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

January 4, 1910

RABBI BECOMES A CITIZEN.

Final Papers for Father of "Sammie

the Office Boy."

Fifteen aliens whose names had been posted for ninety days after the final application for citizenship papers had been made, were given their naturalization papers by Judge John F. Philips of the United States court yesterday. There were no Italians in the lot, the fifteen being distributed as follows: Six from Sweden, four from Russia, two from Roumania, and one each from Scotland, Germany and Hungary.

Among those who became citizens of the United States was Rabbi Max Lieberman, for years in charge of the Kenneseth Israel temple, synagogue of the Orthodox Jews, near Fifteenth and Oak streets. Rabbi Lieberman came to this country in 1891. He is the father of Samuel Lieberman, better known as "Sammy, the office boy," who died early in November last, after a brief illness. Sammy was an employe of The Journal, and it was here where he gained the name of "Sammy, the office boy," stories of his travels being published just as he had written them.

Labels: federal court, immigrants, Jews, Judge Philips, Rabbi Lieberman, The Journal

December 25, 1909

MISS MARGARET MENET DEAD.

End Comes to Former Kansas City

Writer in Washington.

Miss Margaret Menet, formerly of Kansas City, died yesterday at the home of her mother in Washington, D. C. Miss Menet came to Kansas City from Lawrence, Kas., in 1900, to work for The Journal, where she remained until 1905. Miss Menet in that year went to the Washinton Post, remaining in the national capital until the time of her death. She was a pleasing writer, with a graceful literary style. During her connection with The Journal she made many friends to whom the news of her untimely death comes as a distinct shock.

The body will be sent to Lawrence, Kas., and will be buried in the family lot Sunday. Miss Menet's father, who died several years ago, wsa a pioneer resident of Lawrence, Kas. She is survived by a mother and one sister, Mrs. W. J. Frick, wife of Dr. Frick, 812 Benton boulvard, this city.

Labels: death, Lawrence, The Journal, women

November 5, 1909

SAMUEL LIEBERMAN AT REST.

Funeral Held From the Family

Home on Tracy Avenue.

With the casket in which his body reposed hidden by flowers the funeral of Samuel Lieberman, 15 year old son of Rabbi and Mrs. Max Lieberman, was held at the family home, 1423 Tracy avenue yesterday. The services were conducted by Rabbi Isadore Koplowitz. Scores of friends of the family and of the boy called at the home during the day and the house could not hold the throng that was present during the services. Burial was in the Tefares Israel cemetery at Sheffield.

Rabbi Lieberman has asked The Journal to express his family's thanks to their friends for many kindnesses during the illness and death of their son.

Labels: cemetery, children, Funeral, Jews, Rabbi Lieberman, sheffield, The Journal, Tracy avenue

November 4, 1909

$1,000 FOR MISSOURI SONG.

Verses and Music, to Be Dedicated

to State, Will Be Decided Upon

by Governor and Committee.

JEFFERSON CITY, MO., Nov. 3. -- Governor Hadley wants a song dedicated to the state of Missouri that will be noted far and wide for its soul stirring melody, as well as its force of poetry descriptive of the past history of Missouri and the good things that are in store for the state.

During his trip down the Mississippi river with President Taft and party, he listened to songs dedicated to other states and became so impressed therewith that he induced Cyrus P. Walbridge, David R. Francis, Charles Huttig, James H. Smith and Harry B. Hawes, of St. Louis, to put up $50 each. The parties on the steamboat Alton, Gray Eagle and Wells each chipped in and raised $250.

This makes $1,000, which will be paid to the person or persons composing verses and music that will meet with the approval of the governor and a special committee composed of the following:

David R. Francis, Captain Henry King, managing editor of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat; Henry N. Cary, general manager of the St. Louis Republic, Walter S. Dickey, of Kansas City, and Hal Gaylord, of The Kansas City Journal.

Only Missourians who can compose a beautiful song melody, with words telling of the past glories of Missouri and her future prospects need apply. In a few days the governor will write to the members of the committee, telling them his ideas in general terms regarding the kind of song that should be dedicated to this state.

Labels: boats, Herbert Hadley, music, President Taft, St Louis, The Journal

November 4, 1909

SAMUEL LIEBERMAN DEAD.

The End Comes to The Journal's

"Sammie, the Office Boy."

Samuel Lieberman, 15 years old, son of Rabbi Max Lieberman, pastor of the Kenneseth Isreal congregation, died at 7 o'clock yesterday morning at the German hospital, after an illness of one day. The cause of his death was arterial sclerosis, or hardening of the arteries -- a disease that rarely attacks persons in their youth. The funeral will be at 2 o'clock this afternoon from the family home, 1423 Tracy avenue.

Samuel Lieberman was known to readers of The Journal as "Sammie the office boy." Small of body, quick of wit and cheerful to a degree rarely encountered even in hopeful youth, he became a favorite with editors and reporters, who encouraged him to write the small news stories he occasionally picked up on his daily rounds. At first the stories he wrote were given to the copy readers to be edited, but one night one of his stories was published just as he had written it, and credited to "Sammie, the Office Boy." Mr. Taft felt no greater elation when the wires conveyed to him the information that he had been elected president of the United States than did Sammie, the office boy, when he saw his first signed story in print. He became a frequent contributor to The Journal's columns and numerous inquiries were received at the office as to whether "Sammie, the Office Boy" really was an office boy or a reporter concealing his identity under the pseudonym.

Never strong in body, Sammie taxed his physical strength to the uttermost. He kept the same hours as the reporters, though it was not necessary for him to do so, and on election nights when the men were on the "long stunt," from noon to dawn, he stayed with them and it was useless to try to get him to go home. He liked the atmosphere of the local room. He said he hoped, one day, to become a great editor.

Once he ran away. He visited and worked in Milwaukee, Chicago, Cleveland, Buffalo and other places. He was at home in the larger cities. He had early learned that the peregrinating reporter always gravitates to Central police station, where the "dog watch" men from the various papers hold out. Sammie could talk shop like a veteran who had worked "with Dana of the New York Sun." Whenever a group of reporters gathered in the local room Sammie could be found lurking on the outskirts. He learned the reporters' distinction between a "good story" and a "bad one" and on occasions aired his knowledge with the positiveness of a managing editor.

Not many months ago a veteran reporter, after hearing Sammie talk about newspapers and newspaper making, removed his pipe from between his teeth, pointed a long finger at the door through which the boy had just passed out and said:

"That boy isn't long for this world. He's going to die young. He's smart beyond his years -- too smart. Why, he's a man, almost, already. He thinks and reasons better than lots of men I know. And there's a peculiar brightness in his eyes that doesn't look good to me. Mark my words, that boy isn't long for this world, and it's a pity, too, for he would be heard from if he should live to manhood."

The random observation of the veteran soon came true. Sammie was at the office Sunday. "I don't feel very good," he told one of the boys, "but I'll be all right when I rest up a bit." There was a hopeful smile on his face Tuesday afternoon as he lay on a cot at the hospital. "I'll be back to the office soon. I hurt awful at times. I ain't going to stay here long."

Soon after dawn of the following day his final words were verified. "Sammie, the office boy," had heard the fateful "Thirty" that, in newspaper offices, signifies the end.

Labels: children, death, German hospital, Jews, Rabbi Lieberman, The Journal, Tracy avenue

October 11, 1909

SWOPE MEMORIAL PROJECT.

Commercial Club Agrees on One Built

by $1 Contributions.

In a memoriam adopted by the Commercial Club yesterday a plan is suggested by which a monument be raised by popular subscription to the memory of Colonel Thomas H. Swope. It suggests that no one be permitted to give more than $1. When the subscription list will be started is not yet known.

At the meeting of the club yesterday it was stated that influence would be used with the school board to have it declare a half holiday each year on the anniversary of Colonel Swope's death, October 3, that the children might spend the day in Swope Park.

The Journal recently received $1 from "An Old Citizen," who wishes to honor the memory of the philanthropist with a suitable monument, as an initial contribution to a fund for that purpose.

"An Old Citizen" believes, he says, that if any plan is arranged to raise money for the memorial no one should be allowed to contribute more than $1, in order that as many persons in Kansas City as wish may have an opportunity to show their gratitude to the man who did so much for the average person in the community by giving the city a park big enough for all the people. He states that he thinks a simple monument, bought with the dollars of many persons to whom a dollar means much, would make a more suitable memorial than an expensive shaft bought with the donations of men who easily could afford big contributions.

The Commercial Club's memoriam praised Colonel Swope's generous spirit and designated that the club "initiate, formulate and carry out a plan for raising a fund by popular subscription, each individual subscriber to be limited to $1, for the purpose of erecting, as a public testimonial, a suitable monument in Swope park, in his memory, and to commemorate his great philanthropy, although he has builded monuments that will never perish."

Labels: Commercial Club, Swope park, The Journal, Thomas Swope

October 4, 1909

HE DIDN'T FLATTER HIMSELF.

Colonel Swope Told Kelly Brent He

Was Not the Smart Man Many

Thought Him.

"Many persons think me a smart man but the truth of it is I'm an old fool," Colonel Thomas H. Swope said one day to Kelly Brent.

The two had a real estate deal on, and the colonel concluded at the end of long negotiations not to make the investment.

"Some years ago I concluded to sell off a great deal of my real estate holdings," said Colonel Swope, "and hang me if I didn't sell for a song the best of it. What I sold is worth millions today and a great deal I have left is not worth paying taxes on."

When the park board a few years ago suggested placing of a brass medallion of Colonel Swope at the entrance to Swope park he protested earnestly. He wrote to the board saying that while he lived he wanted no monument to be erected. It was explained that the medallion was not intended as a mark of the memory of the donor of the beautiful park, but as a slight token of appreciation and esteem from the city. After a long parley Mr. Swope reluctantly gave his consent to the installation of the medallion.

No man was more averse to publicity in the making of public bequests than was Colonel Swope. Just a hint being dropped that he contemplated a gift would anger the philanthropist and he would abandon his purpose. Some years ago Colonel Swope visited Roosevelt hospital in New York and asked to be shown through the institution. He incidentally remarked to the attendant that he was from Kansas City and that it was his purpose some day to build a hospital here and present it to the city.

A reporter for The Journal heard of the colonel's intentions and printed the story. The colonel became exasperated over the premature announcement and asked the reporter to visit him at his offices. The reporter to this day remembers the wrath displayed by the colonel and his ears still tingle with the tongue lashing administered.

"By your interference, sir," the colonel loudly declaimed, "you have deprived Kansas City of one of the best hospitals in the country. When people get to knowing my business it is time for me to quit."

It is unnecessary to state that Colonel Swope did not build the hospital, but he did give the ground on which it stands.

"I have known Mr. Swope a great many years, and knew him to be a kind, generous man," said J. J. Swofford last night. "Several times in the past five years I have approached him for donations for the Y. M. C. A. building fund and other funds for the promotion of the association's enterprise. He usually contributed from $100 to $400 a year.

"I know very little of Mr. Swope's business tactics, but I remember a peculiar thing about the manner in which he made these donations. He kept absolutely no account of his charities and when he signed a check to give me for the fund he used a check without a number and stub. He seemed very modest and sensitive about what he gave away.

"About three months ago, I think it was, he made and arrangement with my son Ralph Swofford of Thirty-first and Summit streets, who is president of the executive board of the Franklin Institute, to endow the institution with $50,000 providing as much more could be raised. A campaign has already been started and I believe is pretty well under way to raise the required $50,000.

Labels: charity, Franklin institute, hospitals, New York, Park board, real estate, Swope park, The Journal, Thomas Swope, YMCA

September 2, 1909

CITY'S GROWTH BEWILDERS.

L. W. Foster Back for Visit After

Twenty-five Years' Absence.

After an absence from the city of twenty-five years, Leigh Wilson Foster, born here in 1841, returned yesterday for a brief visit. Mr. Foster now resides in Chicago, where he is in the piano business. Having been educated in and graduated from the Spalding Commercial college in 1876, Mr. Foster's first call was at his old alma mater, only to learn, however, that Professor Spalding was in California on vacation.

"I cannot believe this is the same town," said Mr. Foster. "When I was a little fellow we had about 5,000 inhabitants, and when I left there were not twice as many as that. Now the city is tremendous and it embarrasses me to think that I do not know my native place. It has changed more than I have."

Mr. Foster's father, C. G. Foster, who died eight years ago, at one time was part owner of The Journal, then The Journal of Commerce. The Chicago visitor was the city circulator of the paper.

"It was not much of a job to deliver the papers, for the town was small," he reflected, in talking to Rolla Spalding at the old college."

Labels: Chicago, history, Spaldings college, The Journal, visitors

July 9, 1909

CHILDREN SHOUT AT

SIGHT OF PENNY ICE.

CROWD PRECEDES WAGON IN

NORTH END STREETS.

Fund Reached $511 Yesterday With

$20 Contribution from Jour-

nal Employes -- First Deliv-

ery to 190 Families.

With a $20 contribution from employes of The Journal, the campaign of the Salvation Army for penny ice was closed at noon yesterday. the attention of the local corps will now be turned toward the establishment of a more extensive fresh air camp at the terminus of the Swope park car line, or at Seventieth street and Cleveland avenue. for this purpose it will be necessary to raise $2.000, the running expenses of the camp being approximately $1,000 a month.

The Army's one ice wagon was busy all day yesterday, and visited 190 families, distributing more than a ton of ice. As it rumbled down the streets of the North End it was preceded by a crowd of children who ran ahead shouting in order to announce its arrival to their mothers.

The system of distribution is simple and at the same time effective against imposition. Each mother or family head has a card to be punched for 1 cent at each purchase of ten pounds. The card is arranged to last until the end of the hot weather season, or about two months. These cards are sent on recommendation or after the investigation by members of the Salvation Army staff.

"We were just a little imposed on last year. Some people took advantage of our free-for-all system," said Ensign Blanche Haezlett, who has charge of that branch of the Army service here, yesterday.

"We thought it best to be more careful," she continued, "for the undeserving poor were getting the best of the honest poor people and at our expense.

"The Army will put on another wagon, as soon as we can purchase or borrow another horse. Then we can reach the McClure flats, the North End and the East Bottoms every day. It will be a great day for the poor when we have formulated a system that will include all of them in its benevolence. That is our idea and with the help of the good people of Kansas City, sooner or later, it will be carried out."

Labels: charity, ice, North end, Salvation Army, The Journal

July 2, 1909

WANTS 1,000 HARVEST HANDS.

Mayor of Larned, Kas., Sends Out

An Urgent Call.

Farmhands are so scarce around Larned, Kas., that Mayor E. E. Frizell has mailed out postal cards to Eastern cities advertising for 2,000 harvest hands. One thousand men reported by June 28, but the farmers are still in need of capable help in the harvest fields and the mayor yesterday appealed to The Journal for assistance. A telegram to The Journal said:

Wanted -- 1,000 harvest hands; wages $2.50 to $3 per day; harvest commences July 3.

Following the telegram a letter was received from the mayor, in which he said that it had been reported that Larned was overcrowded with unemployed men. Such a report, the mayor stated, was an injustice to Larned and the surrounding country, as there has not been a time within the last fifteen years when men were needed so badly.

Labels: employment, farmers, Mayor Crittenden, telegram, The Journal

May 28, 1909

JAMES SHARP TELLS

A RAMBLING STORY.

PREACHES ON WITNESS STAND

BUT PASSES UP KILLING.

Arguments in Riot Case With

Instructions to Jury Including

Manslaughter and Par-

tial Insanity.

Cost of the Sharp trial to Jackson county $1,500.
Duration of trial (if ended today) twelve days.

By noon today or shortly after 12 o'clock the fate of James Sharp will be in the hands of the jury. All the testimony was finished yesterday afternoon and the instructions were read to the jury.

If Sharp meant to convince the jury he is not in his right mind, his counsel let him do the best possible thing by allowing him to ramble on the witness stand as he did yesterday morning. One of his impromptu sermons lasted for nearly twenty minutes and might have been two hours had the court not stopped it. All through Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, Colorado, the Northwest and Canada he rambled.

DEFENSE SCORES POINT.

But when, in the course of his ramblings, he got to Kansas City, his flow of language dried. He was not allowed by his counsel to tell even who fired the first shot in the riot, and, not having been examined as to the details by his own counsel, could not be cross-examined on such points.

In many words Adam God told of the revelations he had:

"It was revealed to me, after I had been preaching for two years, that I was a chosen vessel. I received it as the messenger of the fifth angel in the ninth chapter of Revelations -- the angel who opened the bottomless pi pt and out of the pit came locusts and they had tails.

"I am Jesus Christ. This knowledge that is in me is God. I claim to be the father of the Lord, yet he is my mother. I am the father of Jesus Christ raised up again out of David. This revelation came to me in Fort Smith, Ark. Since then I have found more proof in the Scripture all the time. Two years ago it was revealed to me that I was David."

"Will you ever die?"

"I preached that I would never die and that my body would never see corruption. Anyhow, I will be reincarnated."

JEALOUS OF ADKINS.

But in all of Sharp's statement, from the time the meteor fell on his farm in Oklahoma until the time of the riot, through the tears that masked but could not stop the flow of words, though whatever emotion he may have felt, there was in it all , t the culminating moment, the note of jealousy. For John Adkins, the Adkins who led the naked parade, was a greater preacher than Adam God.

"From the time Adkins joined us until we were arrested in Oklahoma City he was the leader," Sharp testified. "The time he was converted he preached as no man has ever preached before nor since. We stood dumbfounded. Tears streaming down his cheeks, Adkins told us of things we had never heard of; things that were not in the Bible. He made men weep and women cry. Often I myself have wept as I preached, but I couldn't make others cry. But Adkins could. He was a great preacher."

It was Adkins who told Sharp, according to the defendant's story, that he was Adam, Mrs. Sharp, Eve, and the boy, Cain or Abel. There is confusion in the testimony as to the child's name. It was Adkins, too, according to the defendant, who said three times to the police, when they started to interfere with the naked parade: "Get the behind me, Satan." And Sharp said the police got.

NO SENSE OF SHAME.

Of this orgy Sharp told with no sense of shame. He appeared amused when he related his wife's endeavor to shield herself from the public gaze after her arrest and omitted no detail. In marked contrast to this was his testimony about selling his home because he feared he would get attached to it instead of god.

"An evil spirit leapt out of Holt and on me," said Sharp, telling of the controversy at the mission in the North end. I became unbalanced and pushed him out. I called him a foul name, but did not swear. I struck Holt with a pistol against my will. From that time on I was like a blind man and all through the fight I can't remember. I never was in such a fix since I was born. I know I said: 'Come on, we'll hold a meeting if we don't get killed. This is a free country and we'll preach anyhow.'

"I meant to show my humility with guns and thought perhaps they'd let me alone. I was watching for the police. the first officer told me to go over to the station and I started to talk to him when a man in citizen's clothes came up beside the officer and put a pistol in my face and told me to drop my knife. Then I heard a shot fired.

"Did you fire that shot?"

"No."

At this point the direct examination stopped. Sharp's counsel would not let him tell who fired the first shot, but turned him over to the state for cross-examination. Then the religious ramblings ceased and Sharp was brought back to his earlier life with a jerk.

WAS SHORT-CARD GAMBLER.

""Yes," said he in answer to questions from Mr. Conkling. "I was a gambler from the age of 14 for almost thirty years. I played cards for money. I was a short card gambler and played poker, seven-up, casino and other games. About all I looked for was to swindle. I got so I could run up high hands, but played square when I had to."

Under a fire of questions Sharp admitted that he had no title to the farm on which he lived, as it was a claim and he had lived there only two and a half years. He said he sold his relinquishment for $250 and paid off debts of $22. He didn't give the poor over $125, he said.

But after he quit gambling, Sharp took moral bankruptcy. He never made restitution to the people whom he had swindled.

"Gambling was the devil working through me. The money I had swindled people out of I just charged up to the devil, and let it go at that."

"Did you preach the Ten Commandments?"

"The Commandments were law in their day, but Christ came along and changed the law."

Pursuing questions about the evil spirit he said Holt brought the defendant, Mr. Conkling asked:

"Did you get the evil spirit first, or the gun?"

WAITED FOR TROUBLE.

"I carried the gun all the time. I never was in such a fix. Just think of a man going out and doing what I did -- "

"Did you tell the others to bring their revolvers?"

"They had them with them all the time. I was not hunting trouble. I was waiting to see it come. I was expecting it after what had happened."

"When the officer said, 'Drop that knife,' where was the weapon?"

"In my hand, open. We were holding a meeting and I was watching to keep them off if they interfered. I was armed with faith. Besides that, I had a gun and a knife which the children not of God could understand. Of course they could not recognize the spirit."

The sharp fire of cross-examination, calling for quick thought and feats of memory by the defendant, did much to dispel any belief of insanity which he may have instilled on his direct examination.

MRS. SHARP HYSTERICAL.

There were certain inconsistencies which hardly could have been lost on the jury. For instance, Sharp testified that he learned to read largely through his perusal of the Bible. He gave the impression that this was about his only means of education. Yet Sharp, it was pointed out, writes a fair hand.

Mrs. Melissa Sharp, sobbing and talking in the voice of hysteria, preceded her husband on the stand. She seems devoted to her husband, aside from religion and told of the falling star and of her conversion in Oklahoma in a voice that expressed the profoundest conviction.

Her recital of how the Sharps wept and prayed for weeks after Adam saw the star was dramatic. When she had finished amid tears of her own and of Mr. Martin of her counsel, she was taken back to her cell without cross-examination.

ARGUMENTS ARE BEGUN.

The argument was begun at 7 o'clock in the evening by William S. Gabriel, assistant prosecuting attorney, who presented the case for the state. He was followed by A. A. Bailey of the defense and Harry Friedberg for the state. After these addresses court adjourned until 9 o'clock this morning. The morning A. E. Martin will argue for the defense and Virgil Conkling, prosecutor, will sum up for the state. How soon after that there will be a verdict is for the jury to say.

About twenty-five instructions offered by the state and defense were given to the jury by Judge Ralph S. Latshaw. Under them, Sharp may be convicted of murder in the first or second degree. The maximum penalty for the last mentioned offense is two years' imprisonment. The jury may acquit on the ground of self-defense or on the plea of insanity.

The instructions cover partial insanity, the presumption of guilt raised by flight after the crime. There is an instruction covering the supposition that Sharp was insane at the time of the crime and has since recovered, and another that supposes he was insane then and is so now. The court instructed the jury that it was not necessary that Sharp should have fired the shot that killed Michael P. Mullane in order to convict him, but that it was sufficient if proved anyone acting in concert with him did the deed.

For the first time during the trial of the case, A. A. Bailey of Sharp's counsel took the active part yesterday. His adroit questioning strengthened the defendant's case materially, so far as it was possible to do so in light of the damaging evidence Sharp gave against himself. A. E. Martin, the other attorney, was late at both morning and afternoon sessions, and was lectured each time by the court.

COVER PARTIAL INSANITY.

After the Sharps had told their story in the morning, or at least as much of it as Mr. Bailey shrewd questioning allowed to be revealed, the afternoon was devoted to expert insanity testimony and to rebuttal evidence by the state.

Dr. S. Grover Burnett heard a 4,000-word hypothetical question and was asked: "Assuming that all this is true, is it your belief that Sharp is insane?"

"It is indicative that he is insane. He is suffering form a form of mania of insanity classified as paranoia religiosa."

The hypothetical question, easy for Dr. Burnett, was too much for a spectator, who fainted and was carried from the room.

Dr. Burnett modestly admitted that he had pronounced 15,000 persons insane and had never, so far as he knew or was able to find out, made a mistake. He was the only expert put on by the defense.

In rebuttal, the state introduced Harry Hoffman, a deputy county marshal, who would not say whether he believed Sharp sane or insane. It also called to the witness stand Theodore Remley, justice of the peace, before whom Sharp had two preliminary hearings. Justice Remley testified that, at neither of these hearings did Sharp make any interruption, nor did he n or his wife carry a Bible. The same facts were testified to by Clarance Wofford, stenographer of the criminal court, who reported the preliminary hearings.

John S. Steed, sheriff of Johnson county, Kas.; Hugh I. Moore, a reporter for The Journal, who talked to Sharp soon after his arrest; John M. Leonard, editor of the Olathe Register; Edwin G. Pinkham, a reporter for the Star, all testified they believed Sharp sane.

The statement made by Sharp after he had been returned to Kansas City was read. In it the fanatic said it had been revealed to him that Kansas City was the town he was going to take. His band, he said, was singing "Babylon is Falling" just before the riot started. Also in his statement, Sharp said he fired the first shot.

Labels: Adam God sect, attorney, courtroom, Johnson county, Judge Latshaw, Judge Remley, mental health, ministers, newspapers, police, Prosecutor Conkling, The Journal

May 27, 1909

OLD NEWSPAPER MAN DIES.

Edwin Gilbert Erwin Was Founder

of Jackson County Judge.

EDWIN G. ERWIN

Edwin Gilbert Erwin, formerly a reporter on The Journal and for many years a Jackson county newspaper man, died at his home, 1317 Madison street, yesterday morning, of diabetes. He was 48 years old. Mr. Erwin was born in Cleveland, Ill., and had been in the newspaper business practically all his life.

Physically Mr. Erwin was a large man, and during his life in this county was called by the sobriquet of "Judge." In 1898 Mr. Erwin was employed as a reporter on The Journal. Erwin, however, was not satisfied unless editing a paper of his own. After a year and a half on The Journal he moved to Independence with his family , and founded the Jackson County Judge. He held the position of editor on this paper until two years ago.

His relinquishment of the Jackson County Judge was caused by his failing health, due to an attack of diabetes which slowly wasted him away until he was but a shadow of his former self. Last March the family moved to the Madison street address from Independence. The end came after Mr. Erwin had been confined to his bed for two weeks.

Besides his father and widow, three daughters and one son survive. The daughters are Mrs. Frank F. Syne of Sioux City, Ia., and Miss Georgia and Miss Louise of this city. The son is Lester G. Erwin. Two sisters, Mrs. U. G. Osborn of 3424 Highland avenue and Mrs. Eugene Neal, who lives seven miles east of Independence, survive.

Funeral services will be held from the home this afternoon at 2 o'clock. Rev. William Haupt of the Independence Episcopal church, will officiate. Burial will be in Forest Hill cemetery.

Labels: death, Highland avenue, newspapers, The Journal

May 3, 1909

WHEN TROOST AVENUE

WAS A COUNTRY ROAD

A. J. BLETHEN TELLS OF KAN-

SAS CITY YEARS AGO.

Owner of Seattle Times Comments

Upon Growth and Development

in Thirty Years -- West Has

Few Unemployed.

"Without a doubt the growth and development of Kansas City in the past two decades is nothing short of marvelous, and its splendid parks and drives, with the many handsome residences, rival anything I have seen anywhere in the country." This statement was made last night by Alden J. Blethen, former business manager of The Kansas City Journal, and now editor and owner of the Seattle Times, who is a guest at the Hotel Baltimore.

Mr. Blethen left The Journal twenty-nine years ago, to go to Minneapolis, where he had taken over the management of the Tribune of that city. After twelve years in Minneapolis he went to Seattle, Wash., and purchased the plant of the Times.

"I was in Kansas City about ten years ago as a delegate to the Democratic national convention which nominated W. J. Bryan for the second time. At that time I did not have an opportunity to see much of the city, but this afternoon I took an automobile and with my wife and daughters drove around to look over some of the old landmarks.

TROOST AVENUE A COUNTRY ROAD.

"What we used to call the Southern hills is now one of the most modern and beautiful residence sections I have had the pleasure of seeing. It is almost past belief. Thirty years ago I used to drive over the hills along an old country road where the farm houses were more than a half-mile apart. That road is gone and today Troost avenue occupies its place.

"The business has moved with certain precision to the south as the town extended. The old Journal office at Sixth and Delaware streets was then considered the center of town. The number of new buildings is surprising."

Mr. Blethen talked of the exposition to be held in Seattle this year and declared it would exceed any of the minor fairs held in recent years.

"This fair was conceived as a celebration of the discovery of gold in the Alaskan and Yukon fields," said he, "and we are leaving nothing undone to make it a fitting celebration. Last year Alaska produced $21,000,000 in gold and is second only to Colorado in the production of that metal.

Mr. Blethen, with his wife and daughters, left Seattle last March for a tour of the states. He went to California and over the Southern route, stopping at New Orleans and Mobile, and up the coast to Atlanta. Thence to Washington and New York.

He arrived in Kansas City yesterday morning from Chicago and will leave tomorrow for Denver and Salt Lake, arriving in Seattle May 10.

Labels: Delaware street, history, Hotel Baltimore, hotels, newspapers, Sixth street, The Journal, Troost avenue, visitors

April 25, 1909

WOULD HONOR VAN HORN.

An Old Citizen Reminds the Park

Board of a Timely Duty.

To The Honorable Park Board of Kansas City, Mo.

Gentlemen:-- On September 4, 1908, I had the honor to address you a communication relative to naming one of the city parks or boulevards for our venerable esteemed fellow citizen, the Hon. R. T. Van Horn. Said communication, which was published in the Kansas City Post of the above date, was followed by an editorial in the Kansas City Journal of September 6, strongly advocating the matter contained therein. I subsequently received a reply from the park board that the matter would be taken under consideration when the limits were extended, which was done April 6. So I take this opportunity to renew the request to the new park board, installed April 19.

There is nothing I can add to what has already been presented through the columns of the press. I only desire to reiterate my former statement that Colonel Van Horn should be recognized while he is in the flesh and can appreciate the gratitude of his fellow citizens, for whose interest he has so long and faithfully labored. His memory should be cherished and perpetuated through all time, for he has been the city's chief promoter in ever stage of its development from a struggling village down to the present. How fitting, then, to perpetuate his memory by some enduring token of love and affection, and nothing would be more appropriate or give more general approval than for one of our prominent parks or boulevards to bear his honored name.

R. S. QUINN.
Kansas City, April 24.

Labels: Colonel Van Horn, newspapers, Park board, The Journal

March 16, 1909

WHY HE CELEBRATES JULY 4.

W. T. Stead Says It Is in Reality a

British Holiday.

M. H. Levingston, 319 Ridge building, recently sent to W. T. Stead, London, editor of Review of Reviews, an editorial from The Journal commenting upon Mr. Stead's tribute to American national heroes. Yesterday Mr. Levingston received the following form Mr. Stead:

London, March 2, 1909
Mr. M. H. Levinston, 309 Ridge building, Kansas City, Mo.
Dear Mr. Levingston: I am very much obliged to you for your kindness in sending me the cutting from your paper and added thereto an an appreciation of the tribute which I paid to your national heroes. It has been my habit for many years past to attend the annual celebration of the Fourth of July at Browning's Settlement, at which my brother is the warden, in Southeast London, for we claim that the Fourth of July is an English national festival for it celebrates the victory of the English idea championed by George Washington over the German ideas which were put forth by George III. I am, sincerely,
W. T Stead.

Labels: holidays, The Journal

March 11, 1909

ECHO OF CIVIL WAR TIMES.

Card Published by Confederate Sur-

geon 44 Years Ago Today.

Forty-four years ago today The Journal published a card of acknowledgement from Caleb Winfrey, a surgeon in the Confederate army who was then aobut to take his leave from Kansas City. Mr. Winfey is now practicing here and has lived to see the North and South in truth united. This is the card which appeared in The Journal's issue of March 11, 1865:

Kansas City, Mo, March 11, 1865.

A Card. -- As I am about to leave the city I avail myself of this
opportunity of returning my thinks, as it is all I can do at this time, to the
military authorities, and also to the citizens, without distinction, for their
uniform kindness and hospitality to myself and the wounded Confederate soldiers
who were left in part under my care. Trusting that the same kind of spirit
will prevail in all other communities, both North and South, that the horrors of
war may thereby be somewhat mitigated, I am,

CALEB WINFREY, Surgeon, C. S. A.

Labels: Civil War, doctors, history, The Journal

March 10, 1909

MAY BE A NEIGHBOR

TO "RILEY THE RAT."

WORKHOUSE FOR GALLAGHER IF

HE CAN'T PAY FINE.

Again Assessed $100 for Attacking

Reporter and Old Appeal Bond

Doesn't Hold -- Must Put

Up or Go to Jail.

For forcibly entering a room on July 15 last year in which Albert H. King, a reporter for The Journal, lay injured after being slugged by the defendant a week before, "Jack Gallagher, who says his name is John Francis Gallagher, was sentenced yesterday to pay a fine of $100, with court costs. The case was tried before a jury in Judge E. E. Porterfield's division of the criminal court, which was only a few minutes in making up its mind.

The visit made to Mr. King's room, which Gallagher stated on the stand "was just a friendly call," was made at 5 o'clock in the morning. He was arrested at the time, but by an oversight of an officer at the Walnut street station, who did not realize the gravity of the offense, Gallagher was released on bond of $11. He was no sooner out of the station two hours later than he returned immediately to Mr. King's room, and a second time tried to force an entrance. For this offense he is yet to be tried.

Gallagher was tried before a jury in Judge Ralph S. Latshaw's division of the criminal court last month for an assault committed on Mr. King July 8, last. On this occasion he was also fined $100 and costs, and given a stipulated time in which to pay the fine.

The grand jury found an indictment against Gallagher for the assault, and it was, therefore, a state charge. The case tried yesterday, and the one still pending, are appeals from the municipal court where he was fined for disturbing the peace. Gallagher spent nearly one month in the workhouse before bonds for an appeal could be perfected.

When the jury returned its verdict in Judge Porterfield's court yesterday, Gallagher was allowed to go, the court stating that the bond made by Judge William H. Wallace when the case was appealed, would remain in effect until the fine and costs were paid. Cliff Langsdale, city attorney, who h ad prosecuted the case, was not satisfied with this arrangement, however, and found a recent law which states plainly that when a person is fined in the criminal court, after having taken an appeal from the municipal court, he must settle the fine and costs at once, or be committed to the workhouse until such fine and costs are paid.

Judge Porterfield admitted that the recent law took precedence. An effort was made then to get a commitment from the criminal clerk consigning Gallagher to the workhouse until he had settled up with the court. The clerk's office was closed, however, so the commitment will be asked for first thing this morning.

Labels: Jack Gallagher, Judge Porterfield, Judge Wallace, Riley the Rat, The Journal, violence, Walnut street police station, workhouse

February 16, 1909

PEST HOUSE DETECTIVES

LAND TWO PRISONERS.

MAN WHO BROUGHT SMALLPOX

TO LIBERTY CONFESSES.

Student Who Dared Germs to Catch

Him Placed in Solitary Con-

finement -- Now for

Fumigation!

Smallpox is still raging at William Jewell college, and The Journal's correspondent, the only vaccinated newspaper man in Liberty, and the only correspondent woh is right at the seat of war, or, to be more exact, right in the pest house, got busy last night nad sent a startling story via fumigated long distance telephone, the only fumigated long distance telephone in the world.

Readers of The Journal need have no fear in reading this column, as all type is sterilized before going to the press room.

"Hello! Is this Liberty?" said the Kansas City Journal's smallpox expert at the Kansas City end.

"That's the name of the town," said The Journal's vaccinated staff correspondent, "but technically speaking, this is not Liberty, not Independence, either. This is the quarantine station."

"Good. How is everything at the pesthouse?

NEIGHBORS DOING WELL.

"Well, the neighbors are doing about as well as could be expected. The big news? Hold your ear close to the 'phone.

"The detective bureau got busy today and achieved two distinct victories. Landed the fellow who brought the malady back here after the holidays. Name, Sanford E. Tilton, residence, Allendale, Mo. Came back to college January 5. Showed symptoms on January 17 and on January 23 purchased a pair of eye-glasses."

"What's the significance of the eye-glasses? Wanted to see his finish?"

"No, sore eyes is one of hte earlier symptoms of smallpox. Investigation by our expert sleuths disclosed the fact that the suspect had purchased the eye-glasses after a few days' confinement. Doc, the family physician out here, rounded him up today and we wrung a complete confession out of him. He's not dangerous, but we have him with us. He likes it, too. No doubt that he's the fellow. He sat right next to one of the other fellows who was one of the smallpox pioneers.

LOOKED FOR TROUBLE, GOT IT.

"Yes, another one. Put down this name. Henry Weber, home, St. Louis, admitted to the bar, but still studying. Wanted to catch the smallpox. Came down here when Doc was taking his morning constitutional, crept inside and dared the pox to attack him. Made his getaway.

"What happened?"

"Hold your breath. Doc got indignant, went to the fellow's room, locked him in and announced that he is to be kept in solitary confinement for one week."

"What's that, feed? O, yes. They're feeding him through a crack."

"Had another recruit today. He plays first cornet and when he was brought in he was immediately assigned to the orchestral quarters. lays well and the band concert today showed great improvement. Don't wish anyone any bad luck, but we did need a first cornet.

ANTISEPTIC BATHS ARE ON.

"Basketball was cancelled today and the warmest exercise was the antiseptic bath. This is to be a daily feature until the official fumigation, which is to be inaugurated next Thursday.

"Feature of the band concert for Thursday morning will be 'Hot Time in Old Town Tonight' and 'Smoke Up Some More."

"School will positively reopen next Monday, and Doc (don't forget to mention Doc Hooser's name, he's a D. D. and an M. D. and a real fellow) thinks we'll all be at liberty, literally as well as geographically, by the end of the week. And, by the way, twenty students beat it out of town when the smallpox was first discovered and went home, but that's all been fixed. They're all in a little quarantine of their own at the instigation of the local college officials, who notified the police in the towns where these fellows live to keep 'em confined.

"The first band number is about on. So long."

Labels: doctors, Liberty, smallpox, telephone, The Journal

February 15, 1909

SMALLPOX VICTIMS

DISCUSS LIFE OF JOB.

SYMPATHY AT LIBERTY FOR

THE BIBLICAL CHARACTER.

William Jewell's Afflicted Students

Keep in Touch With the World

Via Telephone -- Love

Letter Relayed.

"Hello! Hello! Is this Liberty? The gymnasium of William Jewell college, I mean?"

"You mean the pest house, don't you?" said the man at the other end. "You do? I thought so."

"Well, how is everything at the pest house today?"

"Fine and dandy. Eight new patients brought in this morning, and they're doing fine. What's that? The Sunday dinner? Great, only Doc has put the lid on meat diet, and there was nothing doing in the chicken line. Smallpox patients, you know, are not allowed to eat flesh meat."

"Any excitement today?"

"Excitement? Surest thing you know. We had Sunday school at 9:30 this morning and preaching at 11."

"Who did the preaching?"

"Yours truly, the speaker, The Journal's regular correspondent at Liberty. Knew I was in the smallpox jug down here, too, didn't you?"

"Well, that is interesting; what did you preach on?"

" 'As He Thinketh in His Heart So is He.' "

"Anything else?"

JOB UP FOR DISCUSSION.

"Yes, young people's meeting this afternoon. The topic: 'What I Have Learned from the Life of Job.' Yes, and maybe we don't sympathize with that well known and popular character, too. Tee-hee."

The William Jewell college is still in quarantine, but the William Jewell pesthouse, so-called, is one of the jolliest spots in Liberty. For several days past the "gym" of William Jewell has been dedicated to Red Cross purposes, and some forty students, down with a mild attack of smallpox, have been having the best time they have experienced since the football season closed.

Information from the William Jewell "gym" must come by long distance telephone. The Journal's correspondent is among those present and vaccinated, and he is doing his little best under the difficulties.

In addition to the baseball teams, the handball flives, the quartet and band, the smallpox victims are seriously considering the advisability of establishing a detective bureau, with a view to ascertaining who is the guilty mark that brought the dread disease to Liberty.

WHO'S THE GUILTY ONE?

In times past William Jewell students, after their Christmas vacation, have brought back some funny things, but the student who brought back this fairly well developed case of smallpox probably was not trying to spring a joke. That some student did bring the malady back among his home products is nearly certain. But who did it?

The pesthouse band was not working yesterday, the day being given over mainly to religious exercises, but the strenuous and merry programme will be inaugurated again this morning.

Last Saturday night the pesthouse boys had a time that made the unafflicted on the outside world green with envy. One student delivered an oration on "The Romans in Carthage (Mo.)"; the pesthouse quartet sang several popular and classic songs and the pesthouse band made a melodic disturbance that could be heard as far east as Main street.

SHY ON FLOOR SPACE.

There have been so many beds added to the "gym" that they are shy on floor space and the basketball games will have to be abandoned. The weather may put a damper on the ball games, and as the college authorities put the ban on pinochle and seven-up, the students will be forced to chess and checkers for excitement unless the sun comes out and gets busy.

The several love-sick students in confinement are having the sorriest time of it all. They can write letters to their sweethearts afar, but as the nervous heroine has often said: "Now that I have written the note, who shall take it?"

It was Hocksaw himself who used to say: "I will take the note," but Hockshaw wasn't in quarantine.

DICTATES LETTER BY PHONE.

One young man who doesn't care particularly who knows his business dictated a letter over the telephone to a friend downtown, the friend copying the letter with violet ink and mailing it to the nerve-strained, restless maid who had been vainly waiting at the other end of the romance and wondering what had happened.

There are sixty cases of smallpox in William Jewell by actual count. It is the intention of the faculty to reopen the college a week from today and students in the "gym" have likewise been notified to get well. Reports indicate that they have been having entirely too good a time.

Dr. W. B. Hooser is in charge of the patients. "Doc," as he is affectionately addressed by every one of his patients, has had the smallpox, so that he is not in danger. He has also won the vote of every afflicted man by giving the positive assurance that there will be no pox marks on the face or body.

Labels: doctors, illness, Liberty, music, romance, smallpox, telephone, The Journal

February 10, 1909

GROOM 95 YEARS OLD;

BRIDE CLOSE SECOND.

NEARING CENTURY MARK, OLD

MAN TAKES A WIFE.

Wife Is 72 Years Old, but She

Doesn't Look It, While Biggs

Is as Youg as He

Feels.

Age hasn't a thing to do with it when Dan Cupid gets busy with his up-to-date noiseless gun. Carefully he trained his love-dealing instrument upon the hearts of Edward Biggs, 95 years old, and Mrs. Mary Adams, 72. Cupid's work began three years ago. Last night they were married at the home of the bride's son, William Adams, 2633 College avenue. Earlier in the day they had appeared at the county courthouse for a marriage license, both cold and happy. The son, Wiliam Adams, had talked with Recorder Frank Ross over the telephone and broke the news thus:

"There is an old man who wants to marry my mother and she seems to want to marry him. Can you let them have a license?"

And now the knot is tied and for the third time Biggs has "taken unto himself a wife." The ceremony was a peculiar one, performed in the presence of many close friends and relatives by Rev. J. L. Thompson, pastor of the Forest Avenue Christian church, whre the romance began.

There were no groomsmen, no bridesmaids, no ring bearer, no music, just theminister and the smiling old couple. The ceremony was short, but it was a sweet one," as Mrs. J. C. Smith, the old man's daughter, expressed it after the wedding.

Agfter the ceremony, groups of visitors gathered about the piano in the parlor and sang such songs as "God Be With You," "I Need Thee Every Hour," and "Nearer My God to Thee." Biggs and his wife sat silently in a far corner of the parlor and listened.

Both Mr. Biggs and his new wife are devoted members of the Christian church.

"I think they will be happy," said Mr. Biggs's daughter. "They are going to housekeeping right away, though the location has not been selected as yet."

Biggs was born in London, December 16, 1813. He remembers well when Queen Victoria was but a slip of a girl, and he can tell of the day on which the present King Edward was born. He came to Kansas City about thirty years ago and engaged in the hotel business. He has acquired a competence by many years of work and intends to remain out of active business life.

He is one of the oldest contiuous subscribers to The Journal. He began taking the paper in 1847.

Labels: churches, College avenue, Forest avenue, immigrants, ministers, music, Seniors, The Journal, wedding

February 2, 1909

BETWEEN O'HEARN AND AHERN.

There's a Difference of Opinion Over

a Telephone Call.

The identity of the individual who asked that a stay of execution be given the workhouse sentence of E. J. Marr, convicted of vagrancy, is still a mystery. It was reported Sunday that Alderman "Mickey" O'Hearn had asked Chief of Police Ahern to keep Marr out of the workhouse, for a time at least. Alderman O'Hearn does not remember calling up the chief over the telephone or visiting him during the day that he was reported to have interceded in behalf of the prisoner.

"I never heard of the man," he said last night. "I don't see what The Journal has got it in for me about. I never called up the chief about the case, much less visited him."

Chief Ahern said: "Well, I'm sure it was Mr. O'Hearn who called me up. He told me he was coming right down and I held the prisoner until he came. But then I might be mistaken. You know one can't tell every time who is speaking over the phone. No, I don't believe I know who it was, but it certainly sounded like Mr. O'Hearn."

Labels: Alderman O'Hearn, Police Chief Ahern, The Journal

December 25, 1908

CHRISTMAS IN OLD

K. C. FIFTY YEARS AGO.

DOINGS OF THE DAY AS RECORD-

ED IN THE JOURNAL.

Dropping Down the Vista of Years,

a Decade at a Time, the Festal

Day Is Reviewed - A

Mayor's Charity.

Kansas City is notable for its Christmas weather. The records show that it is ten to one there will be clear skies on Christmas day. In 1858, a half a century ago, the day was a duplicate of today, "though," says the Journal of 1858, known then as the "Western Journal of Commerce," the weather sometimes froze at night and thawed at daytime, and then sometimes it was vice versa."

Kansas City was not much of a town in 1858, for The Journal had some important city news that Christmas morning. It announced that Delaware street had been "filled" from Third "all the way to Commercial street." That morning there was a fight on the hill. The hill was Third and Main. As the city proper lay along the river front, the hill was quite on the outskirts and just the sort of a place for the hoodlums to mix it up.

Others "mixed it up" besides the hoodlum. The Leavenworth Journal took a nasty fling at this place when it said in its current issue:

"The people of Kansas City are so dirty the assessor classifies them as real estate and they have to pay taxes."

The editor of the Kansas City Journal was on his metal in a minute.

"If the assessor of Leavenworth," was said in the Journal of Christmas day, 1858, "has yet waited upon the editor of the Leavenworth Journal, we would like to know what he estimates asses at."

"The curtain at the theater at Independence dropped sine die last night," is a local item. Independence never got over the closing of its theater. It, and Westport, had scoffed at Westport Landing, and laughed outright when it took on the high falutin' name of City of Kansas. But the City of Kansas opened up an opera house of its own and the one at Independence had to turn the lights out, and the janitor with them.

NO DOUBT OF IT.

"We find it difficult," said The Journal that same Christmas morning, "to convince our readers that we are really in receipt of dispatches of the day previous from St. Louis and the East, but we are, and shortly we will be in telegraphic touch with all parts of the United States," and later on in the report has it that wire was expected by every steamboat for the opening of a telegraph office in Kansas City.

Having no telegraph wires, and certainly no trains, the city had to depend upon the overland stages and river boats for the mails. That morning the mails arrived from Salt Lake, after a phenomenally good winter run. They had left Salt Lake November 29. The trip had been without incident, though a large party of Cheyenne Indians had been passed.

Christmas day ten years later, 1868, saw Kansas City quite prosperous. It had eleven trains in and out every day. President Johnson the day before proclaimed full amnesty to all who had taken part in the war of the rebellion, whether they had been indicted or not. "It is supposed to be issued to enable the supreme court to dodge trying Jeff Davis," was the comment of The Journal, and the editor did not like the prospect a bit. He wanted Mr. Davis tried for treason.

THAT GAY NEW BUS.

Showing how the town was growing, one of the most important local stories was of an improvement:

"Cassidy Brothers have a new bus for their Westport line. It is one of the gaudiest institutions of the city."

The fame of that bus lasted until the father of Walton H. and Conway F. Holmes started tram cars, by building a suburban line to couple Kansas City with Westport.

For the first time The Journal made note of the festivities in the churches. The Grand Avenue M. E. church, known as the mother of churches, was reported as having been crowded with members of the Sunday school and congregation to watch the unloading of a Christmas tree. At Westport the Rev. W. W. Duncan had a tree in his church, too.

Besides Christmas trees there were "oceans of egg nog" in town, according to the report that day, and a grand dinner was given at the Sheridan house, "A. C. Dawes, agent of the Hannibal & St. Joseph," being one of the guests, they had "whisky a la smash up," among other things. Ex-Governor Miller attended that dinner and made a speech. At the dinner it was announced that the steamboat Hattie Weller had brought 500 fine hogs up "for the packing houses in the West Bottoms."

D. L. Shouse, father of Manager Louis Shouse of Convention hall, was publicly presented with a gold badge, because of his great services in the Mechanics' bank.

HE WENT TO ST. JOSEPH.

Dr. G. W. Fitzpatrick may have forgotten all about it, but The Journal of thirty years ago yesterday announced his having gone to St. Joseph for the day. In late years, Dr. Fitzpatrick has lived a retired life, but he was quite a figure in local affairs in his day. He always led the parades. An abstemious man himself, he always started his parades from Sixth and Broadway "because," so he used to say, "it is the only point in the city where there is a saloon on each corner."

It was very cold that Christmas. "The hydra gyrum dropped to 8 degrees below zero," so The Journal tells. Trains were from half a day to all day late and the storm was all over the North and Northwest. Great attention was paid by The Journal to the railroad construction work, and an item appearing that morning, Christmas, 1878, is interesting now because it says that the M. K. & T. had agreed to build from Paola to Ottawa if the people would raise$50,000 bonus and grant a free right-of-way.

FIRST MAYOR'S TREE.

George M. Shelley, at present assessor and collector of water rates, was mayor, and as mayor in 1878 he did what Mayor T. T. Crittenden, Jr., is doing today. He distributed gifts to the poor. To ninety-one families in the First ward, fifty-four in the Second, fifty-nine in the Third, twenty-nine in the Fourth, fifty-five in the Fifth and thirty-four in the Sixth his honor gave orders for provision. Three hundred and sixty-seven individuals and firms -- names all printed in The Journal -- donated money or groceries, and by this means the poor were taken care of.

One man, traveling through the city, told Mayor Shelley he was comfortably provided for but for the moment without money. He was anxious to do something for some poor fellow so he turned his $25 overcoat over to the may or, and his honor soon had it on the back of a man who needed it. The generous traveler refused to give his name to Mayor Shelley.

Kansas City, Kas., was Wyandotte in those days, and Christmas was celebrated there evidently, for an item from that place reads:

"The colored Society of the Daughters of Rebecca had a festival in Dunnings's hall yesterday. Two hens got in a fight. A knife was flourished, but no blood was drawn."

OLD TIME PREACHERS.

At Grace Episcopal, Washington Street Tabernacle, the First Congregational and the Grand Avenue M. E. church there were Christmas trees and festivities.

Christmas day, 1888, saw Father Glennon preaching at special services at the Catholic cathedral. Father Lillis officiating at St. Patricks, and the Rev. Cameron Mann in the chancel at Grace church. Since then all these clergymen have been elevated. Dr. Mann and Father Lillis to be bishops, and Father Glennon to be archbishop; Bishop Talbot, that same day, preached at Trinity, of which church his brother, Robert, is the rector. Dr. Robert Talbot would have been a high bishop himself by this time only for the fact that Episcopalians think one bishop in a family is enough.

That Christmas day was a dreary one. It rained most of the time, at night the downpour turning to sleet. Over 100 telegraph poles were broken down, and almost every wire in the city snapped under the weight of the ice.

Labels: churches, Civil War, Delaware street, history, holidays, Independence, Leavenworth, Main street, ministers, The Journal, Third street, weather, Westport

January 20, 1908

BACK TO LIFE AFTER

EIGHTEEN LONG YEARS.

NOTHING SURPRISED PRISONER

AS MUCH AS HIS PARDON.

Hope of Freedom Had Long Since

Died in His Breast -- Society

That Aids the

Friendless.

Up in the Kansas City Life building there are two small offices stuck away under the stairs. One of them is the headquarters of the Anti-Saloon League and the other that of the Society of the Friendless. The Friendless are men just out of the penitentiary. The society finds work for them and gives them the "glad hand" generally. One of the "Friendless" turned up yesterday to say that it was tougher on him at liberty than it had been in captivity, for while he had been able to endure eighteen years' imprisonment at Lansing, Kas., working steadily all the time at hard labor, two weeks' work at liberty had put him on the flat of his back. He was up again, though, like a good fellow and was ready to go to work. Not quite understanding the lay of the land a casual visitor to the headquarters of the society offered the man a small contribution. "Much obliged to you, all the same, sir" the ex-prisoner replied. "I do not need it. Hand it to some fellow that does. I do not mean to be offensive but I am all right."

Inquiry developed the fact that the man had but recently got out of the Kansas state penitentiary.

"How long were you in?" he was asked.

"Life," he replied, and he laughed as he said, "they made me do eighteen years of it. My, but that is a long time. I hardly knew the cities when I got out. D. R. Anthony used to work for me and his little boy who used to play around my place is now in congress. Goodness, but how the little fellows grew up in that long, long eighteen years.

The man asked to have his name suppressed for fear publicity might embarrass him at work.

"Did the changes surprise you when you got outside?" he was asked.

"Nothing surprised me as much as news of the governor's pardon. I had been expecting it for many years. We all do. Three weeks ago I was at work in the prison when I heard a shout from a gang in another part of the building, and the boys came running to me saying I was pardoned. They 'ganged' me right then and there. I could hardly believe it. It was too much. I had been sent up for life for killing a man, and thought I ought to be at liberty, but thinking I ought to be at liberty and being at liberty were quite different. I did not believe it, but the boys brought the Kansas City Journal to me and then I read it myself. They had been watching The Journal every day for the list of Thanksgiving day pardons. It was great news for me."

Labels: organizations, penitentiary, thanksgiving, The Journal

December 9, 1908

HOUSEBOAT IS

SET ADRIFT.

Police Search the Craft, but Find

Nothing but Bundles of Papers.

At about 10 o'clock last night the guard on a Stewart-Peck sand dredge suggested a boat floating down the Missouri river. Upon investigation he learned that it was the houseboat once occupied by the Adam God sect. The police were immediately notified and a squad, armed with rifles, was sent to search the boat.

Nothing but papers was found in the houseboat, among them being the clipping from the Winnipeg Free Press which appears in The Journal under another heading. This clipping had been saved by Sharp among other papers of no particular consequence to the police. It is not known how the boat became released from its moorings.

Labels: Adam God sect, boats, Missouri river, newspapers, The Journal

November 29, 1908

HAVE BEEN HAPPILY

MARRIED FOR 60 YEARS.

COL. R. T. VAN HORN AND WIFE

TO OBSERVE ANNIVERSARY.

From 2 Until 5 o'Clock Next Wednes-

day They Will Be at Home

to Their Legion of

Friends.

An informal reception on Wednesday afternoon, December 2, from 2 to 5 o'clock will be given by Colonel R. T. and Mrs. Van Horn at Honeywood, their country home in Evanston park, on the occasion of the sixtieth anniversary of their marriage. Ten years ago Colonel and Mrs. Van Horn celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding. Then there were present many persons who were residents of Kansas City when the Van Horns came here in 1855. There were only about 500 persons living here at that time.

Colonel and Mrs. Van Horn were married December 2, 1848 in Pomeroy, Meigs county, O. Mrs. Van Horn was Miss Adela Honeywood Cooley of Pomeroy. Four sons were born of the union, but only one, Robert T. Van Horn is living at the present time. They have two grandchildren and one great-grandchild. The ancestors of Colonel Van Horn were from Holland and emigrated to New Jersey about 260 years ago. His great-grandfather, Henry Van Horn, was a captain in the Revolutionary war. Colonel Van Horn's father was born in Pennsylvania and his mother in Ireland. East Mahoning, Pa., was the birth place of Colonel Van Horn. He was born May 9, 1824. After studying law in Meigs county, O., he practiced for a short while and then engaged in newspaper work in Pomeroy, O., where he edited and published a weekly newspaper. Being burned out and not having his plant insured Colonel Van Horn went to St. Louis and worked on a steamboat for his brother. A Kansas City lawyer induced him to come to Kansas City and buy a weekly paper called the Enterprise. He came here in July, 1855, and made arrangements to purchase the paper, paying $250 for it. He brought his wife here in October of the same year and began editing his new paper which he named the Journal of Commerce, now the Kansas City Journal. They lived on Walnut street near Eleventh street until 1887.

As the pioneer newspaper man of Kansas City, Colonel Van Horn has always been known to have worked for a better and larger Kansas City. The people have many times honored Colonel Van Horn with public offices within their gift. At one time he was mayor, and served terms in the state senate and in congress. It was through his efforts that the Hannibal and Milwaukee bridges were secured. At the outbreak of the civil war he raised a Missouri regiment for the Union army. Colonel Van Horn has been named as one of the four great editors in the history of the United States.

Since his retirement from active life he has been living very quietly with his wife at their country home. The reception to be given on the sixtieth anniversary of their marriage is to be very informal at home. They have not issued any invitations or cards but their friends are to be notified only through the newspapers.

Labels: Colonel Van Horn, marriage, Seniors, The Journal

November 5, 1908

HADLEY'S VICTORY

IS CELEBRATED.

SUPPORTERS MARCH STREETS IN

CHEERING THRONGS.

COULD HARDLY

BELIEVE NEWS.

COMING ON HEELS OF WHAT

LOOKED LIKE DEFEAT.

Men Shouted the Winner's Name as

They Crowded the Streets.

HERBERT SPENCER HADLEY.

Republicans in Kansas City and Jackson county awakened yesterday morning to learn that their hope of seeing a Republican elected governor in the present generation had been fulfilled, and that for the next four years the commonwealth will be ruled from the governor's mansion at Jefferson City by Herbert S. Hadley. At first the news was too good to be believed, and there were many doubting Thomases, especially in view of the fact that when tired, exhausted humanity sought rest a few hours before from the fatigue of watching the returns, advices at hand indicated the success of W. S. Cowherd, the nominee of the Democrats.

True, from the standpoint of Republican estimates the night before the meager returns then at hand pointed towards Hadley's election, but they were so indefinite that not even the most sanguine partisan could make himself believe that the complete returns would show anything but the often repeated story of Democratic success.

Like the wind, the cheerful news that Hadley was gaining as each report came in from belated voting places, and that his majority in St. Louis was something unheard of, swept over the city. Enthusiasts shouted the glad tidings until they were hoarse, and by noon newspaper office bulletins gave out the information that Hadley had been elected without a doubt.

SHOUTED IN THE STREETS.

Above the din and racket of commerce shouts and cheers for Hadley rent the air along the crowded downtown streets, and as by magic an impromptu parade was formed. Headed by a band of music, hundreds of shouting, enthusiastic Republicans fell in behind the musicians and marched through the streets. An immense framed portrait of Hadley was borne at the head of the procession, and a large American flag that, when unfolded, almost spread its patriotic colors the width of the street, was grasped by willing and enthusiastic men and carried far above their heads.

The crowd took the building of The Journal by storm. They marched into the building hundreds strong, the band playing patriotic airs. The marchers, cheering and their spirits at high tide, made a circle of the business office corridor, and marched up the stairs to the rooms of the editorial and local departments.. It was an unusual and unique demonstration, the like of which had never before been undertaken in a political campaign.

COWHERD'S BATH OF GLOOM.

While the Republicans were rejoicing, W. S. Cowherd, the Democratic nominee for governor, was in his law offices in the American Bank building greatly depressed over the outlook. He was surrounded by friends and supporters, and they were undertaking to figure out a bare possible majority for their defeated idol. The best they could do was to make the majority possibly 2,000, a most discouraging concession in view of Missouri's normal majority in the past of from 35,000 to 40,000.

"Pretty slim drawing of figures, boys," painfully conceded Mr. Cowherd. At 2 o'clock he complained of weariness after his trying campaign, and he went to his apartments in the Roosevelt. He said he was going to try and forget it in the sweet dreams and left orders not to be disturbed.

"I'm not making any claims. It may take the official count to determine the result," is all Mr. Cowherd would say when questioned.

DEFEAT IS ADMITTED.

Two hours later R. J. Ingraham, his law partner, had a conference with former Governor A. M. Dockery, Bernard Corrigan, James A. Reed and other Democratic leaders, and the defeat of Mr. Cowherd was practically admitted. It was conceded that it would be impossible to overcome Hadley's strong lead in St. Louis and the complexion of the returns that were coming in from Southeast Missouri. They signed and sealed their verdict complacently, but with expressions of deep regret.

Mr. Dockery said he had ideas as to what had contributed to the defeat of Cowherd and added that it would do the party no good to make them public. Others in the conference also decided that they did not want to see in the newspapers what they thought of a lot of men whom they freely blamed for the result.

Labels: Herbert Hadley, James A. Reed, music, politics, St Louis, The Journal

November 1, 1908

EXPECTED A VISIT FROM

GENERAL PRICE.

Forty-Four Years Ago

Kansas Cityans United

to Tender Him an In-

formal Reception.

Forty-four years ago last week Kansas City was in a turmoil of excitement. Citizens were in arms and daily expecting a raid from General Price. From the meager information that could be secured at the time, and always several days late, General Price was first at Jefferson City and then, a few days later, had left there and was marching West with his entire force.

Obviously, he was headed for Kansas City, the gateway to Kansas. The news brought with it a frenzy of excitement and military and civic authorities joined in a hurried fortification of the city. Bushwackers were still prevalent at that time and were causing considerable trouble. An idea of the general consternation that prevailed may be gained from the files of the Western Journal of Commerce under the date of October 15, 1864. Here are some of the items, most of which relate particularly to military matters:

The governor of Kansas has called out the entire state militia of that state. This is a most wise and necessary step, but it ought to have been done several days sooner.

Telegraphic communication was maintained with Jefferson City yesterday all day. Our forces still hold that place. There had been cannonading all day, some five miles out, at the front we suppose. The longer Price waits there, the less likelihood that he will get away at all. General Rosecrans, we may be sure, is not idle.

The telegraph dispatches to General Curtis show us what danger we are in. Are any efficient measures being taken to prepare for the storm which may suddenly burst upon us? If Kansas City falls, the whole of Kansas is open to devastation. What is done to meet the danger should be done quickly.

We learn that a gang of bushwhackers robbed Mr. Warnel, about four miles from Westport, living close to the state line, night before last. They took his watch, money and all his clothing, even to the coat on his back and his underclothing, also two horses. There were eight in the gang. Other parties were robbed near the same neighborhood.

Captain Greer of the Twelfth Kansas, stationed near Shawnee Mission, immediately sent out a scout in pursuit, who followed them some twenty-five miles, crossing the Blue at Bryan's ford, but were unable to overhaul them. A part of the horses they rode were shod and a part unshod.

We learn that intelligence was received in town yesterday that Price had abandoned Jefferson City and was marching West. Rosecrans, we will venture, is close on his track and he will have to make tracks lively if he escapes. We do not believe Price meditates coming here, but he may send a detachment up this way to make a diversion in his own favor. We should be on the alert for such a movement.

We do not wish to seem to obtrude suggestions upon our city or military authorities, but we are certainly of the opinion that no time should be lost in throwing up rifle pits and breastwork to guard the approaches of this town. If we should have the attack of any considerable body of the enemy to repel, such intrenchments would be most important. The whole experience of the war has shown that behind even hastily constructed intrenchments new troops will fight well and can repulse vastly superior numbers.

We ought not to wait until the enemy are fairly upon us before we attend to this matter. It should be done now. Even if this storm passes over with damage, the intrenchments will be good for the future. The town ought to have been permanently fortified three years ago.

The city presented a purely military aspect yesterday. All places of business were closed early in the day and the men were busily at work on the fortifications. The works are progressing finely, and are already very formidable.

A lot of artillery arrived in town last evening.

Theater - The excitement being somewhat over, the manager will reopen with a splendid bill tonight. Let every one attend, if it is only to get soothed.

Also see: The Battle of Westport, October 23, 1864

Labels: Civil War, Jefferson City, Shawnee Mission, The Journal