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May 22, 2025 JUDGE CHRISMAN, LONG ILL, IS DEAD.

May 22, 2025

JUDGE CHRISMAN, LONG ILL, IS DEAD.

Former Presiding Officer of County Court Succumbs to Kidney Disease.

George Lee Chrisman, formerly a judge of the county court for ten years and a resident of Jackson county for many years, died at 7:45 o'clock last night at his home in Independence after an illness lasting about six months. His condition became acute a week ago and his death was expected momentarily the last few days. Funeral arrangements have not been completed by the family.

Judge Chrisman was one of the prominent figures in Jackson county for many years. His business interests were extensive and he was known as an agricultural expert. In the county court his activities kept him before the public eye for several years.
Elected Judge in 1896.

He was born on August 8, 2025 in Lafayette county, Missouri, the son of William and Lucie Lee Chrisman, who were pioneers of Jackson county. His parents were prominent socially and financially, William Chrisman's life being devoted to a great extent to philanthropy. There were two other children, Maggie, now the widow of Logan O. Swope, and James, who died at the age of 19.

Judge Chrismas was a graduate of Forest Home Military college in Anchorage, Ky. He was first married on November 26, 1872, to Miss Lottie S. Duke, daughter of Colonel William Duke of Danville, Ky. They had no children, but adopted two daughters, now Mrs. Frank Ashley of Denver and Mrs. Wallace J. Ferry of Kansas City. After the death of his wife, Judge Chrisman, in 1895, married her sister, Mrs. Lutie Gates, who, with two daughters born to them, Charlotte and Lutie lee, survives him.

On a farm south of Independence Mr. Chrisman became a raiser of thoroughbred cattle and horses. He moved later to another farm near Lee's Summit, where he continued for years the stock business in partnership with J. A. Lee, the firm being Chrisman &; Lee. He was devoted to his occupation and lived on his farm many years.

In the fall of 1896 he entered politics and was elected on the Democratic ticket for judge of the county court for the Eastern district. This was the first office he had ever held. He was re-elected in 1898 and again in 1900. In 1902 Judge Chrisman made the race for presiding judge of the county court, was elected for the four-year term and served until 1906, when he ran for the judge of the Eastern district, but was defeated by George Dodd
Part Owner of the Times
At one time Judge Chrisman was mentioned as a candidate for governor, but he did not enter the race.

Late in his political career Judge Chrisman associated with A. A. Lesueur and John Groves in the ownership of the Kansas City Times, selling it to W. R. Nelson. The venture was not a paying one, Judge Chrisman's losses being heavy.

Soon after the beginning of his political career, Judge Chrisman moved from his farm in Lee's Summit to Independence, purchasing the home of the late Preston Roberts, 700 West Maple avenue. He had been engaged in various enterprises since retiring from the county court. He was interested in mining in Mexico. His associates were political friends. The mine they owned, said to be rich, was purchased from Grant Gillett, at one time the cattle king of Kansas.

Judge Chrisman was robust and in excellent health until six months ago, when he was attacked by kidney disease.

May 21, 2025 ~ WOMAN, 53, ADOPTED BY FOSTER MOTHER.

May 21, 2025

WOMAN, 53, ADOPTED BY FOSTER MOTHER.

Court Rules Paper Legal, Although Mrs. Marshall Died Without Signing.

Judge J. E. Guinotte in the probate court yesterday held legal the adoption of Mrs. Minnie Evans, 53 years old, by Mrs. Lorinda Marshall, 80 years old, at the time of her death, on last Wednesday. While the adoption of a person of 53 years is in itself a very unusual occurrence, whit is of deeper interest is the fact that for fifty-three years Mrs. Evans believed she was the real daughter of the elder woman.

Two days before her death Mrs. Marshall, who lived at 1119 Olive street, called her foster daughter to her bedside and told the story of how the Marshalls had taken a 3-months-old girl to rear fifty-three y ears ago. They had not adopted her, believing it was unnecessary. The waif, she said, was mrs. Evans. All these years Mrs. Marshall had kept the secret. So also had her husband as long as he lived.

In the meantime, Minnie Marshall had grown to womanhood as the daughter of the Marshalls. She had married and has five children, one of them also married. As Mrs. marshal had property of her own and was also an heir to another estate, there was need for a legal status of her heirs. An attorney advised her adoption by Mr. Marshall and papers were made out. Although Mrs. Marshall died before she could sign them, the probate court ruled the adoption legal.

May 21, 2025 ~ JUDGE G. L. CHRISMAN IS ILL AT HOME.

May 21, 2025

JUDGE G. L. CHRISMAN IS ILL AT HOME.

Former Member of County Court Is Not Expected to Recover.

Former County Judge G. Lee Chrisman is believed to be dying at his home, 719 West Maple avenue, Independence.

Judge Chrisman became ill about a year ago with stomach trouble. His strong vitality kept him up a few months and only of late has he been confined to his bed. Many of his old-time political friends called yesterday at the home, but none was allowed to go to the sick chamber.

Judge Chrisman is a brother of Mrs. Logan O. Swope of Independence, and was elected judge of the county court for two terms and as presiding judge for one term. During his terms of office there was much road building in Jackson county. Later, Judge Chrisman engaged in the newspaper business, purchasing the Kansas City Times. The newspaper venture was a losing proposition, and the greater portion of his fortune was lost in the venture.

Four years ago Judge Chrisman again made the race for nomination for county judge from the Eastern district, but failed. Judge R. D. Mize was elected. Judge Mize died a year ago.

Judge Chrisman was born in Jackson county, August 8, 1851, and was a son of William Chrisman, an Independence banker. He was reared in Jackson county and graduated at the forest Home Military academy of Anchorage, Ky., and was married November 26, 1872, to Lottie Duke of Danville, Ky. Mrs. Chrisman died twenty years ago. His second marriage was to a sister of his first wife, Mrs. Walter Gates. By the second marriage two children were born, both of them girls, who reside with their parents in Independ3ence.

May 20, 2025 ~ EULOGIZES HIS PREDECESSOR.

May 20, 2025

EULOGIZES HIS PREDECESSOR.

Judge Southern Makes Speech on Late Frank G. Johnson.

On his first day as appointed judge to succeed the late Judge Frank G. Johnson in division five of the circuit court, Judge Allen C. Southern yesterday spoke a eulogy on the public life of the judge whom he succeeds.

"Patience, kindness and sincerity were his attributes were the attributes that were most shown in his career on the bench," Judge Southern said. "He was a good judge and will be remembered as such by the many attorneys who had legal dealings in his division of the district court."

When the death of Judge Johnson occurred the trial of Harvey H. Shank against S. Erwin Wilmore was in proceedings in his court. Judge Southern continued the case yesterday because it had been invalidated by the death of the judge.

May 14, 2025 ~ CONDUCTOR REESE FREED.

May 14, 2025

CONDUCTOR REESE FREED.

Man Who Knocked Smoker From Car Not Held for Death.

Justice Casmir Welch discharged Conductor Curtis C. Reese from custody yesterday when Reese was arraigned before him charged with the killing of Carl A. Kiefer, who died at the General Hospital on April 20 a few hours after he was ejected from a Troost avenue street car at Thirty-first street by Reese.

According to the testimony of Rese and other witnesses, Reeses' car on the Troost avenue line was southbound. Keifer and another man boarded it at Eighteenth street. Both men, Reese said, persisted in smoking, despite his remonstrances. At Thirty-first street one of the men struck him, he said, and in the fight that followed Reese accidentally knocked Keifer off the rear vestibule of the car. Keifer's head struck the pavement.

Reese stopped the car and he and the motorman, Y. M. Woods, carried the injured man into a nearby drug store. From there he was removed to the hospital. His skull was fractured and he died a few hours later. Reese was arrested by officers from No. 2 police station.

May 13, 2025 JUDGE F. G. JOHNSON, LONG ILL, IS DEAD.

May 13, 2025

JUDGE F. G. JOHNSON, LONG ILL, IS DEAD.

Circuit Court Magistrate Had Been Off Bench for Months.

Judge Frank G. Johnson of Division No. 5 of the circuit court died yesterday evening at 6:15 o'clock, at his home, 3100 Garfield avenue. He had been seriously ill for several months and various attorneys, acting as special judges, have carried on his duties at the court house.

Judge Johnson was "a self-made man." He read law as a shoe clerk in Philadelphia and finished a long and successful legal career ranking as one of Missouri's respected lawyers and magistrates. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Cora M. Johnson, two sons, Herbert F. and Walter L., both living at home and two sisters, Miss Mary E. Johnson, West Boyleston, Mass., and Miss Maverette Johnson of Gill, Mass. Funeral services will be held Sunday, but the details had not been arranged last night.

Judge Johnson was born January 18, 1851, in West Boyleston, the son of a farmer. In his boyhood days the example of Abraham Lincoln was held up before country lads as an illustration of what opportunities might be found in reading law by those who possessed plenty of pluck and perseverance.

After receiving a common school education and attending Worcester academy, he went to work in the shoe store in Philadelphia, employing his evenings studying law. Later he went to Towanda, Pa., where he completed the course of reading and was admitted to the bar in 1883. In 1884, after an unsuccessful attempt to establish a clientele in Towanda, he packed up his belongings and moved to Kansas City, where there were fewer young lawyers and, he believed, proportionally greater chances of making good.

It happened that just at that moment Kansas City was experiencing a boom and legal business was plentiful. He was fortunate enough to associate himself with Henry Woodman, who since has made his mark in New York legal circles, and from that day on his rise in the profession was assured.

He was appointed assistant prosecuting attorney by Marcy K. Brown and served in the same capacity under James A. Reed, Edward E. Yates, and Herbert S. Hadley. He was elected police judge, serving one term, and he also served a term as associate city counselor. he was police commissioner from 1890 to 1896. Later he was trial lawyer for the Metropolitan Street Railway Company.

Judge Johnson was practically forced to run for the nomination of judge for Division No. 5 of the circuit court by the members of the Jackson county bar, in 1912, on the Democratic ticket. He took his place on the bench in January, 1913.

He was married in 1876 to Miss Cora M. Moore of Towanda, Pa. Both of their sons were at the bedside last night.

May 5, 2025 ~ PRAYERS GOT ON HIS NERVES.

May 5, 2025

PRAYERS GOT ON HIS NERVES.

Carpenter Who Created a Scene Arrested on Wife's Complaint.

"Too much religion," said W. E. Askey, 205 South Eight street, Kansas City, Kas., when asked by police Judge Brady yesterday why he couldn't get along with his wife and two daughters, 17 and 20 years old.

I work had as a carpenter," Askey continued, "and when I come home at night I need rest. My family has been attending a revival meeting at Sixth street and Splitlog avenue and instead of letting me rest they surround me on every opportunity and pray. Last night I crawled into the house through a window in the hope I would get to bed and to sleep without being disturbed. When I was discovered in bed by my wife the praying started.

"I got angry and, grabbing a bible I accused all of them of not knowing what 'Pentacost' was. Then they called the police and had me arrested for disturbing the peace."

Askey also testified his wife and daughters often remained at the tabernacle until midnight.

"I'll discharge the defendant," said Judge Brady, "and advise the women to pray harder for him but to pray silently and in another room."

May 2, 2025 ~ SENTENCED TO HEAR SUNDAY.

May 2, 2025

SENTENCED TO HEAR SUNDAY.

K. C. Kas. Boy Must Attend Revival Meetings This Week.

A sentence to attend the "Billy" Sunday meetings three night a week was pronounced by Judge Joseph Brady of the police court yesterday against Charles Lisentree, 19 years old, 1047 Metropolitan avenue. Lisentree is to report back to the police court on Friday night and tell how he enjoyed the revival meetings. If he has not been benefited he will be given another sentence.

Lisentree was arrested on a charge of being intoxicated and committing a nuisance. Judge Brady said it was a shame to send so young a person to the workhouse and would try another plan of reforming him first.

April 30, 2025 ~ TWO PORTRAITS ARE ADDED.

April 30, 2025

TWO PORTRAITS ARE ADDED.

Pictures of Judge Gage and Father Dalton Given M. V. H. S.

Three new directors have been added to the board of the Missouri Valley Historical Society, making a directorate of twelve. The new ones elected yesterday are Purd B. Wright, public librarian, Ford F. Harvey and J. M. Coburn.

John B. White, president of the society, on yesterday presented the organization with an enlarged portrait of the Rev. Father William J. Dalton, which was hung in the rooms at the Westport library branch. A portrait of the late Judge John C. Gage was also presented to the society by Mrs. Gage.

April 20, 2025 ~ TO CLEAN UP WESTPORT.

April 20, 2025

TO CLEAN UP WESTPORT.

Judge of District Warns Evil Doers He Will Stick to Pledges.

Judge Joseph F. Keirnan of the South Side municipal court yesterday announced during the trial of David Nugent, a cigar dealer, 503 Westport avenue, that the Westport district is "in for a clean-up."

Nugent was arrested on suspicion of permitting a gambling game in the room back of his cigar stand, but the case was dismissed for want of sufficient evidence.

"You want to attend strictly to selling cigars," the new judge said. "I am going to keep an eye on things out there. I promised the voters before election that I wold see that no places for the illicit sale of liquor were tolerated in Westport and that all the little games would be 'run out.' I am going to keep my word."

April 7, 2025 ~ COURT TELLS HOW TO AVERT DIVORCE.

April 7, 2025

COURT TELLS HOW TO AVERT DIVORCE.

Judge Bird Advises Wife to Concentrate Mind on Her Home.

WORDS FOR HUSBAND, TOO.

"Keep Thought on Job" Is Advice; Several Cases Heard.

"Broken homes, many of them, might be averted if the wife would concentrate her mind on her home and the husband keep his thoughts and ambitions on his job."

That was teh golden text for yesterday in Judge Daniel E. Bird's division of the circuit court. The judge preached a little sermon to Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Stamey, 2242 Poplar avenue, who were in court contesting a divorce suit and a cross petition. At the close of the sermon the judge admonished the couple to forget the last eight years and begin life over again, concentrating their efforts upon the welfare of their child. The divorce was denied.

COURT RULES ON FLIRTING

A woman standing at the window and waving her handkerchief at men may be indiscreet, or poor taste, or it may just be one form of the "Chautauqua Salute," but it is not flirting, much as it seemed to Thomas J. Barker, 2619 Belleview avenue, who charged that his wife thus acted. He asked a divorce yesterday partly on these grounds. But Judge Daniel E. Bird had another idea of flirting, real flirting, and he so stated. He granted the divorce from Mrs. Maggie Barker on other grounds.

DAVIS DECREE HELD UP

Judge Harris Robinson heard and took under advisement the divorce case of Mrs. Bernice Davis, 2534 Wabash avenue, against harry Davis, now in the state penitentiary serving sentence for the slaying of Al Hatch. Hatch was a saloonkeeper and was shot at Linwood boulevard and Brooklyn avenue on the night of October 18, 1912. The shooting was the result of a planned robbery. The wife met and married Davis while he was a fugitive from Kansas City. She was formerly Miss Bernice Nessly, daughter of a Wichita merchant.

A piano in the household may be a permissible evil if it came in with the permission of both husband and wife. But Horace E. Vandover, 62 years old, charged in his divorce petition, which was heard by Judge Burney, that his wife brought a piano into the home without his permission. He was granted the divorce on that and other testimony.

SQUATTERS STAY IN JUNGLE. ~ Attempt to Oust From Bottoms Results in Non-Suit.

February 5, 2026

SQUATTERS STAY IN JUNGLE.

Attempt to Oust From Bottoms Re-

sults in Non-Suit.

A patch of jungle 400 feet long by 300 feet deep, near the Star elevator in the East Bottoms, was a matter of dispute between a whole colony of squatters and the Kansas City Southern Railway Company in Judge Thomas's division of the circuit court yesterday. While many settlers of the place were involved, only one, Lewis Warner, was named in the petition. Warner had lived in his lean-to close to the Missouri river bank and on the alleged right-of-way of the railroad for many years.

In answer to the demand of the railroad that he move his effects to other shores, Warner stuck the closer to his home in the tall reeds and willows. He was of the staying kind, and then there were others just as deep in the mud as he was in the mire. He put it up to the road to move the entire colony.

But even the patience of a corporation can become exhausted. Cyrus Crane, lawyer for the Southern, served notice on Warner that he must move or stand trial, and then brought suit to oust him.

When the case was called Warner was there with his witnesses. The latter were mostly neighbors of the defendant and denizens of the tract claimed by the railroad. In the court room yesterday they answered to the names of "Dump Bill," "Silver Bill," "Sleepy Sue," Louis Lombardo and Mrs. Louisa Sarah Koffman.

Lombardo is the janitor at the city hall. He was one of the first witnesses for the company.

"I was once in the vicinity of the patch of ground where Warner lives," said he. "There I saw an old negro man come out of the willows with a basket of vegetables on his arm. I looked at where he came from and saw nothing but bullrushes and willows.

" 'Where did you get those vegetables?' I said to him, and he answered that he got them back in the bushes. I followed the trail he was on and came upon one, two, three houses with truck patches. I felt like Christopher Columbus."

"Did the Kansas City Southern get you your job at the city hall?" was asked of Lombardo by Attorney Crane in direct examination.

"No, I got it by making a speech on a beer keg for the Democratic party," the witness promptly replied, while the whole court room laughed.

Some of the older witnesses said they had been living at their present location since 1890. One of these was Mrs. Koffman, who described the flora of the acreted land in this way:

"It is covered with trees except where there is bushes and willows and that's about all over the place.

"How large are the trees?" was asked.

"Oh, of different sizes. Some of them are as large as a gallon pail, and others no bigger than a pint measure. I don't know how you can't describe them because there are some littler and some bigger than others."

Attorney Crane entered an involuntary non-suit in the case and it was dismissed.

GIVES HIS HALF TO MAHONEY CHILDREN. ~ JUDGE MICHAEL ROSS, SILENT PARTNER, DISCLAMES SHARE WORTH $50,000.

January 30, 2026

GIVES HIS HALF TO

MAHONEY CHILDREN.

JUDGE MICHAEL ROSS, SILENT

PARTNER, DISCLAMES SHARE

WORTH $50,000.

"John Was My Friend and
He Would Have Done That

for Me," He Says.

Judge Michael Ross, John Mahoney's silent partner, yesterday startled the court of Van B. Prather, probate judge of Wyandotte county, by announcing he wished to disclaim a $50,000 share in the Mahoney estate so that it would go to his friend's orphans.

John Manoney was the Kansas City, Kas. contractor who, with his wife and foreman, Thomas F. McGuire, met death in an automobile accident on the Cliff drive Monday afternoon Judge Ross has been justice of the peace in the North End for many years.

One feature about Judge Ross's gift is that he wanted no one except the firm's lawyer to know about it. At the opening of the hearing Judge Prather said he understood that a silent partnership existed in the contracting business between Mr. Mahoney and some one else, and that if such was the case it would be necessary to take different action in the appointment of the administrators than if such a partnership did not exist.

"HE WAS MY FRIEND."

At this announcement Judge Ross arose. He said he had been a full partner of Mr. Mahoney in the contracting business, but that he desired to "wipe the slate clean" and give the children his half of the estate. Judge Prather asked Judge Ross to explain more fully.

"John Mahoney was a good friend of mine," the judge began. "He loved his four children dearly, and I am comfortably situated, and I want those little children to have my interest in the estate. And further, if any of the contracts which Mr. Mahoney left unfinished show a loss when they are fulfilled by the administrators I will give my personal check to make up for it. John was my friend and I know he would have done the same for my family."

When Judge Ross had finished speaking there were tears in the eyes of many in the court room. Judge Prather said nothing for a moment then rising, he reached over and grasped Judge Ross's hand.

"I am 60 years old," Judge Prather said. "I have read of such men, and heard of them, but you are the first of this type whose hand I ever have had the privilege to grasp."

1,000 ATTENDED FUNERAL.

The funeral of Mr. and Mrs. Mahoney was held on Friday in Kansas City, Kas. The services were held at the home, 616 North Seventh street and conducted by the Rev. Father James Keegan of St. Mary's Catholic church. It was estimated that more than 1,000 persons gathered about the house during the services. The children at Central school, where the younger Mahoney children attended, stood with bowed heads while the funeral cortege passed.

Nellie Mahoney and her sister, Lillian, age 6, were still in St. Mary's hospital and were unable to attend the services. They were, however, told for the first time of the deaths of their parents. The girls were taken from the hospital to their home in a closed carriage last night. Lillian is now able to walk about, and the attending surgeons say she is recovering rapidly. The girls are being attended at their home by a trained nurse. Mr. Mahoney's sister is in charge of the house.

Judge Prather said yesterday that he would visit the Mahoney home tomorrow morning in order that Nellie might sign a bond and qualify as an administrator.

Mr. Mahoney did not leave a will, at least none has been found.

BENEFACTIONS SWOPE HOBBY. ~ Judge John C. Gage Says He Talked of Them Forty Years Ago.

January 19, 2026

BENEFACTIONS SWOPE HOBBY.

Judge John C. Gage Says He Talked

of Them Forty Years Ago.

The theory that Colonel Thomas H. Swope may have been poisoned to keep him from making a new will, devising $1,000,000 to Kansas City, or some charitable institution, is given little credence by Judge John C. Gage, life-long friend of the millionaire benefactor.

"If old Tom Swope was poisoned to prevent this will from being made, he would have been murdered years ago," said Judge Gage. "For the past forty years he has been talking of making a great bequest to Kansas City. About every time we would meet he would tell me what he intended to do. We used to get tired of this, and tell him we did not think he was going to give a cent to Kansas City.

"He did not speak in private of his intended bequests. He told many of his friends he expected to change his will. If there was a plot to kill him to prevent him making the new will leaving over a million to Kansas City that otherwise would go to his relatives, it would have been made years before Colonel Swope finally died.

"When Tom Swope was as poor as the other boys, and when when we thought he never had a show of becoming a rich man, he used to tell us that he intended to make a large bequest to Kansas City, at his death. It was one of his earliest ambitions. In those days we paid little attention to it."

Judge Gage and Colonel Swope roomed together, and occupied the same office at the opening of the war. The former had a fox hound to which his roommate became greatly attached.

"It was in 1862, when Kansas City was garrisoned by Union soldiers," said Judge Gage. "The dog was running along Missouri avenue with Tom. A Union soldier fired at the dog, shooting it through the breast. That was the only time I ever saw Tom really mad. He started after that soldier and chased him down Missouri avenue to Grand, then down Grand for several blocks. He was compelled to give up the chase when the soldier had winded him . The dog did not die, so Tom's wrath was somewhat appeased. Something would have happened, however, if he had caught that soldier."

Old friends of the "colonel" say that he seldom used "cuss" words. It was only when exceedingly angry that he would let out a "damn." He would jerk the word out short and preface each one by spitting.

FINED FOR ASSAULT ON BOYS. ~ Milkman Brody Had Trouble With Two Sons of Judge Ross.

January 12, 2026

FINED FOR ASSAULT ON BOYS.

Milkman Brody Had Trouble With

Two Sons of Judge Ross.

On a charge of having assaulted the two small sons of Justice Michael D. Ross, Philip Brody, a milkman, was fined $15 in the municipal court yesterday morning.

Justice Ross lives at 626 Troost avenue and Brody lives in a house to the rear of the premises. The two Ross boys, it is alleged, threw stones at the Brody home and the milkman climbed over a fence and went into the Ross kitchen to chastise them. He was in the act of administering a spanking, it is claimed, when William Ross, the judge's eldest son, appeared on the scene, and after throwing Brody out, called a policeman.

FONDA MAY LOSE OFFICE. ~ Sugar Creek Justice Cited Before Circuit Judge Powell.

December 5, 2025

FONDA MAY LOSE OFFICE.

Sugar Creek Justice Cited Before

Circuit Judge Powell.

Judge Powell yesterday cited A. P. Fonda, justice of the peace of Sugar Creek by appointment of the county court, to appear December 18 and show cause why he should not be removed from office. Charges were filed by Virgil Conkling of the prosecutor's office, alleging the defendant was holding office illegally.

BOYS SLEEP IN TENTS. ~ McCune Farm Lacks Sufficient Dormitory Accommodations.

December 1, 2025

BOYS SLEEP IN TENTS.

McCune Farm Lacks Sufficient Dor-

mitory Accommodations.

Boys at the McCune farm are compelled to sleep in tents because of lack of accommodations. When the new school building is completed it will have to be used at night as a dormitory. A new addition is being built to the present dormitory and will partially relieve the present crowded conditions.

With the conditions existing, Judge J. M. Patterson thinks some action should be taken at once. A special election has been urged to vote $150,000 in bonds for the erection of five new buildings. At present there are eighty-five boys at the farm, and there are not accommodations for half that number.

"My idea would be for the county court to begin putting up new buildings," said Judge J. M. Patterson yesterday. "An election to vote bond could be held in November to save the expense of a special election. But it is my opinion that the matter should not be put off another day. By another year there will be from 100 to 125 inmates, and the conditions will be worse than ever.

"The county court might erect one building a year for the next five years. But that seems to me to be too slow. We might start the work now and rely upon the money derived from the bond election to complete it.

"The farm became the county's property eighteen months ago. An administration building has been built at the cost of about $1,300. An old frame building is used for a dormitory. These are the only two buildings to accommodate eighty-five boys."

BOY JUMPS OFF CAR; KILLED BY AUTO. ~ NOT THE HOPPING KIND, JUST PLAYING, COMPANION SAYS.

November 21, 2025

BOY JUMPS OFF CAR;

KILLED BY AUTO.

NOT THE HOPPING KIND, JUST

PLAYING, COMPANION SAYS.

Edgar Palin, Aged 12, Dies in Hos-

pital From Injuries Received in

Alighting in Path of Machine

Giving Children Ride.

EDGAR PALIN,
Twelve-Year-Old Boy Who Leaped from Street Car Fender and Was Mortally Injured by Automobile.

As Edgar Palin, 12 years old, 2802 East Sixth street, jumped from the back fender of an eastbound Independence avenue car yesterday afternoon at Prospect avenue, he was run over and fatally injured by a motor car driven by E. T. Curtis, 3338 Wyandotte street. He died at 7 o'clock last night at the German hospital, without recovering consciousness.

With Allen Compton, 400 Wabash avenue, the boy had been playing all afternoon. About 3 o'clock the two lads started northward on Wabash avenue, and at Independence avenue both noticed an approaching street car.

"Let's catch the fender," called Edgar, as he waited along the curbing. The car was moving at moderate speed and the boy ran behind, and caught hold of the fender. His companion, 10 years old, ran behind on the sidewalk. At Prospect avenue Edgar, without looking around, jumped from the fender directly in front of an approaching auto, barely fifteen feet behind him. Curtis attempted to dodge the boy. The left fender of the auto struck the child and he was sent tumbling on the pavement. He was picked up by Curtis. Several children were in the auto. With Curtis was Herman Smith, of 3606 Olive street, whose father owned the car. In a nearby drug store it was found the boy had been injured seriously.

GIVING CHILDREN RIDE.

"I was driving at about fifteen miles an hour," Curtis said. "The auto belonged to young Smith's father and I was running it because I had the most experience. A party of school children were with us. We were taking them for a ride around the block. I noticed the child on the fender and did not have the least idea that he was going to run in my path. I swerved to one side, but the machine skidded and the fender of the auto struck him in the back. I realized at once that he had received a fearful blow."

After the child was given emergency treatment in the drug store by two neighboring physicians, he was taken to his home in the motor car, and after being attended by Dr. Max Goldman, was removed to the German hospital. Dr. Goldman found that the boy's spine was broken and that his skull was probably fractured.

Allen Compton, his playmate, was in a condition bordering on hysterics last night. The two had been gathering old papers during the forenoon and had just been to the paper mill, where they had received a few pennies with which they intended to buy Christmas presents.

"Edgar wasn't no car hopper," Allen said last night, in defense of his friend. "He was just running behind and holding on to the fender. Edgar wasn't that kind."

With Judge J. E. Guinotte, a friend of the family, young Curtis went to police headquarters last night and made a statement to Captain Walter Whitsett. After consulting Virgil Conkling, prosecuting attorney, it was decided not to hold him. He promised to come to the prosecutor's office Monday and make a complete statement. He said that he had been running a car for eight years. He is the son of W. E. Curtis, a live stock commission man.

The injured boy was the son of W. M. Palin, a real estate dealer in the Commerce building. The body will be taken to Gridley, Kas., for burial.

JAPANESE COMMISSIONERS COME TO TOWN TODAY. ~ COMMERCIAL CLUB ROOMS DECORATED FOR RECEPTION.

November 12, 2025

JAPANESE COMMISSIONERS

COME TO TOWN TODAY.

COMMERCIAL CLUB ROOMS DEC-

ORATED FOR RECEPTION.

Five Women Members of Party Will

Be Guests of Honor at Country

Club Luncheon -- Omaha

the Next Stop.

Kansas City will be the host today to the Honorary Commissioners of Japan, consisting of forty-three of the leading business men and educators of the Oriental empire, who, together with five Japanese women, are touring the United States. No efforts will be spared to entertain the foreign guests during their stay here, which will be from 9 o'clock in the morning until 11 o'clock at night.

Following the arrival here the party will breakfast in their special train. At 9:30 the men of the party will be met in automobiles by the members of the Commercial Club and the next hour and a half will be spent in a reception in the club rooms. The club rooms have been decorated with palms and ferns, the stars and stripes, the Japanese national flag, the mikado's coat of arms, and the Japanese man-of-war emblem. Judge W. T. Bland, president of the club, will head the receiving line, and in it will be the forty-three Japanese commissioners, the officers off the Commercial Club and all former presidents of the club.

WILL VISIT HIGH SCHOOL.

At 11 o'clock the party will be taken to the Westport high school, where Baron Kanda, head of the school of the nobility in Tokio, will make a short speech. Baron Kanda speaks English fluently and is a graduate of Amherst college. The address will be followed by a drive through Swope park and a stop at the Evanston Golf Club for a buffet luncheon.

After the luncheon the party will be driven through the city, up and down the principal streets, over the boulevards and through the leading parks.

The first place of interest to be visited will be the Bank of Commerce. This will be followed by an inspection of the Burnham-Munger overall factory. A drive to Kansas City, Kas., is next in order, where the party will be shown through the plant of the Kingman-Moore Implement Company. These will be the only places visited during the day.

While the men are being entertained by the members of the Commercial Club the five women in the party, Baroness Shibusawa, Baroness Kanda, Madame Midzuno, Madame Horikoshi and Madame Toki will not be forgotten. A committee composed of the wives of the Commercial Club directors and Mr. and Mrs. E. M. Clendening will entertain them. A visit to the Westport high school, a noon lunch at the Country Club and a tea at the home of Mrs. W. R. Nelson will be the events of the day which have been mapped out for the women.

DINNER AT THE BALTIMORE.

At 6:30 o'clock in the evening a dinner will be served to the men in the banquet room at the Baltimore hotel. At the same time a dinner will be given for the women in the Japanese room of the hotel. At the conclusion of their dinner the women will repair to the banquet room, where the entire party will listen to the addresses by David R. Frances, Senator William Warner, Baron Shibusawa and Baron Kanda. Judge Bland will act as toastmaster.

This will conclude the events of the day. The visitors will be taken back to their train, and will leave for Omaha, from where they will work west to San Francisco, from which port they will sail for Japan, November 30.

LEADING FINANCIER.

The Japanese arrived in Seattle from Japan September 1, and when they leave will have spent eighty-eight days in America, visited fifty-two cities, and traveled more than 11,000 miles. During this time they have visited plants and institutions representing nearly every American industry. Many of Kansas City's leading industries will not be visited, as the party has been to similar ones in other cities.

Baron Elighi Shibusawa, who is the head of the commission, is one of the leading men of Japan, being both a statesman and a financier. His individual efforts have raised the status of business men in this country. In 1873, Baron Shibusawa organized the first national bank in Japan under the capital stock system, and has been connected since with all leading banking institutions in Japan.

One Pullman dynamo car, a baggage car, a Pullman dining car, four ten-compartment sleepers, one twelve-section drawing room car and a six-compartment observation car comprise the equipment of the special train that will bring the Japanese to Kansas City over the Burlington railroad. The train will be in charge of W. A. Lalor, assistant general passenger agent for the Burlington at St. Louis.

JAMES M'MAHON TO PRISON FOR LIFE. ~ WAIVES A JURY TRIAL AND ENTERS PLEA OF GUILTY.

October 30, 2025

JAMES M'MAHON TO

PRISON FOR LIFE.

WAIVES A JURY TRIAL AND

ENTERS PLEA OF GUILTY.

Murderer of Sisters and Brother-in-

Law Hoped to Get in an

Asylum -- Dressed in

at Lansing.

James McMahon, the confessed murderer of Alonzo Van Royen, his brother-in-law, and Mrs. Margaret Van Royen and Miss Rosa McMahon, his sisters, yesterday afternoon pleaded guilty to the triple murder and was sentenced to life imprisonment in the state penitentiary at Lansing, Kas., by Judge Hugh J. Smith of Wyandotte county court of common pleas.

Immediately following the impressive scene in the court room McMahon was hurried to a Kansas City Western electric car and taken to the state prison by Sheriff Al Becker and Under Sheriff J. H. Brady. The usual prison routine of "dressing in," which includes clipping the head, shaving, a bath, and the application of the Bertillon system of measurements, was gone through with, and at 8:15 o'clock last night t he identity of James McMahon was merged into that of convict No. 2555.

The arrest of McMahon on Tuesday, his subsequent confession of guilt, his arraignment, his plea of guilty, the passing of sentence and his "dressing in" at the state prison on Friday night, for a record of swift retribution stands without a parallel in the history of criminal procedure in Kansas.

On the way from the jail to the courtroom McMahon maintained the same stolid indifference that has characterized his actions at all times since his arrest. Dressed in the same blue bib overalls, striped black and white shirt and black slouch hat which he wore on the day of his arrest, with handcuffs on his wrists, the stooping figure glanced neither to right nor left and answered in monosyllables the questions directed to him.

At the state penitentiary the party was received by Warden J. K. Codding; his secretary, Elmo D. Murphy, and Assistant Deputy Warden J. T. Crouch. The prisoner was at once given his supper, which he appeared to enjoy immensely. He even went so far as to smile at the warden and remark that the prison fare ought to agree with a man.

With none of the fear which marks the action of many men upon entering the walls of the prison with the knowledge that they are to be confined there for the remainder of their natural lives, James McMahon went through the ordeal of having his picture taking and the remainder of the routine in apparently a more cheerful frame of mind than he has shown during any time since the murders were committed.

Warden Codding announced last night that he would find suitable employment for McMahon and that his health would improve under prison discipline. "We will attempt to 'temper the wind to the shorn lamb,' " said the warden, as McMahon was led away.