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August 16, 1908

TAKEN ILL ON TRAIN.

Morphine Was Administered to Miss

Allen by a Traveling Doctor.

Raving, and in extreme pain, Miss Beulah Allen of Marcelline, Mo., was removed from a Santa Fe train at the Union depot last night. The conductor said that the young woman had boarded the train at Marcelline and was apparently in the best of health. Later she became violently ill and a physician on board the train administered morphine.

Seized with the conviction that she was about to die, Miss Allen called repeatedly for her sweetheart, who lives in Marcelline. The physician who attended her admitted that he could not understand the case nor did he konw what troubled the girl. He said taht she seemed to be in a very serious condition and that death might result at any time.

The ambulance from the emergency hospital was called and the girl given treatment by Dr. J. Park Neal. Dr. Neal said that the girl had suffered from cramps, and that morphine administered by the physician on the train had served to unbalance her mind. No serious results are anticipated.

Labels: doctors, illness, railroad, visitors

August 16, 1908

BUT SHE REALLY WAS SICK.

Owner of a Hotel Said His Manager

Was Shamming.

A hotel proprietor at 1205 Charlotte street appeared in police court yesterday to prosecute Mrs. Hattie Daschner, his manager, alleging that she disturbed his peace. Witnesses said that the woman was too ill to appear. the proprietor insisted that she was not, that she was hale an hearty and only shamming.

Justice Theodore Remley, sitting for Harry J. Kyle, police judge, issued a bench warrant for Mrs. Daschner and ordered the police to have her in court at 1 o'clock. In the meantime she was to be released on a $200 cash bond.

At the appointed hour the police returned empty handed. But they had made an investigation, they said. "That poor old woman is 70 years old," one said, "and she is certainly down sick in bed. We could not take her from there."

Justice Remley advised the proprietor to see if the matter could not be adjusted out of court.

Labels: Charlotte street, hotels, illness, Judge Remley, police court, Seniors

August 15, 1908

SHOT HERSELF IN THE HEAD.

Mrs. Alice Buerskens Felt She Was a

Burden to Her Husband.

With a small bunch of flowers in her left hand and a large revolver in the right, Mrs. Alice Buerskens shot herself in the right temple at 10 o'clock in her home, 1700 East Twenty-eighth street, yesterday morning after sh e had written a note to her husband, Henry Buerskens, a bartender, telling him she loved him too much to be a burden to him any longer. Alice Holmberg, 7 years old, who lives at 2705 Vine street, every day paid a visit to Mrs. Buerskens and when she called at the home yesterday Mrs. Buerskens sent her to the store to purchase stamps. While the child was away from the house Mrs. Buerskens shot herself.

She died instantly and was found lying on the bed by the Holmberg girl when she returned to the house from the store. Alice Holmberg immediately ran to her home, where she notified her mother, who in turn apprised No. 6 police station.

Carpenters employed on a new building across the street from the Buerskens home heard of the pistol shot, but paid no attention to it. The dead woman and her husband had recently moved to the Twenty-eighth street house, and the neighbors did not know their name.

The police found difficulty in securing the woman's name and it was several hours before the husband was notified of the suicide. The husband could not give any reason for the deed, and the note she left to explain her act was not clear. He said that his wife appeared to be in a happy mood when he left her in the morning to go to work. Before her marriage to Henry Buerskens she was Alice Beech and formerly a nurse in the city hospital and in the state hospital at Topeka, Kas. The coroner was notified and he had the body removed to Freeman & Marshall's undertaking rooms.

Mrs. Buerskens left the following note addressed to her husband:

"Dear Henry: You are not to blame for this -- I love you too much to burden you longer. Pray God to forgive me -- love to my own dear mother, father, brother and all my people -- sweetheart, don't you feel bad -- I am sorry I could not help you more -- love and kisses, Alice"

When seen last night, Mr. Buerskens said his wife had been ill for several years and of late had been worse than usual. They had no children and she was alone in the house the greater part of the time, and probably brooded over her illness. He said his wife had never complained of being tired of life and he had no idea she would kill herself.

Neighbors and friends who have known the woman for several years said she had been in the habit of taking opiates to relieve the pain she continually suffered. Mrs. Buerskens's parents reside in Topeka, Kas.

Labels: children, illness, No 6 police station, Suicide, Twenty-eighth street, undertakers, Vine street, women

July 14, 1908

STOMACH GROWN TOGETHER.

Robert Neudeck Is Slowly Dying of

Starvation in Kansas City, Kas.

Robert Neudeck, a well known resident of Kansas City, Kas., is slowly dying of starvation at his home, 1052 Reynolds avenue. The attending physicians have abandoned hope for his recovery and announce that the end is only a question of a short time.

More than a year ago Mr Neudeck suffered an affliction of the stomach. At first it was not thought to be serious and his doctor placed him on a light diet. The case has baffled the physicians. From all indications the walls of his stomach have grown together.

Mr. Neudeck is a member of one of the oldest and best known families in Wyandotte county. He has been engaged in the mercantile business, and for a number of years was a member of the local police department.

Labels: illness, Kansas City Kas, police

July 6, 1907

WIFE THINKS HER

HUSBAND GUILTY

WILL NOT VISIT HIM IN HIS PO-

LICE STATION CELL.

NEW GRIEF FOR MRS. HEADLEY.

HUSBAND'S ARREST FOLLOWED

BY MOTHER'S ILLNESS.

Headley Is a Stationary Fireman,

and Declares a "Job is Being

Put Up on Him" -- Vic-

tim Is Improving.

Just as Mrs. Ward Headley had finished reading of the attack upon 5-year-old Eunice Swift, with which her husband is charged, in the morning papers yesterday, her sister entered her room and told her to hurry to the bedside of their mother, Mrs. Melinda Greenstreet, who, it was thought, was dying. The bride of a week, already dumbfounded by the sudden knowledge of the crime for which her husband is under arrest, sat as one dead to the world, as if she had not heard the sad news which her sister had brought. It took much urging and explaining by the sister before Mrs. Headley collected her wits enough to understand just what was happening.

Hastily she arose from her chair and without a word walked bareheaded to her mother's home, 1706 Indiana avenue. There she found her aged mother at the point of death. Mrs. Greenstreet had not been informed of the charges against Mrs. Headley's husband, and without a word, Mrs. Headley took her place beside the bed. Later in the day when a visitor questioned her concerning her husband and his alleged crime, Mrs. Headley could scarcely speak, so great was the strain under which she labored.

THINKS HE WAS DRUNK.

"I do not know what to think of it," she said. "Ward was a particular friend of the Kelso and Swift families, and to learn that he had attacked those little children was a complete surprise to me.

"The only explanation I can offer is that he was crazy drunk. For three days steadily he has been under the influence of liquor. Friday night some of our friends came over to our house and gave us a chariavari. He was drunk when he went to bed that night and his actions were peculiar. Saturday morning when he got up he had not quite sobered, but he insisted on going to a saloon for another drink. Against my wishes he went, and he stayed two hours. When he returned he brought two bottles of beer with him.

"That afternoon he decided to go to the Kelso's, 'just for a few minutes,' he said. I understand that he had more beer there, but I have seen nothing of him since he left our home at noon.

"Am I going down to the jail to see him?" she repeated in reply to a question. "Well, I should say not. I am through with him for good. My mother is almost dead, and I wouldn't leave her for anybody. I don't think I will try to get him free, or to get him out on bond. I can't help believing the charges are true for the evidence is unmistakable."

Mrs. Kelso and Mrs. Swift, the mothers of the two girls, went to the Greenstreet home yesterday to see Mrs. Headley and to express their sympathy for the unfortunate young wife. "I feel very sorry for Mrs. Headley," said Mrs. Swift. "She is such a fine little woman, much better than Headley deserved. This and her mother's condition are a severe blow to her Mrs. Kelso and I will do all we can to help her through her trouble, but we will not let up on the prosecution of her husband."

VICTIM GROWS BETTER.

Eunice Swift, the little girl who was most seriously injured, is said to be greatly improved, but is still under a physician's care. Ethel Kelso is still suffering from nervousness and extreme fright.

Ward Headley, who is arrested and charged with the assault, is a fireman employed by the Browing King Clothing Company building. At police headquarters, where he is being held, he made the following statement:

"I am innocent of the crime they charge me with. I have known the little Kelso girl ever since she was born, and liked her very much.

"This arrest reminds me of the time I was arrested on the charge of stealing a watch, not many years ago. At that time they thought they had enough evidence to put me behind the bars, but I fooled them and proved that I was innocent. That's what I am going to do this time, too."

Headley requested that his wife be notified of his arrest, and that she come down to the jail to see him. He wanted to talk to her, and explain that thing were not as bad as they had been painted. He felt confident that he would be successful in making his wife believe that it was a put up game against him."

Labels: abuse, alcohol, illness, Indiana avenue, marriage, police headquarters, violence

June 26, 1908

TRIPLETS' FATHER

IS UNDER ARREST.

NEIGHBORS CHARGE HIM WITH

NEGLECTING CHILDREN.

He Has Seven, One of Them Being

Boaz, Last Remaining of Trip-

lets -- Mother of Chil-

dren Dead.

Martin Curry, father of the much advertised Curry triplets, was arrested yesterday afternoon on a warrant issued out of the juvenile court, Kansas City, Kas., charging him with neglecting his children. He was locked up in the county jail and will be arraigned in the juvenile court today The arrest of Curry was caused by numerous complaints made by neighbors. He has six children beside the one remaining triplet, Boaz, the two others having recently died. It is the older children that he is accused of neglecting. He stated last night that he had in no way neglected his family as far as he knows. He proposes to hire an attorney and fight the case. Under the juvenile court law neglect of children by their parents is punishable by a fine and jail sentence.

On Sunday afternoon December 22 last, triplets were born to Mr. and Mrs. Martin Curry, 2543 Alden avenue, Kansas City, Kas. The babies, two boys and a girl, were all perfectly formed and unusually healthy. Curry is a laborer and, owning to his poor financial circumstances, the people of the two Kansas Citys became deeply interested in his family, especially the triplets, and hundreds of dollars were contributed by the public that the little ones and their mother should not need for anything in the way of care and attention.

The speedy and generous response of the public lifted a load of worry from the father and all went well until the death of Mrs. Curry, which occurred five weeks after the birth of the triplets. The little ones were doing splendidly at that time and the prospects for them to live were pronounced good by the family physician. At the time of Mrs. Curry's death an effort was made to have the triplets placed in a nursery where they might receive the best of care, but the father decided to trust the rearing of the babies to his 17-year-old daughter Bertha.

Ten days ago the babies were taken ill from having been fed sour milk. Ruth died on Wednesday, June 17, followed by the death of David last Sunday. Boaz, the last of the triplets, still lives, but is not in the best of health. Dr. T. C. Benson stated last night that the child was much better than it was a few days ago, and expressed the belief that it would live if properly cared for. It was Dr. Benson that named the triplets, christening them as they were born.

Labels: charity, children, death, doctors, illness, juvenile court, Kansas City Kas

June 3, 1908

WHAT LARKS THERE'LL

BE IN THE BIG ROOM.

WHEN IT'S OPENED FOR PLAY

AT MERCY HOSPITAL.

Little Patients Look Forward to the

Day With Impatience -- A

Gleam in Their Mel-

ancholy Lives.

"Wait till our new playroom's done." That is what the little boys and girls, inmates of the Mercy Hospital, Fifth street and Highland avenue, are saying. Everything now centers about that large new playroom which is almost completed, and every morning and afternoon the nurses have to take the children back into the new building and let them feast their eyes on the room which is to mean so much fun to them.

Some of the little patients in the hospital have been there for seven months, and in some cases there are not many signs of improvement. Their lives are not full of pleasure, and it is seldom that visitors who take more than a patronizing interest in them are seen. The little fellows feel that they are being made spectacles of and they can see the pity in their visitors' eyes. That is not what they want; they want comradeship. Their games are few, and in bad weather they must stay indoors. For this reason they look forward to the large playroom with such promise of rainy day pleasure.

At present there are eleven patients in the hospital, ranging from 10 days to 8 years in age. The older children are unusually bright and quick to learn, and in the most instances they desire to keep up their school work while in the hospital. Slates and school books have been provided for that purpose and the nurses take turns in teaching them. Few of the children, except the infants, are confined in beds, and so they find ample time to play at their games.

Running games are on the "blacklist" among them for one of their number is a cripple and cannot move without the aid of crutches. The children themselves have passed the rule that no game which calls for running or jumping shall be played, and so most of the time is spent in telling stories and piecing card maps.

"You see Joey, he's got hip d'sease, and it ain't fair to him if we play tag cause he'd have to sit and look," said one little girl in telling about their games.

But the nurses take the most interest in the infants. Maybe it is because every unnamed infant which is brought to the hospital is named for one of the nurses. There are Anne, Ruth, Carmen and Marjorie. Then the male infants are named for the doctors or particular friends of the nurses, such as Ralph and Billy. Billy is the pet of the hospital. He belongs to a mother and father who wish he did not belong to them, and consequently they are never seen about the hospital. Billy is 2 years old and is almost blind, totally in one eye. He can not talk, but his actions are so pathetic, say the nurses, that "you just can't help loving him." And so Billy gets the cream.

Miss Virginia Porter, superintendent of the hospital, says that older children are all well behaved and that they grow fond of the hospital and nurses. Even though they come of parents who do not love them, for the most part, Miss Porter tries to teach them that they should love their home and their parents above all else. The children all show the effect of this teaching, for when one little girl in the hospital was asked if she would rather stay in the hospital or go home, her little face grew long and she said: "I'd rather go home, I guess, for Mrs. Porter says that homes are the best places in the world."

Labels: children, Fifth street, Highland avenue, hospitals, illness

May 15, 1908

G. L. CHRISMAN SERIOUSLY ILL.

Recovery of Former County Judge

and Banker is Doubtful.

G. Lee Chrisman, former presiding judge of the county court, is critically ill at his home near Independence. He suffered a relapse yesterday and the consulting physicians and surgeons fear blood poisoning. Judge Chrisman has been suffering for some weeks from bladder and kidney affection and while his condition was considered serious, it was not thought to be alarming. His change for the worse yesterday makes recovery doubtful.

Judge Chrisman has lived in Jackson county nearly all of his life. He served two terms as judge of the county court from the Eastern district, and one term as presiding judge of the county court, being succeeded by Judge Patterson.

Labels: county court, illness, Independence, Judges

May 5, 1908

SUPPOSED CORPSE SAT UP.

Startling Interruption of Plans for a

Funeral Wake.

While the relatives and friends of Harvey Skinner, 166 North Valley street, Kansas City, Kas., were discussing preparations for his wake yesterday afternoon about 2 o'clock, thinking he was dead, Skinner roused suddenly and asked his son, who was standing near the bedside, for a drink of water. Naturally the men and women in the room were startled when the supposedly dead man came back to life. The son brought a glass of water and Mr. Skinner seemed to grow better. Although low, he was still alive at a late hour last night and the physicians attending him say he may live for several days.

Mr. Skinner is a printer and has been working for the Franklin Hudson Company. He has been ill with Bright's disease for about three weeks, and yesterday afternoon grew much worse, and about 1 o'clock, apparently died. All signs of live had vanished, and the body began to grow cold. Mr's. Skinner and the eldest son began preparations for the funeral. About twenty relatives and friends had assembled, and the programme for the night was being discussed at length when Mr. Skinner sat up and called for a drink.

Harvey Skinner is 58 years of age and has lived in Kansas City for about twenty-five years. He owns his home there and has a wife and two children. He was very low last night and is not expected to live long, but preparation for the wake has been postponed.

Labels: illness, Kansas City Kas

February 2, 1908

BISHOP HOGAN IS RECOVERING.

Aged Prelate Has Been Near Death

From Pneumonia.

After having been reported as indisposed, but really near the point of death, Bishop Hogan is recovering reapidly from an attack of pneumonia. Two weeks ago he was down town and, meeting David R. Francis in the ofice of a mutual acquaintance, the aged prelate unmindfully sat with his overcoat on in the heated room, catching cold on his way home. Prostration followed and last Tuesday Bishop Lillis was brought over from his diocese on the other side of the line to annoint the Kansas City bishop for death. Prayers were said for a happy death. Yesterday one of the household laughed merrily.

"Now it is all we can do to keep the good old bishop in his bed," was said. "He insists on getting up, saying he is well."

One of Bishop Hogan's pet theories is that of "greater circle sailing." This is one of the most difficult of mathmatical calculations, used in the higher branches of the navy. He invariably follows the movement of the American fleet when on long voyages. Contrary to what would appear to be the short way, a voyage of straight lines by Admiral Evans's fleet would be longer than to make the voyage in semi-circles. Practical proof of this can be got by manipulating a thread across teh side of an orange between two points. Navigating officers all have to study this out in order to know how to make short cuts across the open sea.

"The bishop," said a clergyman yesterday, "has got over getting ready to die and he wants to get at his maps again."

In his younger days the bishop used to tell with glee how he came to be a mathmetician of high order. He comes of an aristocratic family and from early days had his private tutor. Most of the tutor's time was in trying to keep him out of mischief and at his books. Finding that the youngster liked figtures, the tutor went into the science of "greater circle sailing," which was like teaching an aria to a primer student. To the tutor's amazement the boy learned beyond his years, and ever since, he has kept up the study.

Labels: illness, ministers

January 13, 1907

F. F. ROZZELLE CRITICALLY ILL.

Operated on Yesterday at a Hospital

for Appendicitis.

F. F. ROZZELLE

The operation for appendicitis was performed on F. F. Rozzelle, former city counselor and police commissioner, at South Side hospital by Drs. Samuel Ayres, Howard Hill and Jacob Block at noon yesterday. The disease had reached the acute stage and an operation was found necessary. Mr. Rozzelle has been ill off and on for the last three months, and three days ago appendicitis developed. Saturday night it was concluded by his physicians to operate on him, and he was sent to South Side hospital.

"Mr. Rozzelle's condition is very serious," said Dr. Ayres last night, "but still I have not given up hopes for his recovery."

Labels: Commissioner Rozzelle, doctors, hospitals, illness

December 13, 1907

DOCTOR COMES ON SPECIAL.

Summoned to Treat Monroe Lee, Ill

of Typhoid Fever.

Dr. Webb, a specialist from Colorado Springs, arrived in Kansas City yesterday afternoon in a special train on the Rock Island to take charge of the case of Monroe Lee, son of S. N. Lee, who is seriously ill at the Baltimore hotel, of typhoid fever. For several days Monroe Lee ahs been at the point of death. Dr. Webb is family physician to Thomas Walsh, a millionaire mine owner, of Littleton, Col. Mrs. Walsh, and aunt of Monroe Lee, is at his bedside. Mr. Walsh is en route from California and will arrive here today.

Labels: children, doctors, Hotel Baltimore, illness

December 4, 1907

MRS. CROWLEY'S MISFORTUNES.

Her Husband Died, Her Home Burned, a

Child is Ill and She is Penniless.

For several days the doctors at the Emergency hospital have been caring for Mrs. Maria Crowley, and trying to find a place where she can earn enough money to support herself and three children. Three months ago Mrs. Crowley's husband died. Then about a week ago her youngest child, 6 months old, became ill with pneumonia. Saturday the house in which Mrs. Crowley lived, at Fifth and Harrison streets, burned, destroying all her clothing and furniture. The Associated Charities is caring for two of the children. The other is at the emergency hospital.

Labels: Associated Charities, emergency hospital, Fifth street, Fire, Harrison street, illness, women

November 20, 1907

BOY STRICKEN WITH PARALYSIS.

Had Complained of Pain in His Left

Side When He Retired.

Clarence White, 3236 Prospect avenue, who was stricken with paralysis night before last, is greatly improved. He is able to move about and to speak. For a while his condition was considered quite serious and up to yesterday there was not much hope for his recovery.

White came home from work Monday night and went immediately to his room. He had not been in good health for some time and had been complaining all day about a poin in his left side. In the morning when his father called him he gave no reply. Upon entering the room A. E. White, his father, saw his son lying in the bed with his eyes wide open and apparently awake, but unable to speak or to move. He immediately divined the cause and sent for the family physician. By the last report he is rapidly recovering his muscles.

Labels: illness, Prospect avenue

October 30, 1907

HE HAD "WALKING TYPHOID."

Young Man, Delirious From Fever, Is

Found on the Streets.

A young man in a delirious condition and unable to give his name was found wanering about the strets yesterday by the police. After being made comfortable at the emergency hospital, where it was found that he had a temperature of 103 degrees, he was finaly enabled to give his name, Willard Pipes. He is 19 years old and his home is in Danville, Ill.

Pipes said that up to two weeks ago he had been working for a pipe line contractor at Tulsa, O. T. Then he was taken ill but did not go to a hospital. He has been on his feet wandering about most of the time since suffering from what physicians call "walking typhoid." Pipes will be sent to the general hospital, as his condition is critical.

Labels: emergency hospital, general hospital, illness, visitors

September 2, 1907

HEADACHE POWDER DID IT.

Wilson Took the Drug and His Skin

Turned Blue as Indigo.

The conjecture of the emergency hospital that the unknown man found unconsciuos at Eighth and Wyandotte streets was subject to acetanilid poison from headache powders was later found to be correct when he recovered consciousness last night. After almost twenty-four hours of intense suffering, durning part of which time his skin turned as blue as indigo from the poison, the man recovered consciousness long enough to tell his name and the cause of his illness.

His name is given as John Wilson, a brakeman in the employ of the Burlington railroad. His home is in St. Louis, where he has a wife, but he had been in Kansas City several days. He says he had a severe headache Saturday morning, and that he applied to a physician for relief. The doctor gave him some kind of powders, which he swallowed. The next he remembers was regaining consciousness in a ward of the emergency hospital. It was thought by attending physicians last night that a mistake had been made in the presecription given the man, and that he had been allowed to take an overdose of acetanilid.

Mr. Wilson was very faint last night and his recovery is not certain. It was stated at the hospital last night that he had a good chance for recovery.

One hundred and eighty gallons of oxygen, costing $70, was used Saturday night by physicians at the emergency hospital to save the life of Wilson.

Labels: Eighth street, emergency hospital, illness, poison, St Louis, visitors, Wyandotte street

August 21, 1907

HER HEART IS TOO BIG.

Enlargement of That Organ Affected

This Woman's Reasoning.

Mrs. Bessie Allen, a negress, 20 years old, became demented yesterday at the Union depot and was removed to the emergency hospital. Her home is in De Kalb, Ill, where her husband, William Allen, is a porter at the Elks' Club house. She arrived here from Chicago Monday night, en route to visit her grandmother, Mrs. Elizabeth Cook, at Osceola, Mo.

Mrs. Allen began acting queerly soon after arrival and frightened other women passengers by hiding beneath the seats in the station. Coming from her hiding place, she purchased a ticket for her destination and then boarded the first train she came to. That happened to be the eastbound Wabash. At Cameron, Mo., she was placed aboard a Kansas City train and returned here. When she arrived here yesterday morning she was taken in charge by the police. The surgeons found her to be suffering from enlargement of the heart. The pulsations of that organ can be plainly seen through her clothing across a room. Mrs. Allen believes that her grandmother is in the next room from where she lays in bed and is constantly announcing, "Bessie's dead; Bessie's dead."

Labels: illness, Union depot, visitors

August 9, 1907

4 WOMEN STRICKEN.

HOME-MADE ICE CREAM BLAMED

FOR THEIR ILLNESS.

SUFFER PTOMAINE POISONING.

MRS. CHARLOTTE SHINDEL VERY

ILL AT 924 PARK AVENUE.

Misses Charlotte and Ester Marshall

and Their Mother Were Reported

by the Attending Physician

as Out of Danger

Last Night.

Four members of the family of D. E. Marshall, president of the firm of D. E. Marshall & Co. , contractors and builders, were stricken with ptomaine poisoning yesterday afternoon, and one, Mrs. Charlotte Shindel, Mrs. Marshall's mother, is still seriously ill.

It is presumed that ice cream, which had been made in the Marshall home, 924 Park avenue, caused the trouble.

On account of the heat yesterday afternoon Miss Charlotte and Miss Ester Marshall, daughters of D. E. Marshall, wanted ice cream and a freezerful was made by the domestic.

Both the young women, Mrs. Marshall and Mrs. Shindel ate of the ice cream and all were taken ill. Mr. Marsahll, who took luncheon and dinner at home, got through the day very happily and is inclined to blame the poisoning on the ice cream.

Mrs. Marshall said last night that she had no idea what made the family ill, but insisted she thought the cream was innocent.

Dr. W. S. Wheeler, who was summoned in the evening, treated the family and last night pronounce d everyone, excepting Mrs. Shindel, out of danger.

D. E. Marshall & Co., of which Mr. Marshall is president, is widely known as a contracting firm. A brick yard and planing mill are run in connection with the contracting office at 2011 East Tenth street.

Miss Ester Marshall, the elder daughter, is a student at Missouri University in her senior year.

Labels: food, illness, Park avenue, Tenth street

August 7, 1907

TO SAVE HER LIFE

JOURNAL READERS RAISE FUND

FOR MRS. LOWREY.

THEY SEND HER TO ARIZONA.

WIFE'S SACRIFICE AND DEVO-

TION AMPLY REPAID.

Happy to the Verge of Tears, the

Unfortunate Woman Starts on

the Long Journey in Search

of Health in More

Congenial Climate.

The following contributions were received by The Journal yesterday as a fund to send Mrs. J. A. Lowry, the self-sacrificing wife to Arizona in hope that her health may be restored.

"A Journal Reader".....................$10.00
Cash..................................................10.00
Cash..................................................10.00
Cash..................................................10.00
Cash....................................................5.00
L. S. Larimore, Calwell, Kas.........2.00

Total................................................$47.00
Last night the Journal received a check for $50 from a woman who asked that her name be kept secret.

"I hardly know what to say -- the people have been so kind to me -- I am grateful, of course -- more grateful than I can express -- it was so unexpected and so splendid -- goodby, and thank you, oh, ever so much!"

The speaker was a frail woman, too feeble to stand without assistance, and as she sat in an invalid's chair at the Union depot last night waiting for the train that was to bear her away to health and ahppiness, her expressions of gratitude for the kindness tha had made her journey possible were broken with tears. She was Mrs. M. A. Lowry, of 1106 Cherry street, just departing for Prescott, Arizona, where she hopes that the pure dry climate of that state will cure her of tuberculosis.

A WIFE'S DEVOTION.

There are doubtless few in Kansas City who have not heard the story of this unfortunate woman's sufferings: How six years ago she married a stalwart young railroad man and came to Kansas City to help him build a home; how after two bright-eyed children came to them the mother was stricken with a terrible disease which only a climatic change could cure; how just as she and her husband were on the point of starting for Arizona last winter, the man was arrested on a charge based on circumstanial evidence and thrown into an Arkansas prison; how the woman without a murmur laid her life upon the altar of her husband's honor by expending the little savings laid by for the Western journey in a futile attempt to clear the charges against him; how he went to prison, while her health faded away; how after her strength failed she sat day in and day out before the doorway of their home that she might be the first to welcome him upon his return; how finally her pathetic story reached the governor of Arkansas who ordered the husband liberated, and how last week he came home to begin anew the fight to build a home.

When Mr. Lowrey reached Kansas City last Tuesday he set about finding a place to work. At the best it is a hard proposition for a man just out of prison to find profitable employment, yet he went to work with commendable zeal. But the wife's health began to fail rapidly after the reaction of her joy at his liberation, and it became apparent that something had to be done at once.

Following an editorial in The Journal, a number of citizens sent contributions for the unfortunate family. That no time might be lost, preparations for the trip were hurried, and Mrs. Lowrey, accompanied by her husband and two little children, left on a 9 o'clock train last night for Arizona.

When a newpaper reporter called at the Lowrey home yesterday afternoon, with the money that meant so much to the stricken woman, the gift was received with unmistakable marks of appreciation and gratitude. Part of it was in silver coins, and as the reporter poured these into the lap of the invalid she was so overcome with emotion that it was many moments before she could speak. When she did find words, however, she expressed her gratitude with grace and felling that showed greatly her glad surprise at the unexpected assistance.

Labels: charity, illness, The Journal

August 5, 1907

WIFE'S HEALTH BROKEN

AFTER OBTAINING HUSBAND'S

RELEASE FROM PRISON.

Money She Had Saved to Pay Her

Fare to Arizona Spent in the

Effort to Obtain Hus-

band's Pardon.

Lying bedfast, a sufferer of consumption due partly to her husband's incarceration in the Arkansas penitentiary, Mrs. John A. Lowrey, 1106 Cherry street, is living daily in the hope that some means may be provided whereby she can be taken to Arizona, where physicians say recovery is possible.

For six months Mrs. Lowrey pleaded with the authorities of Arkansas to release her husband, every day exhausting some new resource, and every day renewing with indomitable energy her fight for his pardon.

Finally, in sheer desperation, she sought the aid of kind friends in Kansas City. She told them of her plight, and said she must secure Lowrey's release or die an early death. Protesting that he was innocent of the charge upon which he was summarily convicted and quickly railroaded to prison, where he was sentenced to one year's servitude in Little Rock, after two juries had failed to agree, she won her first victory and went to Arkansas.

As only a loving mother and a devoted wife can plead, Mrs. Lowrey, with evidence tending to show that her husband was probably innocent of the crime of robbing a man in Fort Smith, eloquently and forcibly presented her case.

Returning to her two little children in Kansas City, weakened and much worse as the result of her long trip, Mrs. Lowrey daily awaited news from Arkansas. The days passed without cheering news and the weeks came and went.

One day a telegram came telling her that her fight was won and that on the following day, July 27, John Lowrey would be a free man.

Without funds or friends, Lowrey made his way back to Kansas City as quickly as possible. Then came the reunion. But with all its joys it had been saddened by the decline of the faithful wife's health.

Like his wife, broken in health as a result of his prison life and reduced to poverty, in debt, but not without friends, the husband started life anew.

But with his wife a victim of tuberculosis, unable to render him even the necessary assistance towards the care of the home and children, the burden of Lowrey was doubled.

Then followed the struggle for regained health. Mrs. Lowrey believed that her husband's return to her would give her new strength sufficient at least to overcome the disease which had taken hold of her.

The crisis came yesterday. The family physician told the sick woman that her only hope for life lies in a speedy change of climate, Arizona preferably.

Now a greater problem than that which faced him several months ago faces John Lowrey.

"My heroic wife secured my freedom from prison; how can I take her to Arizona?"

"I am doing all in my power to save my wife's life," said Lowrey last night. "I owe a debt of gratitude to my brave wife more sacred, if possible, than that of a mere husband. We believe that her life can be greatly prolonged by a change to a Western climate. I hope to obtain work on the railroad at Phoenix; I am corresponding with the officials there now and I look for a favorable reply in a day or two."

Mrs. Lowrey had saved $50 to pay her fare at the time her husband's trouble occurred. It was a fortune to her. She spent her money in her efforts to secure her husband's release from prison.

Labels: Cherry street, illness, penitentiary

August 2, 1907

BUT THEY WERE TOADSTOOLS.

Book Agent Ate One, Taking It

for a Mushroom.

W. S. Bundy is a book agent. He is 37 years old and lives at Lister and Linwood avenues. He has a "neat little patch of ground," to use his own words. Bundy stepped into his back yard and saw what looked like a patch of "pretty, round, fresh mushrooms."

"I believe they are toadstools," said his wife.

"Well, I'll just taste one," said Bundy. "If they are toadstools I'll find it out. If they are not, you can cook them for supper."

Thereupon Bundy made his word good by "tasting" one. That was 9 a. m. The pursuit of his business found him on the third floor of the R. A. Long building about noon. Not until then did Bundy realize that he had eaten a toadstool. He was so completely prostrated that the ambulance from the emergency hospital called and took him away. When he reached the hospital he was unconscious. Dr. Paul Lux worked with him all afternoon. At 5 o'clock he was considered out of danger.

"Telephone my wife not to cook those toadstools," were his first words.

Labels: books, food, health, illness, Linwood avenue, Lister avenue

July 22, 1907

FROM DRINKING LEMONADE.

William Richter Becomes Suddenly

Ill at Budd Park.

William Richter, 57 years old, a chemist at Van Vleck laboratory at Independence, became violently ill yesterday afternoon after drinking lemonade at Budd park. He was seized with severe cramps, and removed from the part to the emergency hospital, where he was treated by Dr. W. L. Gist. He remained at the hospital.

Labels: Budd park, doctors, Dr. Gist, emergency hospital, illness, Independence

June 30, 1907

GOT REVOLVER IN A FIT.

Arnold Hartness Shoots Up Home

Before Restrained.

Whie in an epilectic fit last night, Arnold Hartness, 303 Olive street, got possession of a revolver and began shooting. He did no damage beyond putting a few holes in the ceiling of his room. He was soon restrained by his mother and the neighbors. One of the first outsiders to reach him was Policeman Daly, who lives next door. He was attracted by the shooting. Hartness fought savagely with Daly and was still fighting when taken to the Emergency hospital.

Labels: emergency hospital, illness, Olive street

June 25, 1907

A PARK POLICEMAN STRICKEN.

J. M. Coil Has a Paralytic Stroke at
Fairmount.

J. M. Coil, a deputy county marshal, stationed as a gateman at Fairmount park, was stricken by paralyisis about 8:30 o'clock last night. He was assisting in loading and unloading passengers at the park entrance at the time. He was given emergency treatment by the park physician and later was taken to the emergency hospital.

Mr. Coil is about 55 years old and has done police duty in the city and county for many years. The paralysis was in the right side and may prove fatal.

He was brought in on an electric car, which was delayed for thirty minutes by the storm.

Labels: fairmount park, illness, police

May 17, 1907

POISONED BY PINEAPPLE.

Two Laundry Girls Unconscious

After Eating Canned Fruit.

"Pie Grated Pineapple" in a tin can came near causing the death of two young women at the Gate City laundry, 215 West Tenth street, yesterday afternoon. About 2 o'clock the ambulance was summoned from police headquarters and Dr. W. L. Gist of the emergency hospital accompanied it. Upon arrival he found Miss Myrtle Hayes, 20 years old, and Miss Blanch Steele, 21 years old, in an unconscious condition.

Dr. Gist worked with the young women for some time and succeeded in getting them beyond the danger line. They were turned over to a physician, who remained with them until late yesterday afternoon, when they were removed to their homes. Miss Hayes lives at 2915 Mersington and Miss Blanch Steele at 2919 Fairmount avenue.

The physicians were not certain whether the young women suffered from ptomaine or metallic poisoning. The can with over half of the "grated pineapple" was taken to the city hall and turned over to Dr. Walter M. Cross, city chemist. An analysis will not be made of the contents until some time today.

The young women said they bought the can from a grocery Wednesday noon for lunch. "We did not eat much of it then," one said, "and put it away for your lunch today. The can remained open during the interval. We were taken ill after partaking of the pineapple today."

The young woman cashier said, "The girls ate from the can yesterday, but did not experience any bad results. After eating from it today they also went out and ate some ice cream sodas and other truck -- I don't know what. Miss Steele seemed to be the worst affected. She did not regain consciousness until about 4 o'clock and both were still in a dazed condition late in the afternoon when taken home.

Labels: doctors, Dr. Gist, emergency hospital, illness, Mersington street, Tenth street

April 13, 1907

GASOLINE MADE HIM HELPLESS.

A Cleaner, Taken to Hospital, Gives

This as Explanation.

Constant working with gasoline probably had some bad effect upon S. P. Martin, 34 years old, a cleaner and dyer living at 711 East Eight street. He was waiting in a barber shop at 624 East Eighth street yesterday morning and upon arsing fell prone upon the floor. His face was badly bruised by the fall. At the emergency hospital, where Martin was taken, he was treated by Dr. Julius Frischer. He told the doctor that working over gasoline so much had caused him to fall unconcsious at times. He was taken home.

Labels: doctors, Eighth street, emergency hospital, illness

April 10. 1907

FROM TAKING HEART TABLETS.

Awning Hanger, Found Unconscious

in His Room, in Hospital.

Richard J. Wilson, an awning hanger living at 829 East Missouri avenue, was found unconscious in his room about 1 o'clock yesterday afternoon. He was at once removed to the emergency hospital in an ambulance from police headquarters, where Dr. W. A. Shelton worked over him for two hours. After he had revived, Wilson said that he had been taking tablets for heart and that he had never taken any of them before. Dr. Shelton said that the tablets contained digitalis, belladonna, nitro glycerin and stropanthus, all heart stimulants, but any one poison if taken in sufficient quantity. Wilson was left at the emergency hospital last night, as he is still very week.

Labels: doctors, emergency hospital, hospitals, illness, poison, police headquarters

April 8, 1907

HAS RATIONAL MOMENT.

"Sleeper" Says His Home Is in
Horseshoe Bend, Id.

L. C. Webster, who was taken from a Union Pacific train at the Union depot a week ago in an unconscious condition and moved to the General hospital, where he remained without recovering his senses, rallied sufficiently yesterday to carry on a short conversation with Dr. Johnson, the hospital physician. He stated that his home is at Horseshoe Bend, Id., and that he has a wife and three children there. He does not know how he happened to be here and was surprised when told that he was in a hospital in Kansas City. He remembers being in Cheyenne, Wyo., and boarded the Union Pacific train there which brought him to Kansas City.

Webster, while apparently rational yesterday afternoon, talked a little incoherently at times and finally lapsed into a semi-conscious condition, in which he remained up to a late hour last night. In his talk with Dr. Johnson he stated that he had previously suffered from St. Vitus' dance and it is thought that his strange affliction was brought on by this disease. The authorities will try and get in communication with his relatives in Idaho at once.

Labels: doctors, general hospital, illness, railroad, Union depot

April 5, 1907

SLEEPING MAN SPEAKS.

General Hospital Patient May Be

Victim to Acute Melancholia.

L. C. Webster, who has been at the general hospital nearly four days with what physicians believed was sleeping sickness, spoke yesterday. He is now believed by Dr. Johnson, house surgeon, to be suffering from acute melancholia.

In response to questions by a nurse, Webster yesterday nodded twice. Later, he asked for a drink of water. The nurse told him he would not get it unless he opened his eyes. Webster complied with the condition. The patient is being closely watched.

Acute melancholia is a form of insanity.

Mrs. Lillian Alexander slept at the Bethany hospital in Kansas City, Kas., in October, 1900, for fifty-four hours. When she awoke she appeared to be in a normal condition, and talked freely with the attendants at the hospital. Then after two days, she went to sleep again for 103 hours, or nearly five days.

Mrs. Alexander came from Leavenworth to the hospital. Her mother said that in Leavenworth she slept continuously for twenty-five, waking the day before she was brought to the hospital, October 20. Previous to that time she had once slept for five days. The doctors attending Mrs. Alexander said she was suffering from melancholia. She was shortly afterward adjudged insane and taken to the asylum at Osawatomie. There she again went into a deep sleep from which she never awakened.

Mrs. Alexander slept part of the time with her eyes open. Her breathing was like that of a sleeping person, and in all way s she appeared to be sleeping. She was given necessary food through a tube.

Mrs. Alexander was a widow, 34 years old, with two children. She was a music teacher and worked herself into an hysterical condition.

William Fullcher slept for 115 hours in the Wyandotte county jail about three years ago.

Labels: general hospital, illness, jail, Leavenworth, mental health

April 2, 1907

DENY THEY'RE TO BLAME.

Park Board Not Responsible for a

Disease Breeding Pond.

Complaint was made to the board of park commissioners yesterday by Charles F. Jackles that a pond at Harrison and Gillham roadway caused by park construction work was a breeding spot for mosquitoes and has caused sickness in his family. He threatens to bring legal proceedings against the city unless the nuisance is abated. The board denied all responsibility for the conditions, and set up the claim that the pond complained of is on private property.

Labels: Gillham road, Harrison street, illness, Park board

March 31, 1907

SMALL HOPE FOR W. B. THAYER.

Merchant, Ill With Pneumonia,
Is Steadily Sinking.

The condition of William B. Thayer, dry goods merchant, was reported last night as showing little chance for improvement. Slight hope is held out for his recovery. Mr. Thayer has been ill with pneumonia for about six weeks, and for a time appeared to be on the road to recovery. About five days ago, however, he suffered a relapse, and with but a slight rally now and then has been gradually sinking. Mr. Thayer lives at Forty-sixth street and Warwick boulevard.

Labels: business, illness

March 30, 1907

BABY HAD THE MEASLES.

Woman in Court Declared It

Was Only a "Cold."

Mrs. A. N. McGuire was before the juvenile court yesterday afternoon as a witness in one of the cases pending. She held in her arms a small baby which seemed to be ill.

"What's the matter with that child?" demanded Judge McCune abruptly as he happened to notice the little one, "Is it sick?"

"Yes, it seems to have a bad cold," answered the mother carelessly.

Dr. Matthias of the detention home examined the child a moment or two.

"This baby has the measles," he announced, and there was a small scattering of the bystanders who were not immune. Mrs. McGuire and the child were removed from the court room and the little one given medical attention.

Labels: detention home, doctors, illness, Judge McCune, juvenile court

March 7, 1907

MAYOR'S FATHER IS ILL.

He Was Forced to Stop Off Here on

His Way to His Home.

George Beardsley, father of the mayor, and whose home is in Champaign, Ill., was taken ill while in Texas looking after a land deal and on his way home was compelled to stop over and go tot he residence of the mayor to be nursed and treated by a physician. It was at first feared that Mr. Beardsley, who is 70 years old, had contracted pneumonia but it was thought last night that the diagnosis had been incorrect and that he is suffering from a bad cold only. Having received this assurnace Mayor beardsley went to Jonesboro, Ark., where he will address the state meeting of the Y. M. C. A. today.

Labels: illness, Mayor Beardsley, YMCA

February 22, 1907

WOFFORD HOLDING HIS OWN.

It Was Said Last Night That He Was

Improving Steadily.

Judge J. W. Wofford of the criminal court, who has been severely ill for the last two weeks, had a sinking spell yesterday morning that was serious enough to alarm his family and friends. Clarence Wofford, his son, who is stenographer of the criminal court, was sent for in a hurry and court was adjourned. Judge B. J. Casteel, of St. Joseph, who has been sitting in Judge Wofford's place during the latter's illness, dismissed court till Monday morning, after a short eulogy on the sick jurist.

Judge Wofford rallied by noon, however, and improved a great deal during the afternoon and more during the evening. His physician, Dr. J. V. Kinyoun, said late last evening:

"Judge Wofford is very much better and has every symptom at present of improving steadily."

Judge Wofford is 69 years old. For a good many years he has suffered with stomach trouble and during the last few months has suffered greatly with acute indigestion. He is sensitive about his condition, and often insisted on holding court when his friends in the court room thought they could see that he was suffering. He "pooh-poohed" any reference to his illness and insisted that he was very well indeed, or that he was at most having a slight attack of indigestion that would soon be over.

Judge Wofford has served on the criminal court bench here for about fifteen years. He was re-elected two years ago for another term of six years. He lives at 1012 Vine street.

Labels: criminal court, illness, Judge Wofford, Judges, St.Joseph, streetcar, Vine street

February 2, 1907

DEATH OF LOUIS SHUKERT.

Only Son of Furrier Succumbs

to Pneumonia

Louis Shukert, the 19-year-old son of E. Shukert, died yesterday of typhoid pneumonia. He had been ill one month. Young Mr. Shukert was graduated from the Blees Military academy last June, and had since been connected with his father's fur business at 1113 Grand avenue. Louis was the only son. The parents and one sister, Mrs. Hal Brent, survive him. The deceased was a member of the Elm Ridge Club and of the Phi Lambda Epsilon fraternity.

Gustav Shukert, an uncle from Omaha, and George Brokle, of Los Angeles, and Otto Brokle, or Rock Island, Ill., brothers of Mrs. Shukert, are on their way to Kansas City to attend the funeral. Rev. E. B. Woodruff will officiate.

Labels: death, Elm Ridge, Grand avenue, illness, Omaha