the crime I committed I am picked up and held for investigation every time I get in town. Ever since I have been here I have been at home putting down carpets, but last night I ventured out and was arrested. I have been jobbed here before, in this court. I have done nothing on earth to be arrested for."
Inspector Charles Ryan entered the court room at this moment and Detective Boyle said:
BUT RYAN PROVED NOTHING.
"Judge Young, this is Inspector Ryan. Listen to what he has to say."
"We haven't anything particularly against these men, except that they are bad ones," Ryan said. "We have pictures of the two of them and they are hop fiends."
Again came the denial from the men that there was no such evidence and they explained that their pictures had been taken on a similar occasion when they were arrested "for investigation" but were released.
"What do you want done with them?" asked Judge Young, who had listened with interest.
"Fine them $500 and give them a stay to leave town," suggested Boyle.
"I will go," said each man, "but I have done nothing and do not intend to break the law."
Believing that he was following the custom of the court, Judge Young assessed the $500 fines and ordered the men released so they could leave town.
Just as they started to leave the court room, however, they were all huddled together, rearrested before the judge and placed again in the holdover.
"What's all that for?" asked Judge Young. "I thought it was agreed that those men should go? One of those men has a mother here, and I don't blame him or any other man for wanting to see his mother."
"THEY ARE BEING JOBBED."
"It's the first time I have ever said so in this court," spoke up Fred Coon, city attorney, "but I have seen this same things many times, and said nothing. It strikes me that this is a straight 'job' on these men because, in years past, they have done nothing wrong. There is no charge now against them."
"I don't understand such proceedings" said Judge Young, "and I want to say that in this court it looks mighty shady. I don't like it at all. Instead of recording fines and stays against these men, I shall make a clean record of 'discharged' in each case."
That made no difference, however. Once they had sinned, and they must suffer for it. Dale, in particular, was very frank in his statement to the court about himself.
"When a man has once done wrong," said Dale, sadly, "the people might help him to live a better life, but the police won't let him. Once in my life I was convicted on my own confession. For that I have been made a roamer on the face of the earth, no place to lay my head, no place to call home -- though I have a home, and a mother here in this city. Is it right? Is it just?"
After court Inspector Charles Ryan was asked why the men had been rearrested when the court had released them on a fine suggested by a detective and concurred in by him.
"We are just holding them for investigation," he said.
NO CHARGE AGAINST THEM.
"Have you anything against them?" he was asked.
"No," he said, "we are just holding them for show up -- investigation is the only charge.
"Will any charge be placed against these men?" was the next question.
"We have none," he replied.
It is charged by a majority of the men who have sinned and fallen into the hands of the police that no matter how hard they try to reform and live upright lives, the police won't permit them to go in peace. The fact that a man has once done wrong damns him forever in the eyes of the police, even though he may have explated his crime by long hours of weary servitude. Ex-criminals declare that the greatest foes they have to right living are the police.Labels: attorney, courtroom, detectives, Judges, narcotics, police August 9, 1907 TO ANSWER MURDER CHARGE.
Raymond Weixeldorfer Released on $5,000 Bond by Justice Remley.
Raymond Weixeldorfer was arraigned for second degree murder before Justice Remley yesterday. The death of Johann Almensberger last Saturday was the cause of the murder charge against Weixeldorfer. In a fight at a German party June 23, at 1884 Terrace street, it is alleged that Weixeldorfer struck the blow which caused Almensbergers death. The coroner's jury yesterday morning advised the holding of Weixeldorfer. He was released on $5,000 bond.Labels: immigrants, Judge Remley, Judges, murder, Terrace street June 27, 1907 WINS ON "UNWRITTEN LAW."
Mrs. Mott Discharged for Shooting Husband and Woman.
Mrs. Dan Mott was yesterday given a preliminary hearing in the North division of the city court, Kansas City, Kas., on the charge of shooting her husband and his paramour, Elsie Lecher.
The evidence introduced went to show that when she, Mrs. Mott, returned to her home on North First street the evening of the shooting, which occurred about two weeks ago, she found the Lecher woman with her husband. She drew a revolver, which she carried in the folds of her dress, and began shooting.
The Lecher woman was shot three times, while only one bullet struck Mott. After all of the witnesses were examined, Judge Guyer dismissed the case against Mrs. Mott for the reason that she "was protecting the sanctity of her home."Labels: domestic violence, Judges, Kansas City Kas June 22, 1907 JEFFERSON BRUMBACK DEAD.
End Comes to Veteran and Jurist at Excelsior Springs. Judge Jefferson Brumback, prominently associated with the earlier history of Kansas City, died at Excelsior Springs this morning about 2 o'clock. He had shown a gain of strength within the last week and there were hopes he would recover. His advanced age of 90 years was the balance against him, and a collapse came last night. Judge Hermann Brumback was notified by telephone of his father's death. Because of having been on the bench in Ohio, Mr. Brumback was known as Judge Brumback, but he gained the title of general in the civil war, through which he served with distinction. Labels: Civil War, death, Excelsior Springs, Judges, veterans June 4, 1907 FAINTS, GETS A NEW JURY.
Judge Goodrich Believes Nerves Might Influence in Damage Case.
A few minutes after Rose Stauffer, of Moberly, Mo., took the witness chair in Judge J. E. Goodrich's division of the circuit court yesterday afternoon to testify regarding how she had been injured in a street car accident in Rosedale two years and a half ago she went into hysterics and fainted. Dr. E. L. Mathias, who was attending juvenile court, across the hall, was summoned and succeeded in restoring the woman to consciousness.
Inasmuch as the plaintiff alleges that one permanent result of the injury, because of which she wants $20,000 damages, is that her nerves are affected. Judge Goodrich thinks that her fainting may prejudice the jury. He adjourned the case until this morning, when a new jury will be secured.Labels: circuit court, courtroom, doctors, Judge Goodrich, Judges, Lawsuit, Rosedale, streetcar June 2, 1907 Gets $3,000 for His Foot. George W. Tucker was given $3,000 for his right foot by a jury in Judge Brumback's division of the circuit court yesterday afternoon. Tucker was employed by the Missouri and Kansas Telephone Company, when a pole rolled from a pile and hit his right leg, smashing his foot. The telephone company will appeal from the verdict. Labels: circuit court, Judges, Lawsuit April 27, 1907 WOMAN FAINTS ON STAND.
Was Testifying Against Her Husband in South City Court. Mrs. Mary Lovalette fainted in the South city court, Armourdale, yesterday morning while testifying at the preliminary hearing of her husband, Charles Lovalette, who was charged with assaulting her with intent to kill. Mrs. Lovalette swore out a warrant for the arrest of her husband last week. He immediately left the city and was arrested and brought back to Kansas City, Kas., Sunday. Judge Newhall, of the South city court, bound Lovalette over to the district court and placed his bond at $1,000. County Attorney Joseph Taggart said yesterday that in case Lovalette succeeds in giving bond for his appearance in court he will probably put him under additional bond to keep the peace. Labels: Armourdale, County Attorney Taggart, courtroom, domestic violence, Judges April 25, 1907 AN OVERCOAT HIS BOOTY. |
