News Items from The Kansas City Journal ~ Old News That's New to You from Vintage Kansas City.com

January 7, 1910

SHOUTS MURDER IN YIDDISH.

Smitzle's Drop Into Salt Barrel

Calls Out Police.

Charles Smitzle, who sells kosher meat to his co-religionists under the careful supervision of the rabbi in a store at 1603 East Eighteenth street, is undersized, so he stood on a salt barrel last night when he went to light the gas lamp. If he was just short there would never have been a feature to this simple act in a thousand years. However, he is also fat and just as he stood on tiptoe to apply the match to the jet the barrel collapsed.

It happened that Smitzle was alone in his store at the time of the accident, but two of his patrons were in the act of coming in and heard the crash coupled with an exclamation in Yiddish.

"Something has gone wrong with Smitzel," said one of them.

They pushed the door in and saw Smitzel arise out of the debris with a bloody nose. They took note of the wrecked condition of the store and thought they remembered that the word Smitzle had used was "murder." They then rushed out in search of a telephone.

Report that on top of several holdups and assaults that had occured earlier in the day a lone Hebrew was killed by highwaymen in his place of legitimate business produced a sensation in No. 6 police station. Sergeant Michael Halligan immediately dispatched a patrol wagon loaded with officers. When they arrived at the address on Eighteenth street Smitzel had succeeded in lighting the lamp. He had used the meat block and it had held. The blood on his nose and been washed away and the treacherous barrel converted to kindling.

Labels: accident, butchers, Eighteenth street, Jews, No 6 police station, police

August 10, 1909

DIAGNOSED AS HYDROPHOBIA.

Pet Dog's Saliva Infects Wound on

Owner's Hand.

Children living in the neighborhood of Fifty-first street and Prospect avenue are having a hard time of it the last few days. Their mothers refuse to allow them to get out of sight, and if a dog appears the children are hustled into the ho use and doors barred. The cause of the confinement of the kids and the dog scare is a small fox terrier owned by Mr. Van Felt, near Fifty-first street and Prospect avenue.

Six dogs owned by neighbors of Mr. Van Felt were bitten by the fox terrier on last Friday afternoon. Mr. Van Felt played with the dog late Friday afternoon and the dog licked his hand in a playful way. A wound on the hand became infected late that night, and the next day Mr. Van Felt heard that his dog had bitten others. Becoming frightened, Mr. Van Felt consulted a physician who diagnosed the swelling as hydrophobia. The physician left for Chicago last night in charge of his patient who was going to be treated at the Pasteur institute.

The police of No. 6 station were informed of the result of the physician's examination. Sergeant R. L. James sent an officer to round up the dogs that had been bitten. His instructions are that the owners tie the dogs for a period of fifteen days. If symptoms of hydrophobia appeared within that time the dogs are to be killed.

Labels: animals, Chicago, children, doctors, Fifty-first street, health, illness, No 6 police station, police, Prospect avenue, rabies

July 26, 1909

SORRY SHE TOOK A

SHOT AT HUSBAND.

MRS. FRANK O'NEILL'S BULLET

JUST GRAZED HIS NECK.

Wife Says She Was Nervous and

Excited, and That Shooting in

Muehleback Brewery Was

Only to Frighten Him.

A daintily dressed woman talking through the grate of the cashier's window in the general office of the Muehlebach Brewing Company to her husband, a bookkeeper, at 7:30 o'clock last night, attracted little attention from the beer wagon drivers who happened to be about. Sharp words between members of the opposite sexes in the vicinity of Eighteenth and Main streets even at such an early hour in the evening are not unusual.

Suddenly the woman, Mrs. Mary O'Neill of 431 Ann avenue, Kansas City, Kas., opened her chatelaine bag and inserted her hand.

"Mary, what are you going to do?" asked her husband, Frank P. O'Neill, of 3719 Woodland avenue. Mr. and Mrs. O'Neill have been separated since January 1.

The woman drew a small revolver from the bag and fired at close range, the bullet grazing Mr. O'Neill's neck beneath his right ear and lodging inside the neck band of his shirt. Mrs. O'Neill then dropped the weapon and gave herself up to John Glenn, night watchman of the brewery.

JUST SHOOT TO SCARE HIM.

At No. 4 police station Mrs. O'Neill occupied a cell but a few feet from the operating table where Dr. J. M. McKamey was dressing her husband's wound. She was highly excited, nervous and penitent.

"I did not mean to kill him at all," she said, "but he has mistreated me every time I have approached him for money for my support, and I could not help but be on my guard all the time. When he told me to get out of the office tonight I got excited and fired when I only wanted to frighten him.

"My husband and I were married in a Catholic church two years ago," Mrs. O'Neill went on. "He married me without letting me know that he had been married twice before, and that both of these former wives are still living. During the last days of December last year I was sick and somewhat of a burden to him. On the evening of the New Year he left me sick in bed and never came back.

"I have since kept house for my brother, John Semen, at my home on Ann avenue, Kansas City, Kas. The two trips I have taken to see my husband and ask for money from him to buy clothes for myself have not been successful.

NOT SURE HE'LL PROSECUTE.

Frank O'Neill was not sure last night that he would prosecute his wife. His father, Sergeant F. P. O'Neill of No. 6 police station, however, said he would prosecute.

"I have never mistreated my wife," said the son. "It is true that I have been married before. Mary's shooting at me without warning from her, although my mother called me over the telephone half an hour before, and said Mary was on the way to the brewery to kill me."

Dr. McKamey said that O'Neill's would would easily heal.

Mrs. O'Neill is 28 years old.

Labels: breweries, doctors, domestic violence, Eighteenth street, guns, Kansas City Kas, Main street, marriage, New Years, No 4 police station, No 6 police station, Woodland avenue

June 25, 1909

KILLED BY A GUN HE

SAID WAS UNLOADED.

WILLIAM CLARK, 18, SHOT DEAD

IN DOORYARD.

Pistol in Hands of Younger Com-

paion, Whom He Told It Con-

tained No Cartridges, Just

Before Discharge.

William Clark, 18 years old of 2610 Lister avenue, was accidentally shot through the right eye by a playmate, and almost instantly killed, in the dooryard of Mrs. J. A. Avery at 2617 Lawn avenue at 8 o'clock last night.

"I did not know it was loaded," said Clem Burns, 14 years old, to his mother, Mrs. D. R. Webb, a moment later, as he threw the smoking revolver from him and burst into tears.

Clem lives with his mother and stepfather at 2625 Lawn, right next door to where the shooting occurred.

According to young Burns, the two boys, who were the best of friends, were sent by his mother to the grocery store of the Worries Bros. at Twenty-fourth street and Elmwood avenue for a box of matches. Before leaving the house Clark drew aside his coat and showed his companion that he had a cheap 38-caliber revolver in each hip pocket.

"He told me one of them was empty but that the other had one load in it," Clem told the police last night. "I asked him why he had the guns and he said he had been trying to kill a cat which had been killing chickens belonging to Mrs. Avery.

"As he turned to lead the way to the grocery I reached under his coat tails and got a revolver.

SAID WEAPON WASN'T LOADED.

" 'Oh, now I've got your revolver and I am as big a man as you are,' I said, but he laughed at me and replied:

" 'You're not so big as you think you are; that gun isn't loaded.'

"I began snapping the revolver at him at that. He didn't wince and I snapped three times. Suddenly there was an explosion from the weapon.

"William sank down on the lawn. I knew at once what I had done and called to my mother:

" 'Oh, mother,' I cried, 'I've killed Willie.' Then I threw away the gun. I don't know why I did this, but I wanted to get the nasty thing away and out of my hands as quick as I could."

The boy's cries and protestations of innocence of any intent to commit murder as he was taken to No. 6 police station after the accident brought tears of sympathy to the eyes of neighbors, many of whom had known both boys for several years.

Ray Hodgson of 2608 Lawn, who was the only person besides Clem who saw the shooting, says he saw the two boys playing about Mrs. Avery's yard.

"They were always good boys, but full of pranks," said Mr. Hodgson. "However, Clark had a mania for carrying guns. He was seldom seen without one or more. Ususally the weapons were the kind which policemen call 'pot metal.' "

The story of the shooting told by Mr. Hodgson agrees in every particular with that given by the boy himself.

Young Clark was an orphan and lived at the house on Lister avenue with G. M. and J. P. Farnswowrth, brothers, for four years past. As the Farnsworths are unmarried and have work to do in the daytime, and Clark was out of a job, he was allowed to keep up the home in the way of a general housekeeper.

Labels: accident, children, Elmwood avenue, grocers, guns, Lawn avenue, Lister avenue, No 6 police station, orphans, Twenty-fourth street

May 5, 1909

CHASED WEBER WITH A KNIFE.

"Red" Whitman and Ex-Captain

Give Impromptu Wild West Show.

An attraction that wasn't scheduled to take place at the afternoon performance of Miller Bros.' Wild West show yesterday was pulled off by "Red" Whitman, the proprietor of a lunch stand; Ex-Captain William Weber, now an assistant license inspector, and James E. Roberson, a policeman. The spectacle of Whitman chasing Weber with a butcher knife and the policeman in pursuit of both produced no little excitement. It all ended when Whitman was brought to the ground by the policeman's club.

The melee started when Weber asked Whitman if he had a license. Whitman was busy dispensing steaming sandwiches and did not care to be bothered. He used an expression that displeased the ex-captain, who proceeded to climb over the inclosure.

He changed his mind, however, when Whitman picked up a butcher knife and started to meet him. Not content with repelling the attack, Whitman started to chase Weber from the grounds, but Patrolman Roberson ended the chase with his club. Whitman was taken to No. 6 station, where he was booked for disturbing the peace and selling goods without a license.

Labels: food, No 6 police station, police, violence, Wild West shows

April 4, 1909

OKLAHOMA COUPLE CAUGHT.

Nellie Wylie, 13, of Woodward, Ran

Away With Man of 30 -- Both

Arrested Here.

Three weeks ago Nellie May Wylie, 13 years old, disappeared from her country home near Woodward, Ok. At the same time George Lovett, 30 years old, who had been known to pay the girl some friendly attention, also disappeared.

No trace whatever could be found of the missing girl until recently, when a sister at Woodward got a letter from her postmarked at Broken Bow, Neb. To that she had signed the name of Mrs. Abraham Whistler." The girl's father, L. A. Wylie, placed the matter in the hands of the sheriff at home, and a wire sent to Broken Bow brought the information that the pair had left there and had directed that their mail be sent to Kansas City.

About 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon Patrolman J. R. Robeson of No. 6 station arrested the couple near the postoffice, Ninth street and Grand avenue. To her uncle, E. L. Wylie, who came on from Woodward, his niece is said to have confessed that she and Lovett had not married. She will be taken home this morning by the uncle. Lovett is locked up at police headquarters for investigation.

Labels: children, Grand avenue, Ninth street, No 6 police station, oklahoma, post office

April 4, 1909

MAY GET WHITSETT'S JOB.

Rumored Captain Casey Will Go to

Headquarters Station.

It was common talk among the politicians at the city hall yesterday that in case the new board of police commissioners made a general shift of all officers now in command of their different outside stations Captain John J. Casey, who is now at No. 6 station, would be shifted to headquarters in the place of Captain Walter Whitsett. A few days ago Thomas A. Marks is reported to have said that there would be a general change as soon as the new board took control.

Captain Casey is considered the most likely candidate for the important place at headquarters, owing to the fact that his brother, Senator Michael Casey, was active in lining up the Democratic senate in favor of the confirmation of Marks and Middlebrook. Casey is considered to be one of the most efficient officers in the department.

Labels: Captain Whitsett, city hall, Commissioner Marks, No 6 police station, police, police board, police headquarters, politics

February 17, 1909

EXTORTION PLOT FOILED

L. M. JONES CAPTURES VISITOR

WITH BOMB.

THREE HELD UP IN HOME

JONES, HIS WIFE AND SON

OVERAWED BY PISTOL.

Intruder Planned to Kidnap Mr.

Jones and Hold Him for

Ransom in Indepen-

dence.

A desperate man, armed with a pistol and a dynamite bomb, was overpowered by Lawrence M. Jones, president of the Jones Bros. Dry Goods Company, outside of his home after being held hostage with his wife and son at gunpoint in the library of his home yesterday morning. The man, who gave his name as C. H. Garrett, had demanded $7,000 and says he had intended to hold Mr. Jones for ransom.

Garnett, who is about 40 years old, appeared at the Jones home shortly before 8 o'clock and asked for Mr. Jones. Upon being told that Mr. Jones was eating his breakfast, the man, calling himself Mr. Jones, asked to wait in the hall. Five minutes later L. M. Jones appeared. Garnett introduced himself as Mr. Jones from Grand Island, Neb., and L. M. Jones shook hands with him and asked the man what he could do for him. Garnett said he wanted a private interview. Upon inquiring about the nature of the interview, Garnett informed Mr. Jones that he was in possession of a couple of letters that pertained to his son. Mr. Jones escorted the stranger to his library. Upon entering the library Mr. Jones was confronted by the intruder's pistol and ordered to be seated. The visitor then drew from under his overcoat a dynamite bomb, and explained that unless Mr. Jones gave him $7,000 he would immediately blow up the both of them.

In an endeavor to calm the man Mr. Jones talked with him over half an hour. Mrs. Jones, feeling apprehensive on account of her husband's long interview, entered the library at this point. The intruder ordered her to be seated and the conversation was resumed. Chester L. Jones, Secretary of the Jones Company, a son, followed his mother into the library and was ordered to be seated.

PLEADED WITH INTRUDER.

Mrs. Jones pleaded with the intruder, "Please put the pistol down." The intruder then opened the grip and showed the Joneses the contents, ten or twelve sticks of dynamite and a like number of dynamite caps along with ten feet of fuse and a pound of gun powder. Mrs. Jones became very excited after looking into the grip as did Mr. Jones, though he was not as demonstrative as his wife. There was a good deal of talking then, with Mr. and Mrs. Jones trying to reason with the intruder, insisting that they only had $500 in the house and offering to give the man the money without repercussions. Garnett refused to listen and repeatedly threatened to blow them all up.

Mr. Jones then suggested that as he did not have the necessary funds in the house the man should accompany him to the bank. This was agreed to. "And incidentally," Garnett said to Mrs. Jones, "I am going to take your husband with me for a day. In the morning you will get a letter from me telling where he is kept prisoner. You can go let him loose, then."

"If you take Mr. Jones you take me too. Get ready to take care of two instead of one."

"Well, I will take your son then."

"That will make no difference. I go with either."

"That will be all right, then, if you want to."

By that time it was 10:30, and Mr. Jones's automobile was ready to take the party to the Jones store for the money. The party was marched downstairs, Chester Jones leading, followed by Garnett. Mr. and Mrs. Jones brought up the rear.

QUICK WORK WINS.

The walks were very slippery, and Mr. Jones noted the fact. As Garnett poised himself on one foot, ready to step down the stone steps to the walk, Mr. Jones threw himself upon the bandit, pinioning his arms to his side.

Mrs. Jones called her son to help his father. The chauffeur jumped from the machine to help. But before either of them could reach the struggling men, Garnett had risen to his knees. His right hand grasped the revolver, which he slipped into his coat pocket, and he was wheeling it upon Mr. Jones. At that moment Chester Jones flung himself upon Garnett and placed his hand over the bandit's upon the revolver. The descending hammer fell upon Chester Jones's finger, tearing the glove. In such a manner Mr. Jones's life probably was saved.

Then Chester Jones slipped the cord from Garnett's wrist, and Mrs. Jones captured the valise and its contents. He was quickly overpowered and held until the police from No. 6 police station arrived. All that the prisoner would say at the Jones home after his capture, was that Mr. Jones had a "mighty plucky wife."

NO ALARM AT RESIDENCE.

During the two hours and a half that the bandit was in the Jones home, Abbie Jones, a 19-0year old daughter, with a friend, Mary Woods, were in a room just across the hall. They did not know that anything unusual was going on in the house. Servants also went about the house in total ignorance of the near-tragedy being enacted in the library.

Mr. Jones and his son went to work as soon as the bandit had been turned over to the police. Just what Mrs. Jones thinks of the affair is expressed in her exclamation:

"Did you ever hear of anything like that in a civilized country?"

CHAINS FOR HIS VICTIM.

About 6 o'clock last night J. H. Dyer and George Hicks, plain clothes policemen from No. 6 station, arrived from Independence, Mo., where they had gone to investigate the house where Garnett said he had reconstructed a clothes closet for the purpose of holding Mr. Jones upon his capture, at 313 West Linden avenue. The house is several hundred feet from any other residence and is rather sinister and dilapidated in appearance.

They brought with them four chains, each with a padlock, and four large wood screws. Two of the chains had been fastened by means of the screws to the floor, the other two to the wall of the closet four feet from the floor. A small seat had been fashioned out of one of the closet shelves, eighteen inches from the floor. The door leading into the closet could be closed until the tiny apartment, three feet wide and three feet nine inches long, would become airtight.

When Captain Casey displayed the chains to Garnett he looked taken aback but readily admitted they formed part of his device for extracting money from millionaires.

"Some of the neighbors to the house where these chains were in Independence claim that another man was seen about the place with you. I have three witnesses who can swear they saw you with another man. Was he your brother?"

"I have nothing to say," answered Garnett, but some of the witnesses to the scene thought he looked nonplused and hesitated in answering the question.

In Captain Casey's office of No. 6 police station Norman Woodson, assistant county prosecutor, "sweated" Garnett for five consecutive hours. Many of the statements he made to the assistant prosecutor, including his name, will not be relied upon by the police until something more defininte than his word concerning them is found.

Labels: crime, guns, Independence, Jones Dry Goods, No 6 police station

January 17, 1909

LOOK FOR MISSING BOY.

Edgar Sullivan Not Seen Since Leav-

ing Home Friday.

Edgar Sullivan, 2803 Jackson avenue, is missing from home. Edgar is 12 years old and left the house Friday morning to attend Greenwood school. Since then he has not been heard from and his parents last night notified the police of No. 6 police station.

As the boy is too old to be lost in Kansas City the police believe that he has probably run away. When he left home Edgar was dressed in a blue serge coat, black trousers and a brown cap. He has light hair and light complexion.

Labels: children, Jackson avenue, missing, No 6 police station

January 8, 1909

DEATH PACT IN

DOUBLE KILLING?

BODIES OF MAN AND WOMAN

FOUND IN ROOM.

POISON PROBABLY WAS USED.

NO SIGNS OF VIOLENCE, BUT

MARKED FACIAL CONTORTION.

Little Light on Mysterious Deaths of

J. W. Brault and Mrs. Julia

Kenner in Their Troost

Avenue Apartment.

With no external evidence as to how or why they came to their end, J. W. Brault and Mrs. Julia Kenner were found dead in a room at 1517 Troost avenue at 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon. Whether it was a suicide pact between the man and Mrs. Kenner, who may be his wife, or a murder and a suicide, the police are unable to say. The woman was a baking powder demonstrator and about 38 years old. The man at one time was an agent for crayon pictures. He looked to be 45 years old. The couple evidently died yesterday morning.

They had been doing light housekeeping and when Mrs. Mary Kimmons, who conducts the apartment house where the two roomed, failed to detect the usual odor of cooking food at noon yesterday she sent W. F. Gray, who, with his wife, lives in the apartment house, to investigate. Gray found the door locked. He climbed up and looked over the transom. He saw the two bodies lying on the bed. That of the man was on its back; that of the woman was lying across him, the hands clasped as if in agony, the face contorted.

MAN DIED FIRST.

The police and coroner were united. Two detectives and Deputy Coroner Harry Czarlinsky broke in the door. From the position of the bodies, the detectives were led to believe that the man died first. There were no marks of violence on either body. Poison probably caused the death of both, but only a postmortem examination, which will be made this morning, will establish the fact.

When Mr. Gray looked over the transom, he said he smelled chloroform, but no trace of the drug was found. There was a small vial of laudanum on the dresser, but Dr. Czarlinsky said that there was no evidence of laudanum poisoning.

Mrs. Gray, wife of the man who made the discovery, said that about 3 o'clock yesterday morning she heard Mrs. Kenner rush across the floor screaming "Help," and "Lord have mercy!" She paid little attention to the cries then, as she and Mr. Gray had often heard the couple quarreling. However, she told Mrs. Kimmons of it just before noon.

The dead man and woman came to the apartment house a week ago and registered as man and wife.

SAID THEY WERE MARRIED.

Many letters addressed to Mrs. Julia Kenner were found, but there was only one that might have belonged to Brault. This one was to the Egg Baking Powder Company of New York and applied for a position as agent. It set forth that Brault had married Mrs. Kenner, alluded to as "one of the company's best demonstrators." It was evidently a copy of a letter Brault had sent to the company.

In the meagerly furnished room was a bed, a center table on which was a pan of biscuits,, a dressing table crowded with bottles of various descriptions, and a trunk, the property of Mrs. Kenner. On top of some articles of woman's wear in the trunk was a telegram addressed to "Mrs. Kenner, 132 West Court street, Cincinnati, O." It read:

"Letter mailed today. Am well. Lots of love. -- Your Harry."

The searchers could find no other indication that a man whose first name was Harry had ever written the woman. Another letter from the Egg Baking Powder Company of New York was addressed to the woman at 1512 Biddle street, St. Louis.

NO LACK OF MONEY.

The theory the police first entertained was that lack of money had brought on despondency which had occasioned the double tragedy. This was given up when a certificate of deposit for $50 on the Exchange Bank of Kansas City was discovered in the trunk.

Dr. Harry Czarlinsky, the assistant coroner, said last night he was entirely at sea as to the method used in bringing death to the couple. He was sure neither gas nor chloroform was used.

"My opinion is that the woman killed the man and the in her desperation put an end to herself," said he. "From the appearance of the room and of the bodies I do not consider it possible that some one could have entered the room and murdered the couple."

That was also the opinion of Lieutenant W. J. Carroll of No. 6 police station, to whom the tragedy was first reported.

The bodies were ordered taken to the Leo J. Stewart undertaking establishment.

Labels: death, detectives, Dr Czarlinsky, New York, No 6 police station, St Louis, Suicide, telegram, Troost avenue, undertakers

December 23, 1908

KILLS HUSBAND IN STREET.

Mrs. Rosa Peterson Resents Charges

and Shoots Him With Revolver

at Eighteenth and Askew.

Because he accused her of familiarity with other men, Mrs. Rosa Peterson, who lives with her widowed mother at 3505 East Eighteen street, shot and killed her husband, Fred Peterson, at the corner of Eighteenth street and Askew avenue, at 12:20 o'clock last night. A revolver was the weapon used. The woman fired five shots, every one taking effect. The first one, supposed to have been fired point blank at the head, caused instantaneous death, according to Assistant county Coroner Dr. Harry Czarlinsky, who examined the body.

According to the story of Mrs. Peterson, her husband had been separated from her the past two years, but they had occasionally kept company together. Last night they went to a dance. On the way to Peterson's home at 3810 East Eighteenth street words passed between them. Mrs. Peterson alleges her husband slapped her as they got off the car at Eighteenth street and Askew avenue. She then drew the revolver and killed him.

Peterson was a plumber's helper and worked for A. Schreidner at 7223 East Eighth street. Mrs. Peterson feeds a press at the plant of the Masterson Printing Company, 414 East Ninth street.

She was arrested by Policeman Patrick Coon and taken to No. 6 police station.

Labels: Askew avenue, Dr Czarlinsky, Eighteenth street, Eighth street, guns, marriage, murder, Ninth street, No 6 police station, police, printers

August 15, 1908

SHOT HERSELF IN THE HEAD.

Mrs. Alice Buerskens Felt She Was a

Burden to Her Husband.

With a small bunch of flowers in her left hand and a large revolver in the right, Mrs. Alice Buerskens shot herself in the right temple at 10 o'clock in her home, 1700 East Twenty-eighth street, yesterday morning after sh e had written a note to her husband, Henry Buerskens, a bartender, telling him she loved him too much to be a burden to him any longer. Alice Holmberg, 7 years old, who lives at 2705 Vine street, every day paid a visit to Mrs. Buerskens and when she called at the home yesterday Mrs. Buerskens sent her to the store to purchase stamps. While the child was away from the house Mrs. Buerskens shot herself.

She died instantly and was found lying on the bed by the Holmberg girl when she returned to the house from the store. Alice Holmberg immediately ran to her home, where she notified her mother, who in turn apprised No. 6 police station.

Carpenters employed on a new building across the street from the Buerskens home heard of the pistol shot, but paid no attention to it. The dead woman and her husband had recently moved to the Twenty-eighth street house, and the neighbors did not know their name.

The police found difficulty in securing the woman's name and it was several hours before the husband was notified of the suicide. The husband could not give any reason for the deed, and the note she left to explain her act was not clear. He said that his wife appeared to be in a happy mood when he left her in the morning to go to work. Before her marriage to Henry Buerskens she was Alice Beech and formerly a nurse in the city hospital and in the state hospital at Topeka, Kas. The coroner was notified and he had the body removed to Freeman & Marshall's undertaking rooms.

Mrs. Buerskens left the following note addressed to her husband:

"Dear Henry: You are not to blame for this -- I love you too much to burden you longer. Pray God to forgive me -- love to my own dear mother, father, brother and all my people -- sweetheart, don't you feel bad -- I am sorry I could not help you more -- love and kisses, Alice"

When seen last night, Mr. Buerskens said his wife had been ill for several years and of late had been worse than usual. They had no children and she was alone in the house the greater part of the time, and probably brooded over her illness. He said his wife had never complained of being tired of life and he had no idea she would kill herself.

Neighbors and friends who have known the woman for several years said she had been in the habit of taking opiates to relieve the pain she continually suffered. Mrs. Buerskens's parents reside in Topeka, Kas.

Labels: children, illness, No 6 police station, nurses, Suicide, Twenty-eighth street, undertakers, Vine street, women

July 13, 1908

KNOCKED DOCTOR

DOWN IN STREET

AFTER FIRST CAREFULLY RE-

MOVING THE VICTIM'S GLASSES.

POLICEMAN THE AGGRESSOR

DR. JOSEPH ROBINSON IS THE

MAN ACCUSED

Of Improper Advances Twoard Pa-

trolman's Wife -- Doctor's Wife

Goes to His Assistance.

Principals Arrested.

Telling him that he had insulted one woman too many, Duke Lee, a policeman of 4314 East Fifteenth street, calmly removed the glasses from the nose of Dr. Joseph H. Robinson, 4412 East Fifteenth street, at Fifteenth street and Kensington avenue, shortly before 7 o'clock last night, and felled him to the ground by a blow in the face. As the physician was regaining his feet he again was sent reeling by a terrific smash on the nose delivered by the sturdy patrolman.

Mrs. Robinson, who had witnessed the affair from an automobile belonging to her husband, ran to the doctor's assistance and grappled with Lee. Mrs. Robinson continued the attack until Lee had entered the hallway leading to his apartments, when she desisted only to render aid to her husband, who by that time had regained his feet.

The men were arrested by Policeman Henry Good on charges of disturbing the peace and taken to No. 6 police station in Dr. Robinson's automobile, from where they later were released after the men had posted bonds of $100 each for their appearance. No charge was preferred against Mrs. Robinson.

The trouble had its origin yesterday afternoon, when Mrs. Lee, who resides in apartments adjacent to the office of Dr. Robinson, confided to her husband that she had been grossly insulted by the physician. Removing his uniform, Lee went into the street in quest of the doctor, but not until some time later did he find him in front of his office tinkering with his automobile, in which was seated his wife, preparatory to starting the machine.

DOCTOR SAYS NOTHING.

"You have insulted one woman too many," said Lee, immediately after which the first blow was delivered. During the ephfusion which followed, Dr. Robinson said nothing other than to invite Lee to accompany him to the station in his automobile, and even later he refused to make a statement.

The affair caused not a little excitement in the neighborhood because of Dr. Robinson figuring in a similar, but probably more serious occurrence on the night of July 6, when he was shot at several times by John Kellenborn, who held some grievance, fancied or otherwise, in which his wife figured against the doctor.

Policeman Lee has been employed by the police department for several years and always has been highly respected in the neighborhood in which he resides. He has been married but a short time, and during the day hours his young wife is alone in their home. Mrs. Lee declares that the proposal made to her was deliberate, and when Dr. Robinson realized that she had been sorely offended he made an effort to apologize and requested that nothing be said of it.

Lee is on the day shift and at the time of his seeking and fining Dr. Robinson was in citizen's apparel. He has expressed himself as being determined to prefer a charge against Dr. Robinson today.

"WHAT HE DESERVED."

When seen at his home last night Lee said he probably should not have been so rash. "But when I thought of that little girl, a girl who probably never heard an indecent word before in her life, I was unable to control myself," said he. "I looked for him, found him and gave him what I thought he deserved. I am willing to answer for it."

Dr. Robinson was not seen last night. Mrs. Robinson, however, said that she is not acquainted with the facts of the case as she and her husband had had no conversation regarding it. Mrs. Robinson said that when sifted down the allegations of Mrs. Lee probably will have little or no foundation. It is said to be the intention of Dr. Robinson to prefer charges against Lee today, and to bring the matter before the police board.

Labels: doctors, Fifteenth street, Kensington, No 6 police station, police, violence

July 5, 1908

YOUNG MARRIED MAN

IN SERIOUS TROUBLE.

WARD HEADLEY HELD BY PO-

LICE ON GRAVE CHARGE.

Accused of Attacking Little Daugh-

ters of Friends Whom He Was

Visiting -- One Child Un-

der Doctor's Care.

Ward Headley, 30 years old, a clerk employed in the Browning King clothing store, was locked in a cell at No. 6 police station last night. A charge of criminal assault probably will be made against him tomorrow. Headley lives at 2921 East Sixteenth street and was married two weeks ago to Mrs. Alice Caton. His wife was not informed last night of the serious nature of the charge against him.

The alleged attack occurred in the home of O. J. Swift, a motorman on the Jackson avenue street car line, 1815 Kansas avenue. In the same house lives Robert Kelso and his family. Headley and the Swifts and Kelsos have been friends for ten years. Headley spent the afternoon with the families yesterday and remained for 5 o'clock dinner.

After dinner, according to Mrs. Kelso, she and her husband went upstairs with Headley. Mr. Kelso fell asleep in the room, and after a few minutes conversation with Headley Mrs. Kelso excused herself and went into the kitchen on the first floor.

About five minutes later she heard her 7-year-old daughter, Ethel, calling to her, but thinking that nothing serious was the matter, waited some time before replying. Within ten minutes, Eunice Swift, 5 years old, came running downstairs to her mother, who was also in the kitchen. She was crying. She said Headley had attacked her.

WOMAN DRAGGED HIM OUT.

The two women ran to the room where Headley was sitting and ordered him from the house. He refused to go, saying he had done nothing to warrant their displeasure. The two women caught him by the arms an d head and dragged him out of the room to the head of the steps and pushed him down the stairs.

Mrs. Kelso followed him down the stairs, catching him at the foot of the steps. Mrs. Swift remained in the house to give attention to her child.

When Headley reached the sidewalk Mrs. Kelso caught up with him and began to beat and scratch him. Headley started to run, but he could not get away from the woman. Seeing that he could no shake from her grasp, Headley turned and grappled with her.

Meanwhile several men started on the run to the rescue of the mother. ieutenant William Carroll and Patrolman William Hanlon were passing and seeing the crowd and the commotion, the officers ran to the man and woman. They arrested Headley and hurried him to the corner. By this time the men, fifty or more, were muttering threats of vengeance against Headley. It was some time before the patrol wagon from No. 6 police station, Twenty-first and Flora avenue arrived, and the officers had their hands full. Mrs. Kelso accompanied the officers and their prisoner to the station in the patrol wagon, saying that she "would not leave that man until he was dead or behind bars."

"I WANTED TO KILL HIM."

In discussing the affair at their home last night, Mrs. Kelso said: "I prayed God to give me the strength of a man. If ever I had the desire to kill a man it was when I was following Headley down the street, beating and scratching him. It was not a desire for vengeance on my part just at that time. It was just a great mental longing to be able to do something that would pain him, something that a man could have done. I am glad now that I did not have the strength to kill him, for it will be best to let the law take its course.

"I have known Headley for several year, and never before knew him to do an immoral or brutal act. What led him to do it is more than I can explain, unless it was the influence of liquor. But he did not appear to be drunk, and at dinner he talked in a very rational manner."

Mrs. Swift did not have much to say other than a desire to see Headley severely punished. She constantly kept her eye on the child, which was lying asleep on the bed by her side.

Headley refused to discuss the affair with the officers at the police station to any extent. He told Lieutenant Carrol that he held both children on his lap and was merely teasing them.

Labels: abuse, children, crime, Kansas avenue, No 6 police station, police, Sisteenth street, violence

July 4, 1908

FOURTH BEGAN MORE

NOISY THAN EVER.

BEFORE MIDNIGHT, EVEN, THE

NOISE WAS UNBEARABLE.

No "Quiet Zone" Around Hospitals or

Anything Else -- Giant Crackers

and Torpedoes on the

Car Tracks.

"The racket and noise made by the Fourth of July eve celebrations is something awful, and we are going to call up the police to see if it can't be stopped," said one of the sisters at St. Joseph's hospital at 11 o'clock last night. "There has been loud and disturbing noises all the evening and just now one fanfare was finished up that was incessant for fifteen minutes. It is awfully trying on the patients."

"The annoyance from the discharge of nerve wrecking contrivances is becoming unbearable and our patients are complaining," was the report from Agnew hospital.

"Men and boys have been putting torpedoes on the tracks of the Holmes street car line all night long, and the whole neighborhood seems to be well supplied with dynamite fire crackers," reported the general hospital.

"We have one patient who has become hysterical from the din that is being created in the vicinity of the hospital building. Men and boys are putting something on the car tracks that, when it explodes, shakes the windows," was the report from the South Side hospital.

"The noise is awful and there seems to be no end to it. We wish the police would get around here and put a stop to it," was the complaint from University hospital.

Other hospitals reported like disturbing conditions, and the quiet zones which the police promised were not within the limits of Kansas City last night. Soon after sunset the booming of big and little fire crackers, the placing of the nerve-wrecking torpedoes on street car tracks were of common occurrence and there was not a section of the city that was free from the din and disturbance of the noise creators. Down town streets which in past years were as quiet on the eve of the national holiday as a Sunday, were particularly in a state of turmoil and deafening noises, and no apparent effort was made on part of the police to put a stop to it. From the river front to the limits south, east and west, the roar of all descriptions of fireworks was continuous, and in the residence districts sleep was out of the question.

Chief of Police Daniel Ahern had made promises that there was to be a sane 3rd and Fourth of July, and he issued orders to his command to arrest all persons that discharged or set off firecrackers, torpedoes or anything of the like within the vicinity of hospitals or interfered with the peace and quiet of any neighborhood. How well Chief Ahern's subordinates paid attention to instructions can be inferred by reports from the hospitals and the experiences of citizens all over the city.

The first to make history by celebrating too soon was Joseph Randazzo, and Italian boy 17 years old. He had reached a revolver with a barrel eighteen inches long. At Fifth street and Grand avenue Randazzo was having a good time chasing barefoot boys and shooting blank cartridges at their feet. After he had terrorized a whole neighborhood William Emmett, a probation officer, took him in tow and had him locked up. That was at 9:45 p. m. When he had a taste of the city bastile he was released on his promise to be good. But he has yet to appear before Judge Harry G. Kyle in police court.

Nearly an hour after this the police of No. 6 were called upon to get busy. A negro named L. W. Fitzpatrick, who lives near Fourteenth and Highland, moved his base of operations from near home and began to bombard Fifteenth and Montgall and vicinity with cannon crackers varying in length from twelve to eighteen inches. Just as he had set off one which caused a miniature earthquake he was swooped down upon by the police and he did not get home until $10 was left as a guarantee that he would appear in court and explain himself.

Probably the greatest surprise came to Otto Smith and Edward Meyers, 14 years old. Armed with 25-cent cap pistols they were having a jolly time near Nineteenth and Vine when a rude and heartless policeman took them to No. 6 station.

They were "armed," and it was against the law to go armed. On account of the extreme youth of the lads they were lectured and let go home.

Mrs. Mary Murphy, 65 years old, who lives at 2025 Charlotte street, was standing on the corner of Twenty-first and Charlotte streets last night when a groceryman who conducts a store on the corner offered her a large cannon cracker to fire off. Thinking it was a Roman candle, the old lady lighted the cracker and held it in her hand.

She was taken to the general hospital, where it was found that her hand had been badly burned. The hand was dressed and she was taken to her home.

Labels: Charlotte street, children, Fifteenth street, fireworks, Fourteenth street, Grand avenue, Highland avenue, holidays, Holmes street, hospitals, No 6 police station, Police Chief Ahern, Vine street

June 8, 1908

MANUAL PUPILS ARRESTED.

Removed Junior Class Flag, Substi-

tuted Their Own, Greased Pole.

Full of that brand of enthusiasm called "class spirit," Loy Schrader, 1216 Admiral boulevard, and Paul Dodd, 3512 Kenwood avenue, and two other boys, all members of the senior class, Manual Training high school, at midnight last night took down the junior class flag that had been placed on the flagpole yesterday, and leaving their own, greased the pole as they climbed down.

The senior and junior classes put their flags on the Manual pole yesterday afternoon. These boys wanted only the senior flag on the pole. The two unknowns guarded the pole at the bottom while Dodd and Schrader, barefooted, climbed the pole.

The night watchman at Manual discovered the boys and turned in a riot call at Number 6 police station. When Policemen Frank Hoover and Charles Snend arrived the two boys at the foot of the pole had disappeared and the others had just come down and were on the run.

The policemen chased the boys. Finding that they were getting away, Hoover drew his revolver and fired at the barefooted fugitives. Dodd was caught by Hoover at Fifteenth street and Virginia avenue, and Schrader surrendered to Snead two blocks further on. The boys gave bond and will be charged with disturbing the peace. Dodd is prominent in his class, being a leader in athletics, debate and literary work.

Labels: Admiral boulevard, Fifteenth street, No 6 police station, police, schools, Virginia avenue

May 29, 1908

RECORDS PROVE

MEN WERE MOVED.

AFTER BEING THREATENED BY

MEN WITH A "PULL."

ONE ARRESTED

WRONG WOMAN.

SHE HAD BEEN FINED 106 TIMES,

BUT WAS EXEMPT.

"Ain't You Next?" Said O'Hearn's

Friend; "You're to Let Her

Alone." -- More of the Pow-

er of Mickey O'Hearn.

After the order of the board of police commissioners Wednesday a reporter for The Journal had no trouble in seeing the books at No. 4 police station yesterday. And a view of these books proved the charges that every man since the first of the year, who has been active in arresting women "night hawks" has been taken out of plain clothes and removed from the district. One man was left in the district but he was taken from that special duty and put back into uniform.

The records showed that officers had been taken from that duty even before January 1 -- in fact, any man who has been too active since the reorganized police department took charge of affairs after Governor Joseph W. Folk's "rigid investigation" has been shifted. This is not only true of No. 4 district by even in No. 1 district, headquarters. This does not pertain alone to the arresting of dissolute women but to interference with certain saloons which were selling liquor on Sunday. That charge is made in regard to No. 1 district more than any other. Of course, some saloons have been caught; but they are not the influential ones; those run by "our political friends."

While the records at No. 4 station practically prove all the assertions made in regard to that district it is said that no blame can be laid at the door of Captain Thomas P. Flahive. It is not he who has had the men taken out of citizens clothes and transferred Those who know say he has been handicapped by having only a few men to do the work in his district and by an unseen power which has been able to have men removed when they did their full duty.

ARRESTED MANY WOMEN.

The records show that Daniel Doran, who worked there for years, arrested thirty-five women just before January 1. He was threatened by well dressed vagrants and told that he would be moved. And by the grace of the unseen power he was moved January 1, last, going in uniform to No. 9 -- the "sage brush" district.

The commanding officers and sergeants under whom Edward Prewett worked in No. 4 precinct speak well of him. He was there nearly eight years, and it was never said that Prewett did not do his full duty. In fat, it has been said that "Prewett would bring in his grandmother if ordered to do so."

In December, Prewett was detailed alone to bring in women of the streets. In eighteen days he brought in thirty-five of them. But from all sides, even from the women and especially the dude vagrants, he heard, "You won't last beyond January 1." One night Prewett arrested a woman named Kate Kingston. Last year this woman was fined $500 by Police Judge Harry G. Kyle, and at that time the records showed that she had been fined 106 times in police court.

"YOU AIN'T NEXT, ARE YOU?"

As he started away with the woman, "Ted" Noland appeared on the scene. "Turn that woman loose," he said; "you ain't next are you? She's to be let alone." Prewett was not "next," for he was also arrested Noland, and that was his undoing. Noland threatened the officer and told him he would personally see to it that he was moved. And Prewett was moved January 1, going in uniform to No. 6. Noland was fined $50 in police court the day following his arrest.

Noland is well known to the police, and in January, 1907, was fined $500 on a charge of vagrancy. That same Kate Kingston, over whom he threatened the officer, testified then that he and a man named Deerwester had beaten her at Thirteenth and Main streets. Deerwester got a similar fine. Their cases were appealed and the men were soon out out on bond.

Noland is a friend of Alderman "Mickey" O'Hearn, and, until recently, could be seen almost any day about his saloon at 1205 Walnut street; also about the saloon of Dan Leary at Fourteenth and Walnut streets. The records show that Leary has gone the bonds of scores of street women. At one time Judge Kyle objected to the n umber of personal bonds that Leary was signing and required that they be made in cash.

JUST SEE MICKEY.

The influence of Alderman "Mickey" O'Hearn may be better understood when it is known how he is reverenced by many members of the police department. When the Folk "investigation" was begun in May last year the commissions of probably half the department were held up. This conversation was overheard one day between two of the officers out of commissions.

"I'll tell you these are ticklish times," one said. "I have all my friends to work and am assured that I am all right."

"I'm up a tree," the other replied. "I don't know what to do. I have always tried to do my duty and can't imagine why I am held up."

"Why don't you see 'Mickey'?" his friend said with astonishment. "I thought you were wise. You know 'Mickey,' don't you You do; then go and see him and the whole things squared. That's what I did."

From that day to this the word has gone out through the whole department, "See 'Mickey' if you are in bad. He'll fix it."

Labels: Captain Flahive, corruption, crime, Governor Folk, Judge Kyle, Main street, No 4 police station, No 6 police station, No 9 police station, police, police headquarters, politics, saloon, The Journal, Thirteenth street, vagrancy, Walnut Street

May 28, 1908

ORDERS POLICE

TO SHOW BOOKS.

BOARD DECIDES RECORDS ARE

OPEN TO PUBLIC .

ALD. O'HEARN'S ACTIVITY.

ACCUSED OF CAUSING REMOVAL

OF VIGILANT OFFICER.

Remarkable Case of Lisiecki Broth-

er's Saloon, Where a Politician

Is Said to Have Called

Off Besieging Police.

After twenty-four hours deliberation the board of police commissioner came to the conclusion yesterday that records of arrests at the different stations in the city should be declared public, so long as the information desired was of past transactions. May Thomas T. Crittenden, Jr. declared that information of past transactions should be given to any citizen asking it, and the other members of the board concurred, after some discussion.

The board was told that a reporter for The Journal had asked on Tuesday to see the records and had been refused by the captain of No. 4 station and Chief of Police Daniel Ahern.

"What do you want to see the books for?" Mayor Crittenden asked.

"It has been charged that every man since the first of the year who has been active in arresting women who infest the streets in that district has been taken out of plain clothes, and all but the two who are now detailed for that duty, put into uniform and removed from the precinct," the mayor was told. "It is said that the records at the station will show this state of affairs. It is also charged that the removal of the men came after threats from well dressed vagrants and a certain saloonkeeper-politician in that district."

No comment was made upon this statement. Chief Daniel Ahern, who was present, was simply ordered to let the books be examined "in the presence of the officer in charge of the station," and that was all. No hint at an investigation by this board was made.

SIX HAVE BEEN MOVED.

The records show that since January 1 eight men have been detailed in plain clothes in No. 4 district. Their principal duty is to keep the streets clean of undesirable women at night. Six of those men have been removed already, and the two now there have been told that they are to go. One of the men who is said to have threatened policemen who did their duty is Alderman Michael J. O'Hearn, known in a political way as "Mickey" O'Hearn.

The records will show that Frank N. Hoover was removed from No. 4 precinct on March 1. It is well known that this district harbors criminals of all classes and a horde of women who support well dressed vagrants in idleness. The records show that during Hoover's short stay in plain clothes his "cases" included the capture of land fraud sharks, a murderer, one woman who attempted murder, shoplifters working Jones Bros.' department store, clothing thieves, typewriter thieves, "hop" fiends, opium jointists, vagrants -- and a long list of "lavender ladies" who called to men from their windows, and others who walked the streets by night. Scores of these lawbreakers were fined from $5 to $150 in police court on Patrolman Hoover's testimony.

It is alleged that one night when Hoover had arrested a well known vagrant, who for years has lived off the wages of sinful women, he was accosted by O'Hearn, who demanded to know why Hoover was aresting his "friends." One who heard the conversaion said that Hoover told the saloonkeeper that he knew nothing about his "friends"; in fact, that he was doing police duty. O'Hearn, according to report, then told Hoover with a snap of the finger: "We'll see about you later." And he was "seen to" March 1, when he was put into uniform and transferred to a beat in No. 6 district.

Labels: Jones Dry Goods, Kansas City council, Mayor Crittenden, narcotics, No 4 police station, No 6 police station, police, Police Chief Ahern, saloon, The Journal

May 27, 1908

POLICE REFUSE

TO SHOW BOOKS.

CONTAIN NAMES OF OFFICERS

WHO WERE TRANSFERRED.

THEY ARE PUBLIC PROPERTY.

BUT CONTAIN PROOF OF

PERNICIOUS INFLUENCE.

Matter of Changing Active Officers

Is to Come Before Board Today.

Farce Follows Chief Dan-

iel Ahern's Order.

Not until yesterday was it made known that the records of arrests at police stations in Kansas City, ordinarily believed to be open to public view, are secret, perhaps sacred, reports, wont to be seen by any one not connected with the department until so ordered by the board of police commissioners, or, perhaps, some higher tribunal -- mayhap the mysterious influence behind the present police force.

While the charge has been made that officers who did their full duty in bringing in objectionable women of the streets, in whom well dressed vagrants were interested, had recently been taken out of plain clothes, put back into uniform and transferred to remote districts, it was additionally charged that the records of No. 4 police station for several months would show that every officer who had been active in that work had been removed to another district.

Believing that the records at a police station were as public as those of police court or any other court, a reporter for The Journal called at No. 4 (Walnut street) station yesterday and made this request of Captain Thomas P. Flahive:

"I want to see the record of arrests since January. I want to get the names of the officers working in plain clothes since that time. I want to see how many women each man arrested and find out if those same officers are still in this district, or if they have been removed."

"While our books may be regarded as public records," said Captain Flahive, "I must refuse you access to them unless you bring me an order from Chief Ahern of the board."

"The books are in Captain Flahive's district," said Chief Daniel Ahern later, "if he wants to show them to you he can. He won't, you say? Then I will not let you see them without an order from the board."

GALLAGHER SAYS "NO."

"Not by any means," was the reply of Commissioner A. E. Gallagher. "The matter will be brought to the attention of the board tomorrow."

Commissioner Elliot H. Jones, last night said, when asked whether the records of arrests were public property, "I don't know; I've never thought about it."

"It is my personal opinion, off hand, that such records are open to the public," came from Mayor Crittenden. "However, I am new in the business here and would not like to give a positive opinion. Ask the board tomorrow."

City Counselor E. C. Meservey was called up at his home last night after all of these refusals by public officers to screen police acts and asked whether he regarded the records of a police station as public records. He said promptly: "I see no reason why they should not be just as public as the records of the police court, especially those of past transactions. There is only one reason in my mind why they should be refused and that is where the police saw that the giving of the record would interfere with their duty in arresting law breakers." When told the record that was wanted he said, "that certainly is of past transactions and I think the records should have been produced."

THEY WERE NOT REMOVED.

The records under the Hayes administration will show that for one year previous to his removal by the board, July 31, 1907, only a few men were detailed in plain clothes in No. 4 district to bring in objectionable women and vagrants supported by them, and they were not removed for doing so. They remained at that duty a long time.

On the best information that can be gained without seeing the books, the records since July 31 last year will show that no fewer than from eight to ten different men have been assigned to duty in that district. From memory it can be truthfully said that since January 1 these officers have been detailed there: Edward Prewett, Daniel Doran, Frank M. Hoover, Thomas L. McDonough, Lucius Downey, J. C. Dyson, John Rooth and A. B. Cummings. All of them were active in doint their duty.

Prewett was put back in uniform and sent to No. 6.

Doran got into "harness" and was sent to No. 9, "the woods."

Hoover is now wearing blue at No. 6.

McDonough was taken from that duty, put into uniform but left in the district.

Downey, who had been in plain clothes for nearly three years, was put into a suit of blue he had nearly outgrown and sent to a tough beat in the North end.

Dyson in in blue and brass and is taking a chance at being sunstruck in the tall grass of No. 9.

Rooth and Cummings are still there, but the rumor is that they are slated to go June 1.

THREATENED BY VAGRANTS.

It is known that Downey and Dyson were threatened by thugs, vagrants and a saloonkeeper-politician and told they would be moved May 1. And on that date they were removed. Rooth and Cummings were so often threatened by the same men that they have appealed to the chief for protection. They were told by vagrants they would be moved June 1. Will they?

Labels: Captain Flahive, Commissioner Gallagher, Commissioner Jones, No 4 police station, No 6 police station, No 9 police station, North end, police, police board, Police Chief Ahern, Police Chief Bowden, Police Chief Hayes, The Journal

March 7, 1908

IS SHOT BY HIS

BUSINESS RIVAL.

HARD WORDS GIVE PLACE TO

BULLETS ON EAST FIFTEENTH.

FRANK W. LANDIS WOUNDED.

CHARLES SOVERN SAYS IT WAS

DONE IN SELF-DEFENSE.

Shops of the Men Are Adjoining, and

They Have Quarreled Frequently

-- Sovern Shoots Without

Warning.

Charles Sovern, a second-hand dealer at 4313-15 East Fifteenth street, shot Frank W. Landis, a neighboring second-hand, 4317 East Fifteenth street, shortly after 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon. Sovern was arrested by Patrolman H. L. Goode and locked up at No. 6 police station for investigation. Landis's wife refused to let him be taken away in a police ambulance, so he was left at his home over his store in care of Dr. W. L. Campbell, who dressed his wounds.

Landis was shot twice, both times in the back. One bullet entered the neck just at the base of the skull, and one penetrated the back below the left shoulder blade. Dr. Campbell said last night that his only danger was in blood poisoning.

F. W. Frick, an assistant prosecutor, went to No. 6 police station and took Sovern's statement. Sovern said that he and Landis, being neighbors and in the same business, had been spatting back and forth a long time. When he returned from town late yesterday afternoon Sovern said he saw Landis standing in his east door, 4315 East Fifteenth, talking to another man.

"I told him to get off my premises," said Sovern. "He made some reply and made a bluff for a gun. Then I heard a shot, but don't know where it went. I entered my store by the west door, 4313. My gun was on my desk on the west side of the room . I don't know how I got to it, but I shot him three times. I believed I was defending myself."

Patrolman H. L. Goode was standing only one block away when the shooting took place. He said that Landis was lying wounded in his own doorway, 4317, when he arrived in less than a half minute. He had been shot in the back and was bleeding freely, Goode said.

"Just as I came up," said the officer, "a man whom I took to be Sovern left the Landis store and entered Sovern's place. There he came out and went across the street, where he spoke to some one."

These men were witnesses to the shooting: G. W. Ellis of Centropolis; J. M. Parrish, 5705 East Twelfth street; E. L. Adams, 1235 Lawndale; and Fred Link, 4304 East Fifteenth street.

When seen at his home last night Landis made the following statement:

"There has never been any bad blood between Sovern and me, for I have left him more or less alone. True, there have been several altercations between us, but they were merely of a business nature. I have no idea why he tried to kill me, as we have never quarreled to such an extent as to bring about a fight. At most there has been only an exchange of uncomplimentary names between us. His attack upon me was entirely unexpected. I have never had any intimation that Sovern meant to fight with me."

Landis was in a cheery mood last night and did not seem to be in much pain. He talked and laughed over the shooting affair with visitors in his room.

Labels: Centropolis, doctors, guns, No 6 police station, retailers, Twelfth street, violence

January 20, 1908

FIERCE ENCOUNTER WITH DOG.

Frank Warren, After Being Bitten,

Quited Beast With a Brick.

The neighborhood of bright new cottages and freshly cut streets surrounding the corner of Twenty-second street and Lister avenue was all agog for two hours last night because of an encounter between a watchdog and a carpenter.

Frank Warren, the carpenter, was walking south and nearing Twenty-second street on the new Lister avenue cement walk, when the dog leaped out at him and seized both coat tails in his mouth. Warren shook the beast loose only to find him around in front, snapping at his hands. The dog finally made a leap for Warren's throat and the latter seized him by the neck and tried to strangle him. A hand to tooth encounter ensued, which drew heads to every window in the block. It was only after Warren's hands had been scratched and torn, that he choked the venom out of the dog.

Then Warren carried the animal into a lot where a house was being buit and threw teh animal on the freshly turned clay and hammered his head with a new brick with sharp corners. He left the dog for dead and walked across Twenty-second street to the Luce-Weed drug store. The pharmacist boud up his bleeding hands, called a physician and sent Warren to his room at the corner of Fifteenth street and Lawn avenue in a carriage.

A mounted policeman from No. 6 station arrived shortly and, after looking the dog over, decided not to shoot it.

"He has had puunishment enough," said the policeman.

Two hours later, at 11:00, someone telephoned in from the corner that the dog had revived and crawled to a cottage, where he is alleged to regularly reside.

Labels: animals, druggists, Fifteenth street, Lawn avenue, Lister avenue, No 6 police station, Twenty-second street

September 2, 1907

LIGHTNING BOTHERED POLICE.

Several Shocks Registered by

Gamewell Signals.

During the thunderstorms yesterday afternoon the officers of No. 6 police station were kept stepping sideways. The lightning seemed to be especially attracted to the wires of the Gamewell police signal service. Three times electricity followed the wires into the operator's office and played about his desk. Fuses were burned out, but no other damage was done.

Labels: No 6 police station, weather

August 6, 1907

BROTHERS BARR IN A FIGHT.

Ejected From a Car, They Attacked

the Conductor and the Motorman.

James Barr, a building contractor, and his brother, Amos Barr, both living at 4309 Michigan avenue, engaged in two lively fights with street car men yesterday afternoon, winding up by being taken to No. 6 police station, with their opponents, a conductor and motorman.

As the story goes the Barrs boarded a Vine street car to ride down town. On the way trouble between them and the conductor arose, and at Eighteenth and Walnut streets, they were ejected from the car. A fight followed in which the crews of other cars took part. No one was seriously injured, however, and the Barrs retreated and boarded another car. They went directly to Nineteenth and Vine streets.

About 3 o'clock in the afternoon someone telephoned to Lieutenant Wofford at No. 6 station that two men were waiting at Nineteenth and Vine streets to beat up a street car crew. An officer was sent to the place, but could not find the men referred to. He walked on after looking about to pull up a call box.

Directly the car on which were John Swinehart, motorman, and N. W. Nelson, conductor, approached. As the car was being switched at the corner of Vine street the Barrs rushed out, one of them seizing the conductor, while the other grabbed hold of the motorman. A fight ensued, and H. N. Printz, another street car man, rushed in to take a hand, when Sergeant Al Ryan appeared and placed the entire five under arrest.

At the police station the personal bonds of each was taken and they were released to appear in police court this morning to answer charges of disturbing the peace.

Labels: Eighteenth street, Michigan avenue, Nineteenth street, No 6 police station, police, streetcar, Vine street, violence, Walnut Street

July 23, 1907

BOY IS FOUND UNDER BED.

Frank Pemberton Held for Entering

Agnes Avenue Home.

Frank Pemberton, 16 years old, 1829 Agnes avenue, was arrested yesterday afternoon for entering the home of Mrs. W. C. Whichler, 2807 East Sixteenth street. Young Pemberton was found secreted beneath a bed in a room on the upper floor byMrs. Whichler, who went upstairs to investigate a noise suggestive of someone moving about in the upper rooms. When she found the boy, Mrs. Whichler ran out of the room, locked the door and informed the police at No. 6 station.

Labels: Agnes avenue, children, No 6 police station, Sixteenth street