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July 2, 1909 GASOLINE EXPLOSION MAY END BOY'S LIFE.
Chemical Solution Was Used to Ex- tinguish Flames After the Lad Was Burned. 
RALPH TOWNSEND.
Ralph Townsend, 6 years old, the son of Charles Townsend, 1028 Ella avenue, Kansas City, Kas., was probably fatally burned yesterday afternoon by an explosion of gasoline. The flames enveloped the child's body from his head to his feet, and were extinguished by the use of a chemical solution. An automobile belonging to H. M. Stonebraker, 3928 Baltimore avenue, Kansas City, Mo., was pressed into service and the boy was hurried to Bethany hospital, where he was treated by Dr. W. H. Smith. He was later removed to his home, where at a late hour last night his condition was said to be critical.
The burning of the child was the result of a peculiar accident. The firemen had responded to an alarm from a grocery store at 356 North Tenth street, and Orlando Lind, assistant chief, had entered the building. A gallon can of gasoline was burning near a large tank filled with gasoline. The assistant chief, with a wet sack in his hand, fought his way to the tank and shut off the flow of gasoline. He picked up the small can and attempted to carry it to the street, but just as he reached the outside door a ball was melted from the can and it dropped to the floor. An explosion followed and the flames shot through the screen door. The Townsend boy, with several companions, was standing not far from the door on the sidewalk. The boy's clothing became ignited and he ran screaming across the street, the wind causing the flames to burn fiercely. All attempts to extinguish the fire were futile until the chemical solution, carried by the fire company, was used. The boy's mother and father were burned about the hands in an effort to save the child.Labels: automobiles, Baltimore avenue, children, Fire, Kansas City Kas July 1, 1909 BOY KILLED IN ELEVATOR.
Lifeless Body Plunged Down Long Building Shaft Eleven Stories.
Lew Reid, 12 years old, of 1819 North Eighth street, Kansas City, Kas., was crushed to death by an ascending elevator in the R. A. Long building yesterday at noon. A sudden jerk of the car threw the boy forward. As he grasped the iron grill work of the elevator enclosure the swiftly ascending car caught him. The lifeless body fell eleven stories to the basement.
The boy entered the car on the basement floor in company with Otto Nelson, a messenger boy. They were the only passengers. The car was operated by John Livingston, 23 years old, 1101 East Sixteenth street, who has been employed in that capacity in the Long building nearly two years.
According to the story told by the elevator operator, only one stop was made before the accident occurred, and that was at the main floor. At the tenth floor Livingston noticed that he was ahead of his schedule, and threw the lever over to slow up, thereby causing the jerk which threw the boy forward to his death.
Livingston said he endeavored to put the boy back, and also stopped his car as soon as possible. The Nelson boy corroborated the operator's story.
Hughes Bryant, agent for the building, notified all of the employes not to talk about the accident. He also explained the accident by saying the boy either fainted or fell forward against the door without being thrown by the jar of the elevator.Labels: accident, chidren, death, elevators, Kansas City Kas, R A Long building, Sixteenth street June 29, 1909 RUBY KANE D'AUDRAE DEAD.
Kansas City Vaudeville Actress a Victim of Tuberculosis.
Mrs. Ruby Kane D'Audrae, a vaudeville actress of 3944 Woodland avenue, died of tuberculosis after a four months' illness at 1:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon. Her husband, Robert D'Audrae, and her father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. P. J. Kane, are in the amusement business, the two first named somewhere in Ohio. Mrs. Kane is in Wellington, Mo. Only the mother could be notified last night.
Mrs. D'Audrae was 23 years old. Seven years ago she graduated from the Academy of St. Aloysius at Eleventh street and Prospect avenue. Her voice, which is said to have been exceedingly strong and sweet, attracted considerable attention at school. Three years after finishing the academy she followed her father and mother to the footlights. She was heard in the Sparks theater in Kansas City, Kas., two seasons ago.
Funeral arrangements have not been made.Labels: death, Eleventh street, Kansas City Kas, Prospect avenue, schools, theater, vaudeville, women June 28, 1909 DROP OF 22 DEGREES.
Downpour of Rain Accompanied by Fall in Temperature.
Thousands of park-goers who were busying themselves eating ice cream cones and other frozen delectables at the amusement parks about 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon noticed a sudden fall in temperature as dark thunderclouds rolled up from the west and spread across the sky. In less than twenty minutes the thermometer showed a drop from 90 to 72 degrees, and in another hour the upper end of the tiny mercury column pointed to 68 degrees.
With the first cool wave regiments of women with dainty outing hats and dresses remembered they had not taken the precaution of bringing their umbrellas and followed closely by the male straw hat brigade charged upon the street car landings.
Word to the effect that more cars than usual were needed at the parks was met promptly by the street car officials. Cars with trailers were rushed to the rescue. Many of the pleasure-seekers found shelter in them before the real downpour came.
According to the local weather bureau 1.16 inches or rain fell.
The storm occasioned some apprehension yesterday evening in Kansas City, Kas. Telephone wires suffered, and numerous accidents of a minor character were reported.
The home of Horace Chandler, 627 State avenue, was struck by lightning. The chimney was demolished, and about an inch of soot was spread over the carpets and furniture in two rooms. Mr. Chandler was asleep in a chair opposite the chimney when the lightning struck, but was unhurt.Labels: amusement, Kansas City Kas, State avenue, streetcar, weather June 25, 1909 BLACK HAND LETTER A JOKE.
Boy Wanted to Keep Father Home for Dinner July 4.
Dr. E. R. Tenney, police surgeon of Kansas City, Kas., yesterday received a letter purporting to come form the "Black Hand" Society. Unlike the ordinary threatening letters, no demand was made for money . The letter was mailed in Kansas City, Kas., and was signed with the regulation black hand and gruesome skull and crossbones. After warning the police surgeon of the dreadful fate in store for him in the event of his failure to observe the wishes of the society, he was commanded to stay at his home during the entire day of July 4, and on no occasion to venture outside of his own yard.
After consulting with the chief of police, Dr. Tenney concluded that the letter was meant as a practical joke. Later in the day it developed that the letter had been written by his son, Clifford, 11 years old. The boy had planned for a Fourth of July dinner to be given as a surprise for his father. Fearing from a conversation which he overheard that his father would not be at home, Clifford adopted heroic methods in an effort to detain him. Dr. Tenney will eat dinner at home on July 4.Labels: black hand, children, doctors, holidays, Kansas City Kas June 23, 1909 GIRL STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.
Miss Jenny B. Haug, Knocked to Ground Unconscious.
Miss Jenny B. Haug, 1615 Wyandotte street, Kansas City, Mo., was rendered unconscious early yesterday morning by a bolt of lightning, which tore away a section of the wall near which she was standing. A light pan which she was holding was torn from her grasp, and her entire right side seemed paralyzed. Although able to talk last night, she was still suffering greatly from the shock. Dr. George F. Berry, who was called, said last night that the right hand and foot was pulled backward in a strained position, and that the patient was in a highly nervous state. Miss Haug's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Haug, live at 2707 North Eighth street, Kansas City, Kas.Labels: accident, doctors, Kansas City Kas, weather, Wyandotte street June 21, 1909 RESTORED TO LIFE BY MANIPULATION.
STARTLING RESULTS IN SERIES OF EXPERIMENTS.
Scientific World Profits Through the Research of a Former Kan- sas City Physician, Dr. Thomas Bennet.
An article in the last issue of the Medical Record calling attention to a remarkable series of experiments upon human beings in New York city whereby seventeen persons whose heart action had stopped, were resuscitated by manipulating the heart with the hand to induce artificial contraction of the ventricles, recalls to physicians that the incept of the idea at the bottom of this experiment is due to Dr. Thomas Bennet of New York, who performed the same experiment upon a hog while in this city twelve years ago.
Dr. Bennet, who was at that time professor of anesthetics in the University Medical college, was one of the first men to specialize in this branch of science. He is now ranked as one of the leading anesthetists in the world and is head of that department in the Roosevelt hospital, New York city.
EXPERIMENTED ON ANIMALS.
When he was a practitioner here, Dr. Bennet was on the visiting staff of St. Margaret's hospital, Kansas city, Kas. The problem of prolonging life by applications to the heart interested him and he performed several minor experiments upon small animals, which convinced him that the correct method to induce normal heart action was to massage the upper portion of the thoracic cavity so as to induce contractions at the same rate at which the heart usually works. In order to test this idea he procured a hog after some difficulty, killed it, and then after heart action had ceased for several seconds, made an incision in the left breast, inserted his hand and massaged the heart rythmatically. After a few seconds the animal respired and showed other signs of life. Shortly after this Dr. Bennet announced his intention to specialize in the field of anesthetics and has since followed the fruitful field of inquiry which he opened up.
BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE.
Four years ago an experiment of the same kind was performed by leading Jackson county surgeons upon a dog in the clinic of the University Medical college. In this case it was four minutes after heart action had ceased that the incision was made and artificial action of the ventricles induced. The animal was brought back to life, but as soon as the pumping with the hand ceased the body became lifeless again.
Similar experiments have been performed at Johns Hopkins university in the last decade, but none of them antedate Dr. Bennet's experiment with the hog at St. Margaret's hospital. Although his experiment was not a complete success, his friends claim that he conceived the idea before any others.
The Medical Record declares that nine of the persons who were resuscitated in this manner in the New York hospitals recently are still living, and that seventeen of the forty-five operated upon after heart action had ceased were brought back temporarily, at least. In the New York experiments not only is artificial heart action brought about by inserting the hand into the breast and massaging the upper half of the organ, but artificial respiration is induced and the other parts of the body are moved by the surgeons at the same time.
To what extent these experiments may be carried, local physicians are unwilling to venture an opinion.Labels: doctors, hospitals, Kansas City Kas, New York, University hospital June 7, 1909 FEAR DARK DESIGNS ON FATHER MICHAEL.
MYSTERIOUS WOMAN'S MUTTER- INGS ALARM PARISHIONERS.
Remembrance of Denver Tragedy Thrills Worshipers When She Dis- turbs Service at St. Rose of Lima Church.
Three hundred persons, attending the celebration of high mass in the St. Rose of Lima church, Seventh street and Quindaro boulevard, Kansas City, Kas., yesterday morning, were distracted in their prayers by the strange mutterings of a woman, who appeared to be demented and who, they fear, might have designs upon a Catholic priest.
A week ago Sunday, this same woman was among the worshipers in St. Mary's Catholic church, Fifth street and Ann avenue, Kansas City, Kas., and she acted in the same queer manner.
With the memory of the tragic assassination of Father Leo Heinrichsen, a Catholic priest in Denver, about a year ago still fresh in their minds, members of the St. Rose of Lima church showed the greatest anxiety.
CARRIES MYSTERIOUS PACKAGE.
The woman talked loudly as she entered the church, which is situated on the second floor of a two-story brick building, and she aroused curiosity by carrying in her hand a small oblong package covered with a newspaper. It was feared by those near her that the newspaper concealed a weapon.
As she walked up the aisle she scanned the pews closely, and finally wedged into the second pew from the alter.
Turning to a woman next to her, she said:
"What language do they speak in this church?"
"English," was the response.
When mass began the priest, according to the Roman Catholic rule, began the service in Latin.
"That is not English," said the woman; "that's a foreign language."
Her neighbor did not answer.
After mass had progressed for a few minutes the woman asked:
"What is the name of the priest?"
"Father William Michael," she was told.
"THAT'S THE PRIEST I WANT."
"That's the priest I want," said the woman.
She attracted attention when she blessed herself with her left hand, which is contrary to church rules. The genuflection, which is made by all Catholics when entering a pew, was also done awkwardly as to be noticeable.
Throughout the service the woman talked loudly and all the time the nervous auditors were watching the odd package she carried. More than once Father Michael appeared disturbed.
The solemn service prevented any conference on the part of the parishioners, but those about the woman concluded that she was a fanatic and were fearful of the result of her visit. That she was so near the altar and within a few steps of the priest lent to the uneasiness of church members.
STAYS AFTER MASS.
When mass was concluded the members fastened their gaze on the woman, who remained unmoved. the congregation, following the last prayers, began to file form the church while the priest and his servers left the altar. The woman, however, remained in her seat and followed Father Michael's every move.
A half dozen persons remained to watch the woman, each being of the same mind. Father Michael returned to the alter alone to repeat the prayers of thanksgiving, this being a part of the ceremony of the mass.
He saw the woman still watching him and finished his service with some difficulty. When he returned to the sacristy he watched until she had started from the building.
SEEN AT ANOTHER CHURCH.
The woman is not known to members of the congregation. She is about 50 years old and had sharp features. The trail of her skirt was wet and some wild flowers which she carried led some to think that she had been walking in the fields.
Leaving the church she departed rapidly west on Quindaro boulevard.
Many of the communicants waited outside to watch the strange woman's movements, and some of these identified her as the same person who had distracted the service at St. Mary's the week before. It is also said that she has been seen at several church picnics and indoor entertainments, always carrying the same mysterious package.
Father Michael was not at all disturbed by the incident, although the interruptions during the mass worried him.Labels: churches, Kansas City Kas, mental health, ministers, women June 5, 1909 ROSE TAKES MURPHY'S RIG.
Officers in Rosedale Put Abrupt End to Her Brief Ride.
The hankering after horses of Rose Smith, a woman living at Thirtieth street and Southwest boulevard, who "just loves to drive," yesterday afternoon for the second time caused her arrest.
Rose climbed up on Thomas Murphy's hack, which was standing near Summit street on the Southwest boulevard, and whipping up the horses, drove away toward Rosedale. When Murphy came out of a store he discovered that his hack was gone, but he had no trouble in following. Rose was arrested in Rosedale by the city marshal, who delivered her to the Missouri officers.
"I just loves to drive horses," was the woman's explanation. "I wasn't going to steal them at all -- just out for a little drive."
Rose Smith was arrested in Kansas City, Kas., a month ago for undertaking a trip which differed very little from yesterday's feat. On the former occasion she took a horse and buggy.Labels: crime, Kansas City Kas, Rosedale, Southwest boulevard, Summit street, Thirtieth street May 24, 1909 RAN THROUGH FLAMES TO RESCUE HER BABY.
KANSAS CITY, KAS., WOMAN DANGEROUSLY BURNED.
Mrs. J. A. Tavis, After Gasoline Explosion, Rushed Through Fire and Wrapped Her Skirts Around Boy.
Mrs. J. A. Tavis and her son, Theodore, 2 years old, were dangerously burned by an explosion of gasoline yesterday morning at the home, 313 Washington boulevard, Kansas City, Kas. The heroic action of the mother, who rushed through the flames and wrapped her clothing about the baby, probably saved the child's life. Mrs. Tavis's left leg from the hip to the foot is literally baked. She is also suffering from severe burns on her right foot and right leg below the knee, as well as the right hand. The baby, which had been ill for several weeks, was burned from the knees down on both legs and feet, also both hands and arms. Dr. W. C. Whimster dressed the wounds.
The accident was caused by dropping a lighted paper on the floor near a bucket into which a wash basin filled with gasoline had been emptied. An explosion followed and the flames immediately spread over the room and the adjoining hall. Mrs. Tavis, who was near the door leading to the hall, heard the baby scream, and rushing through the flame, wrapped the child in her skirts.Labels: children, explosion, Fire, Kansas City Kas May 24, 1909 IS A KNOWING DOG.
Some of the Stunts Performed by "Tige" in Kansas City, Kas. 
"TIGE."
The Famous Dog of Kansas City, Kas.
The remarkable intelligence displayed by Tige, a pedigreed bull dog, belonging to F. J. Wallis, 1224 Hasbrook avenue, Kansas City, Kas., makes him the most popular dog in the city. The circle of acquaintance of this knowing canine is not limited by the immediate neighborhood in which he lives, for practically every school child and many grown persons esteem it a special favor to be greeted as a friend by this descendant of royalty. An enthusiastic audience is never wanting when Tige decides to go through some of the "stunts" which have made him famous. Unlike the ordinary "trick" dog, Tige does not require to be prompted, but of his own accord will go through performances which would make the ordinary circus dog look like an amateur.
Sunday afternoon is matinee day with Tige and upon these occasions an open air performance is given for the benefit of the visitors who come from all parts of Armourdale to see their favorite.
Among the many feats accredited to Tige, aside from the ordinary ones of catching a ball in his mouth, jumping through a hoop and rolling a barrel, are those of climbing an eight-foot post and recovering an object placed upon the top of it. An object thrown onto the roof of a house will be recovered by Tige, who climbs a ladder and leaps from it to the roof. He will jump straight into the air a distance of six and a half feet and swing from a clothes line until told to drop to the ground. He will open sewing machine drawers or like places of concealment to recover hidden articles. A handkerchief given to him will be concealed under a fore leg while the dog pretends to search for it. In addition to his acrobatic accomplishments, Tige has a great reputation as a ratter, having on numerous occasions killed eight rats in three minutes. This thirty-pound brindle bulldog serves the double purpose of chief entertainer for a multitude of school children during the daytime and a faithful guardian of his master's premises at night.Labels: animals, Armourdale, children, Kansas City Kas May 21, 1909
TO ARREST DEPUTY SHERIFF.
County Constable Had Warrant for
Tobacco Law Violation.
William Milor, a constable from Justice of the Peace John White's court at Merriam, Johnson county, Kas., walked into the sheriff's office in Kansas City, Kas., yesterday morning and served a warrant on Deputy Sheriff C. Q. Lukins, charging him with having given a cigar to a minor in Merriam last Tuesday. Under the anti-cigarette and tobacco law passed at the last Kansas legislature, to give or sell a minor tobacco constitutes a misdemeanor.
Under Sheriff Joseph Brady, Deputy Sheriff Lukins and other members of Sheriff Al Becker's force enjoyed a good laugh at the expense of the country constable. The warrant was of the John Doe variety and was worthless inasmuch as a justice of the peace of one county cannot issue a warrant and have his constable serve it upon a resident of another county. Deputy Sheriff Lukins says he has not been in Johnson county for several years.
The rural constable, however, felt sure that Mr. Lukins was none other than the John Doe wanted by Justice White, and he said he would return for his man after he secures a legal warrant.Labels: Johnson county, Kansas City Kas, tobacco May 20, 1909 'HOP-TO-IT TOM' RETURNS.
Austrian Went Back to Visit and Army Got Him a Year.
Thomas Lacy, better known by the residents of the first ward of Kansas City, Kas., as "Hop-to-it-Tom," returned yesterday from a visit to his native country, Austria. Lacy came to this city when a boy and amassed a small fortune in commercial pursuits in the packing house district. He decided to visit the home of his birth in May last year, but before going back he neglected to take out naturalization papers. At the time he left Austria the first time to come to this country he had not given his country the required army service, and when he went back home on a visit he was arrested and after a trial sentenced to serve one year in the Austrian army.
"If I had been smart," said Lacy yesterday, "I would have taken out my papers, declaring my allegiance to the United Stated before leaving for the old country. I hadn't landed over there more than a week, when I was picked up and informed that I would have to do army service before returning to the States. I was sentenced to one year's service in the army, but after serving three months I secured my release by paying a man to serve as my substitute. It cost me quite a little bit of coin, but I am back into the States and I propose to stick here from now on."Labels: immigrants, Kansas City Kas, military May 18, 1909 ONE HUNDRED MULES BURNED IN STABLES.
GUYTON & HERRINGTON SUF- FER BIG LOSS BY FIRE.
Animals, Fascinated by Flames, Re- fuse to Escape -- Two Hundred Horses, Released From Adjoin- ing Stable, At Large.
More than 100 mules were burned to death in Guyton & Herrington's stables at Seventeenth and Genessee streets last night. Fascinated by the flames, they made no effort to save themselves, but slowly roasted to death, while hundreds of men stood outside shouting to scare the mules away from their death. The building was completely destroyed.
William L. Orvis, salesman for the firm, said there were 300 in the stable. The number of incinerated animals may reach 150.
Sam and Laurence Crane, who live at 2 Kansas avenue, Kansas City, Kas., were the first to see the flames, which had already gained considerable headway inside the locked building. They began trying to lead the already terrified mules out of the fire.
Companies were hurried from Nos. 1, 7, 9, 15 and 16 stations were sent. The Crane boys were inside the building when the first stream of water hit the windows. One of the sashes was knocked off and fell upon the head of Sam Crane, knocking him unconscious. He was dragged out of the flames by his brother and later revived.
Other men rushed into the furnace-like heat and strove to make the mules run out, but the blinded beasts huddled together. Volunteer horse saves raided the barn of Cottingham Bros., next door, and released more than 200 animals, which scattered in every direction. At midnight only sixty-nine had been recovered. A platoon of eight horses rushed up the viaduct of the Twelfth street trolley line and stampeded Twelfth street to Grand avenue, where they turned left and were lost in the North End.
Cottingham's barn next door was not damaged. Two small stables used by Guyton & Herrington, across the alley on Seventeenth and Wyoming streets, were saved.
A watchman was supposed to sleep in the building. What became of him is not known.
The value of the stable, which was of brick, is estimated at $20,000. The mules were worth from $200 to $250 apiece. The building was the property of the stock yards company and was insured. Both Guyton and Herrington were out of town when the fire occurred. They will continue business in the stables on Wyoming street.Labels: animals, Fire, Genessee street, Grand avenue, Kansas City Kas, North end, Seventeenth street, Twelfth street, Wyoming street May 15, 1909 STORM STOPS STREET CARS.
Traffic on Many Lines Delayed by Water, Broken Poles and Ob- structed Tracks.
The service of the Metropolitan Street Railway Company suffered severely from yesterday's storm. Mud and stones on the track at many places on all lines held up cars for 20 minutes at a time. Although all help available was hurried to such places to clear away the impending debris, most of the cars on the long lines, like the Quindaro boulevard line, were from half an hour to a full hour late in arriving at their terminals.
It was said at the general office at Fifteenth street and Grand avenue at 8 o'clock that three-quarters of a mile of trolley wires was down near Fairmount park, and that twelve poles had been broken off at this point. Also it was said service was temporarily suspended on the West Side line in Kansas City, Kas., because of debris across the tracks in the vicinity of Riverview.Labels: fairmount park, Fifteenth street, Grand avenue, Kansas City Kas, Metropolitan Street Railway Company, streetcar, weather May 13, 1909 BABY ON HIS DOORSTEP.
Later Woman Is Found Near Home of W. E. Griffith.
A baby 3 days old was found in a basket on the porch of his residence at 10 o'clock last night by W. E. Griffith, 537 Everett avenue, Kansas City, Kas. The police were immediately notified and the ambulance went with officers to take charge of the infant.
Before the ambulance drove away from the house, a woman was discovered wandering on the street about a block away, apparently in a dazed condition. When approached by a patrolman she became frantic, and fought the officer.
At the station she gave the name of Mrs. S. W. Underwood, 228 Hardesty, Kansas City, Mo. From her appearance and manner at the station the woman's mind is affected. Friends on the Missouri side were notified and given charge of her.Labels: children, Hardesty avenue, Kansas City Kas, mental health, police May 12, 1909 WYLIE W. COOK IN CHARGE.
New Head for Kansas City, Kas., Police Department. 
WYLIE W. COOK.
Newly Appointed Chief of Police of Kansas City, Kas.
Wylie W. Cook, acting upon orders from Mayor U. S. Guyer, took charge of the police department of Kansas City, Kas., yesterday morning as chief. His name for this position will be submitted along with a list of other appointments to the council at tonight's meeting for confirmation.
Mr. Cook is 49 years old and has lived in the city since 1892. He was formerly connected with the Banking Trust Company and was an assistant state bank examiner during the administration of Governor E. N. Morrill. While he has not had any actual experience in police work he is considered fully competent to fill his new position. All of the men chosen for chief of police by the mayors for many years have been men of business experience rather than police work and in most cases the service rendered has been satisfactory.
Edward Strong, who has been made captain of police, is a man of many years' experience in the local department and with his help Chief Cook says he is confident that he will be able to soon improve the workings of the force. No changes in the assignment of them men will be made until the new executive becomes more familiar with the department.Labels: banking, Kansas City Kas, police May 8, 1909 ATTEMPTED HOLD UP MAY END IN MURDER.
VICTIM DOES NOT OBEY ORDERS AND ROBBER SHOOTS.
Charles Zondler, Saloonkeeper, Seri- ously Injured by Outlaw, Who Is Captured by Police- man After Chase.
"I want your money. Hold up your hands."
Charles Zondler, alone in his saloon at Eighteenth and Cherry streets last night at 10 o'clock, looked up into the muzzle of a 38-calibre revolver. He reached for his own gun beneath the bar and the stick-up man shot him twice in the face. The assassin fled from the saloon and darted south through an alley. Zondler fired twice, but missed.
Jerry O'Connell, patrolman on the beat, heard the shots when he was at Nineteenth and Charlotte streets, and caught a glimpse of the flying figure. He cut across lots and headed the man off in the alley. Putting his left hand over the robber's revolver he jammed his own gun close to the fellow's car and brought him to a stop. Then, with the assistance of Patrolman George Brooks, O'Connell marched his prisoner to the Walnut street station.
Zondler, who is an elderly man and has owned the saloon but a few months, was taken to the general hospital in the ambulance from the station. Examination showed that one of the bullets had entered his mouth and passed out through the right cheek. The other bullet entered the left side of the neck and passed out through the right side. He is in a precarious condition.
Lieutenant Michael Halligan put the prisoner through a searching examination at the station. He gave the name of Henry Horton, but a card case had the name of H. S. Seward upon it, and he acknowledged that he sometimes went by that name. Horton admitted to Lieutenant Halligan that he had been arrested in this city before for petty crimes, but said that this was his first attempt at the stick-up game. He had only recently arrived in town, he said, and needed money. A dime and a stamped postcard were in his pockets. Horton asked permission to send the postcard to his mother. He addressed it, "Mrs. W. H. Strain, 3001 Cisna avenue, Kansas City, Kas." On the card he wrote:
"I guess I am gone for good. Come over and see me, Scott."
Horton said that his mother's name was different from his own because she had married twice. He said that he lived at the Kansas City, Kas., address when at home, but had only recently come from Omaha. He made no attempt to deny the act.
Jerry O'Connell, who made the arrest in sensational fashion, is known as the best sprinter in the precinct, if not on the force. He was complimented by Lieutenant Halligan on his capture.
Zondler lives with his family at 3220 East Twenty-third street.Labels: Charlotte street, Cherry street, crime, domestic violence, Eighteenth street, guns, Kansas City Kas, Nineteenth street, police, saloon, Twenty-third street April 30, 1909 CAUGHT IN A TRAP OF HER OWN MAKING.
MRS. REYNOLDS FAKED NAME OF MAN WHO EXISTED.
Like a chapter from a novel is the story of the complications Mrs. Bessie A. Reynolds wove when she set a snare for a suspicious husband. The Reynolds live at 925 McAlpin avenue, Kansas City, Kas. The husband is a foreman at the Proctor & Gamble plant. Mrs. Reynolds is the mother of five children, the oldest of whom is 19.
The dove of domestic peace has not been a continued guest in the Reynolds home for some time, due largely to the circumstance that the head of the family absented himself from home on Sundays, or of evenings and made no explanation to his wife as to where he had passed the time.
"One day," says Mrs. Reynolds, "my husband accused me of liking some other man better than I did him and I said, 'That's so; there is another man.' I only wanted to make him jealous -- there is no other man, but he was so persistent that I finally decided to fix up a name and leave it where he would see it."
THOUGHT THE NAME FICTITIOUS.
Mrs. Reynolds wrote the name of Frank P. Courtney, La Junta, Col., in a small book in her handbag and her husband duly found it. Without saying anything to his wife of his discovery, Reynolds wrote to the postmaster at La Junta and asked him if Frank Courtney received his mail at that office. The answer came back that he did. Thereupon Reynolds wrote to Courtney asking him what he meant by meeting his wife. Courtney replied that he was not acquainted with Mrs. Reynolds; that he had not been in Kansas City for several years, and then had only passed through the town. Reynolds consulted with his wife's sister, who lives in St. Joseph. Without divulging her intentions, the sister wrote to Courtney, using Mrs. Reynold's name. The sister also doubted the existence of a man named Courtney, but when in due time she received a letter from him in which he stated that he was puzzled to know what all the fuss was bout, she no longer questioned his existence and immediately posted off to tell her sister, Mrs. Reynolds, what she had learned.
WIFE WRITES A LETTER.
It became Mrs. Reynolds's turn to take a hand in the letter writing. She wrote to Courtney, explaining the circumstances of her husband's letters and expressing surprise over the coincidence that she had given her husband a supposedly fictitious name and address which proved to be that of a real personality. Several letters passed between Courtney and Mrs. Reynolds before the tangle was straightened out to their satisfaction.
In the meantime Courtney left La Junta for Sterling, Col. He claimed to be a chauffeur. In Sterling a puzzling diamond robbery occurred and the next heard of Courtney was in Denver, where he was arrested on suspicion of theft. He confessed to the Sterling robbery. When he was searched at the Denver police station the following letter from Mrs. Reynolds was in his pockets:
HER LETTER TO COURTNEY.
"Dear Sir: I feel as though I owe you an explanation of how I have so innocently drawn you into my affairs. I hope when you have read this you will forgive me. In the first place, I never saw you, or heard tell of you, but will trust to your honor as a gentleman to keep the contents of this letter a secret. You will see it is a very personal letter. I am Mrs. Bessie Reynolds, mother of two grown children, and have decided to take a hand in this letter writing. My husband is insanely jealous of me and has indeed made my life almost miserable.
"Two years ago I made the acquaintance of a man who proved to be a gentleman and who befriended me in a way I could not ignore and can never forget, and whom I grew to like very much.
"Now, understand me, I do not say love. My husband forbade me to speak to him. I, perhaps, saw more of this man than I should. As I told you before, he is a gentleman, and is the case always, someone had to tattle. My husband demanded the name of the man whom I cared more for than him.
GAVE HIM FAKE NAME.
"Thinking if he thought I did care for someone else, and hoping he would be kinder to me, I told him yes, there was someone. At last, in desperation, I, not knowing that you or any other man of that name existed, and to turn his mind from my friend, I simply made out in my mind the name of Frank P. Courtney. Then, of course, he demanded to know where he lived, and, as I wanted to put this imaginary man out of his reach as far as possible, and having told him that Mr. Courtney was a railroad man, knowing La Junta was a terminal, I told him that town. And I thought everything was O. K. until he marched in with the letter from this La Junta postmaster, saying that you did exist and received your mail there.
"Well, I will just leave it to your imagination as to my feelings when I found out you did exist. I just almost collapsed right there. In the meantime my sister in St. Joseph, knowing why I had told so many stories, or lies, if you choose to call them by their right name, wrote you in my name to prove to my husband that you did not exist.
"She almost died when she found out you were a sure-enough, very much alive man.
CALLED POSTMASTER IDIOT.
"I told my husband when that old idiot of a postmaster wrote him you were there that I had storied at first. I could not make him believe, and pleaded with him not to write to you for I was afraid that you might be married and it would bring trouble to you and your wife. I was also very much ashamed to have you know anything of this affair. I never can tell you how sorry I am to have caused you the annoyance I evidently have.
"I will ask this favor of you, if not too much trouble to you: Will you write me what my husband wrote you? Now, I don't want him to know I have written you, so I will post the postman as regards La Junta letters, and I will appreciate an early reply to this, as I wish very much to know where I stand in your estimation. It hardly seems possible that you are a sure-enough man and do exist when I just made you up out of my mind.
"Hoping if we ever meet it will be as friends. I remain confidentially yours, MRS. BESSIE A. REYNOLDS."
"NEVER AGAIN," SHE SAYS. "I was never more surprised in my life than when I discovered that a man named Courtney really existed," said Mrs. Reynolds last night. "I am sorry I wrote the letter, but I was angry when I found my husband had written out there to see if the name he found in my pocketbook was that of the man whom I had foolishly told him I cared more for than I did for him. It has taught me a lesson about writing letters that I will never forget."
Mrs. Reynolds is a handsome woman of the Spanish blonde type. She is a member of a Kansas City, Kas., Baptist church and has lived here for fourteen years.Labels: Denver, Kansas City Kas, marriage, romance, women April 20, 1909 MOTOR CYCLIST INJURED.
Oral Fogle Driving at High Speed When Wheel Struck Horse.
A motorcycle ridden by Oral Fogle of 1922 Harrison street, Kansas City, Mo., ran into a horse at Eleventh street and Minnesota avenue, Kansas City, Kas., last evening at 6 o'clock. fogle was seriously injured and was removed to Bethany hospital. The horse, which was being led to water, was so badly crippled that it was necessary to kill it.
Eye witnesses to the accident say that the motorcycle was being driven at a high rate of speed. Patrolman Jake Broadhurst was placed in charge of the cyclist at Bethany hospital pending his recovery, when a warrant will be issued for his arrest. Fogle says he is an employe of the Berger Package Company of Kansas City.Labels: accident, animals, hospitals, Kansas City Kas, Minnesota avenue, motorcycles April 19, 1909
PETER YOHANOWIC IS KING OF 5,000 GYPSYS.
SCATTERED OVER EVERY STATE OF THE UNION.
The "Throne" Is Located on the Reidy Road Two Miles West of Kansas City -- Subjects Now Gathering.
PETER YOHANOWIC, KING OF 5,000 GYPSIES.
Peter Yohanowic of the Egyptian gypsy camp on the Reidy road, two miles west of the limits of Kansas City, Kas., proclaims himself a king. Peter II, as he is locally known, is a hereditary monarch, ruling over all the gypsy tribes of Semitic extraction in the United States. The official diadem, worn only in judgment of the refractories and delinquents of his tribe, is real enough, but consists merely of a silver and copper band hung with shells.
"My rule is unquestioned where ruling is necessary," said King Peter a few days ago. "My father before me was king, and his father before him. This is the Yohanowic dynasty. However, there is not much to do or say in the ruling line where everybody is accommodating and law-abiding. I am afraid that "king" will some time become a title with no force in it."
While saying this King Peter was directing the laying out of a camp for several new arrivals. His remarks to the reporter were interspersed with curt commands not delivered in a kingly way, but more after the manner of a modern civil engineer arranging a grading outfit.
"Two wagons and two tents over here. The same over there. Keep the horses and mules outside the tent line and the dogs beyond the mules, towards the city," were a few of his orders. He was watching camp sanitation and the safety of the chattels from petty thievery at the same time.
THE KING IS TALL.
Although some of his subjects were considerably undersized, the king is nearly six feet tall and built in proportion. He wears a coal black mustache, trained parallel with his upper lip, and wears the sombrero and bandanna of his race. His is good looking and has the most pleasing smile imaginable, showing a double line of strong white teeth. He is about 29 or 30 years old.
"How large a following have you?" the king was asked.
"I do not really know," was the reply. "Perhaps 5,000 would be the figure that would best cover it. You see, they are scattered over every state in the Union. Some of them I never hear from. Others are with me all the time. Whenever I meet them they are subject to me and pay me tribute according to what they can afford. Sometimes months pass and the condition of the tribe I am with is such that it is impossible for me to get any money outside of what I can make personally. My expenses are a little higher now, as I am maintaining a home in Leavenworth for the benefit of my wife and little son, now a year old."
"Is the little boy the crown prince?"
"Certainly he is. He's a member of the dynasty and in direct line of succession, isn't he? The tribe expressed its allegiance and anointed him prince a few days after his birth."
"How old is the Egyptian branch of the gypsy family, and in what manner does it differ from the European gypsies?" was next asked.
ORIGIN OF THE GYPSY.
"Nobody knows just what the origin of the Gypsy was. It is a matter clouded with superstition and faint history. I have often been asked if I did not believe that the Gypsies are the lost tribe of Israel. It has been pointed out to me that we are crafty salesmen and good husbandmen like the Jews. Also that our facial characteristics are somewhat similar to the Jewish cast of countenance. I think it is all rot. There was only one Jew who had the Gypsy instinct and that one was mythical -- the wandering Jew."
 TYPICAL CAMP SCENE IN KING YOHANOWIC'S DOMAIN.
From all accounts the reign of Peter Yohanowic has been no more placid than that of his contemporary, Peter of Servia. Three years ago a usurper came to the camp on the Reidy road and threatened a permanent overthrow of the regime. He came from Chicago and wore a blazing red suit with many medals of various sorts. Also he had a commission which he said made him king over all the Egyptian Gypsies in the world.
There was some trouble in the camp following his arrival, trouble which began to brew immediately after the newcomer had demanded $2,000 tribute to set up his kingdom. Peter was bitter from the loss of his "throne" and one day he and the usurper are said to have met on the sandy bed of Reidy road. There was then an unkingly joust at arms, literally speaking, and when the dust finally settled over the combatants the usurper was overthrown and Peter was once more king.
ARREST OF A PRETENDER.
Formal charges of obtaining money under false pretenses were preferred against the pretender by Peter and a warrant for his arrest was issued by the Kansas City, Kas., North city court. He was arrested and in default of a large fine, imprisoned.
About a year ago a son and heir apparent was born to Peter in Leavenworth. He will bear the title of Peter III, upon growing to manhood upon the death or resignation of his father. The Reidy road camp now consists of forty wagons. Sometimes it is even larger. This is in the midsummer season when outfits from the Southwestern states, like New Mexico and Arizona come in. During the heart of winter there are seldom more than ten or twelve wagons at the capital of King Peter Yohanowic and the little village is as dead as is Washington between congressional sessions.Labels: immigrants, Kansas City Kas, race April 15, 1909 MURDER AND SUICIDE END SIEGE OF MONTHS.
ENRAGED ROSEDALE HUSBAND KILLS WIFE AND HIMSELF.
Breaking Into Home in the Early Morning, Frank Williams Slays Sleeping Wife -- Shoots Him- self Under Fire.
Although the members of the family of Frank Williams, a laborer, have been living at 65 Clinton street, Rosedale, Kas., in a state of siege of nearly three months, and have never during that time retired for the night without placing loaded revolvers beneath their pillows, Williams smashed in the door of his home at 4:40 o'clock yesterday morning, killed his wife, Addie Williams, as she lay sleeping, and committed suicide by sending a bullet into his own brains, after being fired upon by his stepson.
Because of brutal treatment of his stepchildren and his wife, Williams had often been arrested, and upon the last occasion his stepson, James Goodell, refused to allow him to return home. Mrs. Williams on February 11 brought suit for divorce, and from that time began to hear of threats by Williams to exterminate his family and commit suicide. He lived in a tent only a few rods from his home, and was often seen skulking around the house.
WIFE KILLED WHILE ASLEEP.
Mrs. Williams lived in a cottage of four rooms with her son, James Goodell, her daughter, Mrs. Emma Clute, her son-in-law, Oscar Clute, and a grandson, Johnnie Aldine, who is four years old. The pistols were kept under the pillows of three of the members of the household for use should the husband and stepfather attempt to carry out his threats.
Shortly before 5 o'clock yesterday morning James Goodell was awakened by the crash as Williams broke down the kitchen door with a battering ram. Realizing that it was his stepfather, bent upon a murderous mission, Goodell seized his revolver and rushed into his mother's room, which adjoined the kitchen. Before he was able to reach the room, Williams had fired twice, both bullets striking his wife in the forehead. Williams then ran into the kitchen and Goodell fired three shots at him, none taking effect.
The murderer then placed the pistol to his forehead and fired, the bullet splitting and making it appear as though he had been struck by two bullets. Clute and his wife, who occupied the front room, did not reach Mrs. Williams's side until after Williams had committed suicide. Mrs. Williams was killed instantly and probably was asleep when she was shot. The suicide lived for an hour after he shot himself but was unconscious until the end. The grandson was sleeping with hie grandmother and saw Williams fire the shots.
GRANDSON WITNESSED MURDER.
According to Goodell, not a word was spoken by any of the parties during the shooting. Afterwards the little grandson said he saw his grandfather shoot his grandmother. Last night Goodell said he had expected a killing for two months, but believed that it would be his stepfather who would be killed.
Mrs. Williams was 40 years old and her husband 51. They had been married nineteen years.
Coroner J. A.Davis of Kansas City, Kas., was notified soon after the shooting, and took charge of the bodies. He ordered them removed to the Gates undertaking establishment, where he will hold an autopsy this morning. In the afternoon an in quest will be held for the purpose of ascertaining all of the facts leading up to the tragedy.
"The fact that Williams's stepson, James Goodell, fired three s hots at him while he was retreating from the house," said Coroner Davis, "leaves some little doubt as to whether Williams fired the shot that ended his life or was killed by one of the three shots fired at him by Goodell. This will be easily determined at the post mortem examination, as one of the revolvers was of 38 and the other of 32-caliber."
After the bodies were removed from the Williams home, Dr. Davis locked the doors and took possession of the keys. It is probable the coroner's jury will visit the premises today. The surviving members of the Williams family spent the night at the home of neighbors. They were indignant over the coroner's action in locking up the house. Dr. Davis stated last night that he took possession of the premises because both heads of the household were dead, and he did not want any trouble to arise over the disposition of whatever property was there.Labels: domestic violence, guns, Kansas City Kas, laborers, murder, Rosedale, Suicide April 11, 1909 A SUCCESSFUL LOCAL COMPOSER.
CHARLES L. JOHNSON, PROLIFIC AND VERSATILE WRITER.
Has Sold Nearly 3,000,000 Copies of His Compositions -- "Iola" Alone Passed Million Mark -- Several New Pieces Being Launched. 
CHARLES L. JOHNSON.
Charles L. Johnson, the Kansas City composer, does not pretend to be a Charles K. Harris or a Harry Van Titzer, but he has already achieved a degree of success that places him at the heart of Western music writers. He has written during the past few years fully a score of pieces that have been successful and has at the present time nearly a dozen good sellers on the market. He has just brought out the last song, a charming little ballad, "If I Only Had a Sweetheart," and about May 1 he will publish his latest instrumentalized composition, an exquisite intermezzo, "Sunbeam," also his new song, "Waltzing Around With Mary." Already 80,000 copies of "If I Only Had a Sweetheart" have been printed by Mr. Johnson, who is his own publisher, composer, song writer, manager, etc. This number will of course be multiplied by three or four, thought Mr. Johnson has not yet duplicated his greatest success, "Iola," of which more than 1,200,000 have been sold. He is perhaps better known as the author of "Iola" that that of any other piece, though his fame has reached all parts of the country.
Mr. Johnson was born in Kansas City, Kas., so that his career is a matter of interest to musical circles of the entire West. He is a natural musician and composed several pieces at an early age. He was for several years with the Carl Hoffman music house before embarking in business for himself. Some of his early successes were ragtimes, but he has shown his versatility by producing some very class music. He came into prominence with his rollicking "Doc Brown's Cake Walk," named for an eccentric negro who was for a long time a familiar figure on the streets of Kansas City. Another early piece was "Whispered Thoughts," a pretty novelette, of which 500,000 copies were sold. "Dill Pickles" is a very popular ragtime, while his eloquent high class ballad, "Deep In My Heart, Beloved," the exact opposite artistically, is one of his most successful compositions. Probably 3,000,000 copies of Mr. Johnson's compositions have been sold, and the prolific and indefatigable young composer says he is just getting down to business. There seems to be no reason why he shouldn't write another "After the Ball," which made a fortune for its author. Among the other successes of Mr. Johnson may be mentioned "Powder Rag," two step; "Fairy Kisses," waltz; "Fawn Eyes," two step; and "Barn Dance," schottische.Labels: arts, Kansas City Kas, music April 9, 1909 CHILD FATALLY BURNED.
Marie Wolters of Kansas City, Kas., Victim of Fire.
Marie Wolters, the 7-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Wolters, of 635 Freeman avenue, Kansas City, Kan., is dead, and Mrs. Mary Morony, wife of the Rev. L. G. Morony, rector of the St. Paul's Episcopal church , is severly injured as a result of the child's clothing catching on fire while she was preparing a "play" dinner yesterday afternoon in the rear of the Rev. Mr. Morony's home, at 1511 North Seventh street, Kansas City, Kan.
Joseph Wolters, the father, is city salesman for the Inter-State Oil Company, in Kansas City, Kas., and although friends used every effort to locate him after the accident, he was not found until after his daughter had died.Labels: children, churches, death, Fire, Kansas City Kas, salesmen April 7, 1909 FATHER SEEKS COURT'S AID.
Wants Daughter Taken From House of Good Shepherd.
In the circuit court this morning there will be a hearing int he case of Gertrude M. Gross, whose father, T. E. Gross, seeks her removal from the House of the Good Shepherd by a writ of habeas corpus. Gross, who lives in Kansas City, Kas., filed suit in the circuit court yesterday, alleging that the girl was placed in the home March 19 by Addie Gross, his wife, without his consent.
The writ, which is directed against Mother Mary, the superior at the institution, was issued by Judge Slover and made returnable today.Labels: children, circuit court, Kansas City Kas, nuns April 3, 1909 USED WHIP ON HIGHWAYMAN.
Unsuccessful Attempt to Hold Up Armourdale Physician.
Dr. Zachariah Nason of 636 Osage avenue, Kansas City, Kas., reported to the police that he was attacked at 10:30 o'clock last night by two masked highwaymen, who attempted to rob him at Seventh street and Tenny avenue. The intersection of the two streets is not well lighted, and while driving along Seventh street two young men, one of whom was in his shirt sleeves, stepped out from the shadows and commanded the doctor to throw up his hands. The smaller of the two men attempted to grasp the reins, while his companion approached the intended victim. Leaning out over the buggy shell the doctor struck the larger of the two men across the face with his whip and a second later struck the horse, causing him to break the hold of the other robber, and effecting his escape.Labels: Armourdale, doctors, highway robbery, Kansas City Kas March 31, 1909 ONE-ARMED HIGHWAYMEN.
New Feature to Street Car Holdup on Kansas Side.
Another holdup of a street car conductor occurred last night on an eastbound Quindaro boulevard car betweeen Tenth and Eleventh streets, Kansas City, Kas. Two men, one of whom had only one arm, boarded the car, which carried no passengers, and the one-armed one "stuck up" the conductor with a revolver, while the other cut his change pouch from his belt with a knife and went through his pockets. They secured $12 and jumped off the car. The conductor was J. P. Farrell. Motorman J. J. Bunting did not know that the conductor was being robbed.Labels: crime, highway robbery, Kansas City Kas, streetcar March 28, 1909
FOIL MARITAL PLANS OF AN AGED COUPLE.
RELATIVES RUTHLESSLY BREAK UP WEDDING FEAST. Now Jacob Rieger, Aged 75, Is Speeding Away From His Intended Bride of 60 Years.
Jacob Rieger, 75 years old, who lives with his son, Alexander Rieger, a wholesale liquor dealer at 4121 Warwick boulevard, believes that at that age he is eligible to the order of benedicts. But others of Mr. Rieger's household had different opinions and as a result a pretty wedding supper was interrupted last Thursday evening at the home of the prospective bride, Mrs. Rosa Peck, 60 years old, a milliner at Sixth and Main streets. Also there is an attachment on $1,100 which Mr. Rieger had in the National Bank of Commerce and a fast train is now hurrying him to New York, where he is to remain until he has outgrown his love for the woman.
Since his wife died a year ago, Mr. Rieger, the elder, has complained of lonesomeness, but could find no one among his near relatives who would even offer a suggestion of a cure.
"It is a pity," he is said to have often remarked, "that an old man like me must stay a widower."
No one, however, paid much attention to the yearnings of the old man. He took his evening walks the same as usual and made no allusion to any woman in particular as a fit subject for his affections, and as he has for several years been a partial invalid no developments were expected.
LOVED HIM AND LIKED HIM.
Up to last Wednesday things went as usual with the old man except it was noticed he had gradually been lengthening his outdoor walks, sometimes absenting himself for hours at a time. Then the word was brought to Alexander Rieger that his father and Mrs. Peck had been to Kansas City, Kas., and obtained a marriage license.
Alexander Rieger immediately went to the telephone and called up his lawyer, Samuel Eppstein of the law firm of Eppstein, Ulmann & Miller, with offices in the Kansas City Life building.
Mr. Eppstein went to see Mrs. Peck that same afternoon in hopes of talking her out of the notion of marrying the elder Mr. Rieger. He told her that her prospective groom, through his retirement from the liquor business, was not exactly in independent circumstances, and that in addition he was suffering from chronic stomach trouble.
Mr. Eppstein is eloquent and talked long and earnestly but by all his entreaties he received a decided "no."
"I love him and I like him," was the double-barreled manner in which Mrs. Peck, in broken German accents, expressed her regard for Mr. Rieger.
"You can't take him from me," she said. "You don't know the love we have for each other, and I wouldnt give him up for $25,000," and there the argument ended.
ATTACHED HIS MONEY.
The day following was stormy, but in spite of this fact the elder Mr. Rieger took a car for downtown early in the day. No one saw him go. It was hours before his absence was noticed and the alert lawyer again notified.
Mr. Eppstein at once hurried to the Sixth and Main street millinery store. He found Mrs. Peck had closed shop and was also missing.
Before starting out to forestall the wedding Mr. Eppstein arranged for a bill of attachment on all money Mr. Rieger had on deposit at the bank. Then he took a fast automobile ride to the home of Rabbi Max Lieberman at 1423 Tracy avenue, where he suspected the marriage ceremony would be performed.
As he expected, Mr. Rieger was there arranging for the nuptuals to be solmnized at 5:30 o'clock. After a good deal of argument Mr. Rieger consented to ride in the automobile back to the home of his son.
This was at 4 o'clock. About 5 o'clock he was again missing. This looked like buisness to Mr. Eppstein and the automobile was again brought into play and headed for the millinery store.
When the door of the living apartments at the rear of the store burst opeon to admit the excited lawyer it found a large table spread with a wedding feast and several guests, relatives of the propective bride assembled.
"This wedding can't go on!" shouted Mr. Eppstein. "I have arranged with the rabbi and he will not come."
LED THE BRIDEGROOM AWAY.
"Oh, yes it will," said the bride calmly. "We'll arange for another minister, won't we, Jacob?"
"No, there is nothing doing in the marriage line," replied the lawyer. "It's all off. You see, it isn't legal because you got the license in Kansas City, Kas. That's the law, you know."
Mr. Eppstein did not wait to hear any more, but took the bridegroom by the arm and led him away.
At midnight he was placed aboard a fast train for New York. Mrs. Alexander Rieger went along for company.
Alexander Rieger has maintained a mail order trade under the name of his father, Jacob Rieger, at Fifteenth and Genesse streets for many years, the father now having no interest in the business. Mrs. Peck has been a milliner in the North End over twenty years and is said to have laid by a snug sum of money. Her husband died many years ago, leaving the business exclusively to her.Labels: attorney, Fifteenth street, Genessee street, Kansas City Kas, Main street, ministers, New York, North end, Seniors, Sixth street, Tracy avenue, wedding March 27, 1909
WHAT! NATURALIZED IRISH?
Precinct Leader from Slav District Hears Some News.
The Democratic campaign managers in their efforts to gain a victory in the approaching election in Kansas City, Kas., have been unusually active in herding foreigners for naturalization purposes. So active has been this work that a few days ago the clerk of the district court ran out of the blanks commonly known as "first papers."
James Meek, chairman of the Democratic central committee had fifty candidates for citizenship corralled in Democratic headquarters and it was decided to get Topeka on long distance and ask that a deputy be sent down with a new supply of blanks.
"How many have you got?" was asked from the Topeka end.
"We have fifty who want to be naturalized," said Meek.
"What kind are they?" asked the man at Topeka.
Meek thought a moment, then turned to a party of his assistants, who had been listening to the local end of the conversation.
"He wants to know what kind of fellows these guys are," said Meek.
"Tell him there are forty-eight Slavs and two Irishmen," said Jay Carlisle.
"What's that?" broke in a precinct leader from the First ward. "Do Irishmen have to be naturalized, too?"Labels: immigrants, Kansas City Kas, politics, Topeka March 26, 1909
HAD BAD MONEY AND COUNTERFEITING KIT.
MAN AND WOMAN ADMIT MAKING THE "QUEER."
Secret Service Men and City Detect- ives Discover and Break Up a Local Plant and Arrest the Operators.  ROOM AT 621 PENN STREET WHERE KING, THE COUNTERFEITER,
AND HIS WOMAN COMPANION WERE CAUGHT.
The operations of a gang of counterfeiters in Kansas City came to a sudden end yesterday with the arrest at Seventh and Penn streets by a United States secret service agent and city detectives of a man and woman giving their names as Charles King and Mary Cook., and the discovery of the apparatus used in making the spurious coin. Both admitted that bad dollars had been made for the past month.
For the past few weeks Charles A. Adams, United States secret service man in Kansas City, has received complaints of bad coins being circulated. He paid particular attention to the arrest of Daniel Kelly in Kansas City, Kas., March 19 for passing a bad dollar on William G. Smith, a grocer at 1700 North Third street. At the time of his arrest Kelly had three irregular coins in his possession. In police court Judge Sims fined Kelly $500 for vagrancy.
IN A BASEMENT ROOM.
Adams, who visited Kelly in prison, says Kelly confessed making the coins and said his assistants were living at 621 Penn street in Kansas City, Mo.
Adams gave the facts to the police department and Andy O'Hare and Samuel Lowe, detectives, found that the couple were living in the basement of the brick house at the number which Kelly gave. Though the detectives watched the place last Sunday, nothing worth mentioning was discovered. The coins which the couple passed were good ones and could not excite suspicion.
Adams himself watched the house yesterday morning. About 10 o'clock the woman came out and got on a Roanoke car and at Southwest boulevard changed to the Rosedale line. The secret service man, of course, was following her. In Rosedale the woman alighted and entered a grocery store and asked if the clerk could change a dollar.
 MARY COOK.
The clerk looked at the coin critically and returned it.
"It's no good," he said, and the woman hurried out.
She walked a short distance when she met a little girl.
"Have you the change for $1?" she asked.
The child shook her head, and she passed on. When Mrs. Cook came to the baker of Mrs. Florence Catley, 1142 Kansas City avenue, she entered and again attempted to pass one of the dollars and was again refused. Out on the sidewalk, Adams stopped the woman.
"You are under arrest," he said.
SHE BLAMED KELLY.
"Why, I didn't know that it was a bad coin," she protested. "It certainly looks like one, doesn't it?"
But she accompanied Adams up town and as they were walking up the front walk to the rooming house, Detectives O'Hare and Lwe came out with King. She broke down and in the presence of King told the whole story.
 CHARLES KING.
"It was all Kelly's fault," she sobbed. "We came here from Denver four weeks ago and there wasn't a job in sight that my husband could get. At last he fell in with Kelly, and then they began to make the bad dollars. But today is the first time that I tried to pass one of the coins. Last night we ate the last food in the house, and I had to do something. I went out and tried to pass one of the coins to keep from starving."
The man hung his head during the recital, and at her conclusion corroborated her statements. He said that they had heard of the arrest of Kelly in Kansas City, Kas., and destroyed the molds at once. In an old vault at 512 Broadway where several buildings have been torn down, he told the officers that they might find the broken pieces.
Following his instructions, the officers found five sets of plaster moulds, a quantity of tin and antimony, and a moulding pot. All the material was taken to the federal building and will be held as evidence. The prisoners were taken to police headquarters, where the woman was placed in the matron's room and the man in the holdover.
In the matron's room the Cook woman said that she had formerly lived in Kansas City. She said that she had purchased a home on the installment plan at 2044 Denver avenue, and had made six payments, until last December. She separated from her husband, Thomas Cook, about a year ago, she said, and went to Denver. There she met King, who was working for a gas company.
"We came back to Kansas City because times were hard," she said, as she wept, "but he couldn't get any work here, and he fell in with Kelly. I didn't know for some time that they were making the bad money. Today is the first time that I tried to pass one of the coins."
The couple will be turned over to the United States authorities today. None of the neighbors suspected anything wrong. The family of John Pulliam, who lived on the same floor in the basement, thought that the man and his wife were employed down town. Kelly and king, the woman said, generally made the coins at night. They were such poor imitations that it is doubtful if many were passed.Labels: Broadway, counterfeiters, crime, Denver, Denver avenue, federal building, Kansas City Kas, Rosedale March 25, 1909 WOODWARD TRIPLETS THRIVE.
Neighbors Give "Shower" in Honor of New Arrivals.
The Woodward triplets, born in Kansas City, Kas., last St. Patrick's day, continue to thrive and their condition is pronounced the best by Dr. E. A. Reeves, the attending physician. The mother is also gaining strength rapidly.
The Woodward home at 903 Orville avenue, was the scene of a "shower" in honor of the new arrivals yesterday. The women of the neighborhood, who "have just gone daffy" over the triplets, held a special session a couple of days ago and decided to "shower the little ones and they did so. Garments of all descriptions belonging to an infant's wardrobe made up the shower.Labels: children, doctors, Kansas City Kas March 25, 1909 CIVIL WAR VETERAN DEAD.
Captain Williams Had Been an In- valid for Two Years.
Captain W. J. Williams, a veteran of the civil war, for forty years a resident of Kansas City, Kas., died yesterday at St. Margaret's hospital from the effects of an operation. He was 73 years old and had been practically an invalid for the past two years.
Captain Williams was born in North Carolina and at the age of 19 years ran away from home and joined the regular army at Leavenworth for the sole purpose of going with the troops to attack Brigham Young at Salt Lake City. His company was among the forces dispatched to the Mormon capital, but before much of the journey had been accomplished war was declared between the North and South and the westbound troops were recalled to Fort Leavenworth and sent South. Captain Williams was engaged in the battle of Wilson creek.
Of a family of five children, Captain Williams is survived by one son, Frank Williams, a former member of the Kansas City, Kas., police force. His wife died eight months ago. He lived at 193 South Pyle street. Funeral arrangements have not been made.Labels: Civil War, death, hospitals, Kansas City Kas, Leavenworth, veterans March 19, 1909 IS MOTHER OF TRIPLETS.
Mrs. Robert Woodward Gives Birth to Two Girls and a Boy.
Triplets, two girls and a boy, were born to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Woodward, 903 Orville avenue, Kansas City, Kas., yesterday morning. The babies are perfectly formed and are pronounced unusually healthy and robust by Dr. E. A. Reeves, the attending physician. Mrs. Woodward, mother of he new arrivals, is getting along nicely. The doctor states that she is strong and her condition is not at all dangerous. She is 35 years old, and besides the triplets has three other children.
The total weight of the three babies at birth was sixteen pounds, the girls tipping the scales at six pounds each, the boy bringing up the other four pounds.
Robert Woodward, the father, is associated with the Carr Manufacturing Company of Kansas City, Mo., and was in Slater, Mo., when notified of the increase in his family. He lost no time in getting home. If the boy lives he may be christened Patrick, in honor of the day on which he came into the world.
The Woodward babies are the second set of triplets born in Kansas City, Kas., in less than a year and a half. On December 22 1907, two boys and a girl were born to Mr. and Mrs. William Curry. The mother died the following month, and was followed a short time later by two of the babies. Boaz, the first born, is still alive and is enjoying the best of health.Labels: children, doctors, Kansas City Kas March 15, 1909 FISHERMAN KILLS MATE.
Contents of a Shotgun Emptied Into George Fields by Al Bartley, an Old Man.
A quarrel over some fish nets between two denizens of the floating houseboat village moored along the Kaw river resulted yesterday afternoon in the fatal shooting of George Fields, a young boatman, 24 years of age, by Al Bartley, a grotesque character about 50 years old, familiar to the streets of Kansas City, Kas. He is afflicted with St. Vitus' dance. A double-barreled shotgun was Bartley's weapon and he fired both loads, which took effect in Fields's neck and face.
The younger man was still alive when the ambulance arrived, but died before a surgeon could be reached.
The killing took place at 5:30 o'clock. Both men owned and lived in houseboats at the foot of Minnesota avenue.
As there were no witnesses to the shooting, Bartley's version is the only one to be had. He claims that he and Fields had quarrelled about the nets for several days and that late in the afternoon Fields walked along the bank to a place opposite Bartley's boat, where the nets were and threatened to cut them with the sharp blade of a shovel in which he carried.
Bartley then went into his cabin and got his gun, telling Fields he would shoot him if he damaged the nets. Then he walked out on a plank reaching from the deck of his boat to the shore and Fields advanced to meet him, this time threatening to use the shovel on him instead of the nets. Bartley then fired the two loads, both of which took deadly effect.
Bartley is in custody. He is married and has a large family. Fields was a single man.Labels: boats, guns, Kansas City Kas, Kaw river, Minnesota avenue, murder March 12, 1909 AT 103 HE BEGS A BED AT A POLICE STATION.
Man Who Can Recall the War of 1812 Gets Shelter for Night at Police Station No. 4.
A man so old that he can remember the war with Mexico as well as though it occurred yesterday, and dimly recall the war of 1812, wandered into No. 4 police station and gave himself up as a vagrant yesterday afternoon. He was James Forbes Foster, who lives at a rooming house at Eighteenth street and Minnesota avenue, Kansas City, Kas.
According to Foster, his age is 103 years, for he says he was born on Seneca street, Buffalo, N. Y., in 1806. He says further that his grandmother was Mercy Hutchins, a great tribal medicine woman of the Seneca Indians, and that he retains in his memory most of her medicinal traditions.
In personal appearance Foster is erect as a pine tree. His eyes, set in a very wrinkled face, are large and bright, his cheek bones high and his nose a thin, long beak. The lower part of his face is hid in a thicket of wiry whiskers a foot long, and his hair, as white as wool, covered his shoulders.
He tottered up to the sergeant's desk at the station and humbly asked if he might be allowed to sleep over night on the stone floor of a cell.
"I am awfully old," he began, "but I can still sleep anywhere. I am strong, but I am very tired. Give me the hardest piece of flooring you have got and an old coat to throw over me."
"How old are you?" he was asked.
For answer Foster produced a letter from an inside coat pocket bearing a stamp of a generation or two gone and shoved it under the lattice. "I guess from that I am about 20," he said. The letter follows:
Your Excellence: James Foster, who I know well, is a good scout for your armies, having lived among my people over 40 years. He has been West as far as the Mississippi river and so far North as the lakes in all parts. If you want a good scout, take him.
From RED JACKET.
Chief of Seneca Indians.
To President John Knox Polk, Washington, D. C.
The letter was yellow with age, and the envelope worn through in many places, although the old man had it wrapped in oilcloth. He admitted it was a copy m made from the original by the chief.
"Great Scott!" cried Captain Thomas Flahive, after he had glanced at it, "how old are you supposed to be, anyway?"
"Red Jacket, who was the only father I have ever known, told me I was born the last year of the Seneca famine, which was in 1806," was the reply.
"Did you fight in the Mexican war, as a scout?"
"No, I did not go. I knew too much about medicine, and Red Jacket concluded to keep me at home with him. As I remember, President Polk made no reply to the letter.
"In 1861 I was appointed as a spy to serve the government under President Lincoln. See that hand? President Lincoln, the greatest statesman the world ever produced, grasped it once."
In his conversation which somewhat wandered, Foster mentioned some great names in a familiar manner. He said he had dined once with General Winfield Scott, had known General Grant and Elihu Root. Lincoln he spoke of as a friend. He said he tendered his commission to the war department the day after the great emancipator was shot.
The old man speaks German, French and a strange tongue, which he said was the Seneca language. He recites Latin with the rapidity of a co-ed in her last college year and speaks intelligently of botany, chemistry and physics.
"I was educated at Notre Dame college in Montreal," he explained when asked where he accumulated all of his book knowledge. "The intentions of Red Jacket were to make a Catholic priest of me."
He was given a blanket and slept on the concrete floor of his cell much better than a younger man would have done.Labels: Abraham Lincoln, Captain Flahive, Civil War, Kansas City Kas, Native Americans, No 4 police station, Seniors, vagrancy March 9, 1909 GYPSY SMITH'S COUSIN, SAID WOMAN IN BLACK.
TALKED RELIGION TO VICTIM, WHO IS SHORT $130.
Police Searching for Mysterious Female, Who Used Hypnotism on Domestic and Got All the Money She Had.
A mysterious "woman in black," purporting to be a cousin of Gypsy Smith, has been reported to the police by one of her victims, Mary Anderson, 1836 Pendleton avenue, a domestic in the employ of J. L. DeLong, as having muleted her of $130 after advising her to draw the money out of the bank. The woman claimed to be a fortune teller, possessing the marvelous powers of foresight, and told Miss Anderson that unless she withdrew her deposit before March 5 it would be lost.
Friends of the girl believe the woman to have been a hypnotist, the girl's story of her experience with the "seeress" seeming to bear out this belief. The money is supposed to have been taken by the woman while she and Miss Anderson were in one of the waiting rooms at Emery, Bird, Thayer's store on Walnut street.
SHE'S A FORTUNE TELLER.
"The woman first came to the ho use on Monday afternoon a week ago and asked to be allowed to tell my sister's fortune," said the girl yesterday, "but, as my sister does not understand English well enough to carry on a conversation, I was approached. I told her I did not have time to talk to her and didn't want my fortune told, anyway.
"The next afternoon the woman appeared again and this time she insisted upon reading my hand. She told me that my people in the old country were having some trouble with their property and that all was not well with them. This was true and I began to put some credence in what she told me. Then she declared that the property would be lost and that there would much trouble come of it.
"After telling me this she looked right at me and said that I had money in the bank. 'You had better be careful of that, too,' she said, 'for I can see that you are going to have trouble with it. That institution will fail before March 5, and if your money is not out by that time you will lose it.' She then asked me how much I had and I told her I did not think it was any of her business. 'I know how much it is,' she declared, 'you have $130 or $150 in t he bank, but you had better take it out.' "
DREW MONEY FROM BANK.
The victim of the plot, after this seeming marvelous revelation of "powers," made an excuse the next day and went down to the bank and drew out her $130, her saving of more than seven months, the money that was to bring relief and help to her family across the ocean, and help to bring another sister from Sweden to America. She had lost some of her savings once before when a bank failed three years ago.
At the office of the bank the "woman in black" was waiting, but Miss Anderson says she was not there when she came out with the money.
"I had my money tied up in a handkerchief and that inside a leather handbag I carried," she said. I walked into Emery, Bird, Thayer's and went up to the waiting room. Here I met the woman again and she came to me and said, 'What , you again? I am glad to see you.' "
Sitting down to a table by themselves, the two women, according to the girl's story, began to talk . The "woman in black" began by asking the girl if she had been to hear Gypsy Smith. A reply in the negative brought a torrent of upbraidings. The woman declared she would suffer the torments of hell and the fires of everlasting damnation if she did not change her ways, and live the right life, as set forth in the teachings of the revivalist. She urged the girl to go with her to Convention hall, but this she would not do.
SHE WANTED THE BANK ROLL.
"I experienced the queerest sensation all the time the woman talked," she said. "Her beady black eyes seemed to burn into mine, and I could not take my eyes away from hers. I kept saying to myself, 'You cannot get my money, you cannot get my money.' And then she asked me to give it to her, saying she would return it to me the next day. I asked her if she thought I was crazy, and she told me that she thought I was one of the brightest girls she had ever known.
"She left me saying 'God bless you, I'll see you tomorrow.' and went out of the room. I did not get up for a moment, and when I did try I could hardly stand on my feet. I felt dazed and sleepy, and thought I should not be able to get home. There was no one in the room during all the time we were in there together. It was not until after I was on the street car on my way home that I noticed the money was gone."
THE BEADY BLACK EYES.
The police were notified of the occurrence, but so far nothing definite has been learned. Several persons in the neighborhood of Pendleton avenue saw the "woman in black," and declared she had tried to gain entrance to a numnber of residences on the plea of telling fortunes. She is described as wearing a black hat with several large black plumes, a black skirt and a black cloak reaching about to the knee. Her expression is said to be unpleasant and forbidding, the beady black eyes which stare at you directly seem to fascinate against the will, make the face repellent.
The woman told Miss Anderson that she lived in a tent in Kansas City, Kas., in the old Electric park, and that she was gypsy and still kept to the traditions of her race.Labels: banking, con artist, crime, immigrants, Kansas City Kas, ministers, retailers, Walnut Street, women February 22, 1909 THIEVES IN REVIVAL CROWD?
Dr. E. G. Davis Thinks He Was Robbed of $50 While Leaving Gypsy Smith Meeting.
Kansas City's light-fingered brigade switched its field of operation last night from crowded street cars to the Gypsy Smith revival meeting at Convention hall. Dr. E. G. Davis of 228 North Seventeenth street, Kansas City, Kas., was the victim. So cleverly was the job done that Dr. Davis did not discover his loss until he reached home after the meeting. He remembered of having been jostled in the crowd as he left the big hall and he is satisfied that it was there that he was separated from his pocketbook containing $50 in currency.
"There was the usual jam at the close of the meeting," said the doctor, in reporting his loss to the Kansas City, Kas., police, 'but I never suspected that pick-pockets would dare apply their trade at the big revival meeting, hence I took the jostling in the best of humor. I am positive that the theft was committed in the hall, as I walked direct to Main street and boarded a viaduct car for home."
Dr. Davis's pocketbook was in his right hip pocket. Besides the money the purse contained some private papers.
The car on which he rode home was not crowded.Labels: Convention Hall, crime, doctors, Kansas City Kas February 21, 1909 NEW WAY TO GRIND COFFEE.
A Mill, A Bicycle and a Pair of Feet to Do the Trick. 
LATEST METHOD OF GRINDING COFFEE A combination exerciser and coffee grinder is the latest product of the inventive genius of Curtis F. Smith, a Kansas City, Kas., grocer. On the rear porch of the grocery store at 2063 North Thirteenth street, Kansas City, Kas., a large coffee mill is connected by a belt with a bicycle which is propped up so as to act upon the principle of a treadmill.
When the Saturday orders are in, a small boy takes his stand by the coffee mill prepared to pour the coffee into the hopper. Mr. Smith mounts the bicycle and beginning slowly as though climbing a steep hill, he gradually increases his speed and bends low over the handle bars until the wheels of the bicycle and the coffee mill fairly hum. The Saturday coffee is ground in a jiffy. Labels: bicycles, food, grocers, inventors, Kansas City Kas February 16, 1909 BUT CAN THE JAPANESE FIGHT?
One Cossack Is Worth a Battal- ion, Says Russian.
A little man with a lambskin cap shaped like a cow bell, and with military boots and trousers, attracted some attention among the loiterers at the Union depot last night. He brought his heels together and raised his right hand obliquely across his face in some strange military salute when accosted by George Jenkins, the depot interpreter.
Thereafter he stood at respectful attention while the official gathered information necessary to find his three brothers. He said they were Russians and lived at 44 Porter avenue, Kansas City, Kas.
"How long did you serve in the army?" the interpreter asked in the Russian tongue.
"Five years. I am a cossack of the Don," was the answer in the same language. "I am Corporal Keprijon Kazniux of Ozarich. No one in my regiment could ride better or shoot straighter than I. Perhaps the Japanese know that."
"Ask him if the Japanese can fight well," interrupted a bystander when the interpreter had translated.
The interpreter did so and then for a minute the little man sputtered fiercely in his own tongue what sounded to be one continuous word of unharmonious syllables.
"He says they fight fairly well in their own country," translated Jenkins, "but they can't shoot and they can't ride worth -- something in Russian. He says that one cossack is worth a battalion of Japanese cavalry. That's all he has to say about the Japanese."
Kazinux has a military carriage and although short in stature did not compare unfavorably with several soldiers from Fort Leavenworth who were standing near. He wore a richly embroidered silk shirt and tight fitting blue-gray trousers, with a thin green stripe, tucked into the tall boots.Labels: immigrants, Kansas City Kas, military, Union depot, visitors February 16, 1909 BOY SAVED FROM DROWNING.
Rudolph Lorfing Owes Life to Girl's Presence of Mind.
The presence of mind displayed yesterday by Miss Anna Paradowsky, 730 Splitlog avenue, Kansas City, Kas., saved the life of 11-year-old Rudolph Lorfing, who had broken through the ice on a pond at Seventh street and Splitlog avenue.
While the boy was struggling in the water, his companions standing on the bank unable to assist him, Miss Paradowsky seized the cistern rope, with a bucket attached, and ran from her home to the pond. The rope was handed to Otto Stearns of 527 Tenney avenue, who, with the assistance of other boys, succeeded in getting one end of the rope to the drowning boy and pulled him to safety.
Lorfing, with four other boys, ventured on the ice on their way home. When the ice broke, three of the boys succeeded in reaching the shore, but Rudolph Lorfing and Herman Fabian were unable to do so. Fabian was dragged out of the water uninjured, but all attempts to save the other boy proved futile until the arrival of Miss Paradowsky. He was removed to the Paradowsky home, where he was revived, and later he was taken to the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Lorfing, 749 Reynolds avenue, Kansas City, Kas.Labels: accident, children, Kansas City Kas February 14, 1909 POLITEO'S EX-WIFE IN SPOTLIGHT AGAIN.
THIS TIME SHE HAS BEEN EN- JOINED FROM SELLING LIQUOR.
Eva Springsteen Fair Caught in Of- ficial Round-Up at Bartles- ville, Ok. -- Her Varied Career.
Eva Springsteen Fair, the woman who bewitched a Croatian priest of Kansas City, Kas., into marriage eight years ago, has again burst into the light of notoriety at Bartlesville, Ok., her present field. Among nine other holders of licenses she has been enjoined from selling liquor. She is now said to be the wife of a Bartlesville liveryman. Of the twenty-eight places where intoxicants are sold, twenty-two are listed for injunction.
Mrs. Fair, as she prefers to be known professionally, has left a wake of witchery wherever she has gone, but she served her piece de resistance when she inveigled Father Antony Politeo away from his priestly vows and his parish of simple Croatians to St. Joseph, where they were married November 19, 1901. Upon their return to Kansas City she is said to have left him at the Union depot and refused to live with him. Politeo, be it said, was straightway unfrocked and his wife obtained a divorce at Independence in the early part of 1907 on the grounds of abandonment and neglect. Soon after her divorce she went to Bartesville, where she has been living since.
MADE GOOD START, ANYHOW.
Many have been the vicissitudes of Mrs. Fair. As Eva Springsteen she was born in Manhattan, Kas., but later was taken by her parents to Atchison. There she was educated and received a diploma from the local high school. With other girl graduates, clad in commencement white, she sat demurely and listened with kindling ambition to the baccalaureate sermon, wherein the homilist shouted to them in his climax that "beyond the Alps lies Italy." Her intentions were no doubt good at first, but, figuratively, she tired of the irksome Alpine climb and strayed down into into the pleasant field of France an on to its gay capital, tarrying not far from the Moulin Rouge. After graduation she edited for a while the society page of an Atchison paper. She also waited behind a depot lunch counter in that city. On coming to Kansas city, she took the name of Mrs. Eva M. Fair. Here it was that she met Politeo on the street. She dropped her handkerchief. The priest picked it up and returned it to her with a bow. Smiles were exchanged and there was a stroll.
POLITEO'S ROMANTIC CAREER.
Politeo was a man of undoubted intellectual attainments. He gave inconsistent accounts of himself, however, and among other distinctions claimed acquaintance with Gabriel d'Annunzio and Sienkiewicz, the author of "Quo Vadis." By reason of his heterodox opinions, political and religious, he was banished from Austria and the church and went to Italy. Later he became reconciled with the church and his political heresies were pardoned by Emperor Francis Joseph. Then he was sent to America to take religious charge of his people in the coal fields of Pennsylvania. After that he came West and organized the Croatians who worked in packingtown into a parish. Thus as shepherd of his trustful flock he administered to their spiritual wants until the fair charmer tripped his path. Then began his undoing.
SHE MARRIED FOR MONEY.
Mrs. Fair and her lawyer cheerfully admitted that she had married the priest for his money. She claimed, however, she did not know of his churchly office until after their marriage at St. Joseph and that he wanted her to live with him as his housekeeper. This, she said, she refused to do. Five years later she got a divorce.
In the meantime she formed a sort of partnership with one George W. Robinson and together they kept a rooming house at 312-314 East Thirteenth street, this city. Soon she claims her partner became delinquent. She sued for dissolution of the partnership and the payment of what money was due her. At any rate Robinson, who was said to be a grain broker, dropped out of her life, and she kept pretty well out of the limelight until she began suit for divorce from Politeo.Labels: alcohol, Divorce, immigrants, Kansas City Kas, ministers, oklahoma, rooming house, Thirteenth street, women February 1, 1909 RHYMES AS HE SHAVES.
Kansas Barber Who Talks in Poetry to His Lathered Customers.
George McClelland, a Kansas City, Kas., negro barber, is of the musical kind, so instead of talking tariff revision, foreign wars and bits of local gossip with patrons, he entertains them with a continuous string of doggerel. McClelland seems to have a peculiar gift of adapting all kinds of small talk to rhyme. For instance, when the customer climbs into the chair he is greeted something like this:
Your face, kind friend, I'm about to scrape.
I'll get it in the finest shape;
And cut your hair and comb it, too;
You'll look much younger when I'm through.
Now, hold your chin up in the air,
Stretch out your legs and fill your chest
And close your eyes -- I'll do the rest. The barber, who is a big man, recites this without apparent effort, changing the rhyme to suit the customer. Never is the doggerel twice alike. As the shave progresses he solicits a little additional business like this:
My friend, your hair is falling out.
A little bit of tonic stout
Will hold it in, or maybe you
Prefer a rub or egg shampoo.
I see your shoes require a shine,
Just hold them over next to mine
And note the difference and then
I'll call my boy, he'll shine for "ten." McClelland says the verse appeals mightily to customers and draws trade to the shop.
"It's better than the old style, and it's original," he says.
"How about all great poets being insane?" he was once asked.
"Too true," replied the negro. "I find myself asking for things at the table in verse and sometimes I think that way. It's very humiliating to find yourself unconsciously saying to your wife when the baby falls out of bed:
Pick up the kid from off the floor.
I ask for this and nothing more. Labels: barbers, Kansas City Kas, music January 29, 1908 GOES BACK TO THE NAVY.
Kansas City Boy Re-Enlists -- Is Now First Class Quartermaster.
One of the youngest first class quartermasters in the United States naval service is J. I. Freese, a Kansas City, Kas., boy, who re-enlisted for the second time in the navy recruiting station in the federal building yesterday and was temporarily detailed for clerical work here. Freese is 21 years old, but has now reached about the top rung of a sailorman's ambition. In fact, an enlisted man has reached about the limit of his eligibility when he is a quartermaster of the first class and has little more to hope for in times of peace.
The naval experiences of Freese appear large for a boy of his years, but in talking of them he does not let you forget for instant that he joined the jack tars in 1902 instead of yesterday. He was set at that time to do a year at Newport. Then he took a training cruise on board the Essex and was transferred to the Maine for a three-months journey in Southern Europe.
When Rear Admiral Robley D. Evans was ordered to make a Pacific fleet out of the Atlantic fleet, Freese was a quartermaster on board the Connecticut. At San Francisco he was changed to the Maine again, and the Maine and Alabama were detached and sent around the world ahead of the fleet, touching at Honolulu, Guam, Colombo and Port Said. Last November the two ships arrived home at Portsmouth, N. H., where Freese was mustered out of service.
"I like the navy and I am going to stick to it," said the young quartermaster yesterday. "It's the only life for me, although there is lots of grind and hard work attached to the job."
B. J. Freese, the boy's father, is a railroad foreman of the West Bottoms, living on North Fourth street, Kansas City, Kas.Labels: Kansas City Kas, military, West bottoms January 27, 1909 LOSES RIGHT TO HER CHILD.
Mother Signed Adoption Papers of Heir to $40,000 Estate.
According to a ruling made yesterday by J. S. Hynes, judge pro tem of the probate court, Kansas City, Kas., a mother relinquishes all rights to direct the affairs of her offspring after she once signs adoption papers for the child.
The decision was handed down on the application of Ida Weeden for the appointment of a guardian for Dorothy Weeden-Gordon, the alleged illegitimate child of Monroe Gordon, the wealthy negro farmer who was murdered at his home near Bethel, Wyandotte county, last December.
It was proved by the records of the probate court that the infant heir to the $40,000 estate left by Gordon was legally adopted by Susan Wilson, mother of the murdered man, several years before he met his death. For this reason the application made by the natural mother of the child for the appointment of a guardian was dismissed.
"The affairs of the child rest entirely with its parent by adoption," said acting Judge Hynes. This means that Gordon's mother, through the rights of the child, will have something to say in the distribution of her murdered son's estate.
There is another alleged illegitimate child of Gordon who has set up a claim as an heir to his property, Robert Benjamin Gordon, 6 years old. Dorsey Green, an attorney, was appointed guardian for this infant claimant. The settlement of the estate promises to be accompanied with considerable litigation.Labels: attorney, custody, Judges, Kansas City Kas, probate January 24, 1909 GUEST LEAVING A BANQUET HALL DIES.
E. T. HOVEY HAD BEEN THE LIFE OF THE GATHERING.
While Bidding Goodby to Friends at the Grand Hotel, He Was Suddenly Fatally Stricken.
At the conclusion of a banquet yesterday afternoon at the Grand hotel, Kansas City, Kas., given by A. D. Downs to a number of the old settlers of Wyandotte county, E. T. Hovey, one of the guests, dropped dead of heart trouble. He was one of the oldest residents present at the little gathering, and while recalling reminiscences of Wyandotte's early history at the dinner table appeared to be the "boy" of all the old men gathered. Apparently in the best of health and spirits, he shook hands with a number of the guests and started to leave the hotel for home. As he reached the door he was suddenly stricken and staggering back into the hotel lobby fell to the floor and died without uttering a word.
Mr. Hovey was 79 years old and had lived in Kansas City, Kas., since 1859. He was the first dry goods merchant in the old city of Wyandotte, opening a store at Fourth street and State avenue in '59 with his father-in-law, W. E. Taylor, who came here with him from New York. He remained in business from 1859 to 1873, failing during the great financial crisis of the latter year. His loss was very heavy in this failure and he had just about recuperated when he was again caught by the collapse of the boom in the latter '80's. Since then he has lived more or less of a retired life.
Mr. Hovey's death is the first break in his family, his wife, Mrs. Anna Taylor Hovey, four sons and two daughters, surviving him, all of whom live in the city. The children are E. A., W. T., J. J., A. L., Nellie and Alice Hovey. A sister, Mrs. E. J. Jones, 84 years old, is living in New York.
For forty-five years the deceased had been an active member o the Masonic order, and was the oldest member of Wyandotte lodge No. 3. When he made his first trip to this city he came by boat from Cincinnati, there being no railroads running into the city at that time. Three years ago he celebrated his golden wedding anniversary.
Arrangements for the funeral have not been made, but he will be buried with Masonic honors. The body was taken to the home, 630 Orville avenue.Labels: death, history, hotels, Kansas City Kas, pioneers January 21, 1909 LYE VICTIM CAN'T RECOVER.
Jury Is Instructed to Bring In Ver- dict for Armours.
Judge John C. Pollock, in the United States circuit court, Kansas City, Kas., yesterday sustained a motion instructing the jury to return a verdict for the Armour Packing Company in the $25,000 damage suit against the company which was being prosecuted by Joseph Novak. The plaintiff in the action claimed to have fallen into a large vat of lye while working at the Armour plant in September, 1907. The judge, in his instructions, held that the company was not at fault and did not contribute to the cause of the accident.Labels: accident, Armour plant, Judge Pollock, Kansas City Kas, Lawsuit January 20, 1909 UNITED STATES IN THE LEAD.
"Other Nations Follow," Says T. Takuhara of Japan.
"The Japanese government undoubtedly will adopt the same methods for creosoting timber to preserve it for use as railroad ties and telegraph and telephone poles as the United States government has so successfully established," T. Tukuhara, mechanical engineer in charge of public works in Japan, said yesterday. Mr. Tukuhara spent yesterday at the large creosoting plant in Kansas city, Kas., where he observed closely the methods used for preserving wood for railroad ties.
"Every nation where there are railroads and telegraph lines has the same problem to solve," he said. "The United States takes the lead in many of these experiments and other nations are only too glad to take advantage of the successful experiments."Labels: Kansas City Kas, railroad, telegraph, telephone, visitors January 7, 1909 WEAR WRAPS INDOORS.
Many Kansas City Kansans Can't Keep Houses Warm.
The shortage of gas yesterday in Kansas City, Kas., as a result of the sudden drop in the temperature proved a menace to many families in that city. All attempts to keep a home even passably comfortable were futile. The flickering, uncertain flame gave out no warmth and women and little children were compelled in many instances to sit around all day in heavy wraps, unable even to coax out enough heat to cook a meal.
The wiser and more fortunate ones who had not disposed of their coal stoves fared better. Those families who are still burning wood or coal for heating purposes were the recipients of many compliments as to the soundness of their judgment. In the northern part of the city, where the pressure appeared to be lowest, several families gathered at a neighbor's home and stayed there all day with their children. The neighbor was using a wood stove.
The officials of the Wyandotte Gas Company could hold out only little encouragement when questioned concerning the prospects.Labels: Kansas City Kas, Utilities, weather December 31, 1908
BRIDE IS SHOT BY JILTED LOVER.
WHO THEN SENDS BULLET INTO HIS OWN BRAIN.
MRS. EDNA SETZER MAY DIE.
RAY REESE PLANNED THE TRAG- EDY WITH DELIBERATION.
Mrs. Setzer Was Married on Christ- mas Eve -- Was Pledged Pre- viously to Reese -- Her Wound May Be Fatal. 
RAY REESE AND MRS. EDNA SETPZER, THE BRIDE, WHOM HE SHOT.
At the close of a week of festifities and hoy in the life of Mrs. Edna Setzer, 19 years old, a bride since Christmas eve, she was shot in her home, 621 Virginia avenue, Kansas City, Kas., about 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon by Ray Reese, 23 years old, a former suitor. After shooting Mrs. Setzer, Reese, who is a car cleaner for the Union Pacific railway, and lives at 137 South First street, Argentine, sent a bullet into his brain and died instantly. Dr. A. J. Cannon, police surgeon, says Mrs. Setzer cannot live.
About nine months ago when Mrs. Setzer was Miss Edna Mecum, living with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. L. L. Mecum, at 1618 North Fifth street, Kansas City, Kas, she and Ray Reese met at a dance given by the Royal Highlander's lodge. According to report they became engaged and remained so for two or three months, when they quarreled and she broke off the engagement.
Reese seemed to treat the matter lightly, and he and his former fiance danced together several times afterwards when they met at lodge functions, and there was never a thought of danger in the future.
SHE MARRIED ANOTHER.
Chirstmas eve Edna Mecum became the bride of Clyde Setzer, a young man employed at the Kansas City Packing Box Company's plant in Armourdale. They went to live with the bride's sister, Mrs. N. C. Ladd, 621 Virginia avenue, where the tragedy was enacted last evening.
Tuesday evening Mrs. Ladd responded to a knock at her door and was surprised to find Reese standing there. He did not make himself known, but asked, "Is there a family by the name of Jones living in this neighborhood?" Told that there was none, he left, saying no more, and apparently believing himself unrecognized. Mrs. Ladd laughed at the incident and told the happy young couple of what had happened. Still nothing was suspected.
It was about 3:30 yesterday afternoon when Reese met Mrs. Mecum, mother of the bride, almost at the latter's gate.
"Just the person I need," he said, jovially. "Take me in so that I may congratulate the bride."
COMES IN UNANNOUNCED.
Mrs. Mecum and the man with murder in his heart entered the house together. Reese and Mrs. Setzer talked pleasantly for about fifteen minutes. He even then exhibited no signs of resentment or anger. He left with the bride's mother and at the door said to Mrs. Setzer, in tones of gentle concern: "I wish you a long and a very happy life."
It was only a few minutes before 5 o'clock when the door of the house opened and Mrs. Ladd, without looking up, said, "Well, there is that grocery boy at last." But it was Reese. He walked without a word past Mrs. Ladd to the front of the room where the girl whom he once pretended to love sat eating popcorn.
Drawing a photograph from his pocket and handing it to Mrs. Setzer, he said, "Here, I forgot to give you back this picture. I don't want to be carrying a married woman's picture around with me."
"Thank you," smiled the girl, accepting the picture and at the same time starting to rise.
BULLET THROUGH HER BODY.
Stepping back a pace Reese drew a revolver. Mrs. Ladd, who had just entered the room, fled screaming. Reese fired one shot into Mrs. Setzer's right breast, the ball penetrating the lung and going through the body. Taking one look at the prostrate, bleeding form of the girl, Reese walked into an inner room and placed the revolver to his right temple, fired a shot into his brain, which instantly ended his life.
Dr. a. J. Gannon, police surgeon, was immediately summoned and did all he could for Mrs. Setzer. She had been removed to a bed and was unconscious. In the doctor's opinion there is little hope for her. Reese's body was taken in charge by the coroner and sent to a morgue. Reese's purpose was so clear that it is not believed that an inquest will be necessary.
Reese's parents, Mr. and Mrs. William R. Reese, with whom he lived, were greatly shocked over their son's double deed. They said they had no intimation of such a tragedy.Labels: doctors, guns, Kansas City Kas, murder, Suicide, wedding December 26, 1908
GAVE PRESENTS TO 5,700 CHILDREN.
MAYOR'S CHRISTMAS TREE WAS A TREMENDOUS SUCCESS.
LATE COMERS
GOT NOTHING.
BUT THEY WILL GET THEIR SHARE OF GIFTS TODAY.
Little Ones Came From Suburban Places and Swelled the Throng Beyond Expectation -- More Toys Have Been Bought.
Was it a success, the first Mayor's Christmas tree in Kansas City? It was, even more than a success, and if the committee had counted on delegates from Kansas City, Kas., Armourdale, Argentine, Rosedale, Olathe, Kas., Independence, Holden and Pleasant Hill, Mo., and a few from Chicago, Ill., all would have gone off swimmingly. As it was there were more present than presents.
The women sacked and separated 5,000 bags for boys and girls, and 2,500 sacks lay on tables on each side of the hall. Besides those, about 700 Christmas bags had been prepared specially for children in hospitals and those who were ill at home and could not come to Convention hall. It was the intention to deliver them by wagons late yesterday afternoon.
In one short hour every sack was gone, including the ones prepared for the hospitals, and many children were still in line. Over 700 tickets were given to them to come to the hall at 2 o'clock this afternoon when an effort will be made to supply them. Captain J. F. Pelletier of the purchasing committee bought toys, candies and nuts last night and a committee of tired women will be at the hall at 8 o'clock this morning to prepare them. It is estimated that fully 1,000 children who were last in line failed to get a Christmas sack.
CAME HOURS TOO SOON.
It was stated that he doors to the main floor would be opened at 1 p. m. and that the distribution would begin at 2 o'clock. But the children began gathering at 10 o'clock, and as the wind was raw, they were admitted to the balconies of the hall.
Shortly after 1 o'clock some one gave the word "Ready" and the girls and boys rushed from the balconies and jammed into one living mass before the entrance to the arena. The wee ones were being smothered and, in order to save lives, the crowd had to be admitted to the floor.
On the right side was a big placard reading "BOYS" and on the left another reading "GIRLS." Instead of mingling about the hall and looking at the trees and watching the antics of the five Santa Clauses under the two great evergreens, the boys massed before the chute leading to their side and the girls did likewise on the other side.
Patrolmen William M. Meyers, Elvin Gray, T. L. Savidge, George H. Moseley and Thomas McNally, who were rigged in full regalia as the five Saints Nick did all they could to detract the attention of the children, but they had their eyes on those Christmas bags, and the lumbering antics didn't even win a grin.
There was nothing to do but start the ball, and start it they did. The first boy to get his goodies was George Cook, 11 years old, of 115 North Prospect avenue. A committeeman placed the imprint of a little Christmas tree on the back of George's left hand with a rubber stamp and indelible ink. He grabbed his sack, sailed through the chute and squatted immediately outside the door to see what he had. He was soon followed by a mob of other boys, just as curious, and soon the doorway had to be cleared by a policeman as there was a boy to every square foot.
SHE HAD A DOUBLE LOAD.
At the head of the girls' line stood Ester Cronkhite, 11 years old, 1700 Fremont avenue. In her arms she carried her 2-year-old sister, Alice. Both were given appropriate sacks and, heavily laden, little Ester labored on. The children were given street car tickets home. One ticket entitled tow to a ride.
Most attention was paid to the boys, as it was believed that they -- the little scamps --- would do some duplicating. Soon after it was seen that their hands were being stamped several boys appeared in line with gloves on. And so did some of the girls. When the jam on the boys' side got beyond control Detective Thomas Hayde mounted a box and, in stentorian tones commanded, "Here, you kids, quit that pushing. Don't you see you're smothering these kids here in the front? Stand back there. Quit that."
"Hully chee," said one boy, "dere's de chief. Skedoo back kids and beehave er we won't git nuttin."
From that announcement there was a line formed out of the boys and there was little crowding. "De chief's here," went down the line. "See 'im hollerin' on de box dere." That settled it with them.
SHOVED POLICE ASIDE.
On the girls side there was nothing short of chaos. About nine stalwart coppers -- out of thirty detailed at the hall -- under Captain John Branham, could no t keep them in line. They actually shoved the police to one side. "O'm demmed, eh? Oi aint timpted tuh give 'em the loight schlap," said one policeman, who had been shoved about ten feet by the little girls, "but 'twudn't do, all being gerrels, ye know."
While the bulk of the eagle eyes were on the boys to see that they played no tricks and did no repeating, the girls did a rushing business on that very line. At the head of the line were bags for little girls, and the big ones got theirs further on. Many of the "mediums," which could pass for both, got both. One was seen to get a sack, hold it under her cloaK with one hand, while with the other hand she gratefully received another.
Still others would get their sack and immediately pass it over the chute to a waiting companion on the outside while she passed on and got a second present from another woman. Many of the sharp boys whose hands had been stamped and who could not get back in line were seen to do this same thing.
"GIMME 'NOTHER, MISTER."
"Gimme 'nother for my little brother what's sick at home an' can't come. Gimme one fer my sister with th' mumps. Gimme one fer my little cousin what has fits an' can't come. Gimme 'nother one fer my half little brother what's visitin' an' won't be home 'till New Years. Gimme 'nother, please, fer a kid what lives by me an' sprained his leg so he can't git his shoes on any more this year."
The foregoing excuses were given by the boys and girls in line, and there were possibly a hundred others. No one could refuse them, as many cried to make the play strong.
Many little ones got lost from brothers and sisters, and the five Santa Clauses were kept busy carrying them about hunting for relatives and companions with whom they had come. All were crying. R. S. Crohn found a little fellow's brother for him three times, and when he got lost again turned him over to Santa Claus. Finally a room was set apart for the lost ones and by the time the festivities were over all lost children had been restored.
THE MAYOR WAS LATE.
Mayor Thomas T. Crtittenden, Jr. , mistaken in the time he should have been there, arrived at Convention hall with Franklin Hudson, just as the last of the bags had been given out to the children. There was to have been an entertainment, with a speech by the mayor, but that had to be left out. Devaney's orchestra furnished music while the children were waiting.
"It's the happiest day of my life," said the mayor. "I wouldn't have missed the little I have seen for anything. We will know better how to proceed next year, however, and will begin earlier. Another thing we will know is just how many children will be here and just what sort of presents to put up for them. Other cities may profit by our example next y ear and relieve us of such an unfortunate incident as took place today. We have more money, however, will buy more toys, more nuts, candy and fruit, and will be ready for the leftovers Saturday at 2 p. m."
"It was more than what we bargained for," said Franklin Hudson, chairman of the executive committee. "We were counting on our own children only -- but what's the difference, they are all children anyway."
"I don't care if they came here from Europe," said Captain J. F. Pelletier. "We were not looking for 1,500 outsiders, but as they weere here we are glad of it. I wish all the kids on earth had been here. At one time I thought at least half of them were here.
Another large bundle of Santa Claus letters were received at the hall yesterday, some of them being handed in by the children who came. They will be classified by districts and an effort made as far as possible to give each child just hwat it asked for. It may take several days yet, but the committee says: "We are not going to do this thing by halves."Labels: Argentine, Armourdale, charity, Chicago, children, Convention Hall, holidays, Independence, Kansas City Kas, Mayor Crittenden, music, Olathe, Prospect avenue, Public administrator Crohn, Rosedale December 24, 1908 MRS. MORASCH ASKS NEW TRIAL.
Attorney Declares He Has Found Evidence to Clear Her.
After hearing arguments on the application for a new trial in the Sarah Morasch murder case yesterday morning Judge McCabe Moore of the district court, Kansas City, Kas., announced that he would withhold his decision for a few days. Mrs. Morasch is the woman who was convicted of sending a box of poisoned candy to the home of Charles Miller on Cheyenne avenue, Kansas City, Kas., which resulted in the death of Ruth Miller, a 4-year-old girl.
The jury that tried her returned a verdict of murder in the first degree. Her attorney, Daniel Maher, asked for a new trial on the grounds that he had found new evidence which he argued was sufficient to clear her.Labels: attorney, Death of Ruth Miller, Judges, Kansas City Kas, murder December 17, 1908 DEATH RELIEVES "AUNT SALLY".
Aged Kansas City, Kas., Negress Numbered Friends by the Thousands.
"Aunt Sally," an aged negress, who was known to almost every person in Kansas City, Kas., died yesterday morning at her home, 644 State avenue. Her exact age is unknown, although she claimed to be 104 years old. According to Mrs. Matilda Endicott, a sister, who lives near Quindaro, "Aunt Sally" came to Wyandotte county from Southern Missouri at the close of the civil war. Her husband, "Uncle George" Smith, died a few years ago and since that time the old woman has lived practically alone. She had been ill for about a month, and had been cared for by friends.
Although born a slave and having for many years earned her living by scrubbing offices and store buildings, "Aunt Sally" enjoyed the distinction of being personally known to thousands of Kansas City, Kas., residents. Among her friends were numbered many of the business and professional people of that city. An incident illustrating the interest taken in her welfare is the fact that when a legal action was begun a few years ago, to get possession of her little home on State avenue, five prominent law firms immediately tendered their services and volunteered to defend her free of charge.
"Aunt Sally" was an earnest politician and a staunch Democrat. She was a great admirer of William Jennings Bryan. It was not an infrequent occurrence, during political campaigns, to find "Aunt Sally" at the center of an excited group of politicians, vigorously proclaiming her views upon local and national issues. She was endowed with a quick wit and never lacked words. Many an unfortunate individual with political aspirations has endeavored, in a street meeting of this character, to match his wit against that of the ex-slave with the invariable result that he has been glad to make good his escape, followed by the stinging shafts of sarcasm, mingled with the taunting jeers of the crowd, which was ever ready to champion the cause of the old negress.
But it was not her political attainments that endeared her to the many persons who sincerely mourn her loss. Although bent and feeble with age, scarcely able to drag one foot after the other as she plodded her weary way to and from her work, "Aunt Sally" never forgot the characteristic politeness of the old Southern negro. The business man or high school boy who, with lifted hat, greeted the old negress as she shuffled down the street dragging a piece of dry goods box or other piece of kindling, was sure to be rewarded with a stately bow, an appreciative flash of joy from the tired eyes and a softly murmured, "How-de-do, mister," from the highly flattered woman. Among many of the older residents for whom "Aunt Sally" worked as a domestic in her younger days, it is said that no thoughtful act of kindness was ever forgotten by the ex-slave.Labels: Civil War, death, Kansas City Kas, politics, race, Seniors December 14, 1908 WHEN GREEK EATS MEAT.
He Cooks It on an Improvised Stove in Open Air.
In no other part of Kansas City are primitive methods of cooking so strictly adhered to as in the Greek colony of railroad laborers west of the Seventh street viaduct in Kansas City, Kas. Although there are between forty and fifty residents of the colony, not a single cookstove is to be seen. Instead, you will find before the door of each "bunk" car a small mound of earth about three feet high, with an opening in the side. In this improvised oven, the fire of wood is kindled below a flat piece of tin which rests on shoulders of dirt. The food is placed on the tin, where it remains until sufficiently well done to tempt the appetite of the not-oversensitive consumers. No way of escape is provided for the smoke, which mingles with the ingredients and apparently detracts nothing form the desired flavor.
As protection against the winter winds, small board "shacks" have been erected around these mounds. On cold winter mornings the Greeks gather wood and replenish the fire until the morning meal is ready, whereupon the adjourn to their "bunk" cars and each man helps himself to whatever he desires. No table is provided. This meal is not at all elaborate, in fact it usually consists of dry bread and some kind of meat. Beer is very popular as a beverage and ordinarily forms a part of each meal. Upon rare occasions a large kettle of soup is prepared.
Although much has been said and written concerning these so-called "bohunks," the fact remains that many commendable traits are to be found among them. A stranger, passing by at meal time, is invariable asked to share the meal. Ignorant of the laws governing the land, they frequently are brought in contact with the police, usually through violating the law by firing revolvers or making other demonstrations during the celebration of some religious even, of which there are many in the Greek calendar.
Dishonesty in their dealings with each other is almost unknown. May instances have been brought to light wherein on Greek will loan $75 or $100 to another countryman with whom he is thrown in contact by chance, possibly never having known him for more than a few days. Instances of a betrayal of this trust are rare.Labels: food, immigrants, Kansas City Kas, railroad December 13, 1908 CAN SUE OTHER BREWERS.
Women Whose Husbands Are Drunk- ards Have More Latitude.
In a decision handed down by the state supreme court yesterday on the appeal cases of Helen Coats and Carrie Edens, who sued certain breweries and saloonkeepers for damages for making drunkards of their husbands in Kansas City, Kas., the ruling of the local court was reversed. At the time the cases were taken up in the Wyandotte county court, the brewery companies made a settlement with the two women. The attorneys for the women, however, refused to accept this settlement in full for the co-defendants. The local court held that the settlement answered for all and it was upon this ground that the cases were taken to the supreme court. Under the decision of the latter the women still have legal action against the other defendants for more damages.Labels: alcohol, Kansas City Kas, Lawsuit, saloon December 10, 1908 FUNERAL OF OFFICER DALBOW.
Will Take Place This Afternoon. Police to Attend.
Mrs. Albert O. Dalbow, the widow of Patrolman Dalbow, killed in the city hall riot, yesterday accompanied her brother-in-law, Joseph Dalbow, to his home at Sixty-first street and Troost avenue. She will live there until she makes other arrangements after the funeral of her husband.
The funeral services will be at the home of Joseph Dalbow this afternoon at 2 o'clock. The body will be placed in a vault at Forest Hill cemetery.
A special order was issued yesterday afternoon by Chief of Police Daniel Ahern detailing officers to act as pallbearers and as an escort. The pall bearers will be officers John Tarpey, H. A. Eads, Edward Boyle, John P. Withrow, M. A. Savage and George Hightower.
Chief Ahern telephoned to the police chiefs of Kansas City, Kas, and Leavenworth, inviting them to send a representation of the police departments of their cities to attend the funeral of Patrolman Dalbow. Thirty patrolmen were ordered to act as the special escort and the night men were urged to attend. The police detail will be in charge of Drill Master Lang.
David E. Bowden, chief of police of Kansas City, Kas., last night made out a list of twenty-two patrolmen and officers which detail will represent the Kansas Cit, Kas., police department at the funeral of former Patrolman Dalbow.Labels: Adam God sect, cemetery, Funeral, Inspector Boyle, Kansas City Kas, police, Police Chief Ahern, Police Chief Bowden, Sixty-first street, telephone, Troost avenue December 8, 1908 STORY OF THE CREATION IS MERELY A PARABOLIC TALE.
Says the Rev. J. A. Sieibert -- Bible Stories Should Not Be Taken Literally.
That the story of the creation in Genesis is parabolic rather than historic, according to the advanced teachings regarding the interpretation of the Bible, was the theory by Rev. J. A. Seibert of the First Congregational church, Kansas City, Kas., in a paper read before the Ministerial Alliance at the meeting held yesterday morning at the Grand Avenue Methodist church.
Rev. Mr. Seibert stated in the beginning of his paper that he did not advance his personal views on the subject, but was speaking on behalf of the latter day study and thought on Bible teachings. After the paper had been read, Rev. S. M. Neel of the Central Presbyterian church and Rev. F. C. McConnell of the Calvary Baptist church made short talks opposing the new idea in the interpretation.
Rev. Mr. Seivert in his paper, "The Better Criticism of the Bible," advanced the idea that it is better to approach the study of the Scriptures with a mind open to criticism of the text than to accept all of its teachings; that it is better to receive any interpretation that will lead to a better understanding of its teaching than to be ignorant along all lines and try to believe each story as being literal instead of parabolic in its teachings. This led him to say that no one who had studied the Bible closely and from the advanced standpoint would accept the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden as being purely literal, but that Adam and Eve were simply symbolical of the fist man and woman.
"A common sense view of the whole matter, coupled with the true spirit of Christianity," he continued, "will keep a man's mind open to search for the truth wherever it may be found, and there is now no need for the blind groping in the darkness for the truth. The Bible is real in its teachings and one who follows these teaching must lead a Christian life, which has its own rewards."Labels: churches, Grand avenue, Kansas City Kas, ministers December 7, 1908 HE WAS SQUEEZED TO DEATH.
Overturned Bread Wagon Crushes Life Out of Driver.
Israel Aaron, 23 years old, a driver for the Cohen baker of 1627 West Ninth street, was killed in Kansas City, Kas., yesterday forenoon in a peculiar manner. He was driving a bread wagon on Ferry street between Fifth street and Orville avenue, when one of the front wheels of his conveyance struck a pile of rock. Aaron was hurled violently to the pavement and a moment afterwards his horse swerved and the heavy wagon was turned over upon him. According to Coroner J. A. Davis, who viewed the body, death followed in less the than a minute from "squeezing."
The body was found to have sustained no contusions or broken bones, but the face was black where the blood had congregated as a result of the enormous weight of the freshly laden wagon.
Aaron was unmarried and lived with the Cohens at the bakery.Labels: accident, bakers, death, Kansas City Kas, Ninth street December 6, 1908 SCHOOL TEACHERS CHEERED.
Not Wrong to Seal Lips of Whisper- ing Pupil With Court Plaster.
Miss Edith Wirt, the Rosedale school teacher recently arrested for sealing the lips of a whispering pupil with courtplaster, was yesterday given a hearing before Judge M. H. Newhall, in the south division of the city court, Kansas City, Kas. After hearing the evidence, Miss Wirt was completely exonerated from any blame. In dismissing the charge against her, Judge Newhall stated that he felt like taxing the costs of the prosecution against the complaining witness. He said that he at one time had been a school, and that the courtplaster treatment for troublesome pupils was easy.
The decision of the court was received with applause by about thirty school teachers who attended the hearing.Labels: courtroom, Judges, Kansas City Kas, schools, women December 6, 1908 WANTED TO DIE AT 19.
Despondency Induced John Bresna- han to Jump Into Kaw River.
In a fit of despondency, thought to have been induced by overindulgence by liquor, John Bresnahan, 19 years old, jumped into the Kaw river near the Nelson Morris packing house, Kansas City, Kas., yesterday afternoon. He was rescued by William Nash, a watchman at the plant.
Young Bresnahan was taken to No. 2 police station in the police ambulance, where he stated that he lived at 1319 Lafayette avenue. He said that he thought he had outlived his usefulness and wanted to die.Labels: Kansas City Kas, Kaw river, No 2 police station, Suicide December 5, 1908 ISADORE BIT HIM 43 TIMES.
Frank Armstrong Will Not Fight West Fifth Street Merchant Again.
If you get into an argument with a West Fifth street merchant about a purchase, don't hit him -- don't even hit at him. You may have to fight a bull dog instead of the merchant.
The latter is what happened to Frank Armstrong, a lineman, 32 years old, in a little shop at 335 West Fifth street yesterday afternoon. Armstrong bought a pair of shoes. He said they did not fit. The merchant said they did. They argued. Armstrong gave the merchant the strongarm for one punch in the solar plexis.
"Oof! Ouch!" said the merchant. Then he recovered his breath sufficiently to call loudly, "Sic 'um Isadore, sick 'um quick!"
Now Isadore proved in this instance to be a fine specimen of the brindle bull dog with pink eyes. Obeying his master's command Isadore made a rapid flank movement and at once opened rapid fire on Armstrong's left pedal extremity.
It is not known whether Armstrong took his shoes, but he was taken to the emergency hospital after the "dogs of war" had been called off. Dr. W. L. Gist cauterized forty-three cuts on the lineman's leg -- all made by Isadore's sharp incisors.
After his wounds had been dressed Armstrong was locked up on a charge of disturbing the peace. He spent the night in the holdover.
"If I make any more purchases in that neighborhood," he said, "I think I'll wear football clothes or armor of some kind. I can fight a man, but bull dogs are not in my line. The dern shoes didn't fit anyway."
Armstrong's home is at 2935 North Fifth street, Kansas City, Kas.Labels: animals, clothing, doctors, emergency hospital, Kansas City Kas, violence December 4, 1908 HIS MOTHER MARRIED A NEGRO.
But 6-Year-Old Boy's Black Step- father Provides for Him.
The action of a white man against his former wife for the custody of their 6-year-old son was dismissed yesterday by Acting Probate Judge J. S. Hynes in Kansas City, Kas. The wife, after the husband had secured a divorce from her, married a negro. The child is being sent to a white school by its black stepfather, and, according to a number of witnesses who testified at the examination, is being well provided for.
As the laws of Kansas permit intermarriage between the whites and blacks, Judge Hynes held that he had no right to interfere in the case at issue, inasmuch as there was no evidence to show that the child was being neglected.Labels: children, custody, Divorce, Judges, Kansas City Kas, race November 28, 1908 HE WANTED TO GET INTO JAIL.
Aged Texan Was Starving, So He Committed a Petty Crime.
Because he was nearly famished and with no prospects for a meal or a place to sleep, William Dermott, 69 years old, who came to Kansas City, Kas., recently from Dallas, Tex., threw a rock through a plate glass window in the Lyons building, Seventh street and Kansas avenue, Thursday afternoon. In police court yesterday morning Dermott told Judge Sims that he committed the offense that he might get arrested and get something to eat.
Between the court and the prisoner it was agreed that Dermott should be sentenced to 100 days in jail in order that he could have a place to eat and sleep for the winter.Labels: crime, jail, Judge Sims, Kansas City Kas, Seniors November 28, 1908 MADE WRONG KIND OF NOISE.
Father of Bride Fired Pistol to Stop a Charivari.
Because he fired three shots from a revolver for the purpose of breaking up a charivari crowd, A. T. Hutchings of 649 Miami avenue, Kansas City, Kas., was fined $5 in police court yesterday morning. Mr. Hutchings is the father of Grace Hutchings, who became the bride of Charles Dunkin Thursday.
Wedding festivities were in full progress at the Hutchings home Thursday night when the wedding celebrators arrived. Outside the house the noise occasioned by the beating of tin pans and kettles was so intense that Mr. Hutchings resorted to firearms for a quietus. His cure was effective, but it also led to his arrest and fine in police court.Labels: Kansas City Kas, police court, wedding November 27, 1908
NOT A HUNGRY PERSON LEFT.
If There Was, It Wasn't the Fault of Givers of Dinners.
Amid the general rejoicing and feeling of goodfellowship incident to a perfect Thanksgiving day, the less fortunate inhabitants of the city were not forgotten. At every charitable institution in the city a dinner was provided for the inmates. The Salvation Army, Franklin institute, Union mission and other organizations of like character fed hundreds of poor persons, and sent many baskets of provisions to deserving families who were unable to attend the dinners.
The Union mission, at Eighteenth and McGee streets, provided a dinner and fed over 400 persons. Special invitations had been sent out and persons from Rosedale, Argentine, Kansas City, Kas., and country districts attended the dinner. Everything in the way of eatables was provided, and if any person in Kansas City went without a Thanksgiving dinner yesterday it was not because of a lack of opportunity.
"It was certainly good to see those poor persons eat," said the Rev. Mrs. Rose Cockriel, the pastor of the mission. "Those who came to the dinner ranged in age from 7 weeks to 33 years, and they all appeared to enjoy themselves. Six little boys, the oldest one 10 years of age, walked in from beyond the Blue river. We gave them their dinner and a basket of provisions to take to their home."
At the Old Folks and Orphans' home the day was celebrated with an old-fashioned dinner, turkey, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pies and everything that should be eaten on that day. At the Perry Orphan Boys' home 130 boys partook of the good things that had been provided for them.
At the Working Girls' hotel there was really a day of thanksgiving, not alone because of the excellent dinner, for in addition to that some unknown friend donated a high grade piano to the institution. From the standpoint of charity and general cause for thankfulness, the day was very much a success.
At the county jail Marshal Al Heslip provided a dinner for the prisoners, of whom there now are fewer than 200. All the trimmings went with the spread. Eatables out of the ordinary also were served at the Detention home, where juvenile prisoners are confined.Labels: Argentine, Blue river, charity, children, County Marshal Heslip, detention home, Eighteenth street, food, holidays, Kansas City Kas, McGee street, orphans, Rosedale, Salvation Army, thanksgiving November 24, 1908 WOMAN PAYS HIS ALIMONY BILL.
And She Expectes to Marry the Per- son When His Wife Gets Divorce.
"Funny things often follow the filing of divorce proceedings," said J. Will Thomas, clerk of the district court, Kansas City, Kas., yesterday afternoon after giving a neat appearing woman a receipt for $6 alimony allowed by the court against a man who was sued by his wife more than six months ago.
"When this case was filed the court allowed the wife, who was the complaining witness, $6 a week temporary alimony. The case is still pending, but the alimony is being regularly, not by the defendant, but by a woman who claims to be a sweetheart of the defendant and who expects to become his wife as soon as he is legally separated from the one now suing for divorce. It looks as though she expects to win him by taking care of his alimony obligation.Labels: Divorce, Kansas City Kas, romance November 13, 1908 WOULDN'T PROSECUTE FATHER.
Mary Greathouse Refused to Appear, and He Was Set Free.
The case of the state agaisnt Perry Greathouse, the merchant policeman who shot his daughter, Mary, at his home, October 21, was dismissed in the South division of the city court, Kansas City, Kas., yesterday morning. When the case was called neither Mrs. Greathouse nor the daughter would appear in behalf of the prosecution and Judge M. H. Newhall ordered the defendant discharged.
The shooting of Miss Greathouse by her father was not intentional, the bullet fired being aimed at the mother. The girl jumped in between her mother and father, just as the latter pulled the trigger of the revolver.Labels: domestic violence, guns, Judges, Kansas City Kas November 13, 1908 CLERK AND MONEY MISSING.
John Novak's Employer Believes He Was Waylaid and Robbed of $936.
John Novak, a Bohemian clerk in the employ of C. A. Eckerson, grocer, of 4 Kansas avenue, Kansas City, Kas., after having cashed $936 in checks belonging to his employer at the Stock Yards Bank of Commerce yesterday afternoon disappeared, and nothing has since been seen of him. He is thought to have been held up and robbed. The police of both cities are investigating.
The checks, which were on Swift & Co. and the Kansas City Packing Box Company, were tendered at the Eckerson store yesterday in payment for groceries. Later Novak took them all to the bank to have them cashed, as always had been his custom during the two years he had worked for the grocer. He was given the money and started on the return journey shortly after 4 o'clock, but at a late hour last night he had failed to put in an appearance.
Mr. Eckerson scoffs at the suggestion of the police that the man might have decamped with the money, he saying that Novak on one other occasion had cashed checks amounting to $5,000 and only yesterday morning he was sent to the bank with checks aggregating $2,000. On numerous other occasions Mr. Eckerson declares, Novak cashed large amounts at the bank and was well known to the officials.
Persons acquainted with the man's habits are thought to have waylaid him some place between the bank and the store, and, after relieving him of the money, made him prisoner until such time as they could make their escape, or to have so seriously injured him that he has been unable to notify any person of his predicament.Labels: banking, crime, grocers, immigrants, Kansas City Kas November 12, 1908 DID SOCIETY MURDER GROGAS?
Kansas City, Kas., Police Believe He Was Killed for Betrayal.
Inspector of Detectives John Quinn and Captain U. G. Snyder of the Kansas City, Kas., police department are convinced that the killing of Michael Grogas near the Swift packing house last Thursday night resulted from his betrayal of some secret Croatian or Polish order. They say they have given up on the theory that a woman had anything to do with it or that robbery was the motive, and here is the argument with which they back up this conclusion:
Two weeks before the murder Grogas lived in rooming house No. 6, Patch, and was an eye-witness to a double stabbing there. When the officers appeared at the place, much contrary to the custom of denizens of this congested portion of the Weest Bottoms, he told them everything, and the right party evidently was arrested. Although both of the men hurt were in a serious condition from three deep thrusts each, they would not do as much as Grogas did under the most rigid sweating, and remained silent as to the identity of their assailant.
The police officials in Kansas City, Kas., have long suspected a secret defensive organization among the foreigners in the Patch. They are now convinced that Grogas lost his life because he gave up a fellow member of the society to the officers.Labels: immigrants, Kansas City Kas, murder, West bottoms November 7, 1908 MURDERED FOR REVENGE BY MAN AND WOMAN?
Body of Employe of Swift Packing House Found Beside Union Pacific Tracks.
While on his way home from work at the Swift packing house at 6:30 o'clock Thursday night, Michael Gragos, a sheep butcher, was mysteriously murdered. The assassins escaped after firing two shots, one of which penetrated his skull. The other struck his right cheek bone and inflicted only a flesh wound. As money was on the body when found by workmen at the Swift plant yesterday morning, the motive of the killing is unknown.
A few minutes after Gragos quit the Swift plant Thursday evening Erb Martin, a watchman, heard two calls to halt, followed by four shots in quick succession. He seized a lantern and hurried towards the place where the cries and the shots came from, but found nothing and gave up the search. About midnight, George Gragos, father of Michael, came to the plant looking for his son, and another unsuccessful search was instituted.
When the body was found it was lying close beside the switch of the Union Pacific Railway Company. Close by were the tracks of a woman and a man. On the coat tails of the corpse was a v-shaped mud mark that might have been made by a small and pointed shoe, probably that of a woman. None of the pockets were rifled, and there was no other hint as to the identity of the assassins.
Gragos lived with his father at 128 North First street in the West Bottoms. He was 23 years old and an Austrian. He had lived in this country only about four years.
Detective John Quinn and Robert McKnight of the Kansas City, Kas., police department were assigned to the case. They will work on the theory that it was revenge that actuated the killing.Labels: detectives, First street, immigrants, Kansas City Kas, murder, railroad, West bottoms November 2, 1908 SKATING KIDS PUZZLE COPS.
Youngsters Smuggle Themselves On Viaduct Under Farm Wagons.
"I had to do somethin' a few days ago that I hated worse'en anything I've done for a long time," said a member of the police force a few days ago. "You know the kids have been just crazy over this roller skatin' business. Course, we try t' let 'em have all the fun they kin, long as they don't bother nobody. A few days ago the people in charge of the intercity viaduct got to complainin' 'bout three kids that managed to git onto the viaduct some way, an' stay out there the livelong day doin' nothin' but skate.
"Well, I couldn't see how that was hurtin' the viaduct, but we got orders to keep the kids off. Well, sir, I laid for them kids for 'bout a week tryin' to catch 'em, but we couldn't find where they got on. We'd put a man at each end an' keep a careful watch, even looked in two or three wagons, but never found no boys. Just the same they'd show up and keep on skatin. I finally give it up, 'cause it didn't amount to much, anyway. Just by accident, two or three days ago I got onto the scheme. You see, the kids git up about Fifth and Minnesota avenue in Kansas City, Kas. They wait till a farm wagon comes along. Then one of 'em sneaks under the wagon, just sits on his skates and is hauled out onto the viaduct. The watchman never thinks of lookin' under the wagon. Of course I had to put a stop to their fun, 'cause orders is orders, but I hated to do it."Labels: children, intercity viaduct, Kansas City Kas, Minnesota avenue, police, skating October 27, 1908 SAYS GIRLS ARE MISTREATED.
J. W. Freeman Complains of the State Industrial School.
J. W. Freeman of 66 South Thirteenth street, Kansas City, Kas., yesterday appeared before the board of county commissioners and offered a protest against the manner in which the girls are treated at the state industrial school for girls in Beloit, Kas. His complaint was based upon the incarceration in the institute of Pearl Hunt, 16 years old, sent from the juvenile court of this city.
He declared that inmates of that institution were subjected to inhuman treatment, and between sobs informed the members of the board that he was willing to make affidavit of his charges. After being told that the local board of county commissioners had nothing to do with the state institution, he said he would sell some of his property situated in the county to force an investigation. He stated that he had called upon the state board of control, but received no encouragement. Some of his charges were against the management of the institution were of such a character that the commissioners refused to consider them. He was told to prefer these charges to the state board of control.Labels: abuse, children, Kansas City Kas October 22, 1908
FEARED LYNCHING, REMOVED PRISONER.
EX-POLICE OFFICER REMOVED TO A STRONGER JAIL.
To Save Her Mother, Mary Great- house Ran Between Her and Her Father and Was Shot. She may Recover. 
MARY GREATHOUSE AND PERRY GREATHOUSE. PRINCIPALS IN THE ARMOURDALE TRAGEDY. Talk of lynching in Armourdale yesterday afternoon caused Sergeant Patrick Lyons of No. 3 police station to order the removal of Perry Greathouse, an ex-police officer who shot his daughter earlier in the day, to the county jail in Kansas City, Kas. There he will be held awaiting the death or recovery of his innocent victim.
Physicians attending Mary Greathouse at Bethany hospital say her youth is in her favor and that the bullet which entered her left side below the heart took a course least likely to produce fatal results.
The story of Greathouse's deed produced a sensation in Armourdale.
According to the statement of Mrs. Emma Greatouse, his wife, her husband had not been home in two days when the shooting occurred at 11:30 o'clock yesterday forenoon. He had been seen hanging around the state line saloons drunk, had bullied one man and officers had gone to the home of Mrs. George Coleman, 67 Central avenue, to arrest him, but were persuaded away by Mrs. Coleman, a distant relative of the Greathouses.
Monday he drew his pay as merchant policeman, but when he appeared at his home, 816 South Pyle street, he was very much intoxicated and with only a few dollars with him.
HE ABUSED HIS WIFE.
In the sitting room of the home, Mrs. Greathouse asked her husband to share the remnant of his salary with his family and upbraided him for his debauch. After fumbling in an uncertain manner through his clothes he produced $4 and laid it down on the center table. The sum did not satisfy Mrs. Greathose but she took a dollar from the pile of change and went down town to make a few purchases.
On the street corner she was met by Greathouse, who followed her home again, she says, misusing her and in the sitting room the words merged into a quarrel and Greathouse buckled on his revolver and started to mount the stairs to his room.
Well, I have stood all of your abuse I am going to, and I'm going to put you behind bars," called out Mrs. Greathouse, opening the outside door as if to go in search of an officer. Then she glanced backwards and saw the barrel of her husband's revolver leveled at her.
"Don't shoot --" she started to say, but 17-year-old Mary saw the movement, realized the danger and thrust herself in the way in a heroic attempt to save her mother. After the report of the revolver was heard she was seen by neighbors to stagger out of the door and sit down in a faint on the front steps.
TRIED TO SHOOT HIMSELF.
According to the mother's story, Greathouse, when told that he had shot and probably fatally wounded his child, calmly replaced the weapon in its holster, with the remark:
"She ain't hurt. You know it was you that did the shooting, anyway, and you needn't try to lay it all on me." He then picked the child up in his arms and carried her into the house. By this time she was bleeding.
"Well, I have shot her and here goes for me," he suddenly exclaimed, seeing the blood. He then tried to place the muzzle of the revolver to his head, but Willie, his oldest son, wrested it away from him and gave it to his mother, who ran with it, depositing it within the open window of a neighboring house.
"GLAD IT WASN'T MAMMA."
Greathouse was taken by officers to the No. 3 police station, where he was kept until 4:30 o'clock. Mary was placed in an emergency ambulance and transferred to Bethany hospital. As she was lifted into the stretcher she said:
"I am awfully glad it was me instead of mamma. She mustn't live with father again or he'll kill her, too."
In a cell at the police station Greathouse walked back and forth, babbling. Policemen kept him informed as to the condition of his daughter.
"It was all a mistake, an awful mistake," he kept saying. "Mary was my favorite. I'd kill anyone who would say a word against her. She must get well. She must get well.
Perry Greathouse was a member of the Kansas City, Kas., force nearly nine years. He has lately be employed by the merchants of Armourdale to protect stores along Osage avenue at night. He was deputy street commissioner under Mayor T. B. Gilbert's administration and was a capable officer.
Mary works for the Loose-Wiles Cracker Company in the West Bottoms. Yesterday she was excused from her duties at the factory to attend the funeral of a relative.Labels: alcohol, Armourdale, domestic violence, guns, hospitals, jail, Kansas City Kas, police, State line October 21, 1908 'TWAS A PLESANT FIRE ALARM.
"Your Pay Has Been Raised," Said One Telephone Operator.
Ordinary firemen lose their temper when routed out of bed at night on a false alarm, but not so with the members of the Kansas City, Kas., department, when Miss Jennie Quick, telephone operator at the city hall, sent in a general alarm last night at 11 o'clock. After the firemen had all hopped out of bed and made hitches at the various stations, Miss Quick informed them that there was no fire, but that the council had just passed an ordinance raising their salaries. Of course, the telephone girl was excused and her joke accepted in the very best of humor.
Under the new ordinance the chief is to receive $150 per month, the assistant men are to receive $70 a month for the first six months' service and $80 thereafter. Heretofore the regular firemen received $70, the chief $116 and the assistant $83. The new schedule of salaries goes into effect January 1, next.
Upon motion of Alderman T. J. Lyons of the Sixth ward, the city clerk was instructed to notify the official city paper that it must have a man present at every meeting of the council and print a full report of the proceedings.Labels: employment, Fire, Kansas City Kas, telephone October 16, 1908 HER MONEY WAS BURNED.
Hidden Beneath Carpet for Fear of Bank Failure.
With the water pressure at thirty-six pounds, the Kansas City, Kas., fire department had a busy time yesterday answering calls where fires were set out by passing trains and by people who carelessly attempted to burn rubbish in their back yards with the wind-blowing at almost hurricane velocity. At noon the house of Mrs. A. M. Stephenson, at 114 Greeley avenue, was burned with $1,000 loss. Mrs. Stephenson had been afraid to deposit all of her money in the bank for fear of a failure and so had hid the $85 in bills beneath the carpet. The bills were burned.Labels: banking, Fire, Kansas City Kas, weather October 14, 1908 DISASTROUS FIRE IN BONNER SPRINGS.
THREE BUSINESS BLOCKS BURN,
LOSS $125,000.
Origin of Fire is Not Know -- Rest of City Is Saved by Inhabitants Carrying Water From the River.
The frantic honking of an automobile driven by 17-year-old Robert Waters, accompanied by his shouts of "fire" awakened the people of Bonner Springs to an appreciation of the fact that flames were eating away the business section of that city early yesterday morning.
The blaze, due, it is thought, to spontaneous combustion in the rear of the Kelley & Pettit drug store on Oak street, was first noticed by Isaac Milstead, a laborer. Backed by a mighty northern wind that carried a rain of sparks to the roofs of neighboring buildings, it spread rapidly and soon two entire business blocks were involved.
It was at this moment that the Waters boy heard the cries of Milstead and alarmed the town. In twenty minutes perhaps a thousand men, women, and children, in the absence of any fire-fighting facilities, were carrying buckets of water from the Kaw river to Oak street.
Many of the impromptu fire fighters were only partially dressed, and the morning air was sharp. The first attempt to get outside aid was made at 4:45 o'clock, a half hour after the blaze was noticed. Then the workmen of the Bonner Portland Cement Company's plant, situated four miles from the city on the electric line, were notified to board special street cars furnished for them and come with all haste.
ASKED CITY FOR HELP.
The idea was then to blow up some of the houses ahead of the fire or tear them down so as to keep it within the section it had already claimed. An attempt to blow up the Kuhn building, near Second street, was given over, as the flames beat the workmen there, so Kansas City, Kas., was telephoned for fire apparatus and all the companies it could spare.
Meanwhile men and women had organized a system in their maneuvers. The banks of the Kaw are steep at this point. Certain men were detailed to be dippers at the margin, while others handed the laden buckets to each other until they could be grasped and carried away. It was a lively scene and the energy displayed had a decided effect.
When, after repeated delays, No. 1 fire company from Kansas City, Kas, arrived on a special train, heroic treatment had done its work and only a smouldering three blocks of business houses were left on which to play the hose.
The loss in yesterday's fire is variously estimated by the local insurance agents. The best authorities place it at between $100,000 and $125,000. The insurance amounted to a little over $61,000 in all eleven companies.
SOME OF THE BUILDINGS LOST.
The buildings lost in the fire were: B. L. Swofford's dry goods store, loss $15,000, insurance $6,500; Waters & Frisbee building, loss $7,000, insurance $4,000; Walwer & Kirby stock, loss $300; Farmers' State bank, loss $300.
Dr. E. P. Skaggs, dentist: loss, $1,500; insurance, $500.
Knights of Pythias lodge: loss $200.
L. G. Frisbie, frame building: loss $2,000.
Hall & Fletcher, meat market: loss $1,500.
Edwin Page, pool hall: loss $1,000; insurance $200.
John Klem, frame building: loss $900.
Opera House block, Brant Adams, Olathe, Kas., owner: loss on building, $6,000, on contents not known.
Baxter & Kay Grocery Company, loss $2,000; insurance $1,500.
Mrs. Lia Dunn, restaurant: loss $700.
Kelley & Pruitt, hardware and drugs: loss $7,500; insurance $3,500.Labels: Bonner Springs, business, Fire, Kansas City Kas, Kaw river, Olathe, railroad, retailers October 11, 1908 WILL CELEBRATE GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY.
ST. MARY'S CHURCH WAS FOUND- ED FIFTY YEARS AGO.
Today Filled With Events of Unusual Interest, Including a Parade in Which Thousands Will Participate.
The Catholics of Kansas City, Kas., and the surrounding areas are celebrating today the golden anniversary of St. Mary's Catholic church. Today, for the first time, the Rev. Father Anton Kuhls, pastor of the church, monsignor and prelate to the pope, will don his soutan, the purple robe of his exalted office, and officiate at the services of the church.
The events of the day will begin with a parade this morning, in which it is expected many thousands of persons will take part. Thomas Shea, grand marshal, has appointed the following aids from the different parishes: John Quin, Joseph Doleshal, Jr., John Felter, E. C. Goebel, Nick Clemence, J. W. Bishop, P. C. Schneller, Steve Picnic, Frank Frankowitch and M. J. Caples.
THOUSANDS WILL PARADE.
Sergeant N. J. Adams will command the mounted police, which will head the parade. The order of the parade will be as follows: Mounted police, Coleman's Military band, St. Mary's parish, St. Joseph's of Shawneetown, St. Bridget's, St. Thomas's, Third Regiment band, St. John's of Argentine, St. Patrick's, St. Anthony's Slavonic band, St. Joseph's Blessed Sacrement, Holy Name Croatian band, St. John the Baptist, St. Benedict's, St. Cyril Methodius, Hiner's band, St. Rose of Lima, St. Peter's, St. Joseph's (Krainers).
The parade will start at St. Mary's church, Fifth street and Ann avenue to Tenth street, south on Tenth and Sandusky avenue and west on Sandusky avenue to Twelfth street, where it will be joined by Bishop Lillis, accompanied by J. A. Stall and A. C. Fasenmyer of St. Mary's parish. The parade will then continue north on Twelfth street to Minnesota avenue, east on Minnesota avenue to Fifth street and south on Fifth street to the church, where it will disband.
In a large tent which has been erected on the lawn, the Very Rev. J. Ward of Leavenworth will celebrate mass, and the Right Rev. Mgr. Tihen will preach at the same hour that Bishop Lillis is celebrating pontifical mass in the church.
Of far more than passing interest is the celebration of St. Mary's golden anniversary to those familiar with the history of the church. Founded fifty years ago in what was at that time practically a wilderness, the little pioneer church has kept its stride with the little straggling village, which has grown from a mere hamlet to a city of more than 100,000 souls; and the magnificent edifice in which the parishioners of St. Mary's worship today is a worthy tribute to the untiring energy and resourcefulness of the aged prelate who has guided its destinies through the storms of half a century.Labels: churches, Kansas City Kas, ministers, Minnesota avenue October 11, 1908 TOO MANY MASHERS THERE.
Kansas City, Kas., Girls Welcome Ar- rest by St. Louis Policeman.
ST. LOUIS, MO., October. 10. -- (Special.) Two pretty, well dressed young girls declared to day that they were glad to be arrested if it would only take them out of St. Louis and back to Kansas City. There are too many mashers here, they say. Patrolman Taylor of the Central district found them at 1413 Washington avenue. When he asked them if they were Mabel Greenway of 316 North Tenth street and Vena Sheirel of 432 Armstrong avenue, Kansas City, Kas., they ran toward him.
"Oh, it's a policeman," cried Miss Greenway. "Are you going to arrest us? We're glad of it if you'll only send us back to dear old Kansas City."
"Goodness, but we'll be glad to get out of St. Louis," said Miss Sheirel. "It's perfectly horrid here. Nearly ever man we meet on the street seems to be a masher. They stare at us and wink and make remarks until we are afraid to go out of the house. Dear old Kansas City is slow, but it is better than St. Louis."Labels: Kansas City Kas, mashers, police, St Louis, women October 5, 1908 TAFT GETS COLD RECEPTION IN KANSAS CITY, KAS.
Speech at Huron Park Said to be More Help for Democrats.
It was a frost, a fizzle, a fiasco. There never was a political gathering in Kansas City, Kas., that showed less enthusiasm than the crowd of 3,000 people which turned out this morning to hear Taft. The Republican presidential candidate was escorted from the Baltimore hotel to Huron park in Kansas City, Kas., by a long train of automobiles amid great pomp and with marked precision and ceremony. He arrived on time -- 8:30 o'clock.
From the north steps of the Carnegie library, the big chief addressed the Wyandotte Indians. The audience was already there -- 3,000 strong. There was no demonstration until some one yelled: "Three cheers for Bill."
Then there was a feeble effort to applaud, but it lasted less than a minute. After a speech lasting about fifteen minutes Taft retired from the stone pedestal upon which he had been standing, and the "effort" was over.
In his speech the presidential nominee took to the defensive entirely. He undertook to defend his attitude in labor injunction decisions, which were rendered years ago; injunctions which union labor has never forgotten.
During the course of his speech, the presidential candidate was almost wholly denied applause or encouragement. His audience was composed of 1,500 school children, 300 students from the Kansas State Blind Institute, located in the west suburbs of Kansas City, Kas., and about 1,200 adults, mostly women.
And it was evident that Taft's pleasure over the occasion was not of the most exultant variety. No sooner had he stopped speaking than the crowd began to disperse. He was not fatigued by a siege of long and vigorous hand-shaking. Here is the way the followers of Democracy in Kansas City, Kas., speak of the meeting: "It was the best Democratic meeting we ever had!"Labels: Hotel Baltimore, hotels, Kansas City Kas, libraries, politics, President Taft October 3, 1908 TAFT TO BE HERE TOMORROW.
Republican Presidential Candidate Will Spend Sunday in City.
The train bearing William H. Taft from Topeka to Kansas City is expected to arrive tomorrow morning at 7 o'clock where a reception committee consisting of Senator William Warner, Congressman E. C. Ellis and W. S. Dickey will meet the presidential candidate and escort him to the Baltimore hotel.
In the morning Mr. Taft will attend the Beacon Hill Congregational church and will then lunch at the home of W. S. Dickey. In the afternoon he will go to the Independence Avenue M. E. church, where he will address the Y. M. C. A. at 3:30 o'clock. His subject will be "The Foreign Work of the Association."
Monday morning Mr. Taft will be taken over the intercity viaduct to Kansas City, Kas., where he will address the populace from the steps of the public library.Labels: churches, Congressman Ellis, Hotel Baltimore, hotels, intercity viaduct, Kansas City Kas, politics, President Taft, railroad, Senator Warner, YMCA September 27, 1908
DOMESTIC REFUSES PENSION.
$500 Has Accumulated, but Mary Carpenter Refuses to Touch It.
Although Mrs. Mary Carpenter of 902 Central avenue, Kansas City, Kas., is entitled to a pension of $12 a month as the widow of a civil war veteran, she has steadfastly refused to sign the vouchers sent her by the national government. Mrs. Carpenter's husband has been dead four years and since that time pension vouchers have accumulated until now she has over $500 owed her by the government.
Yesterday morning Judge Van B. Prather, probate judge of Wyandotte county, appointed the Banking Trust Company of Kansas City, Kas., guardian of the pension money now in the company's vaults and of future payments. Mrs. Carpenter is employed as a cook in a Kansas City, Kas., restaurant, and refuses to give a reason for not taking the money which is coming to her.Labels: banking, Central avenue, Civil War, Judge Prather, Kansas City Kas September 24, 1908 M'DONALD LAID TO REST.
Appropriate Respect Paid to Memory of Dead Marshal.
The funeral of Martin McDonald, marshal of the North division of the city court, Kansas City, Kas., who was shot to death by Ernest Lee, whom he was trying to arrest at the latter's home Monday, was yesterday afternoon from the McDonald home, 425 Haskell avenue. The services were conducted by the G. A. R. and the A. O. U. W., and were largely attended by friends and city and county officials. Interment was in Mount Hope cemetery.
The body of Lee, who killed himself after murdering Marshal McDonald, will be sent to Ames, Ok., where the dead man's mother, Mrs. Ella Rader, lives.Labels: cemetery, Funeral, Kansas City Kas, murder, oklahoma, Suicide September 11, 1908 HE'D BEAT WIFEBEATERS.
Judge Sims Wants Posts Established by State Law.
C. W. Russell, a street car motorman, was arraigned before Judge John T. Sims in police court, Kansas City, Kas., yesterday morning on the charge of beating his wife. He was not ready for trial and the case was continued until this morning. In default of $500 bond he was locked up. Mrs. Russell, whose face showed evidence of the beating she received, was present in court carrying an infant. She will testify against her husband.
Judge Sims after granting a continuance in the Russell case announced that he favored a public whipping post for all wife beaters. "I hope that the next legislature," said the judge, "will pass a law creating a whipping post in all cities of the first class within the state. There is scarcely a day passes that I am not informed of some brutal husband beating his wife. It is getting terrible."Labels: domestic violence, Judge Sims, Kansas City Kas, streetcar September 7, 1908 ILL AND DESPONDENT, SHE TRIED SUICIDE.
EDITH HARDING, 17 YEARS OLD, SWALLOWS CARBOLIC ACID.
Did Not Take Enough to Cause Death -- She Then Started for the River, but Was Overtaken.
Edith Harding, the 17-year-old daughter of Daniel Harding, of 908 South Eighteenth street, Kansas City, Kas., made two unsuccessful attempts at suicide yesterday. A few minutes after 11 o'clock in the forenoon Miss Harding entered her room, closing the door behind her. Her actions during the forenoon were not unusual, and no member of the family suspected that the girl was despondent. Before going to her room she had secured a quantity of carbolic acid, kept in the house for disinfecting purposes. She did not succeed in swallowing much of the poison, most of it being spilled. Her lips and chin were badly burned. When discovered by her mother the girl was lying on a bed suffering agony. Dr., E. D. Williams was summoned and after an examination announced that the girl had not swallowed enough of the acid to cause death. He dressed her injuries and left her in the care of the family.
After Dr. Williams had pronounced her out of danger, Miss Harding seemed greatly disappointed, declaring that she wanted to die. Later in the day she managed to escape from her room and was discovered running toward the Kaw river. Members of the family and several neighbors gave chase and capturing the girl by physical force returned her to her home. She insisted on being allowed to kill herself.
The reason for the young woman wanting to take her life is said to be due to poor health and an abandoned hope of getting well. She said this was the reason she wanted to die as she would rather be dead than suffer like she has done for the past several months. Daniel Harding, the father, is a laborer. A guard will be kept over her for the next few days and in the meantime arrangements will be made to have her taken to a hospital and treated.Labels: doctors, Kansas City Kas, Kaw river, Suicide September 1, 1908 WASN'T WORKING ON WIRES.
J. W. Harris Had No Business on Pole From Which He Fell.
No reason has been found why J. W. Harris of Topeka, who was killed yesterday afternoon, near Fourth street and Roland avenue, Kansas City, Kas., by falling off a telephone pole, should have been tampering with the wires of the Home Telephone Company. He died from the effects of a broken back at noon yesterday.
All the electrical companies with wires at the spot where he was working at the time of the accident accounted for all their men yesterday.
A brother of Harris came to Kansas City, Kas., last night and will return to Topeka with the body this morning. He says his brother was a lineman and was in good standing in Topeka. The stranger who was with Harris at the time of the mishap has not been found and no one who saw the two men working among the wires could give the police a description of him.Labels: Kansas City Kas, telephone, Topeka, Utilities August 25, 1908 FOUND A "COLOR" IN HIS YARD.
Kansas City, Kas., Man Struck Some- thing That Looked Like Gold.
For about the tenth time in so many years, gold, the real old yellow stuff, the so-called root of all evil, has again been found in the hills of Kansas City, Kas. This time the precious metal has been discovered in the rear of the home of John Martin, 70 South Forest street, and the new "diggins" threatens to put Cripple Creek and Dawson City on the bum. If future development furnishes no disappointments, Mr. Martin and the Forest street mine will make Scotty and his Death Valley mint look like 30 cents in Mexican silver.
The discovery of gold in Mr. Martin's yard was made several days ago while a well was being dug there. The matter was kept a secret in order that a national syndicate might be organized for the purpose of buying up all the land lying between the Kaw mouth and Grandview, it being the belief of some that the mother lode starts from the hill upon which stands the Grandview sanitarium, running in a southeasterly line to a point near where the main Riverview sewer empties into the Kaw river.
Thomas Wood, the druggist, who tested the ore sample from Mr. Martin's diggins, says there is no doubt that it contains some of the real stuff. Mr. Martin took some of the dirt to a Missouri assayer yesterday and was told that it contained traces of gold. However, the report received by him was not sufficiently encouraging to warrant him in expending any large sum in the development of the mine.
Traces of gold have been found in various parts of Wyandotte county, but that was all. So far, not even a scare has resulted from any of these discoveries.Labels: druggists, Grandview, Kansas City Kas August 21, 1908 THIS 4-YEAR-OLD BOY READS PAPERS AND BOOKS.
Roland Rexroth Is Self-Taught -- At 2 Years Old He Was Not Even Able to Speak a Word. 
Picture and Signature of 4-Year-Old Boy
Who Reads with Remarkable
Understanding.
Almost phenomenal in his brightness is little 4-year-old Roland Rexroth, of 613 Troup avenue, Kansas City, Kas. Despite his years Roland is able to read as well as the average grown person. Newspapers are his particular hobby and he takes delight in reading them to his parents every morning and evening. What is more, he can understand what he reads and often entertains his neighbors and grown friends with discussions of matters which are of current interest.
The fact that he was unable to speak one word until two years ago makes his strange ability to read more remarkable.
About eight months ago, Roland, who had seen a bunch of A, B, C blocks, went to one of his friends, John H. Finlay, and asked him for a set of blocks. Having taken taken an interest in the child since his birth, Mr. Finlay immediately procured the blocks. That was on Tuesday. The following Sunday Mr. Finlay visited the child and found that he had mastered the mysteries of the A, B, C. Without being urged to do so, Roland asked for a primer. Within one week he could read every word contained in the book. Since that time he has rapidly advanced in his ability to read and now is able to read any kind of fiction, even newspapers, understandingly.
Roland is at his best when lying flat upon the floor. For hours he will lie in that position and read.
Wholly unaided, the child learned to write. His writing is nothing more than printing, following out the lines of the letters with which he so readily became familiar, but it is clearly legible. Roland prefers writing on a typewriter, and while he has not much speed developed in that line, his work is without error so far as spelling and punctuation are concerned. How the child learned to punctuate can not be explained.
Roland's parents are poor; too poor to secure books for him to read, and the child longs for books. His neighbors kindly furnish him with newspapers and a few books, but Mr. Finlay has helped the child forward more than anyone else. William Rexroth, the boy's father, is a mechanic. Neither he nor his wife has had more than a grammar school education, and they speak with a German accent.
While Roland shows such remarkable ability to read, he knows nothing about mathematics. It seems strange that the child is able to form letters into words and words into sentences and at the same time be unable to add figures into totals.
A particularly attractive looking child is Roland. He has dark blue eyes, shaded by extremely heavy brows. His face shows much intellect and no mean amount of will power. His features are all clear cut and attractive, but standing out from the rest of his features are his eyes and heavy brows.Labels: books, children, Kansas City Kas, newspapers August 19, 1908 JURY IN SQUIRTING CASE IS DIVIDED.
IT WILL BE TRIED OVER NEXT MONDAY MORNING.
Defendant is D. A. Harrington, Charged With Common Assault on Miss Frances Beers. Threw Water on Auto.
The case of the state of Kansas against D. A. Harrington, charged with using his garden hose for squirting an automobile and its occupants, occupied the entire time of the North division of the city court, Kansas City, Kas., yesterday. The complaining witness was H. M. Beers, a prominent trader at the stock yards, who insists that the defendant should be punished for assault inasmuch as he turned a hose on his automobile while it was being drivien in front of the defendant's home on the evening of August 1.
The assault charge was not based upon any damage sustained by the machine, but it so happened that Mr. Beers's daughter, Miss Frances, was an occupant of the auto, adn she received a quantity of the water aimed at the chauffeur and the machine.
When the case was called Senator James F. Getty appeared for the defendant, while ex-State Senator J. K. Cubbison represented the prosecution as special counsel. Among the forty-odd witnesses subpoenaed there were many residents of the fashionable neighborhood in which the squirting stunt was pulled off. Some testified as to how automobiles had been driven along the street in front of the Harrington home at reckless speed and that protests had been entered against using the thoroughfare for a speedway. Mr. Harrington adopted a plan of his own to put a stop to this practice. Miss Beers and other witnesses testified that when the hose was turned loose on her auto it was running at a moderate speed. It was shown that had the machine been running at the high rate of speed which it was claimed, but little water would have struck it. The evidence showed that the chauffeur, Miss Beers and the machine received a thorough drenching.
The case was given to the jury at about 4 o'clock and, after being out about thirty minutes, the twelve men announced that they could not agree upon a verdict. They were discharged by Judge U. S. Guyer and the case will be tried again next Monday.Labels: automobiles, courtroom, Kansas City Kas August 6, 1908 ARREST AWAITS THE CHAUFFEUR SQUIRTER.
Miss Beers Was in an Auto Which Mr. Harrington Drenched With His Garden Hose as It Scorched Past.
A state warrant was issued out of the North division of the city court, Kansas City, Kas., yesterday for the arrest of C. D. Harrington, a prominent contractor who lives at 2033 West Thirty-ninth street, which is just across the Kansas state line from Westport. He is charged with assault, the complaint being signed by H. M. Beers, a well known horse and mule dealer of Kansas City, Mo. When Squire Lee, the negro constable of the court, visited Mr. Harrington's home last night for the purpose of serving the warrant, he was told that Mr. Harrington was with friends in Kansas City, Mo.
The warrant for Mr. Harrington's arrest is the outcome of a little stunt pulled off by him last Saturday evening in front of his home. It seems from the statement made to County Attorney Joseph Taggart by Mr. Beers and his attorney, J. K. Cubbison: Harrington had objected to the speed at which some automobiles were driven through the street in front of his home. In fact Mr. Beer's machine was one of those complained of. Beers told Mr. Taggart that he had told Harrington if his driver exceeded the speed limit to have him arrested.
Mr. Harrington evidently did not wish to take the trouble of causing a warrant to be issued for Mr. Beers's chauffeur, but instead, when he drove the machine in front of his home last Saturday evening he turned the garden hose loose on the auto and its occupants. It happened that Mr. Beers's daughter, Miss Frances, was the only passenger and she received a real ducking.
Mr. Beers in his complaint alleges that his daughter suffered a severe nervous shock, and he declares he will prosecute the case against Harrington, regardless of the cost.
Constable Leo will make another effort to secure service on Mr. Harrington today.Labels: automobiles, Kansas City Kas, pranks July 28, 1908 HAS BEEN GRAFTED 30 TIMES.
Lee Weedy, Dunning Opera House Victim, Is Operated On Again.
Lee Weedy, a fire inspector in Kansas City, Kas., yesterday underwent his thirtieth operation in the grafting of skin to parts of his body burned in the fire of the Dunning opera house in 1894. At the time that the ancient playhouse was destroyed Weedy was a member of the No. 2 hose company. He was caught by falling walls and was nearly roasted before being rescued.
Since he has received his injuries more than 400 pieces of human flesh were grafted from nurses at Bethany hospital and members of the fire department, most of which grew successfully. A space about the size of a hand on the right calf of his right leg failed to knit. Drs. L. D. Mable and D. E. Smith yesterday removed four strips of skin measuring one inch in width and five inches in length from other parts of Mr. Weedy's anatomy and grafted them to the unhealed burns. The physicians state that the operation will be successful. Mr. Weedy will remain at the hospital pending the result of the operation.Labels: doctors, Fire, health, hospitals, Kansas City Kas, nurses, theater July 24, 1908
MELANCHOLY MULE COMMITS SUICIDE.
OLD JIM HAD GRIEVED OVER LOSS OF HIS MATE.
Walked to Edge of Steep Embank- ment Yesterday in Kansas City, Kas., and Deliberately Plunged to Death.
"Old Jim," the ancient mule which has graced the George R. Brindle grading camp in Kansas City, Kas., for many a year, will no longer be ween there. Weighed down with sorrow from the loss of his mate, Baldy, sold one year ago, and perhaps still smarting from a sever beating administered to him Monday, he threw himself over a sixteen-foot embankment at Baltimore street and Pacific avenue at 5:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon. When members of the gang cutting through a street there reached "Old Jim" he was dead.
The case of the mule may be the first on record where good authorities agree that the intent of the deed was suicide. John Hartman, member of the city street department, George R. Brindle, owner of the animal, and, lastly, Dr. W. J. Guilfoil, 835 State avenue, a well known veterinarian, declare Jim knew what he was doing and that he cut the thread of his own life deliberately.
Jim was purchased by the Brindle street grading concern ten years ago, when he was a colt, 2 years old. He was found gentle and tractable, Brindle said last night. When he was large enough to take a place among the other beasts of burden in the camp he was so employed in company with Baldy, already proficient and learned to an enviable degree.
The two worked steadily together, Brindle says, until a year ago. Then the grief at separation made a different mule out of Jim and he lost all interest in work. Coupled with a lean and aged horse of plebeian parentage, judging from his mangy coat, he dragged the heavy wheel scraper about, his head bent low, his ears wagging discontentedly.
Last Saturday night Jim's driver approached Brindle and complained of the conduct of the mule.
"He isn't the mule he used to be," said he, contemplating the ragged animal munching hay from one of the racks.
"No, he isn't," Brindle says he told the driver. Then he assured him that "Old Jim" would soon be retired on full rations, dismissing the matter from his mind.
Yesterday afternoon the mule was laid off, and was noticed several times standing near the sixteen-foot embankment on Pacific avenue left by the cutting through of the street. At 5:30 o'clock he walked to the brink of the bank and carefully slid his front feet over.
Most of the laborers, tired from the day's work, were sitting around the wagons. They saw the act and realizing Jim's danger, shouted "Whoah!" in a chorus. It was too late. Before anyone could run to his rescue he had disappeared over the edge with a farewell wave of his bushy tail.
Dr. Guilfoil, who does the regular work for the camp's animals, was called by Brindle over the telephone. In regard to the case he said last night he had no doubt that it was a pure and simple case of suicide, such as occur among human beings. He stated that all the evidence heard by him seems to indicate this. He saw no plausible reason why it should not be true.
Labels: animals, doctors, Kansas City Kas, State avenue, Suicide July 23, 1908
DISHONEST CONCERN ROBBED CROATIANS.
WEST BOTTOMS PEOPLE HEAVY LOSERS IN NEW YORK FAILURE.
They Had Forwarded as Much as $300,000 Through the Concern, None of Which Reached People at Home.
Affidavits showing that foreign residents of the West Bottoms had entrusted $300,000 and lost it in the Croatian bank, operated by Frank Zotti & Co. of New York, were sent yesterday morning to the district attorney thre by Father M. D. Krmpotic of St. John's Croatian Catholic church, Fourth street and Barnett avenue, Kansas City, Kas.
The Frank Zotti & Co. bankers handled money for the Croatians and other Austrian peoples in the United States who had friends in the old country to whom they regularly remitted at the week ends. When the company closed doors last week, it is alleged that the books showed no instance where the money had been remitted further than the bank. The total deficit amounted to over $1,000,000, affecting many thousand Croatians all over the country, a it is a comon custom with them to send part of their weekly wages to Austria.
"I am representing my countrymen to the best of my ability in this very important matter," said Father Krmpotic last evening. "Some of them are, of course, very ignorant of our banking system and when they received letters from the old co untry telling of hte failure to receive needed money, they thought the remitance had been lost somehow in the mails, and never distrusted the bank.
"I know many Croatians here who are out as much as $4,000. Not only are they suffering from the loss of this money, but relatives in Austria, who were in very bad circumstances, are still suferring. Many of them plunged deeply in debt, thinking the money would finally reach them in a budget accompanied by an apology from a mail clerk somewhere along the route."
Father Krmpotic is teacher, doctor and interpreter as well as Catholic priest to his countrymen in the West Bottoms. He is highly respected by them in his diverse capacities.
Labels: banking, embezzlement, immigrants, Kansas City Kas, ministers, New York, West bottoms July 22, 1908
ANY BAD BOY WOULD DO.
So Ike Rodencich Thought, and Took
a Neighbor Into Court.
Ike Rodencich of 427 Ann avenue, Kansas City, Kas., was cited before the juvenile court yesterday and was instructed to bring with him his two sons, Joseph and Mathew. It appears from the complaints filed with Judge Van B. Prather, who presides over the juvenile court, that Mr. Rodencich's boys have been causing much trouble in the neighborhood. When Mr. Rodencich appeared with two boys he was asked if they were his sons, Joe and Mat.
"No, sir," he replied, "this is my boy, Mat, but this other lad belongs to one of my neighbors."
"You were instructed to bring both of your boys here," said Judge Prather.
"Oh, I misunderstood you. I thought you said bring the two boys, and this kid right here has been into as much devilment as either one of my boys."
The hearing was postponed until Mr. Rodencich could produce his other son.
Labels: children, Judge Prather, juvenile court, Kansas City Kas July 19, 1908 MISTAKE MAY COST HIS LIFE.
Samuel Stewart, Jr., May Die From Drinking Carbolic Acid.
According to physicians attending Samuel Stewart, Jr., exchange teller of the Commercial National bank of Kansas City, Kas, who drank carbolic acid by mistake at his home, 562 Oakland avenue, Friday morning, he is still very low from the effects of the poison and may die. Mrs. Stewart, who snatched the bottle from her husband as he was in the act of tipping it to his lips, spilled a quantity of the acid on her hands and feet. Her burns were not given proper attention at the time because of the excitement in the Stewart household over the accident, and she suffered much from them yesterday.
Samuel Stewart, Jr., is well thought of in the bank He is of a nervous disposition. During the last three or four weeks he has been on the verge of prostration and under a doctor's care almost continuously, it is said. Samuel Stewart, Sr., the father, who heads the Stewart Grocery Company, Seventh street and Minnesota avenue, is confident that his son took the acid through mistake.Labels: banking, Kansas City Kas, mental health, Minnesota avenue, poison July 14, 1908 STOMACH GROWN TOGETHER.
Robert Neudeck Is Slowly Dying of Starvation in Kansas City, Kas.
Robert Neudeck, a well known resident of Kansas City, Kas., is slowly dying of starvation at his home, 1052 Reynolds avenue. The attending physicians have abandoned hope for his recovery and announce that the end is only a question of a short time.
More than a year ago Mr Neudeck suffered an affliction of the stomach. At first it was not thought to be serious and his doctor placed him on a light diet. The case has baffled the physicians. From all indications the walls of his stomach have grown together.
Mr. Neudeck is a member of one of the oldest and best known families in Wyandotte county. He has been engaged in the mercantile business, and for a number of years was a member of the local police department.Labels: illness, Kansas City Kas, police July 12, 1908 MEETING AT BONNER WAS A HUGE JOKE.
"GRAND RALLY" TURNED OUT TO BE NEGRO PICNIC.
Candidates From K. C., K., Who Had Provided Money for the Fried Chicken and Watermelon, Are a Sore Bunch.
The first crate of lemons, those of the nice large sour juicy variety, was opened yesterday and passed around among about forty candidates seeking nomination at next month's primaries. The distribution took place in a grove just outside the town where a "grand old rally" was to take place. The candidate had all contributed money to help defray the expense with the understanding that the event would be of much political importance and one long to be remembered.
It will be remembered all right by those candidates who donated to the cause, as the biggest joke played on them in all of their political experience. The managers of the affair had promised to have Cyrus Leland, W. J. Bailey and other speakers of prominence as the principal orators of the day.
When the candidates reached Bonner on a Union Pacific train at 11 o'clock and asked where the big rally was being held, they were surprised with the answer, "What rally?"
"Why, the big Republican meeting today."
"Oh, yes, now that I think about it, I did hear something about a meeting that was to be held here, but none of us people know anything concerning it.. We have been trying to find out something about it ourselves. There is a negro picnic being held out in the grove north of town."
The candidates started out on foot to locate the picnic grounds. Upon their arrival at the grove they found a number of negroes enjoying themselves in the shade of the trees The men who had collected the money from the candidates to defray the expenses of the "big rally" announced that Leland and Bailey were unable to be present. Other speakers billed for the occasion were also conspicuous by their absence. The candidates were very much disappointed, but circulated around the grounds until the first train bound for Kansas City arrived.
The candidates declared that they had been "stung" by some of their colored constituents. Some of them took turn about kicking each other, while others laughed it off, claiming that it might have been worse. It seems that no arrangements had been made for the meeting, other than the collection made from the candidates. Before the candidates left the grounds, however, F B. Dawes of Leavenworth, who happened to be in Bonner on business, delivered a short patriotic address which was followed by brief talks by four of the candidates.
In anticipation of a political meeting Samuel Hackley of Kansas City, Kas., was on the scene with his box kites with large banners bearing the names of Taft and Sherman and the picture of Mr. Leland.
The candidates were all of one mind -- they had been jobbed, that was all.Labels: Bonner Springs, Kansas City Kas, picnics, politics, pranks, race, railroad July 12, 1908 CHALLENGED HIM TO A DUEL.
Paul Swanson Said Harry Pulliam Had Wronged His Sweetheart.
Because he wanted to be gallant to his sweetheart whom he thought to have been insulted by Harry Pulliam, a married man, Paul Swanson, 20 years old, of 805 Colorado avenue, Kansas City, Kas., yesterday wrote a rash letter that acted like a boomerang. In it was expressed a regular ultimatum. He said he would shoot Pulliam on sight if he would not meet him in an honorable duel with pistols at ten paces. Pulliam was alive and well at a late hour last night. Swanson was angrily pacing the concrete floor of an iron bound den at police headquarters. He will be turned over to the federal authorities Monday, charged with sending a threatening letter through the mails.
"I told him I would kill him," he exclaimed between his clenched teeth to the officers who took him in charge "He's a cowardly cur. My girl went to his place to take care of his sick wife. She went there like a good Samaritan into a den of reptiles. She is a pure child, loved and respected by everyone who knows her. Pulliam is a contemptible ingrate and worse. If we meet at all it must be for the final struggle, for I will kill him on sight."
Ethel Hicks, 16 years old, is the sweetheart of Swanson. She appeared in the Wyandotte county attorney's office yesterday afternoon and swore out a warrant for Pulliam, who lives at 235 Forest avenue. Pulliam had not been arrested last night.Labels: jail, Kansas City Kas, romance July 12, 1908 BOOZE CLAIMS TWO MORE.
Victims of Whisky Habit Die in Emergency Hospital.
Two deaths occurred in the emergency hospital last night, and alcohol was the immediate cause of each death. W. Morris, 26 years old, Twenty-fourth and Summit streets, was a patient at St. Margaret's hospital, Kansas City, Kas., and was sent to this city to be placed in the city holdover for safekeeping. Later he was taken to the emergency hospital. It is said he was in the hait of consuming one uart of whisky a day.
H. P. Kemper, 305 Walnut street, was taken from Scott's saloon, Third and Walnut streets, to the emergency hospital. The physicians were not able to make a definite diagnosis of his ailment. Kemper died while having a spasm rought on from acute alcholism or morphia poisoning.Labels: alcohol, emergency hospital, hospitals, Kansas City Kas, saloon, Summit street, Third street, Twenty-fourth street, Walnut Street July 9, 1908 GYPSY KING MOVES HIS THRONE.
Yohanowic Is Told by Police to Get Out of Town.
The throne of Peter Yohanowic, King of the Gypsies -- at least those encamped in Wyandotte county -- is tottering. This announcement coming so soon after the birth of an heir to the throne, which event was celebrated only a couple of days ago, will doubtless occasion some surprise, but the present peril in which the house of Yohanowic stands is not due to any revolutionary movement on the parts of the king's subjects. The Gypsies are still loyal to his majesty King Peter, but yesterday two policemen, just ordinary every day coppers, called upon his highness in the royal 6x8 canvas palace at Eighteenth street and Everett avenue, and served notice upon the king and his followers that they would have to "hike" from their present location. King Peter only smiled when the drilling proclamation was read to him, and without protest promised to go. In the afternoon the house of Yohanowic was moved to a vacant plot of ground in old Kerr's park just outside city limits.
The clash between the police and King Peter was occasioned by numerous complaints filed with Chief of Police D. E. Bowden by people living in the vicinity of the former Gypsy camp. Members of the Gypsy band have been working that section of the city with a fortune telling stunt Women claim they have been annoyed by the fortune tellers and in some instances badly frightened. One woman stated that after she had given a Gypsy 50 cents for the telling of her fortune she demanded that she be given a pair of lace curtains which adorned one of the windows in the ho use Upon being refused she declared she would cast a spell over the woman and her children. Several instances of this kind have been reported and Chief Bowden decided to move the king and his people outside the city limits.Labels: con artist, Kansas City Kas, Police Chief Bowden July 8, 1908 PRINCE TO BE NAMED PETER.
Heir to Gypsy Throne Receives Many Gifts From Pilgrims.
The crown prince born to King Peter Yohanowic of the Kansas City, Kas., Gypsy camp on the Reidy road, Monday morning, at 6 o'clock, was in a healthy condition last night and by his lusty yells promised an early assumption of power over the tribe. He will be named Peter, the father announced last night.
All the members of the Reidy road camp made a pilgrimage to Leavenworth to see the mother and child yesterday morning. They brought beads, calico and other things that Gypsies like and deposited these gifts on the doorway.Labels: children, Kansas City Kas, Leavenworth July 8, 1908 BECAUSE HE SOLD MA'S COW.
J. L. Calvert of Six-Mile Township, Is Now in Jail.
Because he sold a cow that was his mothers and got a scandalously low figure for it, J. L. Calvert of Six-Mile township, Wyandotte county, found himself in jail last night. The animal was a fire red Durham and Calvert says would have made a good "canner" anywhere but would not give enough milk for the family. Sunday night he was standing in the barnyard contemplating "Red," which is the name of the unprofitable pet, when H. R. Butterwick, a neighbor, came along and wanted to buy.
"She is not a good milker," warned Calvert. "She kicks, bawls at night and gets into the garden every day. She's a poor bargain at best."
"If you're not too steep, I don't know but I might bid her in anyway, just for luck," commented Butterwick , suggestively fingering a $20 note.
"Twenty-five and she's yours," was the answer and so the deal was made.
"The following day Mrs. Isabel Sumpter, mother of Calvert, replevined the cow, proving that it had never belonged to Calvert. Butterwick then responded by having Calvert arrested. The hearing may be held in the north city court of Kansas City, Kas., this morning.Labels: animals, jail, Kansas City Kas |
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