September 26, 1908
MOTOR CAR USED IN A KIDNAPING.
MRS. THOMAS SPIRITED HER SON OUT OF LEAVENWORTH.
BROUGHT CHILD TO
THIS CITY.
ATTORNEY JOHN HAYES, JR., AR- RESTED BY KANSAS OFFICERS.
Was Mistaken for a Detective Who Had Gone With Mrs. Thomas When She Kidnaped Her Child. 
MRS. AGNES BOSS THOMAS.
Kansas City Woman Who Kidnaped Her Child in Leavenworth Yesterday, Guarded by a Detective in an Automobile.
Agnes Boss Thomas, who was a witness in the Humes-Richards alienation of affection suit, yesterday, under guard of a private detective patrol, went to Leavenworth in an automobile and carried off her baby, Theodore C. Thomas, Jr., while the 5-year-old child's school teacher looked on, powerless to do anything. Mrs. Thomas brought the baby to her home, 119 East Thirty-fourth street, where Theodore, Jr., is still resting and awaiting a probable habeas corpus proceeding. The little fellow's attorneys, Kelly, Brewster & Buchholz, are in waiting, too, and John Hayes, Jr., who was mistaken for a detective by the Leavenworth police force, is out on bond.
Mrs. Thomas was divorced from her husband in July, 1906. Mr. Thomas received the divorce while his wife was abroad, both being represented by attorneys. In the settlement by the court at Pawnee, Ok., it was stipulated that Mr. Thomas was to have the custody of the child except one month in each year and that if the mother wished the child during this month she should go after and return him at the proper time.
THEODORE C. THOMAS.
The Kidnaped Child
Recently when Mr. Thomas wished to go to Mexico he left Theodore, Jr., with the child's grandmother in Leavenworth. When the time rolled around for Mrs. Thomas to have the child for her one month of the year, the baby's grandmother decided she should not have him. On account of her connection with the Humes-Richards case, the grandmother said Mrs. Thomas could not have the baby for the one month provided for by Judge Baynard T. Hainer in the Oklahoma courts.
Yesterday Mrs. Thomas decided to get her baby, and employed an automobile and a bodyguard and went after him. Living strictly up to the letter of the decree, which said she could get the baby by going after him, Mrs. Thomas employed F. H. Tillotson of the Hayes-Tillotson Detective Agency, to see that no force was used against her. The two went to Leavenworth and called at the school house where the baby, Theodore, Jr., is receiving his first lessons. Mrs. Thomas stepped to the door, asked the child's teacher to see him, and then simply carried him home, as she claims the court said she has a right to do.
In the meantime, John Hayes, Jr., an attorney of Kansas City and son of former Kansas City Police Chief John Hayes, was in Leavenworth on legal business. The police force of Leavenworth, recalling that the big man in the automobile was of the Hayes-Tillotson agency, just arrested young Hayes and held him for ransom. He proved his innocence and was finally let go on bond.
Mrs. Theodore Thomas, the mother of the child, was formerly Agnes Boss, the daughter of a prominent Congregational minister here, and was reputed to be the most beautiful and most accomplished girl in the city. After being educated in the high school here she went to Vassar. She was a splendid musician, an artist of some ability, and was a leader of society here.
She was married to Theodore Thomas, son of a wealthy and very prominent Leavenworth physician, about eight years ago. Six years ago the son was born to them. At that time Mr. Thomas was conducting an ice plant in Atchison, Kas. Later they moved to Oklahoma, and at Pawnee, Ok., a divorce suit was instituted by the husband.
The decree was granted Mr. Thomas, giving him also the custody of the child.
After the divorce, Mr. Thomas brought his boy to Leavenworth and placed him in the care of his mother, Mrs. M. S. Thomas. She has become very much attached to the child and was prostrated with grief this afternoon. The little boy was just 6 years old a few weeks ago and started going to school last Monday. The mother has come here on several occasions with different attorneys and attempted to get the grandmother to give up the child.
Several months ago Mrs. Theodore Thomas came into prominence by starting to lecture on theosophy. She is well educated and speaks well, and it is said she made quite a hit. Mrs. Thomas is still a very beautiful woman.
Labels: attorney, automobiles, children, custody, detectives, Divorce, ice, kidnapping, Leavenworth, oklahoma, Police Chief Hayes, women September 18, 1908 JUDGE MOSS THREW AN INKSTAND AT A LAWYER.
Tilt in Independence Court Room Over a Depreciatory Remark. Apologies Accepted.
The dodging qualifications of George P. Norton, an attorney, and his ability to come up smiling with an apology when Judge C. E. Moss threw a stand of ink at his head in the county court room at Independence yesterday, won him a railway franchise from the court. Judge Moss appeared pleased when Norton explained, and, as the county seat was known to favor the granting of the franchise, he gave it his sanction.
"There is little sense in what you say," was the remark of the attorney which riled the judge. He acted in a jiffy and bystanders were bespattered when the jar of ink struck a court rom bench right where Norton had been standing.
Judge Moss was questioning Attorney Norton relative to a clause in the franchise for for the Kansas City and Eastern Electric railway, pending in the court. He had asked him who was backing the enterprise. He wished to know if it was financially able to carry through the terms of the franchise and this nettled the attorney cosiderably. Then Judge Moss stated that he objected to a clause which was not binding the company to operate the road within three years.
Norton came up serenely with an apology to the court for his remark. Then Judge Moss, not to be outdone in courtesy, accepted the apology given and framed one for Mr. Norton and it was accepted. Judge Dodd smiled and really seemed tickled. The business of the court was taken up again and the franchise was granted to cross country roads between the limits of Kansas City and Lee's Summit. The right of way, already secured, touches the country farm and a rich farming territory.Labels: attorney, courtroom, Independence, Judges, streetcar September 9, 1908 MILL CREEK PARK PROCEEDINGS BEGIN.
PROPERTY OWNERS STILL PRO- TEST AGAINST HIGH PRICES.
Park Board Blamed for Refusing to Reopen Case So That Inside Workings of the Deal May Be Shown.
Condemnation proceedings were begun in Judge John G. Park's division of the circuit court yesterday by the city against property owners in the Mill creek valley, where it is proposed to lay out a park. The city council on March 30 approved plans for a park, which were presented to the park board. There are 145 title holders who are interested in the court proceedings, besides every taxpayer in the Westport park district.
Shortly after the court had convened, James E. Trogdon, an attorney representing the Westport Improvement Association, entered his appearance in the case. He made an oral argument objecting to the proceedings. Judge Park ruled that the case had started, and he believed it would be best to finish it. He said that as the objectors had not taken any steps to have the city's action in the park matter set aside before, it was too late to stop the condemnation proceedings. After the jury fixes a valuation on the property, the court said it would then listen to any objections the citizens might have.
George E. Kessler, the landscape architect, was a witness in the morning and testified that in his opinion the land was not too valuable for park purposes. A. P. Nichols, a real estate dealer, was on the witness stand all afternoon. The witness was asked the valuation of property in the park district by separate tracts. The property in the valley, which, the land owners claim would be valuable switching property, the witness testified was worth about $2,000 an acre. While the persons owning the land wanted for park use are claiming the property is of more value than the city claims, the residents in the park district who will be required to pay for the improvement say the city is paying too high a price for the land. They also object to the creek valley being used as a park, on the ground that it is a real estate scheme. The condemnation proceedings will last four or five more days.Labels: attorney, circuit court, George Kessler, Judge Park, organizations, Park board August 29, 1908 IS MISSING NEW YORKER HERE?
Detectives Are Looking For F. D. S. Bethune, Believed to Be Demented.
Faneuil D. S. Bethune, a prominent New York lawyer, who has been missing from his residence since last Saturday, is believed to have come to Kansas City and local detectives are looking for him.
Mrs. Bethune is prostrated at the Auditorium in Chicago, where she has been ill since she ended a fruitless search for her husband in that city. A reward of $1,000 has been offered for information which will lead to the finding of Mr. Bethune, dead or alive.
Bethune left New York last Saturday to go to Buffalo on legal business. He had been engaged in arduous legal work for nearly three years without taking a vacation and when he called his wife over the long distance telephone from Buffalo Sunday night, she noticed something strange in his manner of speaking to her and spent a restless night. The next day she asked aid in her search for her husband. Information to the effect that Bethune had talked from a telephone station in New York instead of at Buffalo led to the discovery that he had not gone there. It is thought he first went to Chicago and later started for Kansas City.Labels: attorney, Chicago, detectives, missing, telephone August 8, 1908 LAWYERS ARE TO DROP RICHARDS-HUMES CASE.
There's No Money in Sight, So What's the Use in Battering Reputa- tions and Countenances?
One of the many lawyers in the alienation case of A. J. Richards against John Calvine Humes made the statement yesterday that there would be no more proceedings.
"There is no money in sight for most of us," the lawyer said. "The bankruptcy proceedings into which Humes was forced made the prospect of a judgment against him not worth getting. Even the stenographer has not been paid yet for the work he has done. In the face of such a plight as this there is not much incentive for a corps of lawyers to go battering each other up, not to mention wasting their valuable time chasing witnesses."
The allusion is to a personal encounter two of the lawyers had on the first day of taking depositions.Labels: attorney, Lawsuit June 18, 1908 WIFE MARCHED HIM TO JAIL.
Smith Lewis Was Even Afraid to Speak in Her Presence.
"Here he is, now lock him up. I went over town and arrested him myself and made him come across the line with me. I'll show him he can't pick up and desert me."
The speaker was Mrs Della Lewis of 836 Everest avenue, Kansas City, Kas., and her remarks were addressed to Acting Sergeant "Pal" Richardson at police headquarters as she marched her husband, Smith Lewis, up to the sergeant's desk yesterday morning. Officer Richardson did not know what to make of the matter at first and asked what charge she wished to place against her prisoner.
"The charge has already been made," continued Mrs. Lewis. "I swore out a warrant several days ago for his arrest for not supporting me, but he slipped over to Kansas city, Mo., to avoid arrest. I went over and found him this morning, and here he is."
No one at police headquarters knew anything about the case and City Attorney Nelson was called. He stated that it was true that Lewis was wanted for abandoning his wife and family. He was searched and locked up.
"Now that I have landed you in jail I will be on hand in police court in the morning to prosecute," were the parting words hurled at Lewis by his wife as he was being led to the cell room. Lewis offered no remonstrance and appeared to be afraid to speak in the presence of Mrs. Lewis. After she had gone he remarked to the jailer: "She's fierce. I can't do a thing with her."Labels: attorney, jail, Kansas City Kas, marriage, police 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 April 24, 1908
FORMER FRIENDS BITTER ENEMIES.
E. J. RICHARDS SEEKS BIG DAM- AGES OF J. C. HUMES.
President of Ginger Club Asks $100,000 for Alleged Alienation of Affections -- "Contemp- tible, Says Humes.
Ms. Emma Richards, wife of E. J. Richards, a hatter and president of the Ginger Club in the "300" block on Twelfth street, yesterday forenoon sued for divorce and a restraining order to prevent her husband from selling their household goods or disposing of his property. The Richardses live at 3910 Walrond avenue.
In the afternoon Mr. Richards brought suit against John C. Humes, president of the J. C. Humes Crockery Company, 1009 Walnut street, for $100,000 on a charge of alienating the affections of Mrs. Richards.
Enough charges and counter charges are made to fill a book. John T. Harding, Mrs. Richards's attorney in the first suit, also represents Humes in the second. Mrs. Richards charges that her husband has abandoned her many times and as many times has begged to be taken back. He has often accused her of improper conduct, she says, and has always later denied the truth of such charges. She also alleges cruelty. Three times, in his fits of suspicion that she wanted to talk to someone he did not wish her to talk to, she charges, he has torn the telephone from the wall of their house.
PARTNERS IN BUSINESS.
According to Richards's petition Humes and Mrs. Richards became acquainted April 25, 1907. Humes loaned Richards $6,000 and became a partner in the hat store. Last summer Mr. and Mrs. Humes spent in Europe. Richards alleges that Humes wrote a letter or a postcard daily to Mrs. Richards, in which he called her by pet names, and that Mrs. Richards answered daily.
John C.Humes, when seen at his home at 4006 McGee street, talked freely and frankly, saying:
"I loaned Richards $6,000 to keep his hat store afloat. He squandered it and now owes nearly as much more to various creditors. Because I wouldn't pay his bills he brings this suit. He offered to settle the case before he filed it.
"I have known Richards for years and thought he was a nice fellow and a promising young business man. I allowed him to live in my house rent free all of last summer, while I was in Europe. He and his wife have taken Sunday dinners with me and my wife and daughter, ever Sunday almost, until two weeks ago. I can only say now that he is a contemptible cur. I am innocent of everything he charges or hints at in his suit. I could not have settled for money, but did not because I am not afraid of a trial."
MAY NOT BE TRIED
Attorney John T. Harding of Brown, Harding & Brown says:
"I don't believe that Richards's suit against Humes will ever be tried. Richards came to my office last Friday at 2 o'clock and offered not to file the case. Humes was present and refused."
Battle McCardle, Richards's attorney, comes back with a flat denial of the statements that any offer has been made to settle the case.
"I talked with Harding and Humes on two afternoons of last week," McCardle says, "and urged humes to let Richards's wife alone. Humes wouldn't talk to me at all. There was nothing said about money."
Mrs. Emma Richards is living with her mother, Mrs. Martha Pursell of Indianapolis, Ind., and her 10-year-old son in the Doris apartments. All the windows were dark last night and repeated rings on the hall bell failed to bring an answer. A knock on the door, at the head of the first flight of stairs brought the troubled face of a pretty woman of about 30 years.
"You are Mrs. Richards?"
"Yes."
"Will you testify for or against your husband in the suit he today brought against John Humes?"
"Oh, I won't talk of that. I can not believe," she began, "I can not believe that Ed would use my name for --" Sobs finished the sentence.Labels: attorney, Divorce, Ginger Club, McGee street, retailers, Twelfth street, Walnut Street, Walrond avenue April 9, 1908 MRS. MORASCH'S BOND $4,000.
Her Attorney Says She May Be Able to Furnish It.
The bond of Mrs. Sarah Morasch, accused of killing Ruth Miller of Armourdale, February 12, has been fixed by Judge McCabe Moore of the Wyandotte county district court at $4,000. Mrs. Morasch is now being held in the couty jail for a second trial in the district court, set for May 4. Daniel Maher, attorney for the defense, said last night his clielnt may be able to give bond.Labels: Armourdale, attorney, Death of Ruth Miller, Judges April 4, 1908 MORASCH ARGUMENTS TODAY.
Jury Will Soon Pass on Fate of the Accused Woman.
The last evidence in the Sarah Morasch murder trial, which has been running over two weeks in the Wyandotte county district court in Kansas City, Kas., was heard by the jury at 4:50 o'clock yesterday afternoon. The argument will begin this morning at 9 o'clock. In it all phases of the mysterious circumstances surrounding the kiling of 4-year-old Ruth Miller of Armourdale will be reviewed. Yesterday afternoon the court room was packed with visitors.
Mrs. Morasch finished testifying before noon and was suceeded on the witness stand by her oldest daughter, Mrs. May Gillin. Mrs. Gillin told of her dealings with County Attorney Taggart prior to the capture of her mother in Harrisonville, Mo., with which she seems to have played the leading role.
According to her own words $20 was the renumeration which she received for her services. She said that she had been assured by the county attorney that no harm would come to her mother, and thus led to believe it was for information only Mrs. Morasch was wanted by the state.
After Mrs. Gillin, Attorney Daniel Maher for the defense called his assistant, Judge F. H. Wooley, to the witness chair to testify as being the person who wrote the note introduced by the defense to the state's handwriting experts as having been written by Ella Van Meter. He succeeded in misleading two of the experts by the note.Labels: Armourdale, attorney, County Attorney Taggart, courtroom, Death of Ruth Miller, Kansas City Kas, murder April 3, 1908 MRS. MORASCH TELLS HER STORY TO JURY.
DENIES SENDING POISONED CAN- DY TO LITTLE GIRL.
Says She Fled Wyandotte Because She Feared County Attorney Would Prosecute Her in Baby Case.
Mrs. Sarah Morasch testified yesterday in her own behalf before the district court jury in Kansas City, Kas. She was called by counsel for the defense to tell the jury of her whereabouts at the time of the murder of little Ruth Miller of Argentine.
On direct examination the story told by the defendant in many ways differed from that told by her daughter, Blanche, in connection with the doings of the Morasch family the night before and the night following the killing of the child. Some of her statements, according to court records, were diametrically opposed to statements made by both herself and Blanche at the preliminary trial in the South city court.
The testimony of the defendant was mostly a series of negatives. She positively denied having sent the box of candy to Ella Van Meter. She had never sent Ella any candy at all, had never in her life been the possessor of a grain of strychnine, and Ella had never written for her the address of the Millers at 634 Cheyenne avenue, she said. In regard to the baby alleged to have been adopted surreptitiously by Mrs. Morasch from the U. S. G. Hughes maternity hospital last January, the defendant likewise blocked all further inquiry about details from the prosecution and defense by an emphatic denial.
The baby had been in good health while in her hands, she said. She had not at any time claimed it as her own, as her neighbors unanimously testified, nor had she, at any time, said she was about to give birth to a child.
When in cross-examination the prosecutor parried with her answers and tried to pin her down to an acknowledgement that she wrote some of the letters exhibited, her voice rose shrill in reply:
"I wrote some of that letter, not all of it!" The damaging parts of the missives, she freely swore, had been inserted by someone else. As she leaned far over in her chair to designate the questioned sentences or paragraphs, the had with which she pointed shook perceptibly, and her voice frequently broke.
SAID TAGGART SCARED HER.
"Where was I February 11?" Why at home, of course. Where do you suppose I'd be?" the witness answered to one of the queries of the county attorney.
"I had just been let out of your office, Mr. Taggart, where you know you bluffed me and nearly frightened me to death, until I could jump into a river at the sound of your voice. I went straight home after quitting the court house. You told me there to go home and to pull down the blinds, lie on my back and think over all I knew of the Hughes home and then, if I remembered anything about it that I had not told you, to come back.
"I went straight to a rooming house across the line and hired a room and paid 25 cents down on it, leaving me with a nickel. I had started with only 35 cents."
"Did I knot tell you before you left my office," interposed County Attorney Taggart, "that you would never again be arrested on the charge of mistreatment of the Hughes baby?"
SHE WAS NERVOUS WRECK.
"Yes, you did, but I did not place much faith in it. You also told me that if I did not return to you with full information concerning the maternity home you would see to it I got a six months' jailing. You said I would be followed everywhere I went and that I could not escape you.
"I tell you, I went out of your office a nervous wreck compared with what I was when I went in."
As to the flight of herself and daughter, Blanche Morasch, form the temporary home at Eighth and Locust streets to Harrisonville, Mo., subsequent to the murder, defendant alleged it was inspired by a fear of the county attorney, who had bulldozed her, she said continually.
She said that on the evening of Wednesday, February 12, she had left the rooming house to buy bread for the children. Before she had gone far she turned a corner of a street and came face to face with Taggart standing on the opposite side of the street with his hat pulled well down over his eyes.
In great fear she had but then turned about without buying the bread, she swore, and had then fled to her room, there stating to her daughter, Blanche, that the two of them must at once leave the city and go to Wichita, Kas., or again face the juvenile court and Taggart on a charge of child abuse.
WROTE LETTER DURING FLIGHT.
County Attorney Taggart then showed the witness the letter purported to have been sent by Mrs. Morasch to her daughter, Mrs. May Gillin, while on the flight to Harrisonville. It is "No. 8" in the exhibit.
Witness stated that part of the letter was in her handwriting and part in that of a girl at the farm house, where the two were stopping for the night. She said she had asked this girl to finish her letter to her daughter.
"Mayme was her name," testified Mrs. Morasch, "and I don't know what she might have added to my letter. She also wrote my signature on it."
"Now, you say you wrote the forepart of this letter. Are you responsible for the line on page two of which says: 'Did the police inquire about Blanche?' "
"The line does not say Blanche," replied the witness, sharply.
"Well, it indicates it by the letters, B and L together, with a dash following."
Mrs. Morasch took the sheet referred to and satisfied the prosecutor that the two letters spell 'me' and are no abbreviation at all. The lines following practically repeat the question, using the name Blanche spelled out in full. Mrs. Morasch denied having written that part of the letter, ascribing it to "Mayme," whose last name she could not recall. The defendant will be called upon for further cross-examination this morning. Counsel for the defense, Daniel Maher, will today call upon his assistant, Attorney Wooley, in regard to the mysterious not introduced by the defense as a sample of Ella Van Meter's handwriting where on the experts disagreed.
The case may not go to the jury before Monday.Labels: Argentine, attorney, children, County Attorney Taggart, courtroom, Death of Ruth Miller, murder March 31, 1908 MORASCH GIRL TELLS OF THREE DAYS' TRAMP.
WENT TO HARRISONVILLE TO ESCAPE COUNTY ATTORNEY.
Mrs. Morasch Feared Prosecution for Death of Hughes's Foundling. Grieved to Hear of Ruth Miller's Death.
In low, even tones, Blanche Morasch, 17-year-old daughter of Mrs. Sarah Morasch, now being tried in the Wyandotte county district court, Kansas City, Kas., told the jury of the flight of Mrs. Morasch and herself to Harrisonville Mo., subsequent to the poisoning of Ruth Miller. While talking, Blanche seldom withdrew her eyes from those of County Attorney Taggart, except to cast them down toward the thin, nervous fingers of her left hand, which kept continually twisting at the folds of her skirt. he turned states' evidence upon the charge against her being dismissed.
"We were three days and as many nights on the way to Harrisonville," said the girl. "The first night we were at Peculiar, Mo., the second at Belton, the third half way between Belton and Harrisonville. We went all the way afoot, except one short ride in a farm wagon. There was snow on the round.
"Mother and I left Kansas City, Mo, about the morning of February 13. Mother was worried about something and insisted we leave at once for Wichita, Kas., She wanted to stop over a few days with friends at Harrisonville, Mo. We had a little money, which I had earned working at a laundry, and I turned this all over to mother, for I knew very well she could manage the expenses of the trip much better than I could.
"If mother knew anything of the poisoning she told me nothing about it and indicated in no way any knowledge of it. When we were talking over the walk to Harrisonville, the previous night, she told me she that she had just met County Attorney Taggart near our rooms at Eighth and Locust streets. She described him as having his hat pulled down over his eyes.
" 'The county attorney is following me everywhere,' she explained as a reason for our hasty departure from Kansas City. 'I've just got to go somewhere to get away from him. He thinks I killed the baby, which I adopted from the Hughes home If we don't pack up and leave the city he's going to get me sure. I can't stand his following me all the time.
"We set out on the trip about dawn. Both of us had new shoes and the walk to Peculiar, which consumed the greater part of the day, went off nicely. We stayed at a private home that night.
"The next morning, early, we got up, dressed and started out. Both of us were very tired yet from our tramp of the day before, but by noon the stiffness disappeared. Our shoes gave out in the uppers for the slag on the railroad grade was sharp as knives The center of the railroad track was filled with water and snow.
"We did not stop long at Belton, but passed through to a farm house a few miles beyond Before we left there the following morning the farmer's wife brought out a pair of shoes for mother, old ones, which she had thrown away.
""When we got to Harrisonville our feet were very sore and we were a sorry sight. Mother was completely exhausted."
GRIEVED OVER RUTH'S DEATH.
"When did you first see the Kansas City papers and get your first information of the death of Ruth Miller?" asked County Attorney Taggart.
"At Belton," replied the witness. "Mother went into a hotel or some place there and got a paper. When she saw on the first page the account of the little girl's death she wrung her hands and said over and over again: 'Poor Ruth! Poor Ruth!"
After dismissing Blanche from the witness stand, Taggart recalled Coroner A. J. Davis. Ella Van Meter, to whom the candies were sent, was recalled. Her testimony was similar to that given on the stand a week ago and went to show that the slip of paper containing the address, now marked 'exhibit No. 1,' was the one originally on the package.
Thomas D. Taylor, superintendent of the mails in the Kansas City Mo., postoffice, and Postoffice Inspector John C. Koons, partially identified the stamp on the candy box wrapper, on exhibit, as the one used in Kansas City, Mo., at the time.
CASE TO JURY FRIDAY.
Judge Newhall of the Kansas City, Kas., south city court, who presided at the preliminary, is to testify this morning as to statements made by Blanche and Mrs. Morasch at the preliminary hearing.
According to County Attorney Taggart, last night, the state will rest its case tomorrow, but has another handwriting expert to introduce. The defense has announced that it will produce only a few witnesses and is even now willing for the case to go to the jury without argument.
Mrs. Morasch has borne up well since the opening of the hearing. While being returned to her cell at the county jail, after court adjournment she kept up a lively and childish conversation with her little daughter, Hattie, who has spent most of her time in her lap, asleep.Labels: attorney, County Attorney Taggart, courtroom, Death of Ruth Miller, Eighth street, Judges, Kansas City Kas, Locust street, murder March 27, 1908 NEW KIND OF EXPERT IN MORASCH TRIAL.
IT'S A WOMAN WHO HAS HAD THIRTEEN CHILDREN.
Called to Bear Witness That Mrs. Morasch Did Not Give Birth to Child She Claimed as Her Own.
Ollie Jones, the mysterious witness for the state in the prosecution of Mrs. Morasch, accused of poisoning Ruth Miller, did not testify yesterday and, according to County Attorney Taggart, will not today. Court is adjourned until 9:30 o'clock Monday morning. The prosecutor says there is a world of minor testimony to be heard before Jones can be called to the stand. Jones was subpoenaed in Indianapolis, Ind, Monday.
Professor Beshong of the chemical department of the Kansas university finished his testimony at 11 o'clock yesterday morning and was dismissed. In cross-examination, Professor Bushong could not be certain that the symptoms of a certain kind of ptomaine do not resemble the effects of a dose of strychnine. He held, however, that ptomaine cannot exist in ordinary glucose such as used in making the white center portion of a chocolate cone.
The first witness called in the afternoon was Mrs. Laura Brooks, special witness for the state. Mrs. Brooks testified that the child Mrs. Morasch took from the Hughes maternity hospital a month or two before the poisoning, and which she claimed she had given birth to, could not have been her own.
"But, how do you know?" questioned Attorney Maher for the defense.
"The day after she said it was born I examined it and found it to be at least three weeks old."
"Three weeks old? I venture to assert t here is not a woman in the court room who could be sure on that point after a child is three days old. Are you a mother yourself?"
"Oh, yes; I have thirteen children, most of them grown," sighed the witness wearily. She was then dismissed by counsel for the defense without further cross examination.
Dr. Z. Nason of Packard and Osage avenues, Armourdale, was then called. Dr. Nason said he had been the first physician called after the poisoning and had seen Ruth die. He said she died of strychnine poisoning as far as he could judge. Her symptoms did not resemble those of ptomaine poisoning.Labels: Armourdale, attorney, County Attorney Taggart, courtroom, Death of Ruth Miller, doctors, murder, poison, women March 25, 1908 TESTIMONY A BLOW TO MRS. MORASCH.
She Seems to Wither Before Expert's Words.
John P. Shearman, expert in handwriting, was put on the witness stand in the Sarah Morasch poisoning case in Kansas City, Kas., yesterday. He was subjected to both direct and cross examination. His testimony was positive when it came to identifying the address that was on the candy box as being in Mrs. Morasch's handwriting, and he illustrated his conclusions by copying characteristic letters with a crayon on a chart. When court adjourned for the night the expert was still at this chart.
The principal instruments with which Shearman makes his investigations are a magnifying glass of moderate power and several photographs of the original writing. He was supplied with ten photographs marked for exhibition, by the county attorney yesterday. "Exhibit No. 1" was a print form the address on the candy box that contained the poisoned chocolate cones which killed ruth Miller. The others were photographs of proved specimens of r. Morasch's writing.
In furnishing grounds for his identification of the handwriting on the candy box, the expert took the letters "F" and "G," both of which occur several times in the letter the defendant wrote to her daughter, Mrs. May Gillin, while on her flight to Harrisonville, Mo., and which also appear on the candy box address. They appeared exactly the same when presented in copy on the blank chart by the expert. Both letters are old-fashioned and peculiarly slanted, which made the similarity more striking. A comprehensive lecture on the coincidence in style and slant of these two letters took Shearman the greater part of the day, and so he was not dismissed by the prosecution until about 4 o'clock. Daniel Maher, attorney for the defense, then began his cross examination.
EXPERT GROWS FACETIOUS.
Attorney Maher evidently intended to confuse the state's special witness and belittle his evidence by forcing him to directly compare the original characters in the exhibits with his copies for the purpose of illustration, only on the chart. But in this he failed signally.
The witness, profiting, perhaps, from his experience as such in over 500 United States and state courts, essayed to be witty in returning answer to the questions of the counsel. Many times his quick and well put replies brought a smile even to the austere face of the court, while a titter ran around the crowded room.
Mrs. Morasch seemed alone in not enjoying the jokes, of which she was indirectly the poor target. The settled shade of melancholy which characterized her face yesterday, as the cross-examination dragged on in its pun-producing course, deepened visibly and her shoulders drooped.
"Now, Mr. Shearman, you have drawn for us here on the chart an alleged facsimile of the letter "F" which occurs, you say, six times in the ten exhibits," said Attorney Maher. "Will you tell the jury what the small character is which follows this letter on your chart?"
DIDN'T KNOW THE ANSWER.
"I don't know what it is. I can't remember what I thought it was in the original, for I have not previously been asked about it."
"You have not been questioned in regard to it and so you have said nothing, although you are an expert, are you not?"
"Well, you see," drawled Shearman, "I am an expert in handwriting rather than in answering unasked questions."
Again the lawyer for the defense tried to catch him and was cleverly parried away from the point, apparently much to his chagrin.
"Now will you tell the jury what relation to the cross on the letter 'F' in the original bears to the small character you have made in the same position in your alleged duplicate?" asked Maher sharply, pointing at the chart. The witness took little time in answering.
"They ought to be twin sisters," he said.
At this point the court was dismissed for the day by Judge McCabe Moore. It will reconvene at 9"30 o'clock this morning. The cross and redirect examination of the state's expert witness will probably last the greater part of the forenoon.Labels: attorney, courtroom, Death of Ruth Miller, Kansas City Kas, murder February 5, 1908 BECAUSE HE HIT A LAWYER.
B. T. Hardin Is Being Sued by T. B. Buckner, Also and Attorney.
"Yes, I slapped him and I will hit any man who charges me with what he did," was the statement of B. T. Hardin on the witness stand in Judge Goodrich's division of the circuit court yesterday when the trial of the suit of T. B. Buckner against Hardin for $1,000 actual and $5,000 punitive damages for assault was in progress.
The suit is the outgrowth of a quarrel in Judge Seehorn's division of the circuit court in January, 1907, when these attorneys acted as counsel in a damage suit against the Metropolitan street railway. According to the evidence introduced in trial Buckner accused Hardin of appropriating certain papers connected with the former trial. Hardin resonted the statement and called Buckner a liar, at the same time hitting him with his fist, according to Buckner's statements. John T. Mathis, who was at that time connected with the Metropolitan street railway, and who was assisting Hardin in trying the case, also hit Buckner.
Mathis was at first one of the defendants but yesterday afternoon he was dismissed by Judge Goodrich and the trial proceeded with Hardin as the only defendant.
Besides the plaintiff and the defendant there were several prominent witnesses in the case yesterday. Among these were Judge T. J. Seehorn, John Tobin, clerk of the circuit court; Deputy Sheriff Harvey and jurors who were serving on the case in Judge Seehorn's division of the court at the time of the alleged assault. All were witnesses of the affair.Labels: attorney, courtroom, Judge Goodrich, Judge Seehorn, Lawsuit, Metropolitan Street Railway Company December 15, 1907
LOOKS LIKE PERSECUTION
WALLACE HOLDS THEATRICAL FOLK AS PRISONER.
AFTER THEY'VE GIVEN BOND.
STATIONED DEPUTY MARSHALS AT COURT ROOM DOOR.
Hair-Splitting Legal Points and Dila- tory Tactics That Resulted in Sev- eral Curtains Going Up Late Last Night.
Curtains were delayed in going up in some of the theaters and there were overtures by abbreviated orchestras last evening because Judge W. H. Wallace had stage hands, ticket sellers and other theatrical folk in the criminal court room from 5 o'clock until 8:25, nearly three and a half hours. The Shubert theater suffered the most, as four of the members of its orchestra stopped to get dinner when they were released by Judge Wallace ten minutes after the curtain was supposed to be rung up at the theater. They, as others arrested yesterday, had been arraigned and given bond nearly two hours before Judge Wallace permitted them to leave the court room. Two deputy marshals stood at the door and forcibly detained everyone whom the court ordered to stay inside. Just what Judge Wallace was trying to do, after the arraignments were concluded at a few minutes past 6 o'clock, no one seems to have any clear idea. That he succeeded in interfering with week day performances at local theaters, no one questions. THAT TANGLED RECORD.
In the words of the law the court held the prisoners after they had given bond, to give them opportunity to withdraw pleas of "not guilty," which their attorneys claimed they had never made. When they declined to withdraw the pleas the court acted for them, assigned their cases to Judge James L. Fort, overruled certain accessory pleadings and then stated that their pleas of "not guilty" be restored to them. If any court's record in the history of the world ever looked like Judge Wallace's record will appear when the stenographer untangles it, it has been expunged from the memory of local attorneys.
The delays started a little before 4 o'clock when the theater people began arriving for arraignment. Judge Wallace was hearing an argument in a larceny case and declined to deal with the crowd of indicted ones until 5 o'clock, over an hour later. When Deputy County Prosecutor Charles Riehl called the first name, "William Warren," manager of the Auditorium theater, both he and Attorney A. L. Cooper attempted to waive a reading of the indictment in each case. That would have saved half an hour in the sixty-seven arraignments. But Judge Wallace thought they should be read. As each indictment was read in full , the court asked what the plea would be and Attorney Cooper laid a plea in abatement and an application for a change of venue on the clerk's desk, saying that he filed them as his plea. Judge Wallace in each instance said the attorney had not filed the papers, but merely thought he had filed them and ordered the clerk to file a plea of "not guilty for the defendant, standing mute." The bondsman was then called upon and required to stand and be sworn in each individual case. It took time to go through all of this sixty-seven times. BUT IT WASN'T ALL. When finally Charles Riehl said, "That's all, your honor," and Clerk "Waxy" McClanahan had remarked, sotto voce, "Bring on a double porterhouse next," the court called the name of William Warren, the first man arraigned. "Senator Cooper," said the court, "you may now withdraw your plea of not guilty and file your plea in abatement. I will rule on that now."
"The plea in abatement is already filed," replied Attorney Cooper. "The pleas of not guilty was not filed by the defendant but by your honor. I decline to assume the responsibility of touching it. Your honor may withdraw it, if you choose. If any mistake has been made, the court has made it."
"Have you anything to say?" asked the court.
"No." "The defendant and his attorneys standing -- or rather the attorneys sitting mute, the court directs the clerk to withdraw the plea of not guilty for the defendant and to file the defendant's plea in abatement. Do you wish to be heard on the plea of abatement, Mr. Cooper?"
"I desire to be heard on my application for a change of venue, which was filed at the same time. After such an application is filed this court has no jurisdiction to hear anything else in the case." "The attorney standing mute, the defendants' plea in abatement is overruled. What do you say now, Mr. Warren, guilty or not guilty?" "I object to the court's trying to make it appear that all this is being done after the bond has been given," said Mr. Cooper. "The defendant standing mute, the court directs that a plea of not guilty be entered fro him. Now the court will take up the change of venue. Do you wish to argue that now, senator?" "I object most emphatically to the court taking that up at this time. It was filed two hours ago. The defendant has given bond. He wants to go home to his supper. It will be time for him to go to his theater in a few minutes. I object to this court's interrogating this defendant further. The motion for a change of venue, as filed by me two hours ago, I ask to be granted. As this court is trying to make out that it is filed at this time, I refuse to even consider it." HE GRANTED IT, BUT-- Judge Wallace replied: "The change of venue is granted insofar as it does not apply to transferring the case to the judge of the second division of this court. It is assigned to Judge James L. Fort and the trial set for January 7." It took much longer for the court and the attorneys to go through this rigamarole for each defendant than it did for the original arraignment. As proof, only twelve men went through the second ordeal during the two hours that the court sat with two marshals at the door. It looked as though there would be no termination and County Prosecutor I. B. Kimbrell went out to dinner. Some bitter things were said. Attorney Charles Shannon, who was associated with Senator Cooper, was assigned to remark every thirty-five seconds, "we object," and "we except to the ruling." Several times he interrupted half-finished sentences of the court. Once Judge Wallace turned about sharply and said: "What are you objecting to now?" "I don't know," said Shannon, "Whatever it was you said, we object to and also except." Later on when the crowd became restless, Judge Wallace wasted a good deal of time in asking the attorneys why they did not want to make arguments. When finally Attorney Cooper broke into one of the many controversies between Judge Wallace and Attorney Shannon with a direct and pointed plea that performances in the theaters were being delayed by the court's actions, the judge said: WANTED A PROMISE. "I have been very lenient and moderate with the theater people. Do you think they will all promise not to work tomorrow, if I let them go now?" "I don't know," said Cooper. "Well, I'll once more be moderate and I'll continue this hearing until 9:30 Monday morning." "The court doesn't deserve any credit for its moderation," were Cooper's last words. Attorney Cooper's statement to the court that the people held in the court room were needed at the theaters for the Saturday night performance, was not news to the judge. He had asked Prosecuting Attorney Kimbrell early in the afternoon about this and had been informed that they were needed. Labels: attorney, courtroom, Judge Wallace, Prosecutor Kimbrell, theater December 8, 1907 211 THEATER INDICTMENTS.
146 Arrests Yesterday Afternoon Did Not Discourage Managers.
Indictments were returned yesterday morning against 211 theatrical persons, including actors, actresses, musicians, managers, ushers, stage hands, and all employes.
The clerk of the criminal court prepared 211 warrants and delivered them to Al Heslip, county marshal, for service. The marshal then conferred with Frank M. Lowe and Senator A. L. Cooper, attorneys for the theaters. It was agreed that yesterday's afternoon matinees should not be disturbed. Judge Wallace said he was willing to accommodate them, but that he didn't wish to hold court far into the night in order to arrange the bonds.
The county marshal assigned two deputies to ever theater yesterday afternoon. The attorneys agreed to have everyone for whom there is a warrant to go the the criminal court immediately after the matinees and answer to Judge Wallace.
The theaters and theatrical companies, for whose players and employes indictments were reported, are: Auditorium, "Texas," Gilliss, "Gay New York;" National, vaudeville; Grand, "Dion O'Dare;" Century, California Girls' Burlesque company in "The Sultan's Wives;" Shubert, vaudeville; Orpheum, vaudeville; Majestic, Gay Masqueraders in "Mr. Dopey's Dippey Den."
None of the players at the Willis Wood was indicted, because Walker Whitesides Company that played there last Sunday, had only a half week's engagement and left the city Thursday.
Although there were 211 indictments, only 145 actors, actresses, managers, and other theatrical persons, including the orchestras, were arrested yesterday afternoon, but every theater in Kansas City except one, the Majestic, will be open to-day. The difference between 211 - the number indicted - and 145 - the number arrested, represents the players of several degrees who left town to avoid arrest.
The Majestic gave no matinee yesterday and no performance last night. The company playing there left the city about noon, Clinton Wilson, the manager, said, without telling him anything about it. "And this house," the manager said, "will henceforth and forever be closed on Sunday while Judge Wallace reigns. Glory be."
All other managers said their theaters would be opened every Sunday in the future, or at least until it had been decided that to have them open would be illegal.
NOW FOR A LAW TEST.
With the first arrests disposed of, the attorneys for the theatrical interests will begin at once to try for an opinion from the supreme court as to the constitutionality of the law, creating Judge Porterfield's division of the criminal court. They hope in this way to bring few of the indicted persons to trial immediately. With a few acquittals, which the attorneys predict as the result, they believe the attempt to close theaters will cease.
Judge Wallace allowed the deputy marshals so to time their actions yesterday so that none of the performances was interrupted. In the future, he said, he will not be so considerate.
"It is not the fault of the attorneys that many of the players ran away," the judge said, "but in the future I will not accomodate the theaters. They will have to time their actions with the court. As soon as indictments are returned and the warrants prepared, the marshal will be instructed to serve them immediately and bring the offenders into court, no matter if a performance is in progress. The court will take no more chances on players running away."
Managers and actors and actresses and other theater employees began coming into the criminal court room shortly after 4:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon. Judge Wallace has promised to be there then to accept bonds. By 5 o'clock the courtroom held a queer looking crowd. Chair space was exhausted. Men sat in windows and others pushed a way within the railing. The aisle was crowded and the latest to arrive from the theaters got into the room with difficulty. The crowd was estimated at 300.
"I am ready to take up this bond matter now," the judge said.
There was much interest in this announcement. The actresses grasped one anothers' hands and the men leaned forward nervously expectant.
THE SAME ARGUMENT.
First came ten employees from the Willis Wood theater. There were no players from the theater because the company that opened an engagement last Sunday played only a half week and ran away before the grand jury returned indictments. Frank M. Lowe, Senator A. L. Cooper, attorneys for the theaters, tried to file applications for change of venue, a proceeding that would have prevented Judge Wallace from hearing the pleas or fixing the amount of bond.
"The arraignments first will be filed and the bonds fixed," the judge said. "Then you may file your applications for change of venue."
Then Mr. Lowe said to all who were indicted, "Don't any of you make a response when the prosecutor asks you if you are guilty or not. Stand mute."
The attorney, then addressing the judge, said, "We wish to withdraw the plea of 'Not Guilty' and refuse to plead. Our position is that we have filed a plea in abatement and an application for a change of venue. That is our course in every case. We think that by reason of the application for the change of venue, this judge has no right to fix the bond or take any further action in these cases."
BUT THEY WERE MISTAKEN.
"That might be right," the judge said, "if you were running the court. It's a poor judge who doesn't control his own court. You may think you have filed the motions, but you haven't. This court decides when motions and papers shall be filed, and they are not filed until the court instructs the clerk so to do. You may file your applications for a change of venue after the arraignments, and after the prisoners have said whether they are guilty or not guilty. That's the practice and the rule in all criminal proceedings, and that's the way it is in this court."
The actor from the Auditorium was the only person who had a speaking part in the proceeding. All the others stood mute while the attorneys did the talking.
When Dr. Frank L. Flanders appeared before the clerk, the assistant prosecutor asked him where were the members of his company.
"They skipped," he said. "There was no one to make bond for them and they left the city."
TOOK THEM IN BUNCHES.
The arraignments were made in bunches. The whole company from a theater lined up in front of the clerk at one time. As the bonds were made for one crowd and they were released, one of the theater attorneys called the next theater on the list, and its players and employes came forward.
An actress from the Century entered the courtroom carrying a dog. She gave it to a friend to hold for her while she was being arraigned. The dog jumped to the floor and someone stepped on it. The dog yelped piteously and the crowd, or some of it, laughed. The judge admonished the marshal to keep order and the court bailiff beat his desk with his mallet. An intense silence prevailed for fully a minute. In such circumstances the judge usually threatens to clear the courtroom of spectators, but this was impossible yesterday because it was impracticable to weed out the spectators from the prisoners.
Walton H. Holmes qualified on 9 bonds and Bernard Corrigan on ten for persons from the Century. The other theaters had these bondsmen: Majestic, John W. Wagner; Orpheum, Andrew J. Baker and Charles Wiel; National, Dr. Frank L. Flanders; the Grand, Leo N. Leslie; Shubert, C. S. Jobes; Gilliss, Edward Costello; Willis Wood theater and Auditorium, E. F. Swinney.Labels: attorney, County Marshal Heslip, criminal court, Judge Wallace, theater, vaudeville November 20, 1907 EX-CHIEF BEFORE GRAND JURY.
Attorney for Theater Managers Were Summoned, Also.
When Ex-Chief of Police John Hayes and Police Commissioner Elliot H. Jones were called as witnesses before the grand jury yesterday it was rumored about the criminal court building that the jury was making an investigation with a view to taking action against the police commissioners for refusing to take any action toward the enforcement of Judge Wallace's Sunday closing instructions.
Frank F. Rozzelle, a former police commissioner, was also called before the jury. Frank M. Lewis and A. L. Cooper, attorneys for the theater managers, were also summoned. It is expected that some action will be taken to close the theaters next Sunday, although no information could be gained from the witnesses who appeared before the jury yesterday. It is probable that the theater managers will be called today.
Several witnesses have testimony in the case of the killing of Dan O'Keefe, which was alleged to have been done by Charles Merlino, a saloonkeeper. The subject of the testimony is to determine the charges to be placed against Merlino.Labels: attorney, Commissioner Jones, Commissioner Rozzelle, Police Chief Hayes November 13, 1907 SAID SHE SOLD THE FURNITURE.
Three Sets in Seven Years Frank Grantella Said He Had Bought.
"That was a neat job of justice," John Swenson, city attorney, told Judge Remley yesterday morning, after the judge had dismissed the case of Frank Grantella.
Grantella was charged with non-support of his wife, Laura, of 584 Harrison street. The judge resisted the temptation to fine him and instead made him promise to pay $6 a week toward the support of Mrs. Grantella and three babies.
"I'd be tickled to death to live with my wife if she wouldn't sell the furniture," said Grantella.
"How much furniture have you bought her?"
"Three sets in seven years."
Then came the judge's decision and the city attorney's compliment.Labels: attorney, Harrison street, Judge Remley, marriage October 24, 1907 NO ARRESTS TODAY
FEDERAL COURT ISSUES ORDER IN THEATER CASES.
ACTORS ARE THE PLAINTIFFS
WILLIS WOOD AND ORPHEUM PERFORMERS APPEAL.
Suit Brought on Behalf of Them and Members of Orchestras -- Conten- tion Is That Actors and Mu- sicians Work No More Than Preachers.
Upon the petition of eleven actors, now filling engagements at the Orpheum and the Willis Wood theaters, Judge John C. Pollock of the United States circuit court issued a temporary order last evening at Topeka, Kas., restraining the board of police commissioners, Chief of Police Daniel Ahern, County Marshal Al Heslip and all their subordinates from arresting actors, actresses, members of any theater orchestra, and all persons performing services essential to producing an entertainment in any theater in Kansas City, Judge Pollock will be in Kansas City at 10 o'clock Friday morning to hear arguments in the federal court, for and against making the restraining order permanent.
No mention was made of the managers of the houses, but it is thought that the restraining order was drawn to include them. For fear the order may not give them exemption from arrest a new move is being made, the attorneys securing affidavits from some of the most widely known business men of the city to the effect that Judge Wallace is prejudiced, and so incapable of giving the theater employes a fair trial.
IN CLASS WITH PREACHERS.
There is to be no conflict between the state and the United States courts. The restraining order is not directed against Judge Wallace, so that the criminal judge of Jackson county may continue his war upon the theaters, but he will not find any marshal nor police to effect the arrests which he may order. Although there are but eleven complaints in the federal case, they set up in their oration that they appear for the 200 or more professional actors now filling engagements in Kansas City, and for the several thousands of others similarly situated who will come to Kansas City to give entertainment before the close of the present session, which will be in July, 1908.
The unique claim will be set up that the actors are akin to preachers, and that neither of them work. The theater orchestras are to be associated in the argument with church choirs.
"In every particular and in every detail," said Attorney Frank M. Lowe, "we will be found on solid ground. There is to be an end to the attempt to close the theaters in Kansas City."
The suit brought yesterday was filed by the following actors: B. C. Whitney, John Edwards, Lt. J. Carter and W. J. Jossey, of the Orpheum circuit; Benjamin Welch, Roger M. Inhoff, Charles ARnold, Harry Hastings, of the United States Amusement Company; Clifton Crawford, Arthur C. Ainston and William Leummel, playing at the Willis Wood. The defendants are Criminal Clerk A. E. Thomas, County Marshal Al Heslip, Police Comissioners Henry M. Beardsley, Andrew E. Gallagher and Elliot H. Jones, and their subordinates.Labels: attorney, Commissioner Gallagher, Commissioner Jones, County Marshal Heslip, federal court, Judge Pollock, Police Chief Ahern, theater, Topeka October 9, 1907 WHISKY SAVED HIS LIFE.
Aconite Failed to Take Effect on Lawyer William Grady.
Aconite failed to kill William Grady, an attorney, yesterday noon, because whisky is an antidote for the poison. Dr. G. A. Dagg, with the Walnut Street police ambulance, was called to the Grady home, 1627 Cottage, and found the young attorney had taken several ounces of aconite, supposedly with suicidal intent. It had only failed to kill because the man's system was heavily charged with alcohol. Patrolman Prewitt, who accompanied the ambulance, brought a stretcher into Grady's presence to carry him to a hospital, and the patient's condition improved quickly. A family doctor who arrived then agreed to take full charge of the patient, and as the doctors agreed that the poison's power had been offset, he was allowed to remain home.Labels: alcohol, attorney, Cottage street, doctors, poison, Suicide, Walnut street police station September 21, 1907 LIE PASSED IN COURT.
Then Frank Lowe Apologized to Po- lice Judge Kyle.
The cases of Mrs. Carrie Perkins and Charles Walker, proprietors of "hotels" on Twelfth street to which the school board makes objection, were called in police court yesterday after many continuances. Frank M. Lowe, an attorney, asked for another continuance on the grounds that the complaint had just been made out and that previous to that he had never known what charge to meet.
"Continuances have been granted to a member of your law firm," said John Swenson, city attorney, "and you should be familiar with the charge."
"If you say that I am, you are an infernal liar," roared Lowe.
The attorney received no reprimand from the court until after another continuance had been granted and Swenson asked Judge Kyle if the dignity of the court could be upheld. Then Lowe apologized meekly.
"You mustn't say that any more -- talk that way, I mean," was the scathing rebuke Lowe received from the court.Labels: attorney, courtroom, Judge Kyle, police court, Twelfth street September 18, 1907 FRANK JAMES A FARMER.
WILL SETTLE ON 160 ACRES IN OKLAHOMA.
During Visit in City Missouri's Form- er Bandit Declares It Is Non- sense to Say That Quan- trell Still Lives.
Frank James, the former Missouri bandit, who has lived a reformed life since the bank raid at Northfield, Minn., which ended so disastrously for the James and Younger boys, has turned farmer. He spent yesterday in Kansas City with his nephew, Jesse James, Jr., an attorney, and talked of his plans.
For some time James, now 64 years old, has lived on the old homestead in Clay county, thirty miles from Kansas City. He hunted in winter and in summer was employed as a starter at race tracks. Recently he purchased a farm of 160 acres in Oklahoma and will go there October 1 to make his home. Frank is a well-preserved old man, but looked rather pale yesterday and the penalties of declining years appeared not far away in his future.
"Of course Quantrell is dead!" the brother and advisor of Jesse James and the Younger crowd during their years of border ravages exclaimed when the recently published rumor that the former Guerrilla chieftain is alive was mentioned.
"There is no question of his death. Why, I was at his side when he fell. In a pitched battle between the Quantrell command and Federal soldiers in Kentucky in the spring of '65, Quantrell was wounded. His command was hard pressed, but rallied around their leader. The boys wanted to take up Quantrell and make a dash for the hills, where, they told him, if escape were possible, they could nurse him back to health.
" 'No,' said Quantrell, 'I am as good as dead. Leave me and get to the hills yourselves. If I am dead, the next thing to do is save the living ones.'
"The last I saw of Quantrell he was paralyzed from the waist down and imploring his men to leave him alone. He died three hours later w here he had fallen and was left on the battlefield.
"The statement that he is still living is nonsense."
Frank James left last night for Kearney, Mo, at 5 o'clock.Labels: attorney, banking, James Gang, oklahoma, Quantrell September 12, 1907 KEPT TAB ON SALOON
WOMAN PORTRAIT PAINTER TELLS WHAT SHE SAW.
With Her Field Glass Miss Jessie Wright Observed the Doings at Coffee's West 14th St. Resort. Her Testimony Contradicted.
A portrait painter who is possessed of a pair of opera glasses and a stop-watch is causing a world of trouble for John Coffee, who conducts a saloon at 600 West Fourteenth street and spends his summers in Europe. The portrait painter is Miss Jessie Wright, of 518 1/2 West Fourteenth street. During Coffee's summer abroad Miss Wright observed his back door with her opera glasses and time his customers. Yesterday when Coffee made application for a renewal of his saloon license Miss Wright went before the police board with her remonstrance.
Coffee is also a proprietor of a livery barn just across the street and admitted to the police board that it does look bad to have so many hacks standing about his place day and night, but gave assurance that the hacks seen by Miss Wright and other remonstrators had not carried customers to his place. This statement was borne out by Manager Hyman, of the Blue Front livery. Many witnesses, who live on the block, testified that Coffee runs an orderly saloon. Two sergeants of police and a half dozen patrolmen said they had never had occasion to go there in discharge of duty, yet Miss Wright is positive there is something wrong with the character of the place and the police board promised her to investigate further.
MINUTES OF NIGHTLY VIGILS.
Miss Wright furnished the board with minutes of her nightly vigils which, if borne out by evidence, will cause a general change in the neighborhood about Coffee's saloon. Mayor Beardsley promised Miss Wright this. Crowds of drunken small boys, women who go boldly into a barroom and intoxicated men who intimidate women must be looked after, the mayor said. Among the minutes furnished the police board by Miss Wright were the following: "Thursday, July 26. -- Big boy got pail filled for little girl.
"Friday night, July 27. -- Three boys filled a 'can' three times in thirty-five minutes. The boy who carries the pail has the advantage of the free sandwiches in the barroom.
"July 30, 12:30 p. m. -- Drunken chauffeur made disgraceful scene and attracted crowd. Said he would return with Con Cronin and clean the place. Con Cronin often comes with his friends.
"Tuesday, Aug. 6. -- Little boy with 'can' could not find the saloon because there is no sign. Man showed him the place.
"Sunday, Aug. 11. -- Four boys waited for saloon to open at midnight. Got pail filled four times in twenty minutes.
"Monday, Aug. 12, 10 p. m. -- Neighbors aroused by trouble at saloon. I called up police at No. 3 at 11:32 p. m. Man said 'uh huh' and did nothing.
"Friday, Aug. 17. -- Bunch of thirteen stayed in saloon forty-three minutes. Came out at 11:40 and finished up their business on the sidewalk.
"August 18. -- Four boys got seven pails in fifty-one minutes. Man across the street yelled 'hello drunks' and Burke was the only one who looked around.
"Same day, 1 a. m. -- Boys from 709 West Fourteenth street filled a 10-pound lard can five times."
GOT FACTS FROM NEIGHBORS. Mrs. Minnie Blythe, of 1820 Penn street, was also before the board with a remonstrance against Coffee. When questioned by Coffee's attorney she admitted that she lives five blocks away from the saloon and can't see what goes on there, but she had a lot of information which she said she got from neighbors and she saw streams of women with "cans" every night go up the hill to the saloon.
"It's only two blocks in the other direction to a good saloon," said Charley Shannon, representing Coffee. "Why don't they go there?"
"Well, Coffee sells better beer," Miss Wright interjected.
"Don't you live five blocks away from this saloon?" asked Attorney Shannon.
"Yes," admitted the witness.
"How much of a family have you?"
"I have two small children."
"If you are five blocks away how do you know Coffee violates the law and runs a disorderly place?"
"Well, I took it upon myself to go and see."
"There is somebody, of course, to stay at home with those babies while you are watching Coffee?"
"It's none of your business," replied Mrs. Blythe.
Mrs Blythe told the board that two little girls of the Franklin school have been annoyed by men about Coffee's. She said the timely arrival of assistance saved a 6-year-old child from harm and that a 9-year-old girl who goes past the saloon has been given money by intoxicated men. Miss Wright was once chased into her own house by a "drunk" from Coffee's, she told the board.< |
