100 Year Old Weblog ~ News From 100 Years Ago That's New to You from Vintage Kansas City.com

June 10, 1908

FLOWERS MADE DAY BRIGHTER.

Were Distributed in Hospital and

Prisons by W. C. T. U. Members.

Several thousand men, women and children, inmates of hospitals, prisons and homes of different sorts, had a happier day yesterday because of bouquets of bright carnations and roses distributed by forty-five members of the Women's Christian Temperance Union. It was the annual flower mission day of the union. The date marks the birthday of Miss Jennie Cassidy, a prominent W. C. T. U. worker, who died at her home in Louisville, Ky., several years ago. Miss Cassidy originated the flower mission idea.

Labels: flowers, hospitals, jail, organizations

June 9, 1908

FIND WATCHCHARM

ON MASON'S BODY.

ONE CLUE AGAINST WIX DIS-

PELLED IN HIS FAVOR.

NEW LIGHT ON

WATCH DEAL.

FRIEND OF DEAD MAN SAYS

HE TRADED WITH HIM.

Warren W. White Positive That the

Timepiece Taken From a Pawn-

shop Was Once His.

The police case against Clark Wix, charged with the murder of John Mason on January 26, seems to be weakening. Yesterday it developed that the watch charm Wix had been wearing and which had been positively identified as the one worn by Mason on the day when he was last seen alive, was not Mason's an had never belonged to him. When the coroner, Dr. G. B. Thompson, was making an examination of Mason's body the watch charm which Mason had worn fell from some part of the clothing on the body to the floor. The police had based a great part of their theories upon the identification of the watch charm which Wix had been wearing and the discovery of the true charm by Dr. Thompson completely put the question of ownership of the charm beyond question.

Yesterday Warren W. White, an embalmer at Freeman & Marshall's undertaking rooms, went to Central police station to identify the watch which was taken from the pawn shop as having been the one which had belonged to Mason and which Wix is charged with having stolen from the dead man. Mr. White was the original owner of the watch in question and knew that he could identify it beyond all question.

Captain Walter Whitsett refused to let him see the watch. Mr. White put his request to the captain directly, but with no further result than gaining the permission of the captain to describe it. He did so, after which Captain Whitsett informed him that his description the watch did not tally with the article.

Mr. White said last night that he had traded his own watch for the one which Mason was wearing about ten days previous to the time he was supposed to have been murdered. He said it seemed to him that it would not have been probably that Mr. Mason, from whom her husband had been separated, could have seen the watch, at least closely enough to give a minute description of it.

Nevertheless, Mrs. Mason did give a complete description of the watch which is in the hands of the police and which Mr. White believes is not the watch he traded to Mason.

Mason and White had been in the habit of making trades of jewelry, seeing each other often during the week. When one of them would get a new article of jewelry it was the custom for him to display it and then to begin a dicker for trade. This accounts for the way in which he and Mason traded watches, says Mr. White.

It is on the watch and the watch charm, it is asserted, that the police base most of their charges against Wix and it would seem from the statements of Coroner Thompson and Mr. White that these two articles of evidence have been changed to a most useful weapon in the hands of Wix's attorneys. Coroner Thompson has no hesitancy in saying that he doubts greatly the guilt of Wix. He has made some study of the body and of matters which pertain to the evidence against the accused man.

Captain Whitsett still refuses to discuss the Wix case, saying only that he is positive that the accused man will be convicted of murder.

The grand jury will consider the charges against Wix today.

Wix was visited at the county jail yesterday by many of his friends, who cheered him up with their kind words and presence. Among his visitors were the prisoner's wife and father, who spent some time with him. Several floral offerings were sent to him.

The police say that they have not lost confidence in their evidence against Wix, but are positive that if the grand jury hears all of the testimony now in the possession of the police that Wix will be indicted.

Mrs. Wix said yesterday that after her husband had been arrested she had been to the pawn shop of L. L. Goldman, 1207 Grand avenue, and to Silverman's pawn shop, 1215 Grand avenue. She stated that two pawn tickets which had been on top of a writing desk in her room disappeared after her husband had been arrested.

Believing that the tickets had been stolen by someone, who would attempt to get the jewelry out of pawn, she visited the store where they were pawned to warn the proprietor against allowing anyone to have them. She said she knew the watches had been pawned at Silverman's, but she did not know where this place was. She went to Goldman's pawnshop and asked Mr. Goldman where Silverman's place was located. When she was told at Siverman's that the police had the watches she did not ask any further questions. At Goldman's and Silverman's Mrs. Wix's statement regarding her visits were corroborated. In the search for evidence Mrs. Wix said the police had not left even a strand of hay in the barn untouched. It was suggested that the pawn tickets she supposed were stolen, were in the possession of the police, although the latter will not discuss them.

Labels: Captain Whitsett, flowers, Grand avenue, murder, pawn brokers, undertakers

May 26, 1908

FIREMEN WANT SOME FLOWERS.

To Strew on Their Comrades' Graves

Decoration Day.

If there are roses or other flowers blooming in your yard, the firemen ask that you spare some of the blossoms that they may decorate their dead comrades' graves Memorial day. Telephone the operator at fire headquarters, or notify any of the engine houses that you are willing to give flowers and the firemen will gladly come to get them.

The firemen have appointed a committee to gather the blossoms and decorate the graves, and it is urged that those that will help notify some firemen as soon as possible. Memorial day is next Saturday.

Labels: Fire, flowers, telephone

May 19, 1908

IN MEMORY OF JEFF DAVIS.

Confederate President's Birthday

Will Be Kept -- It Is June 3.

With music, speeches and story rehearsing many now familiar incidents connected with the four years' strife between the North and the South, the Daughters of the Confederacy of Kansas City, and the Stonewall Jackson chapter of Independence will on June 3 celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Jefferson Davis.

The Kansas City chapter met yesterday at the Hotel Sexton and perfected plans for the celebration. Budd park was selected as a suitable place, and an extensive programme, including music and speeches, has been prepared. The speakers selected were Mrs. George Gray, Mrs. B. L. Woodson, Mrs. J. M. Philips and Mrs. Hugh Miller.

Members of the Stonewall Jackson chapter met at the home of Mrs. W. D. Johnson, 3621 Belleview avenue. They decided to hold the celebration at the home of Mrs. Logan Swope, in Independence. Memorial day, May 30, will be observed jointly by the two chapters, by the placing of floral offerings on the graves of the Confederates and the unveiling of seven markers at Forest Hill cemetery. The Kansas City chapter will also place an offering on the grave of Orestes P. Chaffee, of Confederate fame, who died in this city a short time ago. He was a brother of Adna R. Chaffee, the retired head of the United States army.

Labels: Belleview avenue, Budd park, cemetery, Civil War, flowers, hotels, Independence, women

May 3, 1908

GETTING READY FOR OPENING.

The Finishing Touches Are Being

Made at Fairmount Park.

More men have been employed to prepare the flower beds and other things which will beautify Fairmount park on its opening day, next Sunday. The frosts of the last few days destroyed many of the flowers, but making inroads upon the various greenhouses, new flowers have been procured to take the place of the ones that were killed. The park this year is to be prettier than ever. More care has been taken of the lawns and trees, the buildings have received new coats of paint and many new electrical effects have been added.

Among the unique attractions at the park this year is to be a "goat farm," where a number of goats will be kept. H. O. Wheeler's band will furnish the music for the park, while Albert's orchestra will be in the dancing pavilion. The outdoor skating rink, which is to be one of the features of the park this summer, is nearly finished.

Labels: fairmount park, flowers, music, weather

May 1, 1908

HE'S 70 YEARS YOUNG.

Friends of Colonel Jewett Help Him

Celebrate an Anniversary.

COL. E. S. JEWETT

A number of friends of Colonel E. S. Jewett assembled last Wednesday night at the residence of A. E. Holmes, son-in-law of the colonel, to pay their respects to Colonel Jewett on his 70th aniversary. A number of speeches eulogistic of the life and action of Colonel Jewett were made. A most enjoyable evening was passed by the participants. Among those present, including the honored guest, were Rev. Dr. William H. Black of Marshall, Mo., Dr. J. D. Griffith, Dr. Samuel Ayres, E. I. Farnsworth, George H. Foote, George W. Hagenbuch, B. H. Payne, general agent Missouri Pacific Railway Company, St. Louis, Mo.; H. N. Garland, Samuel G. Warner, George W. Jones, Charles A. Young and Albert Holmes.

The house was beautiful decorated with flowers and ferns, and the table with it floral decorations was a work of art. George H. Foote acted as toastmaster, and all of the participants made speeches during the evening, which were received by the guest of honor and others with great enthusiasm, the general sentiment being expressed that all of those present might be able to be present upon the anniversary of the 100th birthday of Col. Jewett.

Labels: flowers, Seniors, veterans

April 23, 1908

ONLY FLOWERS CAN

SPEAK TO STRANGER.

MAN THOUGHT TO BE BUL-

GARIAN LIES IN HOSPITAL.

No One Has Been Found Who Can

Talk With Him and Learn

His Home -- Bouquet

Brings Tears.

If any one in Kansas City can talk the Bulgarian language, he will do an act of charity if he will call upon F. H. Ream, religious director of the Helping Hand institute, and assist him in learning the identity of a Bulgarian now at the general hospital.

The unfortunate man has been tried with Polish, Slav, Russian, German and many other European tongues, but to all he is dumb. He has indicated that he can speak Bulgarian. On April 12 the man was found at the Union depot, suffering from a badly injured left hand. He was taken to the general hospital, where it was discovered that a circular saw had ploughed its way into his left hand between the second and ring fingers. It became necessary to amputate both the index and second fingers. The saw tore through almost to the man's wrist.

All day long the poor fellow sits in his ward, unable to say a thing but "Arkansas," "sawmill" and "me much sick," when spoken to.

While in the flower store of Miss J. E. Murray yesterday, Ream told the story of the melancholy Bulgarian with the injured hand.

"So far from home," he said, "badly injured, and can't speak a word of English, but the few he says all the time."

"I wonder if flowers could talk to him," Miss Murray said.

"They speak to all nations alike," said Ream, "especially to the unfortunate."

Miss Murray fixed up a bouquet f roses, bright red American Beauties, carnations of all shades and interspersed them with violets. She told Ream to take them to the injured man. He did, returning to the hospital to do so.

"It was the most pathetic scene I ever witnessed," said Ream last night. "When I went in I walked up and laid the bouquet in the man's good hand. Without looking up he said, 'Me much sick,' but when he felt the damp flowers he grasped the stems and looked up as if to say some mistake has been made. I indicated that the flower were for him and said so in Polish. His face flushed, bowed among the flowers. 'Me? Me?' he asked, excitedly, still clinging to the blossoms. I had to indicate again that they were all for him.

"Once more the poor fellow buried his face among the flowers," concluded Ream, "but when he lifted his head, big tears were streaming down his cheeks. The flowers had spoken to him."

The unfortunate is between 39 and 45 years old. From signs made by him, the nurse, who has been attending him, believes that he has two daughters somewhere. He will point to her, hold up two fingers and then pat his own breast.

It is believed that the man was injured at a sawmill somewhere in Arkansas and was sent into Kansas City to be cared for by the city.

"If I can find someone who can talk to him," said Ream, "I think we will learn where his people are."

Labels: accident, flowers, general hospital, Helping Hand, immigrants, retailers, Union depot

April 21, 1908

MR. CRITTENDEN IS

NOW THE MAYOR.

TOOK OATH OF OFFICE AT HIGH

NOON YESTERDAY.

The Ceremonies Were Witnessed by a

Large Gathering of Men and

Women in Lower House

of the Council.

Two years of municipal rule under the Democratic party became operative at 12:15 o'clock yesterday afternoon, when Mayor-Elect Crittenden took the oath of office as administered by City Clerk Clough, and Mayor Beardslehy took formal leave of his two years' stewardship of the city's affairs.

The inaugural ceremony was held in the lower house of the council chamber. It was preceded at the noon hour by the firing of minute guns on the outside of the hall. The chambers were decorated with the national colors, palms, ferns, plants and blossoms. The desks of the aldermen, speakers' rostrum and reading clerk stand were particularly lavishly decorated. Many of the aldermen were recipients of special floral offerings from their admiring friends, the most noticeable set pieces being a pyramid bouquet at the station of Alderman Pendergast; an immense floral horse shoe on the desk of Alderman O'Hearn from the Second Ward Democratic Club; a vase of American Beauty roses on the desk of Alderman Woolf, and a tree trimmed with lemons which were calculated to describe what had been handed the individuals and interests that had so desperately fought Woolf in the Third ward; a four leaf floral shamrock, seven feet high, was the gift to Alderman Bulger from his Fourth ward admirers.

CRITTENDEN AND BEARDSLEY.
Led by Aldermen Bulger and Bunker, Mayor-Elect Crittenden and Mayor Beardsley were escorted into the chambers. Their appearance was the signal for an outburst of applause which continued for many minutes. Mayor Beardsley's valedictory was short. He said that he had tried to discharge the duties of mayor for two years to the best of his ability and judgement, an d impressed upon his successor that he was not the mayor of any one man, faction or party, but the mayor of the whole city and wished for him abundant success. Mr. Crittenden relied that he fully realized all that his predecessor had said, that he would try to be mayor for all the people and when in doubt would seek their advice.

"Possibly, Mr. Beardsley, during my term of office I may have to go to you for advice, and I feel sure you will be pleased to extend to me the courtesies you have heretofore granted me," replied Mr. Crittenden, who then delivered his inaugural address.

Labels: Alderman Bulger, flowers, James Pendergast, Kansas City council, Mayor Beardsley, Mayor Crittenden, politics

April 18, 1908

IT CUTS GRASS BORDERS.

A Machine That Every Man Who Has

a Lawn Will Want.

A very practical machine for cutting grass borders and the edge of lawns is being demonstrated this week at the store of the Bunting-Stone Hardware Company, 806-808 Walnut street. It is claimed that it does what other machines cannot do, and what lawn mowers leave undone, and that with it a single person may accomplish as much work as four men.

This border grass cutter will trim and edge a lawn with remarkable speed and perfection. It has a shield in order to protect flowers from the cuttin gblades, and has demonstrated to countless users that the old-time, back-breaking day of shears, clippers, etc., is forever past.

Labels: flowers, retailers, Walnut Street

March 1, 1908

ROSES BEGIN TO BUD.

Leaves on Shade Tree Also Indicate

Approach of Spring.

Occasional frosts are keeping fruit trees back, but flowering bushes are in peril. Most roses are already budding, and along the lines of the stret cars shade trees are throwing out their leaves. One, at Seventeenth and Troost, has leaves measuring an inch across. Horticulturists say that while the flowers are almost certain to be destroyed by frosts sure to come, fruit trees may not be advanced far enough to get where the frost can reach them.

Labels: flowers, Seventeenth street, streetcar, Troost avenue, weather

August 20, 1907

MORE WOE FOR DR. OTTO BOHL.

Suit in Ejectment Brought Against

the Scientist.

A. Kiss, of 218 Clinton place, after two sessions in police court with Dr. Otto Bohl, who had a laboratory in the Kiss' chicken house, brought suit yesterday afternoon in the circut court to enjoin the specialist from occupying the chicken house or the adjouining property. Judge T. J. Seehorn issued a temporary order, returnable Saturday.

Mr. Kiss, after reciting that the initial A. before his name stand for Andor, proceeds to state in his petition that on March 10 last Dr. Bohl applied to him for permission to occupy his chicken house, with the understanding that Bohl was to care for his lawn and flower beds for the rent. Kiss says he refused the permission, but the doctor moved in anyhow, much to the discomfort of his chickens.

Dr. Bohl has been "at home" there since, Kiss says. What Kiss objects to especially is that Dr. Bohl builds confines in the yard and asserts he cooks weeds, toads, turtles, snakes and sundry other kinds of beast and vetgetation in open kettles.

Labels: animals, doctors, flowers, Judge Seehorn

August 14, 1907

WILL NOT RACE AT ELM RIDGE.

No Sanction Can Be Secured From

American Automobile Association.

Overtures by the management of the fair that is to be given at Elm Ridge for a series of automobile races have been brought to an aburpt termination by the American Automobile Association.

"Our governing board would not permit it," said President W. W. Cowen, "and there are other rules which make it impossible for us to go into any such show as a side issue. We will have automobile races here this year, and they will be the best we ever had. However, they will be under the auspices of our own society and under our own rules."

Already preparations are being made for the parade that is to be given during carnival week.

"That will be a public affair," said President Cowen, "and one of the most delightful features that can be produced. Many women have told us of their intention to enter the parade, and they have raised the question of whether they must dress their cars in flowers or bunting. We will allow both, or either. This parade will have nothing to do with the Elm Ridge fair or anything else, but it will be given in alliance with the managers of the P. O. P., as part of their week's entertainment.

Labels: amusement, automobiles, Elm Ridge, flowers

August 8, 1907

MINIATURE ZOO GONE.

QUEER DOCTOR'S QUEER ASSORT-

MENT DISAPPEARS.

Among the Missing Is a Turtle's

Liver -- Neighbors Complained

to the Court of His

"Varmints."

LIST OF QUEER PROPERTY LOST.
2 little cats, one black, one white.
2 snake skin rattles
3 toad skin purses
1 turtle's liver
1 lizard carcass - dried and stuffed.
2 cakes of soap.
2 paint brushes.
6 walking sticks made of different woods.
1 beer can.
Cooking utensils, a variety.
300 bottles of various kinds. Containing medicines made from herbs of all kinds, snakes, toads, lizards and bugs. Value cannot be estimated at this time.

"Doctor" Otto Bohl made out the foregoing list of "property" while sojourning in the holdover at police headquarters from Tuesday afternoon until yesterday morning when he was arraigned in police court charged with disturbing the peace of Mrs. A. Kiss of 218 Clinton place.

Dr. Bohl is a naturalist and has been living in a chicken coop in the rear of the Kiss home. He has a small pond there in which he is cultivating a small zoo. He has snakes, frogs, turtles, lizards and bugs of all kinds. He has also planted seeds of most every plant on earth in the vicinity of he rendezvous near the Kiss chicken coop.

"He has a menagerie out there which has frightened the whole neighborhood. We are afraid his animals or varmints will get loose. Then he came out there Sunday with a gallon of whiskey, got full on it and laid out in the rain and mud most of the day," said Mrs. Kiss.

Here the eminent "Doctor" Bohl came forward with his remarkable list of property which he said was "lost, strayed or stolen from said chicken coop in the rear of 218 Clinton place." He insisted that Judge Kyle read the valuable list of property, saying there were three hundred articles on the list.

The doctor then set to work telling how he loved nature, and how he had beautified the place out there. "There is an old stump here, judge," he said. "Beneath it I have planted seeds from Zanzabar, a creeper, a vine from Brazil, gypsum weed from the same country, and flowers even from Italy, Morocco, Ceylon, India, Philippines, Alaska, and even Ireland. It was a most beautiful stump, and Mr. Harry Walmsley has often been out to spend Sunday with me -- also other prominent men.

"This woman, judge, she chased me three times around my botanical stump with a hoe. I made my exit into the weeds. On Tuesday morning I returned and found that all my property ahd been swept away as if by a cyclone. Even my cates, some turtles, a lizard and a snake were missing... live ones. I got permission to stay out there from the man who owns the porperty next door. I live at 206 Watkins avenue in the East bottoms."

It was the funniest trial ever held in police court. "Doctor" Bohl speaks very broken, as did most of the witnesses. They paid no attention to the decorum of the court and interruupted each other frequently to the great delight of the court attaches and spectators. Judge Kyle ordered the "doctor" to keep off the Kiss property. He said he would.

"Doctor" Bohl goes about town carring a hand satchel. In it he most always has a live toad, a turtle or a snake. He will pick up any kind of snake just as casually as one would a straw. He exhibited his snakes in a North end saloon once and several patrons had fits. For that the "doctor" was incarcerated. He showed the snake in court the next day and promised to carry them about no more.. Another time he spent a week at the workhouse before anyone knew what had become of him. His is regarded as exceedingly eccentric.

Labels: animals, doctors, flowers, immigrants, Judge Kyle, mental health, North end, police court, workhouse

February 1, 1907

IT WAS THE LIMIT.

WOMEN SOUVENIR HUNTERS

TOOK COLLINS AT HIS WORD.

LUGGED OFF A HEAVY DOOR.

"YOU DON'T MEAN WE CAN

HAVE IT?" THEY COOED

"Sure, I Do," Said Collins, and His Eyes Nearly Fell Out When

They Carted Off an $8.50 Door That

Weighed Forty-Eight Pounds

R. J. Collins, manager of a sash and door manufacturing company, had an exhibit at the Coates house in the club room durning the Southwestern lumbermen's convention this week. As a souvenir his firm gave away a little door, about eight inches long and five inches wide. After about 3,000 had been given away, the supply ran out yesterday right after the noon hour.

About 2 o'clock two wwomen walked into the room. Mr. Collins greeted them effusively, and gave them each an American Beauty rose. He had a large jar of the flowers for the fair sex visitors.

"Haven't you got some doors that you are giving away as souvenirs?" asked one of the women very sweetly.

"Why -- why --no --yes --yes," said Collin. "We have just those two left," and he pointed to the south wall against which stood two full-sized, regular house doors, with glass panels.

Are you giving them away?" said the other woman, eagerly.

"Yes," said Collins, He thought he was having a little joke, and the women were appreciating it.

"Well," said the first woman, "would you give us one?"

"Certainly," said Collins, The thing looked serious, but he determined to be game.

"And may we take one?" said the other woman.

"Help yourself," he said with a grandiose flourish.

"To his utter amazement and astonishment, the two women grabbed hold of the door, stood it on one side, and then, each taking an end, started out of the room.

"It's heavy," murmured one of the women, "but I guess we can m anage it. Can you carry your end?" The other woman cooed an affirmative.

They pushed out the crowded hall toward teh lobby. The door weighed forty-eight pounds, but was more awkward than heavy. One of the women slipped and almost fell. She exploded mirthfully, took a fresh grip, and they plodded on. They reached the lobby. Several hundred lumbermen stood glued to the marble tiling, speechless. But the women never noticed. They swung out of the north door of the hotel and onto the pavement. There they placed the door against the wall of the building.

They hailed an expressman, had him load the door into his wagon, gave him an address, and away he went. Unruffled, except for a few dislodged locks, they returned to the hotel and quietly went upstairs, pursuing thier quest for souvenirs.

Just as the women were getting throught he outside door w3ith their prizes, E. W. Gardiner spied them. He rang for a porter.

"Go find out at once about that," he said. "Ask the sash and door exhibit in the club house."

The porter ran into Collins.

"It's alright," said the latter. He came out and told it all to Gardiner, and then to L. M. Firey, the manager. Then he bought the cigars.

"It's on me -- it's on me," mumbled Collins weakly. "It's on me. I spotted the womwen as souvenir hunters as soon as they hit the place. I was out of the little doors, so I thought I sould spring a joke and tell them to take a big, real one. And they took it. I'm game, though. The door is theirs. It's worth about $8.50. I'll stand that allright, allright. The way they worked to lug it out of the hotel was worth the money. That's the limit on souvenirs. I've seen all kinds of it -- but that's the best, isn't it?" HE turned to Firey and Gardiner. They nodded their heads.

Give us some more cigars," said Collins. I'll have to steady my nerves."

Labels: cigars, Coates house, conventions, flowers, hotels