June 20, 1908 "WAY OF THE TRANS- GRESSOR IS HARD."
Rev. Brown, Under Liquor, Is Ar- rested. Says He Has Passed Worthless Checks and Played in Some Stiff Games.
"The way of the transgressor is hard." This was the text of a sermon preached by the Rev. C. S. L. Brown at the West Side Christian church, Twentieth street and Pennsylvania avenue, on Sunday night, October 7, 1906. His subject was "Lights and Shadows of Life, or Positive and Negative Teachings."
Since that memorable night when the Rev. Mr. Brown, who six years before had worked as a porter at the Hotel Baltimore, preached before a large congregation, many of whom were his personal friends, glad of his success, he has found out the hard truth of his text -- "The way of the transgressor is hard."
Last night the Rev. Mr. Brown was arrested at Sixth and Walnut streets by Patrolman Harry Arthur. He was locked up for investigation and spent the night in a cell at Central station. When arrested he was in the street. He had thrown away his hat, his coat was off and he had all but stripped the upper portion of his body of clothing.
It was the same Rev. Mr. Brown who a few months ago stood boldly before his congregation at Lee's Summit, Mo., and acknowledged that he had been gambling and drinking. He was drinking last night. When he occupied the pulpit of Rev. W. O. Thomas here in October, 1906, Rev. Mr. Brown then was pastor of a Christian church at Washington, Kas. His mother, a woman of wealth and culture, lives there now. His wife and four small children are with his mother. He is 30 years old.
The minister admitted last night he had been drinking and gambling in Kansas City almost ever since his downfall at Lee's Summit. He said he had passed about $60 worth of worthless checks. He could recall one for $12.50 on C. J. Mees, a saloonkeeper, Sixth and Walnut; one for $15 on James Riddle, saloon, Independence avenue and McGee street, and two at Lee's Summit.
"I can trace my downfall to the love of a woman," he said, with tears in his eyes. "Then the gamblers got hold of me here and what they have left you see now -- a wreck, beaten, down and out. I am willing to take my medicine like a man and serve my five or ten years, but before God I will not divulge the name of the woman. Her name must be protected, as I alone am to blame.
"When I got in my trouble and had to leave my church and Lee's Summit," he continued, "a minister friend down there went to my mother at Washington, Kas., and got $400 to square things. She told him he could have ten times that amount. With part of that I even paid gambling debts to men here who since have refused to give me 10 cents to buy a dish of chile.
"Gambling! Gambling!" he almost shrieked. "Is there much gambling here? Yes. I could lead you to some of the stiffest games you ever saw and they seem to be running with ease. Of course most of them are in hotels and hard to catch. Yes, I have been before the grand jury with it."
The Rev. Mr. Brown refused to divulge the names of the men who had "trimmed" him here. He said "Their time will come later. He said that he went through the Boer war in the service of England. Then he was a soldier of fortune.
"It was there I contracted the drinking and gambling habits," he admitted with bowed head. "I felt the craving for the old habits returning and battled with them as long as I could. At a weak moment, other troubles begetting me, I fell 'as the angels fell from Heaven to the blackest depths of Hell.' Since then the course has been down, down, down with an awful rush."Labels: alcohol, Central station, churches, gambling, Independence avenue, Lee's Summit, McGee street, ministers, saloon, Sixth street, Walnut Street June 13, 1908 WHISKY PEDDLERS ARRESTED.
Ten Men Are Caught Retailing Liquor in Flood District.
Ten men were arrested yesterday afternoon for trying to swell the height of the flood with "wet goods." About 12 o'clock in the afternoon an express wagon drove up to police headquarters and unloaded ten cases of beer, the result of a raid made by Officer Bert Walters on a place at 276 Central avenue. William Ryan, Philip O'Connor, T. McLane and Frank Hagenbach were the names the arrested men gave.
Chief of Police Bowden arrested four men that were peddling whisky in Armourdale. A jug of whisky, several bottles and a number of glasses were confiscated. Roy Kidwell, L. J. Kidwell, Frank Mercer and Nelson Benson were the men arrested. Two drivers of the Kansas City Breweries Company were arrested by the chief as they came from the Argentine bridge. He sent them to police headquarters, where they were released as soon as it was learned the cases contained empty bottles and not full ones.Labels: alcohol, Armourdale, breweries, Central avenue, Police Chief Bowden June 12, 1908 MURDER THE END OF A SPREE.
Joseph Orlowich Shoots and Kills John Lucas -- Both Austrians.
During a quarrel following a day's drinking spree Joseph Orlowich, an Austrian, shot and killed John Lucas, one of his fellow countrymen, last night near the latter's home in the "Patch," Kansas City, Kas. The two men left the "Patch" in the morning the best of friends.
They put in most of the day drinking together and when they returned in the evening a controversy arose resulting in the exchange of blows. Orlowich, it is claimed, drew a revolver and fired pointblank at his antagonist.
Only one shot was fired, the bullet passing through Lucas's body causing almost instant death. Orlowich was locked up in the county jail.Labels: alcohol, immigrants, jail, Kansas City Kas, murder June 7, 1908 POLICE RAIDS FOLLOW JONES'S MIDNIGHT TRIP
THIRTY WOMEN ARRESTED AND RELEASED ON BOND.
Cafes That Made a Specialty of Serv- ing Drinks to Women and Their Escorts Visited by Plain Clothes Men.
The recent midnight visit of Police Commissioner Elliot H. Jones to the wine rooms in the vicinity of Eighth and Central streets resulted in wholesale raids last night, in which the police gathered in thirty women, took them to police headquarters, wrote their names on the "arrest" book, and then turned them loose on bond. Four wine rooms were raided in less than an hour after 10:30 o'clock, when the first swoop was made by policemen in plain clothes. The thirty women were secured at three of these places, commonly called cares, while at the fourth place, the Bull Dog care, at Eighth and Wyandotte streets, the raids had been tipped off, and a number of women and their escorts had disappeared.
Captain Walter Whitsett led the raid at Levy's cafe at 123 West Eighth street. It was just 11 o'clock when he and Patrolmen J. F. Murphy and J. F. Brice and D. C. Stone walked into the care and announced that the place was "pinched." The women were ordered out into a waiting patrol wagon. A second trip was made before twenty of them were safely transported to police headquarters.
Women only were arrested in these raids In some instances the escorts were allowed to go to police headquarters in the patrol wagon bu they went only to give bond for the women. Of the twenty women arrested at Levy's cafe, escorts gave bond for six of them, while Levy gave bond for the other fourteen.
IN A HOTEL CAFE.
The first raid was made at 10:30 o'clock at the Hotel Moore cafe at 206 West Ninth street. Patrolmen C. E. McVey, J. F. Brice and J. F. Murphy were the arresting officers. Three women fell into the clutches of the law in this cafe. They were sitting at the tables drinking with their escorts when the men in plain clothes walked in and arrested them. Simultaneously a raid was made on the Aldine cafe at the southwest corner of Eighth and Central streets. Patrolmen Ben Sanderson, John Julian and D. C. Stone conducted this raid. When they entered the place they found seven women and their escorts and as in the other cafes, they were drinking. The escorts of the women who were arrested in these places went to police headquarters and put up a bond for them.
Immediately after these raids the sortie was made on Levy's place. This is a favorite restaurant-wine room for the men and women who frequent such places, and there is always a crowd there. Especially is this true on Saturday night. Last night was no exception.
BLOCKED THE CARS.
The operations of the raiding squad were soon made known in the district. By the time that the squad had reached Levy's place and the patrol wagon had been backed up to the main entrance, a large crowd had gathered. East bound street car traffic was tied up while the women were being loaded into the wagon. Passengers on the cars had an excellent opportunity to see the raid and they availed themselves of that opportunity.
The raid on Levy's place was conducted with so much publicity that the news ran over the district like wildfire, and ten minutes afterward every one of these places was deserted by women. The programme had included a raid on the Bull Dog cafe over Harry Lunn's saloon at the southwest corner of Eighth and Wyandotte streets. This cafe has been growing in favor with the class of people who frequent such places, but the tip had gone out and when the raiding squad arrived they found the place practically deserted.
JONES LOCATED THEM.
All of those places raided last night were visited by Mr. Jones Wednesday night. Clad in motor car togs, he drove around over the district in his motor car, stopping at every place that gave evidence of being frequented by women. His was not a perfunctory examination of these rooms. Invariably he stepped inside and surveyed the scene. He also made not of the fact that invariably the rooms were connected with the bar room by an open doorway, a direct violation of an order of the police board.
Thursday night came and there was no cessation in the patronage. The word has gone out that the visit of the commissioner was simply a bluff or something to that effect, and Friday night sufficient confidence had been restored to enable the proprietors of such places to practically insure protection to their patrons. If there had ever been a scare there was no evidence of it last night until the raiding squad swooped down upon the unsuspecting proprietors and patrons. Contrary to precedent, the escorts of the women who frequented these places, were not arrested. The police gave no reason for this action. All the women were subsequently released on bond.Labels: alcohol, Captain Whitsett, Central street, Commissioner Jones, Eighth street, Ninth street, police, restaurants May 11, 1908 TWO OF AHERN'S LAMBS.
Took Sunday Drink in Peter Leary's Saloon, Then Arrested Him.
"What d'ye want?" shouted Peter Leary through the door of his saloon to Police Sergeant John Ravenscamp, who was thumping with his stick on the outside early Sunday morning.
"Sure, and I'm askin' that you let those policemen out. You've locked two good fellows inside.:
"G'wan and sleep," replied Peter, "There's no bulls in here."
"There are two of Ahern's choicest lambs," said John and he leaned against the front door.
Now John Ravenscamp is large and, when the door creaked, Leary waved him back and turned the bolt. As the sergeant entered, Plain Clothes Officers D. R. Lee and Pat O'Connor, who say they had been drinking at the bar with five citizens, stepped out and showed their stars to Leary.
Leary and John Shannon, the bartender, were booked at headquarters for selling liquor on Sunday and a full report was made out to be given to the police commissioners at their next meeting.Labels: alcohol, immigrants, police, police headquarters, saloon May 9, 1908 TWO BARRELS WERE ENOUGH.
Negro Stole Load of Whisky, but Left Part of It.
Jordan Coleman, a one-legged negro teamster for the Empire Transfer Company, stumped hurriedly into police headquarters about 4 p. m. yesterday and excitedly informed Captain Whitsett that somebody had stolen a wagon load of whisky from him.
"I left my wagon load with seventy cases and three barrels of whisky in the alley between Main and Delaware, Third and Fourth streets," he said. "I wasn't gone but a few minutes when I came back and the team, whisky and all had disappeared. A man said he saw another negro driving the load east on Third street."
About 6 p. m. Coleman's wagon was found standing at Independence avenue and Charlotte street. Two barrels of whisky were missing from the load. The police are looking for the "booze" and also the thief.Labels: alcohol, Captain Whitsett, Charlotte street, Delaware street, Fourth street, Independence avenue, Main street, police headquarters, teamster, Third street May 8, 1907
PARK POLICEMAN IS FINED.
Slapped a Boy and Then Drew Re- volver on Him. David A. Bateman, a park policeman, was fined $10 in police court yesterday on a charge of disturbing the peace of Ray Welsh, a 15-year-old boy living at 1530 Montgall avenue. He paid the fine and gave notice of appeal.
Welsh said he was passing a pool hall at Fifteenth and Bellefontaine when Bateman came out and made him take a chain off a dog which Welsh was leading. Welsh then went down the street to where there was a blacksmith shop.
"He called me out," said the boy, "then he slapped me, hit me over the head with his club and drew his gun."
A man who did not know Welsh corroborated his statements as to the assault. Bateman said he had a bad cold and took some quinine and three drinks of whiskey, "which seemed to go to my head." Sergeant T. S. Eubanks, who arrested Bateman, said the latter had had trouble in a pool hall and also a store next door, and that his station had been notified to take him away. When he got there the trouble with the boy was on.Labels: alcohol, Bellefontaine, billiards, domestic violence, Fifteenth street, Montgall avenue, police, police court May 7, 1908 MUST LEARN HOW TO REMOVE GREASE SPOTS.
POLICEMEN WILL BE REQUIRED TO HAVE CLEAN CLOTHES.
And a Recent Shine Must Go With Them, Also -- No Hope for the Cop That Drinks.
Clothes clean and freshly pressed, and shoes recently shined is the order which went forth from the police board yesterday to the policemen. Drill Sergeant Morrison will be instructed to see that this ruling is carried out.
Mayor Crittenden made the suggestion, and the other two commissioners heartily indorsed his recommendation.
"Nothing prejudices me so against an officer as for him to have grease s pots on his clothing, his trousers baggy at the knees and his shoes rusty looking," said the mayor. "A man who is slovenly in his personal appearance will be careless in his duty. I don't like to see it."
"There's one excuse for the officers," said Commissioner Jones. "I think they are underpaid They ought to have at least $10 a month more. Then they could better afford to pay to have their clothes cleaned and pressed, and it could be required of them."
"Yes, it's true that the patrolmen are underpaid," said Commissioner Gallagher. "But some of them are able to keep neat on their present salaries, and I don't see why the rest can't do equally as well. I see some dirty, greasy policemen that are a disgrace to the town."
"We don't expect the police to by a new suit every few days or every season," said Commissioner Jones. "We never complain of them wearing old clothes. But it should be insisted upon that they be neat."
The Third regiment armory will hereafter be used for the drills, instead of Convention hall. In the new place a course of neatness is expected to be added to the regular exercises by Sergeant Morrison, and each man will be required to learn by heart some good recipe for removing grease spots from clothing.
While on the police question Mayor Crittenden said:
"I want it generally understood that a policeman who drinks while on duty will be discharged and never taken back with my vote."
"I don't like a policeman to drink, either on or off duty," said Commissioner Jones.
"They have already made it a rule in St. Louis not to take back policemen who are found drinking on duty," said Commissioner Gallagher. "I think it is about time we were making the same rule here."Labels: alcohol, clothing, Commissioner Gallagher, Commissioner Jones, Mayor Crittenden, police board May 3, 1908 SHE CHASED AUTOMOBILES.
Antics of Woman on Twelfth Street Brought Many Police.
A deranged woman chasing automobiles in the neighborhood of Twelfth street and Tracy avenue last night about 10 o'clock brought police from three districts to that vicinity. Finally she ran into a party of three bluecoats at Thirteenth street and Forest avenue. When taken to No. 6 police station she was found to be the wife of a contractor. She was evidently under the influence of liquor and some drug. She was held for safekeeping.Labels: alcohol, automobiles, Forest avenue, mental health, narcotics, Thirteenth street, Tracy avenue, Twelfth street May 2, 1908
RICHARDS CASE LAWYERS SCRAP.
INSINUATIONS OF BLACKMAIL LEAD TO LUSTY BLOWS.
HARDING AND M'CARDLE MIX.
ALDERMAN IN THE CASE ISSUES A PUBLIC STATEMENT.
He Says There Was Kissing of an Innocent Kind -- "Cheeks" and Others Are Going to Testify. Growing out of the use of the word "blackmail" yesterday in the taking of depositions in the Richards-Humes $100,000 alienation of affections case, Attorney Battle McCardle resented the method of examination adopted by Attorney John T. Harding, and a personal encounter ensued. Mr. Harding struick Mr. McCardle and was himself about to be struck when others interfered. McCardle was pulled into another room and Harding forced back to his desk.
Notary Crum summarily adjourned the hearing until 10 o'clock this morning, when E. J. Richards is to go on the stand in the law offices of Brown, Harding & Brown, to be cross-examined by Attorney Harding, for Humes, and later to be cross-examined by his own lawyer, McCardle. The "blackmail" question, which caused hostilities yesterday, will be put again, but this time it will not be resented. McCardle, discussing the affair yesterday afternoon, said, "It is a privileged question and, if it is put exceptions will not again be taken to it. Tempers which were lost can remain lost so far as I am concerned."
The evidence given yesterday was prosaic, for the reason that it was cut short by the fisticuffs. The cross-examination today will be, so it is predicted, most sensational . Even at that the attorney for the plaintiff has promised to omit all mention of the wives of some of the men who, with their husbands, belonged to the kissing ring, and at least one husband is to be left out of the controversy. ALDERMAN WILL TESTIFY.
The alderman in the coterie will be named, however, and his deposition is to be taken. This will be done under the new regime which was ushered in yesterday morning when Circuit Judge H. L. McCune appointed Senator A. D. Cooper, special commissioner, to hear evidence. Commissioner Cooper will begin his hearings about next Monday.
At the opening of the hearing yesterday, Richards was compelled to tell who it was tipped off to him that while the Beardsley administration had him making a speech at the Sexton hotel on the matter of clean streets, Humes was visiting the Richards flat. H e said it was a detective, but could not remember from what agency nor what the detective's name was.
"Beside the Indian game, you did a Napoleon stunt out at Mr. Humes's house, did you not?" Attorney Harding inquired.
"I did," was the answer, "but that was all of it." The attorney did not ask for particulars, and Richards did not volunteer them, more than to say after the hearing: "They said I looked like Napoleon, and I used to pull my hair down like that.
PERHAPS IT WAS INNOCENT.
"Your fun was all innocent when you and these others met?" was asked.
"Perhaps."
"Do you not know that it was all innocent?"
"I do not know that it was. Probably part of it was."
"You were perfectly innocent in your kissing part of it?"
"I certainly was," Richards answered.
Taking a new tack, Attorney Harding asked Richards if he knew that two weeks ago yesterday his own attorney, Mr. McCardle, had been out to the interrogator's house and had suggested a settlement before going to court, and that Humes had refused to offer a cent to forestall the suit. Attorney McCardle instructed Richards to refuse to answer, and in that way half a dozen questions were not replied to.
"I would like you to keep out of this, Mr. McCardle," said Mr. Harding. "When I want you to testify I will take your deposition."
NOT TO BE BLUFFED.
"And you will get it all right. You cannot bluff me. I told you in your house what sort of man I am. No one in the world can bluff me, John."
Notary McCrum had left the room and a messenger was sent for him. In his absence Attorney Harding asked Witness Richards:
"Did not you or your representative come to my house and threaten to expose Humes and Mrs. Humes and their friends and their friends' wives unless there was a settlement reached?"
"Refuse to answer," again was the prompting.
"Did not Mr. Humes and myself say it was blackmail and --"
The row interrupted the delivery of this question. Attorney McCardle recalled the private mission to Attorney Harding's house, spoke of Mr. Harding having charged him with being privy to sharp practice but afterwards calling him up by telephone and apologizing for saying anything so offensive in his own house. The lie passed, the two attorneys rose to their feet simultaneously and struck at each other across the table. Someone seized Harding by the arms, and meantime others got between the two lawyers and prevented a continuance.
THE ALDERMAN'S SIDE.
Alderman E. E. Morris issued the following statement yesterday:
"Believing that my standing with the people of Kansas City is such that a statement from me, regarding this unfortunate matter, will be received with full credit and that it will help to do justice to innocent persons, I am pleased to say that I have known Mr. Humes for many years and am glad indeed to claim him as my friend; I have always found him to be an honorable, upright gentleman wholly incapable of any of the things with which he is charged. I have known Mr. and Mrs. Richards for about a year and, since becoming acquainted with them, have met them at the Humes home perhaps five or six times. On most of these occasions six or seven couples were present and participated in the entertainment and hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. Humes. Should the case ever come to trial it will be shown that these participants were clean, decent, moral representative citizens against whose characters not one truthful word can be said.
"It is true that the parties were jolly ones but they were not in any sense rounds of Bacchanalian revelry. It is true that as a rule the refreshments did usually include a mild homemade cocktail or similar drink and, incidentally, what home entertainment in Kansas City does not frequently contain the same features? I believe that all the men, and possibly a part of the ladies, partook of these refreshments. There was never the slightest evidence on the part of any one that they were intoxicated.
"True, there were a few kisses exchanged but they were in games and amid the laughter and good natured raillery of all those present. There was not at any time, or any place, any clandestine exercises of this kind except those attempted once or twice by Richards and for which he was most beautifully 'called.' There was not any kissing at all at the party given at my house except that I believe I "dared" my wife to kiss "Dot" Richards as he came into our flat. The conduct of everyone at all times was above reproach with the single exception of Richards himself. He attempted liberties and stories which do not belong in the curriculum of a gentleman and, indeed, on one occasion had to be forcibly restrained by a gentleman present. His boorishness and complete ignorance of the ethics of the gentleman finally became unbearable and resulted in breaking up a jolly crowd of thoroughly good people. Against this crowd can truthfully be said but one thing and that is that they admitted a cad among them."
Richards replies to the charge that he is seeking to involve many in order to coerce Humes by protesting that he is screening some. During the cross-examination today he will be asked to go more fully into some replies he made on direct examination.
Next week, however, his attorney will put on the stand Humes, Alderman Morris and possibly others.Labels: alcohol, attorney, courtroom, violence May 1, 1908 NO CASE AGAINST HARPOLE.
Negro Did Not Shoot Three White Men -- Is Discharged.
Judge U. S. Guyer of the North city court, Kansas City, Kas., yesterday discharged Reuben Harpole, being tried for the shooting of Joshua Wells, Charles Johns and M. U. Martinson at Fifth street and Oakland avenue on the night of April 10. He said there was not enough evidence against the negro to convict him. The state's attorney expressed himself as satisfied with teh decision.
The three men named had been drinking according to their own statements made to the chief of police, and had quarreled with a party of negroes about a couple of small girls. A negro bystander then drew a revolver and commenced firing. Martinson, who was shot first, drew his revolver, but it would not work and he tossed it over an adjacent signboard into a vacant lot. Harpole was arrested a few days later and identified by the two girls as the man wanted for the shooting.
Joshua Wells is now in Bethany hospital, where he underwent an operation for the removal of a bullet, which is said to have lodged in the vicinity of the right lung. He will die.Labels: alcohol, hospitals, Judges, Kansas City Kas, race, violence April 29, 1908 CLERK STOLE MONEY FOR SICK BROTHER.
IN CONSEQUENCE JUDGE POL- LOCK IS LENIENT.
Editor of Art Book Fined Nominal Sum and Escapes Payment. Other Federal Offend- ers Sentenced.
It was sentencing day in the United States district court yesterday. Judge Pollock of Kansas was on the bench. Alfred Friend, formerly a clerk in the New England National bank had stolen out-of-town remittances by means of juggling accounts in the bank. The government prosecuted him for getting only $5, but he was supposed to have got about $2,000. After everything in the case was told Judge Pollock undertook to examine the prisoner on his own account.
"What made you do it?" he inquired.
"This made me do it, sir," Friend replied, displaying a small packet of letters and holding them out towards the bench. "Would your honor read them, please?"
FOR HIS SICK BROTHER.
Judge Pollock scanned some of them, interrupting his perusal to ask:
"And did you send the money to this sick brother of yours?"
"I have the money order receipt for it," Friend then said, at the same time producing another paper and handing it to Judge Pollock.
After reflecting a minute the court announced that as Friend had been confined to jail for six months, had lost his employment and had not profited by his thievery, he would be let off with a fine of $500, which means only thirty days in jail. The United States government never holds a prisoner longer than thirty days in liquidation of a fine, no matter how bit it may be.
JULIUS WAS SURPRISED.
Julius Planca, a Frenchman, who was surprised to know that it is contrary to the laws of this country to sell liquor without a license, was fined $10 and costs for bootlegging in a railroad camp east of the city. Arthur Anderson, a 14-year-old boy from the southeast part of the county, was given the same punishment for stealing stamps and coppers from rural free delivery boxes.
A week ago William Soper robbed the little postoffice at Mount Washington, just outside Kansas City's eastern limits, and got $2.50. Yesterday he got a year and a half in the government prison at Fort Leavenworth. He pleaded guilty, saying to Judge Pollock that he would not have broken into the store where the postoffice was had he known it was a postoffice.
"You would rather have broken the state than the federal laws, would you?" the court remarked, adding, dryly, "Either is wrong."
THAT'S WHEN HE GETS IT.
James A. Pope, editor of the Art Book, who was arrested a month ago on a complaint of a rival in business in St. Louis, got off handsomely. Pope had sent out printed post cards saying that he still owned the copyright to his journal, and that the issues being turned out by his rivals were false. He classified somebody as a "hunchback," and for that got into trouble. He would have gone to jail for the intervening nine weeks, having no bondsmen here, only for friends his tough-luck story made for him. As it turned out, District Attorney Van Valkenburgh took his personal recognizance and let him go. Yesterday the art editor, who is about 20 years of age, turned up "to take my medicine, as I said I would," he said. Judge Pollock heard his story and at the conclusion said:
"Have you $1 and the costs of this case?"
"I have not, sir," replied the editor, showing how dull business in the art journal business is just at present.
"Then if I fine you $1 you will have to go to jail, will you?" the court asked next.
"Yes, sir," the editor-prisoner replied.
"Then it will not do to try to collect it. The punishment will be a fine of $1 and costs, collectible upon execution," and slam went the judge's docket and another case was taken up. Pope did not know what was up, so he took his seat near one of the deputy marshals, supposing it was jail again in view of the fact that he had not the dollar and costs. While in the middle of the next case Judge Pollock caught sight of the little art editor's long curly hair and had to order him to freedom.
"You can get out, Pope," the court said. "That fine against you is collectible upon execution."
It took two lawyers and a deputy to explain this to Pope, who could scarcely believe all his good luck was real.Labels: alcohol, banking, courtroom, crime, federal court, immigrants, Judge Pollock, Judges, Leavenworth, Mt. Washington, post office, United States District Court April 25, 1908 THREE PARKS WANT LICENSES.
Electric, Fairmount and Forest Desire to Sell Liquor.
Petitions for county licenses to sell ber in Electric, Fairmount and Forest parks were filed yesterday with the county court. It was the last day for filing petitions to be acted on during May, and no more parks are expected to ask for licenses. The court will take the petitions up for discussion on May 1, but may continue the final hearing until later in the month. The Electric park petition was filed by Gilbert E. Martin, Fairmount by W. F. Smith and Forest by J. T. Tippett.Labels: alcohol, county court, Electric park, fairmount park, forest park April 20, 1908 BOWDEN WILL STOP THE 'BOOZE' JOINTS.
CHIEF IS DETERMINED TO DRIVE THEM OUT OF BUSINESS.
Three Arrests Were Made Yesterday, and the News Caused Other Blind Tiger Operators to Close.
The police of Kansas City, Kas., are prosecuting the crusade against the keepers of "blind tigers," and individual "drunks" vigorously. Between midnight Saturday night and sunup yesterday morning three "blind tigers" were raided, in which the alleged proprietors and eleven patrons were taken into custody and locked up at No. 3 police station. In addition to the arrests made in these raids twenty-six individuals were arrested and locked up at the different police stations on the charge of drunkenness. All of these offenders will be arraigned before Judge J. T. Sims in police court this morning, an it is more than probable that the court will follow out the administration's policy in its efforts to rid the city of this particular class of lawbreakers.
"I propose to make it my personal duty to see to the elimination of all 'blind tigers,' petit gambling games, and the like, which now infest the city," said Chief of Police Bowden last night. "I was out until 1 o'clock yesterday morning with a squad of patrolmen in plain clothes, and I propose to keep the good work up until the town is cleaned up of this class of offenders. Police Judge Sims is tendering material assistance to the department in showing those convicted but little mercy, and we hope to put a stop to the illegal sale of 'booze' on the Kansas side of the state line."
The chief says he will work every night for an indefinite length of time with the plain clothes squad, and visit every section of the city. In the raids made early yesterday morning, Jim Pullum was arrested in his place of business, across Kansas avenue from the Swift Packing Company's plant. Seven male frequenters and two women were taken into custody, the men being taken to jail and the women allowed to go home. Nealie Butler, who conducts a restaurant near Kansas and Packard, was taken in tow along with four frequenters.
The raids of Saturday night and early yesterday morning were noised around the city yesterday, and many of the proprietors of "blind tigers" closed. The crusade, however, is being kept up, so the chief states, and those who shut their doors yesterday figuring that the closing would only be a temporary move, may expect trouble the minute they resume business.Labels: alcohol, Kansas City Kas, Police Chief Bowden, prohibition, restaurants April 16, 1908 OLD SOLDIERS WANT CANTEEN RESTORED.
"PROHIBITION IN THIS CASE A SERIOUS EVIL."
So Declares Colonel Hunt of the Leav- enworth Home -- Disreputable Dives Now Get the Old Men's Money.
Old soldiers are alarmed over talk in Washington of another anti-canteen rider going on the appropriation bill for the homes. The last time an appropriation was made for the homes Congressman Bowersock of Kansas, since retired, managed to tack onto the bill a provision that no liquor be sold on the grounds of homes. In this condition the bill went through, affecting every home in the United States. Immediately there was a protest, but the provision was carried and the canteens were abolished. Then the blind tigers flourished and they are still flourishing. There is no law against canteens at soldiers' and sailors' homes. The only prohibition was caused by the Bowersock amendment. The amendment died with the appropriation bill, so that as it now stands, liquors may be sold on the home grounds, always under the management of the national home officials.
"And we want no more Bowersock amendments if the good of the homes is to be considered," said Colonel R. H. Hunt, quartermaster of the Leavenworth home yesterday. "We never sold anything but weak beer. The Bowersock amendment closed the beer canteen, and that compelled the veteran to go outside for his drink. He went where he could get whisky, and to the capacity of his purse, so that drunkenness increased amazingly and the evil effects by comparison were shocking. It takes nothing of a savant to realize that a man can be kept better by limiting him to beer when watching his own offices than by turning him loose in the 'Klondike,' as they call the contraband places near our home in Leavenworth, to be filled with 'forty rod' and permitted to get as drunk as his money will permit."
Colonel Hunt said that there were no figures to show the effects of the home canteen, where beer only was sold, and the non-superintended dives where the veterans drink are beyond control.
"In the absence of figures you must take the word of of the officers of the home. At the Leavenworth home every officer has but to favor the restoration of the canteen, one of those most anxious to get the canteen back being the Catholic clergymen at the post. He sees the effect more directly than any of us by reason of the individual attention he gives so many of the inmates. It is a hard matter to teach old dogs new tricks. No one congressman and no one congress can change the habits of a man of 60 years. The veteran who for ten or forty years has been accustomed to his glass of beer once in a while cannot be changed from it now without locking him up or taking all his money away from him.
"At the national homes we served nothing to the veterans but 4 per cent beer. We not only limited him to that, but we sold him none before breakfast, none after supper and none during meal hours. The veteran was always within his own grounds, surrounded by his friends and those responsible for his good conduct, and so was always entirely in hand. As it is now, under the operation of the Bowersock amendment, he is out of bounds, where we do not see him till the divekeeper has got his good money out of him and his bad whiskey into him, and the veteran suffers from both causes its consequence."Labels: alcohol, Leavenworth, prohibition, veterans April 15, 1908 SAYS WIFE SOLD HIM BEER.
Kansas City, Kas., Husband Causes Her Arrest on Blind Tiger Charge.
On a warrant sworn out by her husband, Clay Truett, Mrs. May Truett, 406 Osage avenue, Kansas City, Kas., was yesterday arrested by the police on the charge of conducting a "blind tiger." She was taken to police headquarters and held until bond was furnished for her release. She will be given a hearing in police court this morning.
Mr. and Mrs. Truett have been separated for some time, and according to Truett, she has been making a living by the sale of beer at their home. In the complaint made by him he asserted that his wife sold him beer and collected the money for it. Truett was arrested last Saturday for visiting his wife's place and creating a disturbance., and she claims that her arrest yesterday was due to her husband's prejudice.Labels: alcohol, Kansas City Kas, marriage, police court April 10, 1908 KYLE FINES WIFE BEATERS HEAVILY.
TWO MUST SPEND YEAR EACH IN THE WORKHOUSE.
A Pickpocket and the Assailant of a Little Girl Are Fined $500 Each, Also -- Lecture to Heavy- Handed Husband.
Judge Kyle celebrated re-election yesterday by assessing four $500 fines, two of them being against wife beaters, one a pickpocket and the fourth a man who had attempted to assault a little girl. It was the judge's first day on the bench since election.
W. D. Russell, 2223 Campbell street, was fined $500 for beating his wife and putting her, with a 3-weeks-old baby in her arms, out of the house. Mrs. Russell's mother was also put out.
When Patrolman Noland was called he tried to effect a compromise. He told Mrs. Russell to go back into the house and see what Russell would do. Russell had gone to bed intoxicated, the officer said, and immediately began to curse and abuse his wife when she awakened him.
Mrs. A. Burgis of the Associated Charities said that Mrs. Russell had supported herself and baby, and husband, too, for a long time by making bed quilts, having made and sold twenty of them. When Russell insisted that he had paid the rent Mrs. Burgis said: "Not much you didn't. We paid part and your wife the rest." Russell is a big, strapping man and his wife a small woman. She was too weak and sickly to appear in court, but the officer and Mrs. Burgis did the work. His fine was $500.
The next wife beater to meet his fate was Fred Scraper of 313 East Eighteenth street. He was arrested by Patrolman McCarthy after he had raised a disturbance at his home. Mrs. Scraper and her little daughter both testified against Scraper.
"My wife irritates me," Scraper said. "The other night I went home with the earache and the toothache. Any man might slap a woman at such times."
"There is no excuse on earth great enough to cause a husband to lay even his hand upon his wife in anger. Your fine is $500," said Judge Kyle. Scraper was fined $15 on March 10 for disturbing the peace at home and given a stay conditioned on good behavior. He has been in police court many times for the same offense. He is an upholsterer's solicitor.
When Philip Packard was arraigned on a technical charge of vagrancy Sergeant James W. Hogan testified that on election night in a crowd in front of a newspaper office he had caught Packard in the act of picking a man's pocket. Bertillon records show that Packard had served a term in the penitentiary at Pontiac, Ill., and many workhouse sentences. He did not deny it. On December 21 last, under the name of Milton Steele, Packard was sent to the workhouse for attempting to pick a man's pocket in a pool hall. He was released April 1. Judge Kyle assessed $500 against Packard.
A man giving the name of J. H. McCleary, a news agent, was the last victim. He was charged with disturbing the peace. George W. Banfield, a contractor of Twenty-ninth and Flora, told how his little girl had been insulted by McCleary. Some little girls were hunting four-leaf clovers in old Troost park. When McCleary placed his hands on Mr. Banfield's daughter the girls ran and screamed. Banfield chased McCleary several blocks, caught him and turned him over to the police. McCleary was fined $500.
All four of the men fined $500 rode to the workhouse, no attempts being made to get them out on appeal bonds. The fine means one year in the workhouse.Labels: alcohol, Associated Charities, Campbell street, crime, domestic violence, Eighteenth street, Flora avenue, Judge Kyle, police court, Twenty-ninth street, workhouse April 1, 1908 WILL TEST NEW SALOON LAW.
Parent May Collect Damages if Li- quor Is Sold to Minor.
Whether saloons must pay $50 for every offense of selling liquor to a minor with out a parent's written consent is to have its first decision in a justice's court April 3. Yesterday Mrs. Ida M. Carson filed suit in Judge Remley's court against the Kansas City Breweries Company, owners of a saloon at 324 West Sixth street, and James Meaney, a bartender, for $300 damages. Six offenses in the month of March were charged, the minor involved being Claud, the 16-year-old son of Mrs. Carson.
Under this statute, which has never been tested in Kansas City, if saloonists are found guilty the jury has no power to lessen the amount to be paid. Also under conviction there is a penalty that the criminal court may assess for each offense, to say nothing of the forfeiture of license which such conviction would bring with it.Labels: alcohol, breweries, Judge Remley, Lawsuit, saloon, Sixth street March 25, 1908 LOCKED IN SALOON -- HORRORS!
Terrible Fate, Which Confronted Tom Morgan When Rescued by Police.
One o'clock has so broken up the practice of spending the night in saloons that when Tom Morgan, 616 East Fifth street, had a chance last night to remain a lone guest among the intoxicants of Zimmerman's place, 719 Delaware street, he telephoned for help to get out. He didn't even take a drink before he resorted to the telephone.
At Home telephone headquarters the Western Union clock said 12:30 when a buzzer registered from the Delaware street saloon.
"Number?" purred Central.
"I want out," a husky voice came back.
"Out of where?"
"Out of here."
"Where is here?"
"Oh, I went to sleep in the back room of Zimmerman's saloon here on Delaware street and the bartender locked up without finding me."
Central held the line and called police headquarters. When she had got Patrolman A. O. Darbow on the phone and posted him she put on Morgan.
He was excited. Darbow didn't seem to be in a hurry, and after he had promised release and hung up the receiver Morgan called the station again.
"You didn't tell me how soon you'd come, officer," he said. "I'm lonely and nervous and cold"
"Well, see if you can't find something there to calm yourself with, and a liquid stove, perhaps, and something smooth and cheerful and friendly on the back bar."
"Good suggestion, old man. Hadn't thought of it. The time won't seem so long now, but don't tarry."
"Only waiting for a detective to blow in with a pocketful of skeleton keys and burglar tools and we'll be right up."
Twenty minutes later Darbow and Detectives Godley and Phelan liberated the prisoner.
There was the suggestion of a skate in Morgan's leg actions as he sought his bearings, but he soon was on a bee line for Fifth street.Labels: alcohol, Delaware street, Fifth street, police, saloon, telephone March 21, 1908 HORSES PERISH IN A FIRE.
Royal Brewing Company's Station Burns -- Loss $10,000.
Fire, which was seen to burst out from every window in the front part of the Royal Brewing Company's warehouse, 1012 Grand avenue, and which spread to the coal and feed store of A. Maas & Son, 1910 Grand avenue, at 12:30 o'clock last night, destroyed property estimated at the value of $10,000. Five horses were burned in the Royal Brewing Company's stables.
It is thought that the fire was of incendiary origin, as the whole front of the building seemed to flash into sudden flame. Passers-by who were the first to see the blaze said that the fire started as if it were an explosion, but that they felt no shock nor did they hear any noise. They said that the fire started and burned as if the walls of the building had been saturated with gasoline or coal oil.
When the fire department arrived at the burning building the blaze had spread widely and the feed store directly on the north had caught. The contents of the brewery, such as whisky and alcohol, made excellent fuel of the fire, and it was difficult to extinguish the blaze.
In the Maas & Son building the burning hay and feed made it hard for the firemen to get at the blaze on account of the dense smoke. All of the horses which were kept in this building were rescued.
The Royal Brewing Company has its headquarters in Weston, Mo., and the building which was destroyed last night was its distributing station in Kansas City. Dancinger Brois. owned the brewing company.
The Royal Brewing Company's building was a one-story brick, and the coal and feed store, which adjoined, was built of frame and was only one story in height. Both buildings were gutted.Labels: alcohol, animals, breweries, Fire, Grand avenue March 13, 1908 SENTENCES ILLEGAL VOTER.
Two Years for Veteran Who Voted Twice in Independence.
Stephen H. Powell, a veteran of the civil war, charged with voting illegally at the recent local option election in Independence, pleaded guilty before Judge W. H. Wallace yesterday in the criminal court and was sentenced to two years in the penitentiary. Powell will probably be paroled on account of his age and the conditions under which he violated the law.
He tells his story to the Prosecuting Attorney I. B. Kimbrell very frankly:
"I was drunk on election day," Powell says. "I don't remember whether I voted once or a dozen times If anybody saw me vote twice, I can't deny it, because I don't know what I did."
"Which way did you vote, for or against the local option" asked Kimbrell.
"I started out to vote 'wet,' but can't say what I did do."Labels: alcohol, Civil War, criminal court, Independence, Judge Wallace, prohibition, Prosecutor Kimbrell, veterans March 10, 1908 SHE WOULDN'T BUY BEER.
So Giles Haynes Beat His Wife -- She Is Suing for Divorce.
One of the reasons given in a petition in the district court in Kansas City, Kas., by Rosa Haynes against Giles Haynes, for divorce, is that the defendant cruelly beat the plaintiff because she refused to go to the state line and get him a bucket of beer. Mrs. Haynes also charges her husband with destroying her photographs, breaking up the dishes and furniture, and cutting up her clothing.
The other mismated couples applied to the court for legal separation. Emma Fletcher asks for a divorce from Ezra; Belle Hazelbridge from George; and Goldie G. Griffin from Oliver.Labels: alcohol, Divorce, domestic violence, Kansas City Kas, State line February 28, 1908 THIEF HAD VARIED TASTE.
Whisky Alarm Clock and Pair of Scissors His Booty.
Stultz Bros., wholesale liquor dealers at 618 Southwest boulevard, reported to the police yesterday that a thief had broken into their store Wednesday night and had stolen six quarts of rock and rye, three gallons of straight whisky, an alarm clock and a pair of scissors.
The variety of this booty sorely perplexed the police. It was the oddest combination ever recorded in the grand larceny department of Central station. After a closed session of the board of logical deduction, the local Sherlocks submitted the following theory as their best:
The thief probably had a bad cold, so he stole the rock and rye to cure the cold. Naturally, after effecting the cure of a bad cold, the thief wanted to celebrate properly, so he stole the three gallons of straight whisky.
This much of the strange mystery being deduced along safe and sane lines, the rest comes easy. He took the alarm clock in order to wake up the jag, and the theft of the scissors probably was for the sole purpose of "cutting it all out."Labels: alcohol, Central station, crime, Southwest boulevard February 19, 1908
BROOKS DENIES THAT HE EVER CONFESSED.
SAYS POLICE THREATENED TO HANG HIM FROM BRIDGE.
After Giving Him Liquor, Murderer Says They Induced Him to Sign Confession -- Case to Jury Today.
Denying that he ever made a confession to police that he murdered Sidney Herndon in the Navarro flats, Twelfth street and Baltimore avenue, on January 12, and claiming that he signed a confession fixed up by the police when he was intoxicated and under fear, due to threats made by the officers, Claude Brooks, negro, was on trial for the murder of Herndon or knew anything of the killing until he was placed in the county jail and the confession was in the hands of the prosecuting attorney. He denied ever owning the hammer which lay on the table in the courtroom, and which was the weapon used to kill Herndon, and also disputed all of the testimony of witnesses who claimed they saw him in the Nararro building the night of the tragedy.
Brooks claimed that while on the train, detectives who arrested him at his father's home and brought him back to Kansas City threatened to take him off the train at a bridge crossing the Missouri River and "string him up" if he did not "come through" and tell about killing Herndon. He also stated that the officers gave him whisksey in Sheffield and before they reached that place, and that he was in an intoxicated condition at the time the statement, said to be his confession, was made and signed by him. Inspector of Detectives Ryan testified that he gave Brooks one drink of whiskey, which Brooks asked for, but that he did not have any other liquor, and no threats were made. He stated that Brooks made the confession of his own free will, and seemed perfectly willing to tell of the murder at the time of his arrest. Assistant Prosecuting Attorney John W. Hogan, testified to obtaining the confession, and stated that no one threatened Brooks. Other officers were put on the stand and bore out the statements of inspector Ryan. The most damaging testimony against Brooks was that of Amel Jones, a negro boy, who said he saw Brooks hiding in the Navarro building late the night of the murder, and that he had a paper in his hand, which is described in Brooks's confession as containing the hammer in which he killed Herndon. Robert Webb, a negro at whose house Brooks lived, identified the hammer as exactly similar to the one he saw in Brooks's room. Charles Herndon, brother of the murdered man; Burtner Jones, negro elevator boy; Dr. O. H. Parker, deputy coroner, and others gave testimony. The case was not finished last night, although most of the testimony, including the confession of Brooks, the night of his arrest, was introduced. It will be continued today and will probably go to the jury by noon. Labels: alcohol, Baltimore avenue, courtroom, Deputy Coroner Parker, elevators, sheffield, Twelfth street February 16, 1908 TO NAME A "DRY" TICKET.
Missouri Prohibitionists Will Be in the Field Next August.
"I am being frequently asked by persons representing all parties as to the probable action of the Prohibition party of Missouri in reference to nominating a state ticket, since some of the candidates of other parties have declared for the submission of a prohibition constitutional amendment," said Charles E. Stokes, chairman of the Prohibition state central committee, yesterday. "In reply to all such inquiries I would say most emphatically that the Prohibitionists of Missouri will place a complete state ticket before the voters at the August primary. Candidates will also be named on the primary ballot in every political division of the state where it is possible to have them under the new primary law. There are seventy counties, eleven senatorial districts and eight congressional districts where nominations can be made and the opportunity will be improved."Labels: alcohol, politics, prohibition February 14, 1908
LADS SUPPORT TWO LAZY MEN.
Who Spend Silver Polish Money, Mostly for Whisky.
On complaint of William Emmet, a probation officer, John Mellinger, 50 years old, and Waverly Meekum, 55 years old, both of 504 Grand avenue, were arrested yesterday afternoon and a charge of vagrancy placed against them. Their trials are set for this morning in police court.
Emmet said that his attention was called to the fact that the two men were being supported by their two children, John Mellinger, Jr., 9 years old, and the Meekum boy, 12 years old, who sell silver polish about the city.
"Both of the children should be in school," said Emmet. "Young Mellinger, who is 9 years old, has had only one year of schooling. They have been traveling about the country selling polish and have been here about three weeks. The fathers spend the money the boys earn for whisky."
Mellinger and Meekum said that their wives were living but that they did not know where.Labels: alcohol, children, Grand avenue, vagrancy February 12, 1908 JAILER DEHONEY SUSPENDED.
He Must Also Answer for His Act Be- fore Police Board.
Stephen Dehoney, the police board's new appointee as jailer at No. 2 police station, who ran amuck Monday night, was suspended by Chief Ahern yesterday. The chief filed written charges against Dehoney, charging him with intoxication and conduct unbecoming an officer. At the meeting of the bgoard today the Dehoney charges will come up for investigation.Labels: alcohol, No 2 police station, police board, Police Chief Ahern February 10, 1907 LEAGUE IS MAKING STATE DRY.
Bushnell Tells How It Carries On Its Prohibition Work.
In an address before the congregation at the Hyde Park Christian church, Westport avenue and Main street, yesterday morning, Rev. A. Bushnell, superintendent of the Anti-Saloon League, told how Missouri was going dry. He said in part: "Members of the Anti-Saloon League have gone from place to place, making a thorough canvass of the state. That they have accomplished much is shown from the fact that sixty-eight counties of the eighty-one which held local option elections have gone dry. Of the cities fifteen out of twenty-seven have voted dry. This is very encouraging.
"It may be seen from this that our fight is a good one. Our weapon is the local option election. It is after all the strongest implement of warfare which we could use, for it shows what the people, not the people's representatives want. The local option victory is only a beginning of the real work. We want the people everywhere to organize for the enforcement of laws and to get the men into office who will stand true fo rthe work of the anti-saloon principles everywhere and always."Labels: alcohol, churches, Main street, ministers, politics, prohibition, saloon, Westport February 6, 1908
HAS WIFE LOCKED IN POLICE STATION.
DRUNKEN HUSBAND SAYS HE WANTS TO REFORM HER.
Is Himself Responsible for Her Con- dition and the Drunker of the Two -- Won't Stop Drink- ing, He Says.
Jsut at 9 o'clock last night a heavy-set, well dressed man, with dark complexion, black hair and brown eyes, weaved his uncertain way into police headquarters and asked where he could "get an officer right away." The man was plainly drunk.
He was referred to Lieutenant James Morris to whom, in broken sentences, he told this story: "I want my wife arrested. She drinks and I can't stop her. I want to have her locked up in here for the night and fined in police court in the morning. I will see that her fine is paid. I think it will do her good." Just then the man staggered back a few steps, hiccoughed, grinned and said: "What d'ye think of it?"
"Where is your wife?" asked Lieutenant Morris.
"In a hack outside," the man replied. "Oh, you can get her all right, all right. Y' see, I want to break her of drinking, see?"
When Patrolman Rogers was sent out to the hack to bring in the woman the husband hid in a side room, saying in an undertone, "I don't want her to know that I had anything to do with this, see?"
Rogers had to return for help and he and Jailer Phil Welsh took the woman before the sergeant's desk to be booked. She was a slender little creature, fair complexion, with wavy light brown hair which had become unfastened and hung loosely around her shoulders. She was pretty and was attired in the latest fashion. A friend of the complaining husband carried a large picture hat which had fallen off in the hack.
"Shall we place her in the matron's room for safe keeping or put her in jail with a charge against her?" asked Lieutenant Morris of the husband.
"Put a charge against her," he replied brokenly. "Y'see I want to break her. See."
The little woman told her name, giving the same name and initials as the complainant. She was then led down the long iron steps to the women's quarters. Not until the cell door was opened with a bang did she realize what was happening. Then she struggled weakly for a moment. In turning she saw her husband. Raising her hands in the attitude of prayer, she begged him, calling him by his first name, not to have her locked up. In his condition, however, the husband was obdurate. He was even stern.
"Do your duty, offishur," he said, trying to look dignified.
Lieutenant Morris booked the woman only as a "safe keeper," however.
The hack driver who took the people to the police headquarters said he got them at a cafe at Eighth and Central streets. Then the man wanted to go to a hotel, but when one was reached he changed his mind; he asked to be driven to "a good saloon." They were taken to a place on Grand avenue where both drank. After that he asked to be taken to the Memphis hotel, Tenth and McGee sterets, but when the cab reached there the man had again changed his mind and asked to be driven to police headquarters. That was done.
"They were quarreling all the way," said the hack driver. "I objected to taking the woman to the station for he was as drunk as she, but he was paying the bills and he had his way."
The name the man gave is not in the city directory, but it is said he is an insurance agent.Labels: alcohol, marriage, McGee street, police headquarters, Tenth street January 31, 1908 HE ASSOCIATED WITH NEGROES.
Harry Hopkins Makes Out a Poor Case Against His Comrades.
The negroes charged with throwing Harry Hopkins, 18 years old, over a twenty-foot embankment after assaulting and cutting him, at 919 Oak street, Nov. 16, were discharged yesterday by Justice Shoemaker. They were Dave Foster and Cleve Penn.
Hopkins worked under his father at the postoffice in the special delivery department. Foster, the negro, had also been employed at that work, and there was evidence that they had been very intimate, even spending nights together in the basement of the Keith and Perry Building, where special delivery boys gathered to gamble and drink.
The two boys, the afternoon of Nov 16, were locked in a room at 919 Oak street with two negro women where there was drinking and card playing. The evidence upon which the judge ordered a discharge was coroborated by five witnesses. It was that Cleve Penn, regular attendant of one of the girls, came from work in the barber shop in the Long Building, rapped, told who he was and Hopkins, evidently under the influence of liquor and fright, jumped through a window, ran around two houses and at full sped plunged into Oak street, twenty feet below. Here he was found by strangers, both wrists cut, his left ankle, right leg and right arm broken. He was treated at the Emergency hospital and taken to the German Hospital, where his life was several times despaired of.
Hopkin's testimony was that he had gone to the place to collect $2 from "Cyclone Dave" Foster, who, he asserted, ruled over a number of the special delivery boys, caling himself the "Invincible King." "Bull of the Mill," a professional pugilist, making them at times pay him money. "Cyclone Dave," however, had a witness to prove that Hopkins that morning got $2 of his money on a note sent to a tailor on Twelfth street. This, he said, was spent for candy and liquor for the girls.Labels: alcohol, emergency hospital, gambling, German hospital, Judge Shoemaker, Oak street, post office, race, Twelfth street January 24, 1908 BABE SAVES HIM FROM THE GALLOWS.
WAS BORN DAY AFTER FATHER COMMITTED MURDER.
Edward Horliss Killed His Mother- in-Law Because She Protected His Wife -- Baby in Court Room.
The appearance of a 7-months-old babe, daughter of Edward Horliss, in its mother's arms in the criminal court room yesterday afternoon, probably saved Horliss from being sentenced to hang. He was on trial for the murder of his mother-in-law, Mrs. Susan Selby, in her home at 542 North Prospect avenue, in June of 1907. Prosecuting Attorney Isaac B. Kimbrell was ready to appear before the jury in behalf of the state and urge that Horliss be given the extreme penalty for his crime, which was most brutal. But when he saw the child in its mother's arms, realizing the disgrace it would bring upon it in after years, he recommended, after talking with the witnesses for the state, that the court accept the plea of guilty which Horliss was ready to enter in order to escape the gallows. Judge Wallace accepted the plea, and Horliss was sentenced to life imprisonment.
His eyes were glaring, his teeth set firmly, showing no sign of emotion. Horliss entered the court room about 1 o'clock to await his fate. Beside him was his mother, Mrs. Mary Tribe of Randolph, Mo., a little, bent woman, who showed signs of months of worry because of the disgrace brought upon her by her son, yet standing by him and giving every evidence of a mother's love.
Before consenting to have the court accept the plea of guilty, Prosecutor Kimbrell called the state's witnesses into private consultation and asked what they wished done in the matter. Most of the asked that Horliss be given the prison sentence and stated that the dying request of Mrs. Selby was that her son-in-law not be hanged. Mr. Kimbrell then talked with the wife of the murderer, who was carrying the infant in her arms, and she, too asked that the court accept the plea of guilty and not hang her husband, although she was a strong witness for the state and not willing for him to have less than a life sentence.
Horliss then stood before the court and was asked if he and anything to say before he was sentenced to life imprisonment. He bent his head and answered "no." When the sentence had been imposed he seemed much more cheerful than before and smiled. He later expressed himself as being satisfied that he had escaped the gallows. Not once during the time he was in the court room did he even glance toward his wife and child.
The murder of Mrs. Susan Selby resulted from a quarrel between Horliss and his wife. Horliss was a hard drinker. He was married to Mrs. Horliss eight years ago. They had five children, three of whom are dead. Some time before the murder Horliss began to abuse his wife and would not support her. Mrs. Horliss left her husband and went to live with her mother, the latter not allowing her to return to him. This angered Horliss. He went to the home of his mother in law and fired three shots into her body, two of them after she had fallen to the floor. The infant which saved its father from hanging was born the day after the murder.Labels: alcohol, children, domestic violence, Judge Wallace, murder, Prosecutor Kimbrell, Prospect avenue January 19, 1908 LODGED BETWEEN THE TIES.
And That Fact Saved Iowa Man's Life on "L" Road.
Scott Lewis, who says his home is at Osceola, Ia., was struck by a car on the "L" road at the State line station last night at about 9 o'clock, sustaining serious injuries. He had been taking in the "Wet Block" just east of the State line on the Missouri side and was standing on the elevated structure waiting for a car when the accident occurred. He was removed to No. 1 police station in Kansas City, Kas., where his injuries were dressed by Police Surgeon Tenney.
While Lewis's injuries, which consist of several wounds on the head, are not considered dangerous, his escape from instant death is regarded almost miraculous. The car struck him while he was standing on the trestle which is about thirty feet above the street level. He lodged between the ties.Labels: accident, alcohol, State line, streetcar, visitors January 10, 1908 BUFFETED BY TWO STATES.
Real Hard Luck Story That Made Police Judge Relent.
For a real hard luck story Tim Higgins, who said that was not his name, took the prize in police court yesterday. Here's the story:
"Yer honor, I'll admit that I was drinkin'. I was down on the 'wet' block next to State Line, where every door's a saloon but a couple. I live just around the corner on James street in Kansas, but come across the line for me drink. The Missouri officer got me first and, not wantin' to appear in court fro a drunk, he takes me to the line, gives me a wallop wit his club and sends me over. Once over th' line I loses me way and butts into a Kansas copper. I guess he didn't want to appear in court, either, for he hustles me to th' line again and, with a side swipe, sends me clean over into Missouri.
"By that time was complete turned around, and who should I meet but the big bull who thrown me into Kansas. 'What are ye doin' here?' says he, and he makes a center rush for me, and I'm in Kansas again. Thinkin' I'd be wise and still get home, I made a detour fer a side street. I was makin' good time in the dark street when someone says, 'Halt, ye there!" I did, an' by the saints it was a bluecoat. Witout as much as askin' me where I was goin' he puts me back into Missouri.
"I don't know how many times I was juggled from one state to another, but I know it made me head swim. Finally, early this mornin' the big Missouri copper finds me walkin' east, I guess -- I'd just been transferred to this state again, I know. He gets sore, sends for the wagon and here I am. I belong in Kansas and am anxious to get there."
"I think you've had yours, all right," said Judge Kyle, "back to Kansas."Labels: alcohol, Judge Kyle, police, police court, saloon, State line January 1, 1908 FIRST MAN TO BE ARRESTED.
Was H. W. Feigh Too Mellow to Appreciate the Distinction?
H. W. Feigh, too much muddled to enjoy the distinction, was the first person arrested by the police in the year 1908. He was rounded up by Patrolman Walter Doman at Tenth and |
