July 11, 1908
HOW "SPIRITS" MAKE PICTURES
METHOD IS FULLY EXPLAINED BY REV. A. T. OSBORN.
BANGS SISTERS ARE EXPOSED.
USED A LANTERN SLIDE AND WORKED BY DAY, ONLY.
Minister Says He Solved the Imposi- tion After a Long Season of Prayer and Much Prac- tial Study.
Spirit portrait painting, mind reading, spirit writing, spirit attendance, and all kinds of black magic are quite simple to do after one knows how -- So Rev. Andrew T. Osborn demonstrated in his expose of things spiritual and supernatural at the Grand Avenue Methodist church last night. The principal feature of the exposition was the spirit portrait painting as done by the Bangs sisters in Kansas City some weeks ago.
These sisters advertised that they were able to paint the portrait of any person who was dead, either as they were at the time of death or as they were at the time the portrait was painted. The consequence was that they painted many pictures in Kansas City and received a vast amount of money from many persons, over $10,000 from one individual. The pictures, on the whole, were so realistic and natural that they caused many people to have strong faith in the ability of the Bangs sisters to paint the pictures of departed ones.
It was Rev. Mr. Osborn's purpose last night to show that there was absolutely nothing supernatural about the work and his demonstration was undoubtedly a success.
"The Bangs sisters rented a luxurious apartment in Kansas City. They had much fine tapestry and many things which hid the crudeness of the work which you will see tonight," said he in introducing the work. "I am not here to fool you or to mystify you, so my work will be done without the blinding tapestry used by the two women in their work, but it will be just as successful and will be done exactly as their work was done.
PICTURE WAS CONCEALED.
"It is a peculiar fact that all seances for pictures had to be held in the day time. The person wishing a picture was asked to bring a photograph of the departed person with them. When they entered the room the picture was turned over to one of the Bangs sisters and placed in a double slate. The slate had a spring in it which was pressed by one of the sisters and handed to a hidden confederate. The secret spring could not be noticed by the person who desired the picture, as the slate was placed on a table with a false bottom.
"Then the Bangs sisters told the customer to select one of the various canvases which were placed in the room. The canvas selected was placed in a window. The curtain was drawn to the top of the canvas and side curtains drawn down its side. The only light which could get into the room then was the rays through the white canvas.
"While all of these details are being arranged the picture has been transferred to the film of a stereopticon lantern and replaced in the slate. The lantern is hidden from view in many rich curtains, and its rays are invisible because they are focused upon the white canvas through which the rays of the sun are seen. The two lights counteract each other and there is no added brightness.
"Now we are ready for the picture. The Bangs sisters sit at either side of the table directly under the canvas. The person desiring the picture is seated two or three feet in front of the canvas, his back to the stereopticon lantern. Then he is told to think of the face which is to be painted by spirit hands, and to think of nothing else.
"Deeply engrossed in thought, the person notices the form of the dead relative slowly and indistinctly appear upon the canvas. The confederate is slowly focusing the rays upon the sheet. It is marvelous. For the face and form of the dead relative slowly and indistinctly appear upon the sheet. It is marvelous. For the face and form of the relative grows distinct, and suddenly a beautiful picture is upon the screen.
PICTURE WAS CONCEALED.
"Perhaps, as in one case of which I know, the details do not exactly suit. Then the picture is suddenly wiped away and after the confederate has put a few daubs of paint here and there, changed the color of the eyes or such, it is again thrown upon the canvas, slowly and impressively , and it then suits the customer in every detail."
The minister was working while he talked and explained. He used a picture of William McKinley, and had it thrown upon the crude canvas which he constructed, minus the window and the tapestry. A very small boy operated the steropticon lantern, but when Rev. Mr. Osborn decided to change the expression about the late president's eyes, he took charge of the lantern himself. A few touches about the eyes and when the picture was seen again the eyes were light instead of dark.
"The marvelous angel painting has awed the customer by this time, but he is ordered to remain perfectly still and silent, lest he frighten away the spirit and the picture vanish. It will take some hours for it to become so impressed upon the canvas, he is told, that it will not fade away The Bangs sisters request that he come tomorrow for the finished picture, as it will be entirely ready then.
"By the time tomorrow comes, the picture has been reproduced upon a duplicate canvas which is laid between the original one and a false one. The whole is placed upon a trick table and when the customer returns for the picture of his dead brother, he is asked to place his hands firmly upon the canvas laid on the table in order to transfer the original print to the second and durable canvas While he is doing this the secret spring in the trick table, which costs $2.50 in Chicago, is pressed by one of the sisters and the bottom canvas disappears. It is then time to lift the original window canvas, and on the one beneath is seen the picture of the dead one, painted by sacred spirit hands. Oh, it's very easy and there is nothing supernatural about it whatever.
ONE DIDN'T BELIEVE HIM.
Someone in the audience who had received a picture of her dead sister without having taken a picture to the Bangs sisters' seance, challenged the minister in his statements. Rev. Mr. Osborn did not have time nor the facilities at hand in order to illustrate how that feature was overcome, but he explained fully.
"You went into the room at the Bangs sisters," said he, "and told them that you wanted a picture of your sister who had been dead a given time. The chances are that there was at least a resemblance between you and you were made to tell her age at the time she died. The confederate has a camera in behind the tapestry and she then, in this case it was a girl, takes a picture of you.
"After it has been transferred to the stereopticon lantern, which process takes only a few minutes, it is thrown upon the canvas in the window and then you make our criticisms, if there were any needed. If your sister was very young the picture looked older. She had grown somewhat in the spirit land, you see. If she was old at the time of her death, she looks younger, according to the way you look. She had grown younger in the spirit land, for in that place all wrinkles and signs of age disappear. That satisfies you, for it is explained in the catalogue of the Bangs sisters work, which you had read. You expected it and so there was not much criticism. Anyhow, it was a very beautiful picture.
MANY THANKED HIM.
The person who made the objection seemed to be entirely satisfied. The explanation had been a correct history of the case as it was with the Bangs sisters. The whole process, according to Rev. Mr. Osborn, depended upon the stereopticon lantern, which could not be seen by the visitor. Not being able to see anything which was responsible for the appearance of the picture, they were naturally mystified; and inasmuch as the Bangs sisters at either side of their table sat perfectly motionless and as in a trance, it was not hard for the applicant to believe that the portrait was done by angel hands. Rembrandt, for example.
All of Rev. Mr. Osborn's work in the angel portrait painting was done in the light, where his every move could be detected and also the actions of his young confederate. There was no attempt on his part to veil the painting with mystery. Many of those who objected so strenuously in the charges that he made against the Bangs sisters at his expose Thursday night were convinced that they had seen the solution of the "mystery" and pressed around Rev. Mr. Osborn after the meeting to express their thanks.Labels: churches, con artist, Grand avenue, ministers July 10, 1908 MINISTER ACCEPTS BANGS CHALLENGE
THEY OFFER $1,000 IF HE EX- POSES THEIR METHOD.
Rev. Andrew T. Osborn Declares He Can Paint "Spirit Pictures," and That It's All a Fake. He'll Do It Tonight.
There was a lack of harmony between the advocates of spiritualism and Rev. Andrew T. Osborn, versed in the ways of mediums and the occult psychic phenomenon, at an expose in the Grand Avenue Methodist church last night. At times relations were so strained between the two, chiefly on the part of the spiritualists, that loud and somewhat sarcastic talk was frequently indulged.
It all came through the well known Bangs sisters, lately of Kansas City. These sisters, who trafficked in the life and sayings of the "other world," made quite an impression upon the spiritualistic sect in Kansas City. Their chief means of revenue was in painting pictures "by angel hands" of people in the spirit world. These sisters amassed a fortune by causing to be painted, through "supernatural means," the likeness of the dead upon a canvas which was stretched across a window.
Rev. Mr. Osborn, after some study and praying hit upon a scheme of "angel painting." To a select circle of friends he demonstrated his ability along such lines, and then declared the Bangs sisters to be frauds and fakirs. These pictures, according to Rev. Mr. Osborn, are drawn by mental suggestion. Just how the mental suggestion is worked in he has not yet explained, but at the same time he charged the Bangs sisters with having deceived the people of Kansas City. that he himself is able to cause these "angel pictures" to appear at will is declared to be a fact by many people who have seen him do it.
THEY CHALLENGE HIM.
Soon after the minister made his charges they were carried to the Bangs sisters by their many friends and followers in Kansas City. The result was that the minister received a telegram yesterday from the Chicago Inter Ocean, the Bangs sisters, being now in Chicago, setting forth the following:
"The Bangs sisters will give you $1,000 if you can prove your charges. Wire if you accept."
Rev. Mr. Osborn did accept, and so wired the Inter Ocean. It was in calling these Bangs sisters fakirs that the spirit antagonism was aroused among the spiritualists present last night. Before Rev. Mr. Osborn began his expose he read the telegram which has been quoted, asking that at least a dozen of his audience remain after the performance in order to give him moral support for his undertaking in Chicago. A dozen of the audience did stay, more than a dozen, fifty of them in fact, spiritualists in a big majority.
"It's easy and perfectly simple," said the minister in his talk to them, concerning the "angel painting. It is done by the influence of mind and by that niche. There is absolutely nothing supernatural about the work. The picture which is handed to you is not the picture of the person who is dead. That is not an exact likeness. The painter is usually criticized for his work in details and so he finds it easy to correct the picture.
"For example: The Bang sisters painted a picture of a young lady who has been dead for some time. The eyes and other details were left very indistinct. The person who had applied for the picture objected, saying that her sister had darker and more distinct eyes than that. Of course the picture was immediately caused to disappear and other one which better suited to the gullible sister was painted in its place."
HAD TO TAKE A PICTURE.
"That is not so," said Mrs. F. Cushman, who had secured a picture of her dead sister from the Bangs sisters. "They do not make the changes. They didn't in mine, and I never heard of them doing it before. The Bangs sisters never knew my sister. They did not even know her first name. They had never seen a picture of her, for I have the only one in existence."
"Ah, there it is," broke in the minister. "You were told that it would be necessary for you to bring a picture to the seance, weren't you?"
"Yes, but it was sealed in an envelope when I went into the room. The Bangs Sisters did not see it before the picture was drawn."
The minister smiled condescendingly, but he did not ask Mrs. Cushman any more questions.
It developed that there were very few who would come out openly and side with the minister, while there were many who had absolute faith in the work and ability of the Bangs sisters.
"If he can do all that he says he can; if he can make pictures appear and stay like the Bangs sisters could, he wouldn't be in the ministry," remarked Mrs. Cushman to a gathering of her sympathisers. "There's too much money in the other business for that."
The Rev. Mr. Osborn held his peace. He says he will do the "angel painting" at his expose and lecture on the occult psychic phenomena at the Grand Avenue Methodist church.
Rev. Mr. Osborn's work last night was done to explain the method of hypnotism and mental suggestion. He explained the so-called visions people frequently have and are unable to explain. This explanation was that they are seen, but that the person is in such a condition, mentally, through much suggestion, impression or, mental shock that he transforms material objects until they look like the thing which he expects to see. Examples of making tigers out of tree stumps while walking up in the mountain wood; of a widow having seen he husband, who turned out to be a gate post, were given to illustrate his point.
Mental telepathy was explained by comparing it to wireless telegraphy, Rev. Osborn believing that certain brain cells in one individual are so constructed or convulsions so imprinted concerning like subjects, that by intense thinking the thought form one person may be transferred to the mind of another.
His tests last night were only with hypnotism. A group of young men went upon the rostrum of the church at his request and allowed themselves to be put under his hypnotic influence.
Rev. Mr. Osborn is the pastor of the Bennington Heights Methodist Church in this city. He has long made a study of the occult phenomena and is able to do many very mysterious things Tonight he will give the exposition of the "angel painting" work and illustrate and explain the methods of mind reading. The proceeds which are made from the lectures will go towards the building fund of the new Bennington Heights church.Labels: churches, con artist, Grand avenue, ministers June 29, 1908
BOY IS KILLED BY A BASEBALL
THROWN BY MARION GREEN, 11 YEARS OLD.
MORRIS CROWE IS THE VICTIM.
HE WAS ALSO 11 YEARS OLD. AN ACCIDENT.
Little Sufferer Dies as the Angelus Is Calling the Parish to Prayer. Thrower of the Ball Crazed by Grief.
While playing a game of ball yesterday morning, Morris Crowe, 11 years of age, was struck on the head by a pitched ball, and died a few hours later from the injury. Morris, with six of his playmates, was playing ball in the side yard of James Green's home, 1122 Prospect avenue. Marion Green, the 11-year-old son of Mr. Green, was in the act of throwing the ball to John Crowe, Morris's brother, when Morris attempted to cross the yard. In crossing he ran directly into the course of the ball, and before his little friends could warn him of the danger, the ball had struck him fairly on the left side of his head, just above the ear.
Morris staggered and cried for help. His brother and Marion Green ran to him just as he fell to the ground, unconscious. The lads carried Morris to the terrace and began to throw water in his face in an attempt to revive him. Marion ran into the house and told his mother of the accident. Mrs. Green came out and told the boys to carry Morris into the house, but Morris had regained consciousness and refused to go in, saying that he wanted to go home. Mrs. Green bathed the boy's face and his bruise, then bandaged his head and his friends took him to his home, 2711 East Eleventh street.
ABLE TO WALK HOME.
Morris seemed to have recovered from the effect of the blow on his head and was able to walk home with little difficulty. His conversation was rational and he ate dinner as usual. After dinner was over he began to grow rather stupid, and his mother decided that he should have medical attention. A physician was called, and said there would be no serious result from the injury, but that the lad would naturally be somewhat bewildered by so hard a blow on the head.
At 4 o'clock in the afternoon Mrs. Crowe noticed that her son was growing worse, and immediately called in another doctor. This doctor informed Mrs. Crowe that there was no chance for her son's recovery, and she would better send for a priest at once. Two hours later the child was dead.
When Marion Green heard of Morris's death he became frantic and his talk was irrational. He dept repeating: "I killed him; I killed him." Neither Mr. Green nor his wife is able to do anything to quiet him, and he mourns over the death of his little schoolmate and playfellow bitterly. Mrs. Crowe said that she realized the little Green boy was entirely blameless, and that he felt the death of Morris as keenly as did she.
DIED AS BELL TOLLED.
At the time of the accident Mr. Green, who is connected with the T. Green Grocery Company, was away from home. He did not arrive until after dinner, and at that time it was not thought that Morris's injuries would result fatally. It was not until 7 o'clock that the Green family heard of the lad's death.
Just as the angelus was ringing in St. Aloysius church, which is located only a few doors west of the Crowe home, Father J. C. Kelly, four Catholic sisters, Mrs. Crowe and her family were gathered at Morris's bedside. They sank to the floor on their knees in silent prayer, only to arise and find that life had left the child's body while the angelus was calling the parish to evening prayer.
John W. Crowe, the father of Morris, is a conductor on the Santa Fe railroad and was in Texas at the time of his son's death. Mrs. Crowe telegraphed the train dispatcher of his district and received the assurance that her husband would be released from duty as soon as he could be informed of his son's death. He is not expected until tonight.
Morris and Marion Green had been fast friends. Both of them were in the same class at St. Aloysious school. Almost every day the boys of the neighborhood would gather at the Green home for games of some sort, and Morris and Marion were the favorites of the crowd.
CAUSED A CONCUSSION.
They boys who were playing ball at the time of the accident said that the ball which struck Morris was thrown with such force as to rebound from his head and strike a tree some feet distant. After striking the tree the ball again rebounded and rolled quite a distance away. The physician who attended Morris last said that the blow on the head caused a concussion of the brain and it was from the hemorrhage that death resulted.
When the news of Morris's death spread in the neighborhood, the little friends of the boy visited the Crowe home, each expressing with unmistakable sincerity, his sorrow.
Morris was one of three children in the Crowe family. He is survived by an older brother and a baby sister.Labels: accident, children, churches, death, Eleventh street, Prospect avenue, railroad, schools, sports 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 10, 1908 HARLEM PEOPLE HAVE ABANDONED THEIR HOMES.
Missouri River Backed Into the Vil- lage Through Breach in Bank Below.
Yesterday was the first exhibition day for the Missouri. The Big Muddy had been out of its banks north of the city for two days, working its way into Clay county in the form of a creek, that swelled at times to lakes. Yesterday morning found the river more than a mile wide near Parkville, with Parkville high and dry, but the incursion made on the Kansas side. Towards this city, however an due east of Kansas City, Kas., the Missouri had eaten its way till it was three times its normal width. Right north of the city Harlem stood safe till about noon yesterday, when back water began going into it. The Harlem shore is fairly high and it held back the Missouri even as late as dark last night, but east of the little town about three-quarters of a mile the shore line drops. The river got over this by 10 o'clock and began pouring into a swamp to the north. As this filled the water made its way back west, so that the Missouri was simultaneously traveling east and west within a few yards of both currents Harlem lay at the extreme western end of this swamp. The back water got to it by noon. Field glasses showed that the people were all moving out of the hamlet before the first water got to them. By 4 o'clock the water was entering the Harlem church. The church is on a little rise on the ground. East of Harlem half a mile was to be seen at dusk a white houseboat, apparently standing the in the middle of the Missouri. Its location marked the north bank of the Missouri river.
To the far east stands St. George's hospital, the "pest house." It was abandoned by all but Dr. J. H. Ashton and a cook four days ago. Four smallpox patients were spirited to some secluded spot and are being taken care of. Meantime there is a mile of water between the hospital and the mainland, although between the hospital and the river there is a high bank. The Missouri had gone over the south bank between Kansas City and the isolation hospital, cutting the hospital off. The two men in the plant say they are in no danger, as they have a boat and the current between the m and the mainland is not swift. They said last night that nothing in the way of bodies nor carcasses of cattle has been observed going down stream, though it has been constantly watched. No farm products have gone past, either, showing that the flood has not done much permanent damage so far.Labels: churches, flood, Harlem, hospitals, Missouri river June 6, 1908 B'NAI JEHUDAH BIDS FAREWELL TO TEMPLE.
IT HAS WORSHIPPED THERE FOR TWENTY-THREE YEARS.
Splendid New Temple at Flora and Linwood Avenues Is Almost Com- pleted, and May Be Dedi- cated in September.
With impressive ceremonies the congregation B'Nai Jehudah gathered for the last time in the temple at Eleventh and Oak streets last night. It was the farewell service of the congregation in the old temple, after having used the building as a house of worship for twenty-three years. The change of the B'Nai Jehudah congregation to the new temple at Linwood boulevard and Flora avenue is one more instance of the passing of the downtown churches There are now but three churches left in the heart of the business district.
A special programme consisting of addresses by the older members of the congregation had been prepared for the occasion. The present of the congregation, Isaac Bachrach, told of the policy of the church; what it had been and what it now is striving to be. He said that the church had never stood for narrow mindedness, and that its rabbi was always given free scope in his sermons. He touched upon the wonderful progress which the congregation had made during the past twenty-three years.
L. L. Lorie, a member of the first confirmation class in the old church, told of the work which was being done by the confirmation teachers; how the little Jewish boy would attend the confirmation class after his regular school course and learn the Hebrew language. In the knowledge of this language Mr. Lorie believed that a boy was given a purer idea of right and wrong.
Mr. Lorie had telegraphed to all of those men who had been rabbis of the B'Nai Jehuda congregation asking them for words of congratulation or the expression of some sentiment which would be appropriate upon such an occasion. Each of the old rabbis responded and each spoke highly of the work and worthiness of the B'Nai Jehudah congregation.
B A. Fieneman, the oldest member of the congregation, read a paper upon the past history of the church, telling how it had grown from two-score persons to several hundred; how it had progressed from abject poverty to affluence. He told of the work of the members of the church and of the church as a whole in charity, which among the Jews is considered higher than missionary work.
The last address of the evening was made by Rabbi H. H. Mayer, for ten years the rabbi of the congregation. He spoke of the work which the church had done for the individual and of the trials which it had passed through.
"B'Nai Jehudah has now reached such a stage," said he, "that churches of other denominations point at us with wonder and ask how we did it. We are considered the leaders of the churches; we set the pace for every church of other denominations."
The new temple at Linwood Boulevard and Flora avenue will be ready for occupancy, it is thought, during the middle of September. Rabbi Mayer said last night that he hoped to set aside September 18-19-20 or September 11-12-13 for the days during which the dedicatory services will be held.Labels: churches, Eleventh street, Flora avenue, Linwood boulevard, ministers, Oak street June 5, 1908 NEGRO BANKER-PREACHER IS HERE.
W. L. Taylor Will Speak at First Baptist Church Tonight.
W. L. Taylor, negro, known as the "banker preacher," will speak at the First Baptist church, colored, at Tenth and Charlotte streets tonight. Mr. Taylor is the president of the Savings Bank of Grand Fountain at Richmond, Va., the largest and oldest negro bank in the United States. The institution has something like $18,000,000 on deposit. While in the city Mr. Taylor is the guest of Rev. S. W. Bacote, pastor of the church at which Mr. Taylor will speak tonight.Labels: banking, Charlotte street, churches, ministers, race, Tenth street June 4, 1908 PRIEST ENTITLED TO LEGACY.
Will of Katie McGinty is Held Valid by a Jury.
At the second trial of the suit of the brothers of Katie McGinty to break her will, by which she gave all of her property to Father Andrew G. Clohessy of St. Joseph's church, the jury last evening found that the will was valid and that the priest is entitled to the money. The verdict in the first trial, three months ago, was in favor of the brothers. The second trial was in Judge E. E. Porterfield's division of the circuit court.
Katie McGinty was employed for fourteen years prior to her death in St. Margaret's hospital in January, 1907, as a domestic in the parish house at 1007 East Nineteenth street. She began service at $2 a week, was advanced to $6, and out of her wages saved $1,161. The day before her death she summoned to her bedside Father Clohessy, for whom she had worked the many years, and asked him to accept her earnings. He refused. Later, while he was absent, she drew up a will, giving it all to him.
The priest had spent all but $200 of the $1,161 before the suit was brought by Jim McGinty and Patrick McGinty and the children of George and Bernard McGinty, Katie's brothers. He devoted $400 to a funeral, $75 for a lot in St. Mary's cemetery, $260 for the gravestone and $200 gave to other priests for the saying of mass for the repose of her soul.Labels: cemetery, churches, hospitals, Judge Porterfield, ministers, Nineteenth street, probate, women May 24, 1908 MINISTERS SOAKED DURING AUTO RIDE.
Not Enough Cars to Carry All the Presbyterians.
Three hundred ministers and commissioners to the 120th general assembly of the Presbyterian church got a soaking yesterday afternoon that was unorthodox to say the least. In less than an hour after they has started on a two-hour automobile ride over the boulevards and through the parks of Kansas City, the rain suddenly fell in torrents and it continued falling for nearly an hour.
This feature of the ride was not according to schedule and neither was that contingency looked for when the start was made from Convention hall. The ministers and commissioners started out without umbrellas or raincoats and many of the automobiles were without hoods so they got a genuine soaking. When the rain first began falling, many of the automobiles deserted the line and made straightway for Convention hall or for the hotel of the commissioners. Others stayed in the line and completed the ride.
On the whole, the plans and arrangements for the automobile ride did not work out as well as the committee had expected. While more than 100 automobiles had been promised, not more than fifty showed up at Convention hall at 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon. These were speedily filled by the waiting commissioners. Enough tickets had been distributed to fill the number of automobiles expected and consequently there were many disappointed commissioners. Those who were unable to secure seats returned to their hotels.
THESE KEPT DRY.
The "Seeing Kansas City" cars took care of a great number of the commissioners and their wives. Some preferred this ride to the automobiles because of the fact that they were allowed to take the women with them. The cars were sent over the usual route. The automobiles were sent over the most advantageous route in the city. They were headed by guides on motor cycles.
The start was made from Convention hall promptly at 2:30 o'clock. E. M. Clendening was master of ceremonies.
"Are you all ready?" he called down the line.
Shouts assured him they were. The sharp pop-pop of starting motors and the pungent smell of burning gasoline next greeted the ears and nostrils of the ministers and commissioners. Then slowly the line started down Thirteenth street to Grand avenue. The ministers joked each other and the good natured taunts of those left behind were directed at those in automobiles.
"You needn't hold your head so high just because it is your first ride in an automobile," yelled one as a friend disappeared down the street in one of the six cylinder cars.
"Did you never see an automobile before?" asked one commissioner of another who was examining the steering gear of one of the machines.
"I see plenty of them now, if I have never seen them before," returned the friend.
Altogether, it was a good natured and happy bunch of ministers, elders and commissioners that took that ride. They had had two days of strenuous work in the sessions of the assembly, and the afternoon gave opportunity for a general laxity from those arduous duties. William Henry Roberts, the former moderator and now stated clerk; the Rev. B. P. Fullerton and E. M. Clendening occupied the first automobiles.
PICTURE CARDS AND BOOKS.
Post card souvenirs and souvenir books illustrating the parks and boulevards of Kansas City were handed to the commissioners before they stepped into the automobiles. The booklets were given by the park board and besides the illustrations of the parks and boulevards contained some facts and figures concerning the city. These facts and figures were prepared by the Manufacturer's and Merchants' Association. This is the first opportunity that the park board has had of giving these booklets away. The post cards contained this printed message which the recipients were directed to send to their home folks:
Dear Home Folks: Having an enjoyable visit here. Am an honorary member of the Commercial Club's Prosperity Club. The motto is "Look Pleasant, Be Cheerful, Talk Prosperity. Yours --"Labels: automobiles, churches, Convention Hall, conventions, Edwin Clendening, Grand avenue, ministers, Seeing Kansas City, Thirteenth street, weather May 20, 1908 DR. GEORGE TO BEDFORD ST.
Former Kansas City Minister As- sumes Historic New York Charge.
The Rev. William Potts George, for many years pastor of the Westminster Congregational church, this city, has just been installed as pastor of the Bedford Street church, New York city. This is one of the historic places of the metropolis. It was founded in 1808, when Canal street was in "Greenwich Village," and its pulpit has been occupied by such men as Bishop Newman, who was the pastor for many years, General Grant being a regular attendant. G. H. Gregory, W. McK. Darwood, James Chadwick, Stephen Merritt and John J. Reed have all been pastors of this congregation to which Dr George is now appointed.Labels: churches, ministers May 19, 1908 "BEST CITY IN THE COUNTRY."
The Rev. Dr. Carter of New York Praises Kansas City.
Members of the First Presbyterian church will hold a reception in the church at Tenth street and Forest avenue tonight in honor of Rev. and Mrs. William Carter of New York city. Dr. Carter was for seven years, prior to 1906, pastor of the church, and he is spending ten days with friends here. He will also attend the Presbyterian general assembly.
Dr. Carter is pastor of the Madison Avenue Reform church at New York. Because of throat trouble, he was granted a year vacation. After spending ten days here, he will leave for Switzerland. He is acompanied by his wife and three children. They will sail on May 28.
"It certainly seems like home to get back to Kansas City," said Dr. Carter, yesterday. "This is the best city in the country."Labels: churches, Forest avenue, ministers, Tenth street, visitors May 13, 1908 HAD LIVED HERE 58 YEARS.
Francis Phillips, a Jackson County Pioneer, Is Dead.
A citizen of Jackson county since 1850, Francis Phillips, father of Captain Thomas Phillips, license inspector, died yesterday at the home of the latter, aged 90 years.
Mr. Phillips was a native of Monahan county, Ireland, and came direct from there to Independence. On a farm one mile north of that city he lived for forty-five years and eighteen years ago came to Kansas City to reside with his son. Three other children survive him: Mrs. E. J. Cannon and Mrs. George Brangin of this city, and Frank Phillips, living near Olathe, Kas., who was formerly a member of the Missouri legislature.
The burial is to be in Independence cemetery tomorrow forenoon, after services at the home, 3540 Central street, at 8:30 o'clock, and at St. Aloysius church, Eleventh street and Prospect avenue, at 9:30 o'clock.Labels: cemetery, Central street, churches, death, Eleventh street, immigrants, Independence, Olathe, pioneers, Prospect avenue May 8, 1908 HARVEY SKINNER IS DEAD.
Was the Man Who Revived While Wake Was Being Discussed.
Harvey Skinner, a printer, 55 years old, died in Kansas City, Kas., yesterday. Monday afternoon he was given up for dead by his relatives, who then assembled at the home, 166 North Valley street, Kansas City, Kas., for the purpose of preparing for a wake, only to be cut short in their discussions by the sudden reviving of the supposed corpse, who asked for a drink. Skinner is survived by a widow and eight children. Funeral services will be held at St. Benedict's church, Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Burial at St. Mary's cemetery.Labels: cemetery, churches, death, Funeral, Kansas City Kas May 4, 1908 BAPTIZED THEM IN A BATH TUB.
Five Negroes in County Jail Joined Church Yesterday.
Five negroes, confined in the county jail awaiting trail on charges of burglary of larceny or both, confessed to conversion and yesterday forenoon were baptized in running cold water inside the jail. Rev. Joseph W. Fitts, Baptist, and Rev. A. B. Ross, of the United Christian Workers, who performed the ceremony, had to figure a bit to get cold and running water in the jail to perform the rite, but finally hit upon the plan of filling a bathtub full of water, pulling out the bung and turning on the tap. The plan worked like a charm and everyone of the five chattered "Glory!" when he came up, just as if he had been immersed in the Blue river or some other real stream
Fitts, pastor of the Macedonian Baptist church of Independence, serving a year's sentence for criminal assault upon a 14-year-old girl, daughter of a member of his flock, claims the credit for the conversion of the five other prisoners, but the jailers are prone to shift a bit of the glory to the workers whom the wife of Judge W. H. Wallace has on two occasions brought to the jail to sing and pray with the prisoners. The Rev. Mr. Ross and some twelve assistants have been holding services regularly on Sundays in the jail for some months.
The prisoners, who were immersed in the tub of flowing cold water are: Frank Johnson, Oscar Jensen, Edward Dixon, Jeff Call and Boyd Brown. Johnson is the best known negro of the five and has confessed to robbing nearly a score of residence in the Northeast portion of the city.
Over twenty members of the United Worker's band, men and women, accompanied Ross to the jail and watched their leader and Fitts perform the rite.Labels: churches, Independence, jail, ministers, race May 2, 1908 TELLS OF LINCOLN'S DEATH.
Dr. T. D. Bancroft Lectures at Grand Avenue Church.
The story of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln was told by an eye witness, Dr. T. D. Bancroft of Topeka, at the Grand Avenue Methodist church last night. Dr. Bancroft was in Ford's theater at Washington on the night of April 14, 1865, when John Wilkes Booth fired the fatal shot. His lecture was for the benefit of the Team Owners' Organization.
According to Bancroft Booth, the murderer was a drunkard and a poor actor out of a job, and the assassination was the plan of a clique of men and not Booth's own idea. Dr. Bancroft was one of the men who helped keep the crowd back while Lincoln was being removed from the box in which he sat. Bancroft claims to have a piece of paper on which a drop of blood fell, while the murdered president was being carried from the room. This paper is now with the State Historical Society at Topeka.
The description given by the lecturer of the scenes preceding and following the assassination are much like those printed in history. He states, however, that in his opinion Booth did not break his leg when he jumped from the box to the stage, for he says the murderer walked across the stage. He also believes that Edwin Booth, a brother to John Wilkes Booth, received the body from the authorities and buried it in the family burying ground instead of its being taken to sea as generally supposed.
Dr. Bancroft states that Booth was killed by Boston Corbett, a soldier who joined in the chase for him. Corbett afterwards moved to Kansas and lived on a small farm west of Concordia. He died in an insane asylum.Labels: churches, Grand avenue, Topeka April 30, 1908 DR. M'COY DIES OF TETANUS.
Independence Physician Had Been Ill Several Months.
Dr. Charles D. McCoy, a well known physician of Independence, died yesterday afternoon at 2 o'clock after a short illness from tetanus. Dr. McCoy had been in ill health several months but his condition was not considered serious until last Tuesday when he began to fail rapidly. He is survived by a widow and several children, as well as three brothers, L. F. McCoy, clerk of the court of appeals of Kansas City, and John and William McCoy of Independence.
The funeral will be held Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the first Presbyterian church, Independence.Labels: churches, death, doctors, Independence April 25, 1908 SMITH'S SAVING MONEY NOW.
He Married Mrs. McAdams and Buys No More Roses.
The mystery of why the roses ceased coming to Mrs. Helen E. McAdams, a deputy probation officer at the detention home office, was solved yesterday when the Rev. H. G. Maze of the Watt's Memorial church at Independence returned to the marriage license clerk a copy of Mrs. McAdams's certificate of marriage to W. W. Smith. Mrs. McAdams has been receiving a box of red roses daily for so long that no one remembers when the first one came. Tuesday there came for her a bushel of American Beauties and nary a rose since. Mrs. McAdam became Mrs. Smith Tuesday night. The bridegroom is an officer in the Builders' Sand Company. They will be home to friends at 3600 East Twenty-ninth street.Labels: churches, detention home, ministers, Twenty-ninth street, wedding April 24, 1908 HE SANG TO JAIL PRISONERS.
Mrs. W. H. Wallace Was in Charge of Religious Service.
Mrs. W. H. Wallace held a song and prayer service in the county jail yesterday afternoon for the benefit of the prisoners, and the judge of the criminal court accompanied his wife and sat through the service. The chief singer was Frank H. Wright, a fullblood Indian evangelist and soloist. He was assisted by the choir of the Eastminster Presbyterian church. Mrs. Wallace had a church organ taken to the jail from an uptown music store, brought the party into the jail and had charge of the service.
No better singing has ever been heard in the jail, it is said by Isaac Wagner, day jailer. Wright's voice in sacred song penetrated from the first floor to the fourth and poured into every corridor and cell. After he had sung two words, silence fell upon the prisoners and guards alike and all listened with attention and pleasure.
A song by Wright opened the programme. Then the choir, composed of six women's voices, sang. Wright led in prayer He sang again and the service was at an end. Despite the brevity of the meeting it had much impression upon both the confined and unconfined portions of the audience.
"I hope they come again," said a trusty inside the main door.
"He didn't need to preach none," remarked another. "Those songs did me more good than any preaching."
County Marshal Al Heslip shook Mrs. Wallace by the hand after the service, thanked her and told her to bring the singers again soon. A trusty then escorted the visitors through the jail and let them talk with prisoners.
Evangelist Wright is not certain whether or not he could come again to the jail and sing. He is busy, singing and preaching twice a day at the Eastminster church.Labels: churches, County Marshal Heslip, criminal court, jail, Judge Wallace, ministers, Native Americans April 23, 1908 WANT PASTOR IN THEIR JAIL.
Fitt's Congregation Ask That He Be Incarcerated at Home.
Now that Judge W. H. Wallace has commuted the sentence of the Rev. Joseph Fitts from two years in the penitentiary to one year in jail, members of his church, the Macedonian Baptist of Independence, are asking that he be incarcerated in the Independence jail, rather than the county jail at Kansas City. They want to have him near so that they can call with dainty food and sympathy.
Fits, despite his conviction on the charge of attempting to assault a 14-year-old girl who belonged to his congregation, is still a favorite with his negro flock, and probably will resume his duties as pastor when he leaves the jail.Labels: children, churches, jail, Judge Wallace, ministers, violence April 13, 1908 TEFARES ISRAEL IN ITS NEW EDIFICE.
SACRED BIBLICAL SCROLLS CAR- RIED IN PROCESSION.
Militant Parade to Commemorate March of Children of Israel Out of Egypt and Through the Red Sea.
With all the wonted ceremonies and pomp the congregation of Tefares Israel synagogue took possession of its new house of worship, Admiral boulevard and Tracy avenue, yesterday afternoon. The congregation left the former church, Fifth and Main streets and marched down Admiral boulevard, the rabbi and trusted members of the church guarding the sacred biblical scrolls, eight in number.
These scrolls are all written in Hebrew, supposed to be an exact reproduction of the writing which was on the tablets bearing the Ten Commandments that were entrusted to Moses on Mount Sinai. They are the most precious belongings of the church and when not in use are kept under lock and key. Before they were taken from their accustomed place in the old synagogue prayers were offered and then they were removed during the chanting of hymn.
The militant procession through the streets upon the change of Jewish house of worship is to commemorate the march of the children of Israel out of Egypt and through the Red sea. At that time the high priests carried the sacred scrolls of the Jews with them and guarded them safely throughout the perilous march.
The congregation of Tefares Israel numbers about 250 persons. Rabbi M. Wolf is in charge of the synagogue. J. L. Gandal is president; S. Dimant, vice president; S. R. Alisky, trustee and M. Kasol is secretary.
Rabbi Max Lieberman, at the head of the Keneseth Israel synagogue, assisted in the dedication of the new church. The Tefares Israel congregation had occupied the building at Fifth and Main streets for fourteen years and was organized with a membership of ten persons.Labels: Admiral boulevard, churches, Fifth street, Main street, ministers, Tracy avenue April 13, 1908
SPIRIT COULDN'T SPEAK ENGLISH.
IN UNKNOWN TONGUE IT AD- DRESSED THE MORMONS.
REPORTERS WERE NONPLUSSED.
MESSAGE FINALLY INTERPRETED BY ONE OF THE SAINTS.
The spirit talking in unknown tongues to the Latter Day Saints was the feature of yesterday's session of the world's conference being held at Independence. Elder J. W. Wight, one of the quorum of twelve, received the gift at the early service.
With the swinging rhythm of the songs the large audience gathered for this devotional exercise was full of religious zeal and earnestness. It was presided over by Elder W. J. Garrett and the crisp morning air filled the Saints with new light and religious hope.
About the middle of the service a breathless silence pervaded the vast assemblage when Elder J. W. Wight, of the twelve, arose. Every one knew or seemed to know that he was about to speak in an unknown tongue by reasons of the spirit. He is a massive man, but his face was pale when the gift of tongues became manifest. Without any preliminary, he uttered thoughts which the reporters started to set down, but the words came too fast to be even caught phonetically. The unknown tongue sounded like this:
"Ureste cahomeribyles incontro, waho seben."
ELDER WIGHT'S INTERPRETATION. At the end of this sentence the reporter, like Moses of old, was led up to a mountain and left to die. Effort to take the unknown tongue proved futile. It was known not to be Hebrew or Greek or Latin, or any dead language. Latter Day Saints stated that this was not an unusual thing in the church, for the spirit often talked in unknown tongue to the people and that it was generally interpreted by some other brother also filled with the spirit. In the case of yesterday, Elder Wight gave his own interpretation, before sitting down. The interpretation in English was as follows:
"Thus saith the Spirit unto my people now assembled. There are many, many things done by you pleasing in my sight. Many many things done that are not pleasing in my sight and for which my people need to be warned.
"Yes, verily I say unto you that as much as my people will put away pride of heart and pride of life, turn from the vanities of the world, cease from the vanities incident to outward adornment and become more humble and faithful I will pour out my spirit upon you, giving you wisdom and knowledge, enabling you to walk in humility and in faith.
"Yes, be warned for the time has come that calamities shall come upon the earth, yay the Voice of the earthquake, of famine and pestilence, of thunder and lightning with calamities stalk abroad and the time is near at hand when you must stand in holy places and standing so, my spirit will keep you from harm and danger. Yea, my people need to take warning and become more humble and inasmuch as they will do so, I will pour out my spirit upon you.
"The time is not far distant, when from various parts of the earth will I call my people together; and the Gentile nations need to be warned. For soon will I turn from them. Lo unto my people that have been my people in time past. From the Gentiles I will turn and then my people sanctified unto me through Father Abraham will come from the four parts of the earth, center together and be prepared to meet my Son when he shall come upon earth. Yes, thus saith the Spirit unto you in warning voice this morning. Amen." POTENCY OF GIFT OF TONGUES. When Elder Wight had concluded his interpretation the meeting continued as if nothing unusual had occurred. Much importance is attached to the gift of tongues, especially in the case of Elder Wight, for the reason that he stands next to the presidency and prophetic utterances of the gathering of the Saints in Zion are always welcome. Their books are full of prophecies concerning this gathering and their hymns mention the return of the Saints to Zion.
Just before Elder Wight talked in tongues, Elder D. A. Hutchings uttered a prophecy. Elder Hutchings resides at Little Sioux, Ia. He stated that he understood Elder Wight while he was talking in tongues, as the spirit had filled him also, but as Elder Wight gave his own interpretation, it was not necessary for him to translate it to the people. Elder Hutchings speaking in the spirit, but in English, uttered this prophecy:
"God acknowledges his people, especially the priesthood, to exhort and teach his people to purify their hearts that they may be fitted to dwell in Zion."
To the sisters of the church, he acknowledged their great work and to the daughters of Zion, his hand maidens, the Lord admonished them to purify their hearts and carry on the work allotted to them as God had designed them to do; that they live virtuous and upright lives in order that God might use them. God would command the angels to surround them and assist them in their work and finally Zion would be redeemed and he would surround them as with a wall of fire by night and a pillar of smoke by day. HUTCHINGS' PERSONAL FEELINGS. After the exercise Elder Hutchings explained his personal feelings when uttering the prophecy.
"I feel the spirit in me and it permeates me. Although a strong man physically, I become nervous with the fullness thereof. The spirit was upon me while Brother Wight was talking in tongues and for this reason I understand what he was saying. This is not unusual in our church, he said. Labels: churches, Independence, ministers April 9, 1908 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY JEWS.
Mrs. Ethel Feineman Writes of Early Settlers in Reform Advocate.
In the last issue of the Reform Advocate, a Jewish magazine published in Chicago, there appears an interesting article by Miss Ethel Feineman of this city, styled, "A History of the Jews of Kansas City." The article is liberally illustrated, with cuts showing buildings and views of the city, and a fine picture of Convention hall adorns the cover of the page.
Beginning with a brief history of the founding of the city, Miss Feineman goes at once into he subject with sketches of the pioneers among the Jews and shows how active this race has been in the development of this commercial center.
The Jews became identified with Kansas City as early as 1851, when Meyer Kayser and Moses Wolf settled here. M. Eisbach and W. J. Friedsam followed these two later in the same year, and the next year welcomed Herman Ganz. M. Waidsuer and Louis Rothschild. Mr. Ganz still makes this city his home.
B. A. Feineman, Miss Ethel's father, is another one of the old settlers who helped to make history For some years previous to the organization of the the Congregation B'Nai Jehudah, the Jews maintained a temple in which services were held twice a year, but in the fall of 1870, the first congregation was organized and Rabbi M. R. Cohen was called as minister. The Jewish Burial Association was also merged into this congregation. The congregation now has a magnificent house of worship at Oak and Eleventh streets, as have the Keneseth-Israel synagogue, the Tavares-Israel, and the Gomel-Chased congregations in other parts of the city. They also maintain several charitable institutions, and are in many ways interested in philanthropic work.
Among the leaders of the women are mentioned Mrs. H. H. Meyer, Mrs. Leo Lyon, Mrs. Helen Leavitt, Miss L. Hammerslough and Mrs. Ida M. Block. Excellent portraits with brief sketches are given of some thirty or forty of the leaders in society and church work.Labels: churches, Convention Hall, Eleventh street, ministers, Oak street, pioneers, race, women April 6, 1908 IT IS THE BODY OF WEALTHY COOK.
YOUNG WOMAN KILLED ON BELT LINE IDENTIFIED.
HER HOME IN SPRINGFIELD.
WAS STAYING WITH AUNT AT TENTH AND BELMONT.
Peculiar Actions of Late Made Neigh- bors Believe Her Demented. Left Home Wednesday, Killed Thursday.
With the reason for her tragic death still shrouded in mystery, the body of the young woman who was crushed under the wheels of a Belt line engine Thursday afternoon was yesterday afternoon positively identified as that of Miss Wealthy Cook, aged 21 years, daughter of A., Cook, a painter who lives at 2136 North Benton street, Springfield, Mo.
The identification was made at Newcomer's morgue yesterday by Mrs. Tom Davis, 6028 East Eleventh street, and further substantiated by Mrs. Edith Green, 6003 East Tenth street. It is believed by all that the young woman came to her death through an accident, as she had no cause for suicide so far as is known here.
Miss Cook had lived in this city about three months, coming here from her home in Springfield to nurse her aunt, Mrs. J. J. Ritchie, Tenth and Belmont streets, with whom she made her home. She was last seen Wednesday morning by Mrs. Green, who lives next door to Mrs. Ritchie, and just where she was between then and the hour she met her death is a mystery. Miss Cook is believed to have wandered around through all of Wednesday, Wednesday night and Thursday, and was probably going back to her home when killed.
Of late, so the neighbors say, she had acted strangely on more than one occasion and it is believed by them that her mind was imbalanced. Certainly, some of her actions would lead to this belief, and it is the generally accepted theory that in a fit of temporary insanity she left her home and simply wandered around until she met her tragic fate.
HER STRANGE ACTIONS.
It is stated that Miss Cook frequently took long walks and would be gone from the house for hours, never telling a soul where she was going. On one occasion she left home before dawn and walked to the city. She returned about 11 o'clock in the morning and stated that she had walked to and from the city and was not a bit tired. The distance from her home to the business portion is no less than sixty blocks, and to accomplish this feat would make even a strong man think twice.
Last Wednesday morning Miss Cook stood on a street corner near her home for over two hours. She never moved from her position during the entire time and when spoken to by one of the neighbors became angry. She was asked why she stood there during all that time, and if she was in trouble.
"DON'T SPEAK TO ME AGAIN."
"You are attracting attention by your strange conduct," she was told.
"Well, if that is so, I will move on, but don't you ever speak to me again," was her reply, and with that she started off down the street.
A very unusual feature of the case, and the reason that the body was not identified earlier, is that Mrs. Ritchie told no one that the girl had gone away until late Saturday night. Mrs. Ritchie has been in failing health for some months, and sufferers from heart trouble. Saturday night she suffered a severe attack, and her mother, Mrs. Hannah Westmon, aged 87, who lives with her, sent for Mrs. Davis and Mrs. Green. These women asked about the girl, and were surprised to learn that Mrs. Ritchie did not know where she was.
"We had been reading in The Journal about the strange young woman who was found dead," said Mrs. Green, "and we at once came to the conclusion from the description given that this was Wealthy. Mrs. Davis went to the undertakers' this afternoon, and sure enough, it was she. Had we been told earlier, we could have identified the body at once."
Mrs. Ritchie's condition is critical, and she has not been told that the body of the young woman is that of her niece, for fear the shock would end her life.
WHERE DID SHE GET IT?
Those who know the girl are at loss to explain why and how Miss Cook got the Sunday school leaflet which bore the name of Loretta Kurster. So far as is known she never attended the Forest Avenue Methodist church, where the leaflets were distributed.
It is thought by some that perhaps she quarreled with her aunt and started to go back to her home at Springfield. She carried all her money with her and as the body was warmly dressed, three skirts and other extra clothing being worn, it is not unlikely that she meant to go to her home and took this method of carrying her extra clothing rather than excite suspicion by packing it in her suit case.
A. Cook, the father of the girl, has been notified by Mr. Newcomer and has advised the undertaker that he and the girl's mother will arrive here today.Labels: Belmont street, Belt line, churches, death, mental health, railroad, Tenth street, The Journal, undertakers April 3, 1908 UNKNOWN WOMAN KILLED BY TRAIN.
RUN DOWN ON BELT LINE NEAR PARK AVENUE.
DIES IN GENERAL HOSPITAL.
REFUSES TO GIVE ANY INFORMA- TION ABOUT HERSELF.
Carried Sunday School Tract With Little Girl's Name on It, but the Owner Does Not Know Her.
A young woman who was crushed by the wheels of a Belt Line engine last night at 7:30 o'clock, died tow and a half hours later at the city hospital, without being identified. The scene of the accident was where the Belt tracks are fifteen feet below street level, half way between Brooklyn and Park avenues. It is near Nineteenth street.
The woman was walking eastward and must have entered the cut three blocks west, at the street level.
To avoid the Santa Fe local No. 59, westbound, she stepped upon the other main track, and a Milwaukee engine, eastbound, struck her. Pilot Al Williams was riding to work on the engine but neither he nor the engineer, James Spencer, saw her, nor did the fireman But the flagman on the freight train did.
She lay by the track, her left arm almost severed at the shoulder, and with a contusion, possibly a fracture, on each side of her head. A broad leather cushion from the car was brought and she was carried to Eighteenth street and Brooklyn avenue to the office of Dr. I. E. Ruhl, who saw that she was dying. The police ambulance from No. 4 police station, in charge of Patrolman Smith Cook and Dr. C. V. Bates, arrived and she was taken to the general hospital.
She seemed conscious, but could not be induced to talk. The only article she carried was a Sunday school quarterly bearing the name of Loretta Kurster, 1509 East Eighteenth street.
Drs. R. C. Henderson and T. B. Clayton, who operated on the woman at the hospital. said she seemed bright and could use her vocal organs, but evidently was suffering from a skull fracture so such an extent that she did not really understand what was said to her.
Asked if she knew how she had been hurt, she replied, wonderingly, "Hurt? Why, I didn't know anything was the matter." But questions as to her identity she did not attempt to answer, and there was nothing about her person to disclose this, besides the booklet.
In the meantime it had been discovered that Loretta Kursler is a 12-year-old girl who was uninjured and busy in her mother's bakery at the address given in the book. She thought it might be a Sunday school teacher she had met at Central Baptist church, Miss Blanche Wade, but Miss Wade was found safe at her home. She at once, however, went to the hospital to see if she could identify the woman. The quarterly was found to be one pushed by the Christian denomination.
The Kursler child having recently become a pupil at the Forest Avenue Christian church, Miss Wade called Rev. J. L. Thompson of the Forest Avenue church for aid in identifying the woman. Loretta Kursler said her Christian Sunday school teacher was called Grace, but she did not know her last name. The minister accounted for every Sunday school worker by the name of Grace and everyone who teaches girls of that size. Then the chance of discovering before morning who the woman was seemed very slight.
Apparently the woman was 32 to 35 years of age. She was slightly above medium height, was fairly well fleshed, was brunette with abundance of dark hair, had delicate hands, blue-set earrings worn tight to the ear, and wore a tan jacket and a fur neck piece. No hat was taken with her to the hospital. Around her waist was fastened a package containing $8.70.
Dr. Ruhl, who first saw her, thinks it possible that the woman may have been demented, or if an employed woman may have been making a short cut home from work. In the latter case he would believe her hearing defective.
The Kursler family is at a loss to know how a Sunday school book bearing the little girl's name would come to be found in the possession of anyone not her teacher.Labels: accident, Belt line, Brooklyn avenue, children, churches, death, doctors, Eighteenth street, Forest avenue, general hospital, ministers, No 4 police station, Park avenue, railroad, women March 16, 1908 IS ROBBED IN CHURCH.
Dudley Hoffman's Overcoat Later Found on Dapper Youth.
Dudley Hoffman's overcoat was stolen yesterday morning while he was attending service in the Independence Avenue Christian church. From his home at 545 Park avenue he telephoned the police of his loss. Last evening Patrolman Robert Hoskins saw a dapper young man wearing a coat of Hoffan's description. The young man, so Hoskins reports, admits that he attended service at the Independence avenue church and that he left with the coat.Labels: churches, crime, Independence avenue, Park avenue March 15, 1908
TO BE A CITY CHURCH.
New First Congregational Gives
Welcome to Strangers. 
DR. ALEXANDER LEWIS.
"It is not right that we should become self-sufficient in our growh and numbers, consequently forgetting our duty to the stranger within our gates."
The Rev. Alexander Lewis spoke these words two weeks ago when the first services were held in the parish house of hte First Congregational church at Independence boulevard and Highland avenue. So doing, he silenced the criticism which of late has been the portion of churches; namely, that the stranger is not welcome.
Nor is there any reason why the congregation should not be proud of its new home Th main building is not yet completed and for several months services will be held in the parish house, which fronts Highland avenue. This wing seats 1,000, while the chruch proper will accommodate 500 more than this. West of the church the parsonage will be built. th entire propety will then represent an expenditure of nearly $165,000.
 THE FIRST CONGREGAITONAL PARISH HOUSE. The parish house clearly indicates the purpose of the congreagation to make the in stitution a city and downtown church, rather than one which dreaws its embership from any one section of the city In the basement there is to be a small gymnasium for the use of boys and girls, with shower baths, lockers and a bowling alley. The complete plant will provide a large dining room, kitchen and all other conveniences of a large downtown church.
Dr. Lewis said recently, in speaking of the new institution and its plans:
"The neighborhood church cannot help but succeed, while the city church, such as the new First is to be, must force success. There is a place and work for one church of each denomination inthe heart of ansas City. The lesson of New York is repeated. One by one the downtown churches were abandoned, but a later reaction set in and large churchs are now maintained downtown."
For years the First Congregational had its edifice at Eleventh and McGee streets. That property was sold some time ago While the Highland avenue site seems some distance from downtown, it is only twelve minutes' walk or five minutes' ride from Grand avenue. It will not be many years before Highland avenue will be considered downtown. It is then that the big downtown church will be called upon to do its real work for the life of a great city. Labels: churches, Eleventh street, Grand avenue, Highland avenue, Independence avenue, McGee street, ministers March 12, 1908
LATTER DAY SAINTS ARRIVE.
Annual Conference Convenes in Inde- pendence April 6.
The advance guard has begun to arrive for the annual conference of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Independence. The conference, which is attended by several hundred delegates, convenes April 6 in the Saints' church and this year the attendance will be unusually large. The twelve apostles, or quorum of twelve, commenced its duties yesterday and will hold daily sessions until the opening conference day.
The head of the church is the first presidency, Joseph Smith, his son, F. M. Smith, and R. C. Evans of Toronto, Canada, compose the first presidency. Joseph Smith and his son, Frederick, are residents of Independence.
The twelve are W. H. Kelley, Lamoni, Ia.; J. W. Wright of Indiana; S. A. Smith of California; H. P. Smith of Lamoni, Ia.; Homer Griffith of Columbus, O.; S. W. Sheehy of Utah; C. H. Butterworth of Adelaide, Australia; J. W. Rushton of Leeds, England; Peter Anderson, Sweden; W. W. Greene, Kirtland, O.; J. N. White of Indiana.
The Reorganized church, commonly called the Josephites, are distinct from the Brighamites of the Utah church, and there is very little affiliation in a religious way, between the two bodies. The headquarters of the Reorganized church is at Lamoni, Ia.Labels: churches, Independence, visitors March 9, 1908 WALLACE DIDN'T INTERFERE.
With Production of Jewish Play at Shubert Last Night.
The dramatic opera, "The Witch," was given at the Shubert Theater last night by permission of Judge Wallace by a Jewish home talent company under the direction of M. Kasol and assisted by J. Herowitz. The play was given as a benefit for the congregation Tefares Israel, which is building a new church. The theater was filled and the play considerably above the standard of amateur theatricals. T. More was the musical director and Master Heimie Shapiro played violin solos between the acts.
Miss Ester Herowitz was the star of the cast and M. Kasol had the leading part as the witch. Mr. Kopperstein also figured prominently in the play, supporting Miss Herowitz. Others in the cast were:
J. Goldman, Mrs. B. Rosenberg, Miss Pearl Herowitz, J. Berkowitz, Sam Alport, Hary Koletsky, M. Silverstein, J. Herowitz, Miss Sadie Herowitz, J. Goldman, Miss Fanny Copeland, Miss Diamant, Mrs. S. Alport, Miss Dora Markowitz, Miss Tobi Silverstein Miss Della Baum.Labels: churches, Judge Wallace, theater |
