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May 23, 2025 ~ SOLD THE FEDERAL BUILDING.

May 23, 2025

SOLD THE FEDERAL BUILDING.

Then Man Taking Siesta was Peeved When "Cop" Woke Him Up.

Two men lounging at Ninth street and Benton boulevard, one on a park bench and the other stretched full lenght on the grass, attracted the attention of Patrolmen Bart Casey and James Orford yesterday evening. They awakened the man on the ground. He became talkative at once.

"I don't see why you should disturb me," he complained. "I have just sold the federal building. Here," he said, displaying $50 in bills, "is the money." The patrolmen looked further and found four pawn tickets for six watches.

They took the men to police headquarters, where they were booked for investigation. They gave their names as Arch Faulkner and Thomas Shelton. Faulkner had the money and pawn tickets and a bottle of morphine. Shelton had a long, keen-bladed knife.

Neither would explain how Faulkner came to have the watches, but admitted having been together much before the siesta.

May 1, 2025 ~ MANY ASK DRUG TREATMENT.

May 1, 2025

MANY ASK DRUG TREATMENT.

Law Enforcement Increases Patients at General Hospital.

The increased difficulty for drug users to obtain habit forming drugs is responsible for an increase in the number of addicts applying at the General hospital for treatment, according to Dr. George B. Pippin, superintendent.

During the last week at least one addict was admitted every day. For many weeks preceding the number of applicants was very small. Withing the last week the licenses of two physicians convicted of selling drugs illegally was revoked by the Missouri state medical board and the federal authorities also have been active in halting illicit sales.

The drug users become desperate when deprived of their "dope" by the dealers, who have been frightened into obeying the law, it is said. Those who are undergoing treatment are not allowed any visitors until the course has been completed. Chewing gum and newspapers are two comforts which most of them ask their friends to take to the hospital.

April 14, 2025 ~ DOCTORS ON TRIAL AS DRUG VENDORS.

April 14, 2025

DOCTORS ON TRIAL AS DRUG VENDORS.

Witnesses Testify They Purchased "Dope" From U. S. G. and J. H. Hughes.

The hearing of witnesses for the prosecution in the case of the Dr. J. H. and U. S. G. Hughes, charged with selling drugs illegally, took up the time of the session of the state board of health at the Waterworks building yesterday. The large number of witnesses introduced by the state made necessary the continuance of the hearing to this morning at 10 o'clock.

Jay M. Lee, assistant city counselor, interrogated the witnesses for the state and Milton J. Oldham for the defense. Testimony was introduced in an attempt to prove that habitual users were sold drugs without any effort being made to cure them of the habit.

To Mr. Lee's questioning, all the witnesses stated that they had received narcotics in practically any quantity they desired without accompanying treatment and without any sort of physical examination.
Masqueraded as "Fiend."

An interesting trio of witnesses were Mrs. Virginia West, Virginia O'Neil and her mother, a Mrs. Burrows, said to be entered on the records of the Hughes brothers' books as Clara Young. All testified visiting the doctors' office. The daughter went to obtain drugs, the mother to protest against the sale of drugs to her and Mrs. West as an aid to the mother.

Mrs. West said that in order to find out if the daughter did obtain drugs there she implied that she herself was a "dope fiend" and asked if Clara Young obtained drugs at taht office. She said that she was answered in the affirmative by Dr. J. H. Hughes. At the protest of Mrs. Burrows against supplying her daughter with drugs, Mrs. West said that the doctors threatened them with arrest if they made trouble and put them out of the office.

Mrs. West indignantly denied that she herself had ever used drugs.

$5 for Two Bottles

Jim Williams, a negro, who is under indictment in the federal court as a "dope" vendor, testified that he applied to the doctors in question to be cured. He was charged $5 for two bottles, one containing morphine and the other cocaine, he said. He testified that he at first used six bottles a week and later when told by the doctors that "he had too much on the books" and had to reduce, he was sold but four bottles a week. He was arrested the latter part of February and is now being held in the county jail.

Mr. and Mrs. William Purcell both told of applying for the treatment and being told by Dr. J. H. Hughes that the cost would be $100, payable in installments of from $2 to $5. Of each $5, Mrs. Purcell said, $2 was for the treatment and $3 was for a bottle each of morphine and cocaine. For every additional "patient" brought a $1 rebate was allowed, they declared. Mrs. Purcell said that once when she had no money she pledged a diamond ring with Dr. J. H. Hughes for the "dope."

In each case the witnesses testified that they received the treatment under fictitious names. Many of them were long time drug users. One man, J. H. Barnes, testified to having been a drug user for twenty-seven years. Practically all of the witnesses have been taken either to the reformatory or the city hospital for treatment.

MURDER AND SUICIDE IN HOME OF POVERTY. ~ BOY 2 YEARS OLD AND DOG KEEP VIGIL OVER BODIES.

December 6, 2025

MURDER AND SUICIDE

IN HOME OF POVERTY.

BOY 2 YEARS OLD AND DOG

KEEP VIGIL OVER BODIES.

Kansas City, Kas., Baker Kills Wife

and Himself as a Result, It's

Thought, of Jealousy Caused

by Use of Morphine.

MRS. MYRA CAMPBELL.

Neighbors entering the home of Joseph Campbell, 2952 North Seventeenth street, Kansas City, Kas., at 9 o'clock yesterday morning found the dead bodies of Mr. Campbell and his wife on the floor of the stuffy little room which served the double purpose of sleeping and living room. Clasped in the right hand of the man was a revolver. He evidently had murdered his wife, then committed suicide. Crouching down against the bed in one corner or the room, benumbed with cold and fear, was the little white robed figure of a boy, 2 years old, whose crying through the night and early morning attracted the attention of the neighbors and led to the investigation which resulted in the finding of the bodies.

GUN IN MAN'S HAND.

Charles Phillips, 18 years old, who lives next door to the Campbells, and C. R. Lumsdon, another neighbor, were the first persons to make the discovery. The sobs of the baby induced the two men to knock at the door. Receiving no response after repeated knocking they broke the lock and opened the door enough to obtain a view of the interior of the room. The body of the woman was almost against the door. She had remained in a kneeling posture, the head to one side. A bullet had entered below the left breast, passing entirely through the body and lodged under the skin on the right side. The man lay in almost the same position against the south walls of the room and behind the woman. His arms were folded across his breast and the revolver was held tightly against his body. The bullet had passed through the heart. Campbell was a baker. He was 32 years old.

WIFE SOUTH MISSOURI WOMAN.

He was married about three years ago in southern Missouri, where he became acquainted with the girl, Miss Myra Matthews, who became his wife. She was 20 years old. Although worn and haggard she bore the traces of having been beautiful. Insane jealousy on the part of the husband is the reason attributed for the murder. The bodies were viewed by the coroner and taken to the undertaking rooms of Fairweather & Barker.

JOSEPH CAMPBELL.

The killing of the innocent wife and the subsequent suicide of the murderer was but the logical climax of the events which mark the life of Joseph Campbell. Although for weeks Campbell has spoken of domestic troubles, even going so far as to consult Chief of Police W. W. Cook, and on numerous occasions threatening to buy a revolver and "end it all," it is believed by those who knew him best that these troubles and the consequences had their inception in a drug filled brain.

KNOWN AS "MORPHINE JOE."

That the murderer had been addicted to the use of morphine for many years is known, in fact so common was this knowledge that for at least fifteen years he has been known to hundreds of persons in Kansas City, Kas., as "Morphine Joe." A bottle half filled with the drug was found on a chair near the bed.

The police are at a loss to determine at what time the tragedy occurred. The family of William T. Kier, 2950 North Seventeenth street, say that the Campbells were heard pumping water from the cistern as late as 9:30 o'clock last night, but they heard no shots. The family of William Brocket, whose rooms are over those of the Campbells, did not return until about 11 o'clock at night, and no shots were heard by them. Daniel Galvin, a carpenter, living a few doors north, said that he heard a shot around 10:30 o'clock but thought nothing of it.

CHILD AND DOG WITH DEAD.

A scene of utter desolation was witnessed by the men first entering the room. On every side was the evidence of extreme poverty. The ragged covers of the bed, which had not been slept on, were folded neatly back. A few little, cheap pictures adorned the unplastered walls. Despite the cheapness and the poverty there was the touch of a woman's hand, which transformed the scantily furnished room into a home.

The little boy, Earl, crying by the bed where he had stood in the cold during the entire night, and a large dog which stood guard over the dead body of his mistress, were the only living beings in the place of death. The child was hurried to the home of Mrs. C. R. Lumsdon and placed in ht blankets, but the dog growled savagely at the intruders and would not submit to being moved until petted by a neighbor whom he knew.

THE CAMPBELL HOME, KANSAS CITY, KAS.

The news of the murder and suicide spread rapidly over the neighborhood and hundreds of persons gathered about the house. The police were notified and after the bodies had been taken away a guard was set about the house to prevent persons from entering.

The orphan boy will be cared for by his father's mother, Mrs. James B. Grame of 2984 Hutchings street, Kansas City, Kas.

"The news of this awful deed came as a shock to all of us," said Mr. Grame last night. "The fear that something like this would happen has been in our minds for years." The awful condition of Campbell, crazed by drugs, has added twenty years to the age of his mother, who has clung to him through all his troubles.

"It is a matter I cannot discuss, but harsh as it may sound, it is better for the world and better for himself that his life is ended. The thing that hurts me the most is the thought of that poor innocent girl a sacrifice to his drug crazed brain."

Persons living in the neighborhood say that Campbell has made numerous threats against his wife. Mrs. M. J. Cleveland, 2984 Hutchings street, said yesterday that Campbell came to her home Saturday morning and told her that he was going to get a gun and kill the whole outfit, meaning his wife. Practically every person living near them were afraid of the man and it was said that he constantly carried with him a gun and a butcher knife. He had recently secured work at the Armour packing plant.

O'HEARN'S MEMORY PROVES TREACHERHOUS. ~ SUPERINTENDENT CAN'T REMEMBER SPECIFIC ACT.

July 23, 2025

O'HEARN'S MEMORY

PROVES TREACHEROUS.

SUPERINTENDENT CAN'T RE-

MEMBER SPECIFIC ACT.

Fails to Recall Alleged Whipping of

Negro Girl for Insulting Wife.

Investigating Treatment

of Prisoners.

That men and women prisoners have been kept in the dungeon at the workhouse for periods ranging from eleven to forty-three hours at a stretch is a part of the prison records being investigated by the board of pardons and paroles.

The investigation which Mayor Crittenden requested should be made into affairs at the workhouse was begun yesterday morning in the lower house council chamber. Superintendent Patrick O'Hearn was on the stand both morning and afternoon.

When the afternoon session opened, Frank P. Walsh, attorney for the board, who is conducting the inquiry, asked O'Hearn how many prisoners had been given sentences in the dungeon for stealing food from the dining room table.

"I don't know of any," said O'Hearn, "that was most always used as a threat. When a prisoner was sent to the dungeon it was generally for something else."

"I will read from your own records," said Mr. Walsh. "Do you remember Ed Cox, who was placed in the dungeon on September 2, 1908, for stealing bread from the table and carrying it away in his trousers leg?"

"I remember him," replied O'Hearn. "He fought the guards. I saw that myself."

Walsh -- "Do you recall Paul Tillman, Alice Stark, Sadie Shepherd, Hattie Newton, who served thirteen hours each in there, and Charles Meredith, who served an hour and a half? The records show that each was confined for stealing bread."

O'Hearn -- "I don't recall them in particular; there were so many of them put in there."

Dropping the subject for a moment, Mr. Walsh asked O'Hearn if he had ever sent prisoners out to drive city sprinkling wagons at night, if he had had his own wagons repaired at the expense of the city or if he had shod horses belonging to Mr. Cartright, former guard at Leeds, at the city's expense.

NO CHARGES FILED.

Frank M. Lowe, attorney for O'Hearn, objected. He demanded that he be given a copy of the charges against O'Hearn. He was told that there was none.

"Mr. O'Hearn is not on trial here," explained Mr. Walsh. "Things may crop out which may reflect on Kipple, head guard, some of the other guards or Mr. O'Hearn himself. There have been no specific charges filed. This board is simply making a most searching investigation with a view to bettering conditions at the workhouse. Information has been secured from prisoners, former guards and others. Even rumors are being looked into. What Mr. Lowe asks for we cannot give as we haven't it."

Mr. Lowe was told he would be furnished with copies of the evidence from day to day for his information.

"Do you keep a record of the number of days each prisoner works?" asked Mr. Walsh, resuming the inquiry.

"No," replied O'Hearn, "only the names of the guards were kept. We worked some prisoners one day and another lot the next."

O'HEARN SAYS HE IS BUSY.

Walsh -- Do you make a report to the city comptroller showing the number of days each man works?"

O'Hearn -- "No, I'm not required to. Every day excepting Sundays and holidays is credited as a working day whether the prisoner works or not.

Mr. Walsh tried to get from O'Hearn what his duties were about the institution, but they seemed so varied and even vague that he asked him to describe a typical day's work for himself.

O'Hearn -- Well, I get up early to begin with. On my way to the workhouse I may stop at the quarry for a time. Then I look after the food and general cleaning. I make trips about the yards, the stable, laundry, quarry and spend the rest of the time in my office. I may have to make trips down town after requisitions and see after men working at places on the outside. I always put in a busy day."

Walsh -- Do prisoners gamble in the cell room?

O'Hearn -- I don't think so. That is, I have never seen them.

O'Hearn explained that Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays are visiting days at the workhouse. Fifteen minutes is the time limit set on visitors but they often remain longer when overlooked, he said.

DOESN'T REMEMBER WHIPPING.

During the morning session Mr. Walsh asked of Superintendent O'Hearn: Did you ever whip a negro girl for insulting your wife?"

"I don't remember," replied O'Hearn.

Walsh -- "Did Mr. Burger make a hose for you to do the whipping with?"

O'Hearn -- "I can't remember."

Walsh -- "Well, if you ever did a thing like that you surely ought to recall it. Did you or did you not whip the negro girl as I asked?"

O'Hearn -- "I just can't remember whether I did or not."

SENT WOMAN TO DUNGEON.

Edward L. Kipple, head guard at the workhouse, was questioned about prisoners being sent to the dungeon.

Walsh -- "Ever know of prisoners being sent to the dungeon?"

Kipple -- "Y-e-s, sometimes, when they got unruly they were sent there for ten or twelve hours."

Walsh -- "Ever sent a woman there?"

Kipple -- "Believe I sent one. In all I guess I've sent four or five to the dungeon."

Walsh -- "Who has the authority to send a prisoner there?"

Kipple -- "Only Mr. O'Hearn or myself."

Walsh -- "What do you consider a sufficient length of time in the dungeon?"

Kipple -- "That depends on what they do."

Mr. Walsh then read a list of names from the workhouse record of men and women prisoners who had been kept in the dungeon eleven, thirteen, fifteen, eighteen and twenty-four hours. Three had been kept there for thirty-eight hours, one for forty-one and another for forty-three hours. While in the dungeon, which has only one small opening over the door for ventilation, prisoners are shackled with their hands to the wall, making it necessary for them to stand. The dungeon is said to be in a very unsanitary condition.

Kipple testified that he had never seen nor heard of a prisoner being struck with a club while in the dining room, that blankets were never used twice without washing and that he knew nothing of vermin in the cell rooms. He also swore that he had never known of liquor and drugs being secured by the prisoners or of gambling among prisoners.

Claude Marshaw, known as "Goldie," who served a term for peddling cocaine and was himself then addicted to the habit, said that the drug was often spirited into the workhouse. He said that Mike Green and "Red" Crawford, both now escaped, had gum opium and whisky most of the time.

"Who brought the stuff in?" asked Mr. Walsh.

"I don't know, only that they had it. Green would take up a collection every afternoon to get a bottle and he always got the whisky about 7 p. m."

Walsh -- "How about the food out there?"

Marshaw -- "Bad, very bad. In the morning they always had pan gravy in a rusty pan, coffee in a rusty cup, half a loaf of hard, moldy bread and a small piece of meat.

SAW PRISONERS ATTACKED.

Walsh -- "Ever see a prisoner assaulted in the dining room?"

Marshaw -- "Yes. I saw Dan Mahoney beat a man in the dining room and I saw Mahoney, Foley, Gent and an Italian called Mike beat up another one."

Walsh -- "Was 'Riley, the Rat' there while you were there?"

Marshaw -- "Yes, two or three days, but he never even put on prison clothes. He wore 'cits' all the time, Riley did. He and Green and others gambled, playing 'coon-can' and 'craps.'"

Jesse Cooper, a negress who has had short sojourns at the workhouse, said there was vermin in the negro women's quarter, that blankets were not often washed and that the bread was hard and moldy. She also said she that two negro women had each spent two days and nights in the dungeon while she was there.

John Mulloy, a parole prisoner, told of an assault which he had witnessed on a negro boy in the dining room. It started, he said, because the boy did not step fast enough for Dan Mahoney who jabbed him with a club. The boy grabbed at the stick and was beaten over the head until he bled. Mulloy also condemned the meals.

The hearing will be resumed at 9 o'clock this morning. There are many witnesses to bet examined. By the ordinance, passed Wednesday noon, the board of pardons and paroles now has charge of the workhouse.

DRUG CLERK PLEADS GUILTY. ~ Given Stay of Execution on $500 Fine for Selling Cocaine

March 13, 2026

DRUG CLERK PLEADS GUILTY.

Given Stay of Execution on $500 Fine

for Selling Cocaine.

Frank O'Brien, a drug clerk, fined $500 on each of two counts in the municipal court, where he was charged with selling cocaine, pleaded guilty yesterday and was given a stay of execution in the criminal court. The case came before Judge Ralph S. Latshaw on appeal. This has been the usual disposition of these cases, the druggists and clerks agreeing to quit selling the drug.

POLICE HOLDOVER IS A DISGRACE TO THE CITY. ~ Pardon and Parole Board Takes Official Cognizance of Conditions at City Hall.

February 24, 2026

POLICE HOLDOVER IS A

DISGRACE TO THE CITY.

Pardon and Parole Board Takes Offi-

cial Cognizance of Conditions

at City Hall.

Unsanitary, filled with vermin and a disgrace to the city, are a few of the things said about the holdover at police headquarters in the report of the secretary of the board of pardons and paroles, which report was made on motion of Jacob Billikopf. Frank E. McCrary, the secretary, investigated the condition of the holdover.

The jail for men is situated in the cellar and is a breeding place for disease, the report says. The room in which prisoners are held while waiting for their cases to be called in the municipal court, the report continues, is too small and not well ventilated, the foul air making it very offensive in the court room.

Captain Whitsett is quoted as saying that all prisoners arrested by the uniformed police are only held until the following morning, while those arrested by the detectives, or secret branch, are held longer. One case brought to the attention of the board was that of witnesses against Dr. Harrison Webber, accused of selling cocaine and having $8,000 in fines against him. Dr. Webber is detained in the matron's room, while two witnesses who bought the drug from him are being held in the holdover. They have been there now over twenty days. The three are being held as witnesses against members of a medical company.

While the board admitted its inability to remedy the unsanitary condition of the holdover, they suggested that even public buildings came within the jurisdiction of the tenement commission. The Humane Society will be asked to investigate the sanitary conditions, and, if possible, have them improved.

ROBBER WAS FULL OF "COKE." ~ Wanted More "Dope," His Defense for Stealing.

February 24, 2026

ROBBER WAS FULL OF "COKE."

Wanted More "Dope," His Defense

for Stealing.

After a cocaine debauch which he said cost nearly $400, Richard L. Hayes, a carpenter, who broke into the harness shop of Pearl Martin, 1720 Troost avenue, last Saturday night and stole a blanket, a shovel and a halter, confessed his guilt before Justice Shoemaker yesterday and was sentenced to serve twenty days in the workhouse.

"It was not I that stole the stuff, judge," said Hayes, "it was the 'coke.' I had spent all my money and wanted more of the drug. I am a carpenter and until last week was employed at the county farm. I had not touched a drop of liquor nor used cocaine for more than three months until I came to town last week.

RYAN AFTER HOP FIENDS. ~ Two Chinese Dens Raided and Opium Seized.

February 5, 2026

RYAN AFTER HOP FIENDS.

Two Chinese Dens Raided and

Opium Seized.

Though the ordinance against "hop" smoking is very vague, Inspector of Detectives Charles Ryan is going to put a stop to the evil if possible. Cliff Langsdale, city attorney, will give an opinion in the matter this morning. Charles Chu's den and Charlie Chung's dens on West Sixth street were raided last night and seven "hop" artists were captured and were taken to police headquarters and locked up. Each had varying amounts of opium in his possession. One man had $12.50 worth of opium in his pocket and was evidently preparing to peddle it. The crusade will continue for several days, and if the ordinance is lax, Inspector Ryan will ask the council to pass a more stringent law.

WORKHOUSE PRISONERS GET COKE AND OPIUM? ~ PARDON AND PAROLE BOARD WILL INVESTIGATE RUMORS.

January 13, 2026

WORKHOUSE PRISONERS

GET COKE AND OPIUM?

PARDON AND PAROLE BOARD

WILL INVESTIGATE RUMORS.

Also Would Know Circumstances Sur-

rounding Escape of F. E. Golden.

Severn Are Freed at Yes-

terday's Session.

The mystery surrounding in disappearance of F. E. Golden from the workhouse January 5 is being investigated by the pardon and parole board. Golden and an old man named George Rogers were recently fined $500 each for attempting to "short change" local merchants.

When he went to the workhouse he had $21.50 and a watch. After he had been there several days the money and watch were returned to him one morning. That night he escaped from the engine room where he was working.

"Patrick O'Hearn told me," said Secretary Frank E. McCrary, "that the engineer left the room and , in violation of strict orders, failed to lock the door. When he returned, Golden had decamped."

Mr. Billikopf said the board might want to know why Golden's money and watch happened to be given him the very day he happened to escape?

According to Mr. McCrary, Superintendent O'Hearn said Golden's watch was given him so he could tell the time down in the engine room, so he would know when to fire up. It appears to be the custom to give prisoners their money when it is asked for.

EASY TO GET "DOPE."

Another matter the board may look into is the passing of different kinds of "dope" in to prisoners. At every meeting so far prisoners have voluntarily stated that they sent out every day for gum opium, morphine and cocaine.

"Some of the guards will get it for you," one man stated, "if there is anything in it, but it is most generally brought in by the men of the chain gang. The money is given them when they go out in the morning."

The board yesterday gave freedom on parole to seven workhouse prisoners and sent one back until some of his statements would be investigated.

RAILROADED TO PRISON.

Paroled yesterday was Daniel Shoemaker, 21 years old, a negro dining car waiter, a dragnet victim. He was arrested December 3 "for investigation" and held three days, forty-eight hours longer than the law allows. Then he was fined $50 as a vagrant. Shoemaker told the board yesterday that he had just come in from his run when arrested, but that the police would not allow him to telephone and prove it. Even in court this was denied him.

BELIEVED 10 YEARS WOULD DO. ~ Opium User Asked Long Sentence So He Might Be Cured.

December 30, 2025

BELIEVED 10 YEARS WOULD DO.

Opium User Asked Long Sentence So He Might Be Cured.

Charles Lewis, who forged a check, yesterday asked to be sent to the penitentiary.

"For ten years I have been a user of opium and I believe a prison sentence would cure me of the habit," he told Judge R. S. Latshaw in the criminal court.

Lewis was given five years, the minimum penalty. With good behavior he will finish his time in three years and three months.

JUDGE KYLE FINES TWO COCAINE SELLERS $5,000. ~ The Penalty Is $500 on Each Count. Many Warrants Out for Streigle.

October 22, 2025

JUDGE KYLE FINES TWO

COCAINE SELLERS $5,000.

The Penalty Is $500 on Each Count.

Many Warrants Out for

Streigle.

Cocaine sellers had a bad day in the municipal court yesterday. In all the fines amounted to $5,000, and that amount was assessed against only two defendants, Christ Adams, clerk for Dr. Harrison Webber, a pharmacist at Fifth and Broadway, drew $500 on two counts each. Claud E. Marshaw, better known among the dope fiends and North End druggists as Goldie, was the second victim of the private investigation of City Attorney Clif Langsdale and was charged with selling cocaine on eight counts. Each count drew a $500 fine. He was convicted on the testimony of Myrtle Morton, a user of the drug.

Seven warrants are in the hands of Sergeant M. E. Ryan for service on C. B. (Bert) Streigle, formerly proprietor of the Fifth and Central streets pharmacy, for selling cocaine. The police could not find Streigle, although he was in the city and telephoned to several of his friends.

During the trial of Christ Adams his attorney, Charles Shannon, was pointed out by one of the cocaine fiends being used as a witness as the man who had put her out of Dr. Webber's drug store and warned her not to return. The attorney attempted to use the woman's mistake as grounds for dismissal of his client's case, but the court refused to listen to his argument.

Late yesterday afternoon T. M. Brinkley, the night clerk at the drug store at Fifth street and Broadway, appeared at city hall and gave himself up. He was wanted for selling cocaine. After appearing before the city attorney he was released on a personal bond to appear in court this morning.

FOUND POISON TABLETS. ~ Two People Ate Them, and Both of Them Nearly Died.

October 15, 2025

FOUND POISON TABLETS.

Two People Ate Them, and Both of

Them Nearly Died.

Mrs. Ula I. Steffler and H. E. Bailey, who were taken to the Emergency hospital yesterday afternoon and treated by Dr. W. L. Gist for strychnine poisoning, will recover. Both live at 717 May street, where Mrs. Steffler is housekeeping for Bailey.

Mrs. Steffler said she often used morphine for neuralgia and that upon finding a box of tablets on the sidewalk which she supposed were morphine tablets, she took two of them. It turned out that the tablets were strychnine tablets sometimes used by veterinary surgeons in the treatment of animals. Either contained enough of the poison to kill a human being unless heroic treatment was applied at once. Soon after taking the tablets Mrs. Steffler became deathly sick.

Then followed the strange part of the incident. Bailey accompanied Mrs. Steffler to the hospital and seemed anxious to do everything in his power to aid her. After the examination, he returned home saying that he wanted to go back and lock up the house which had been left open during the excitement. Half an hour later Dr. Gist was again called and by this time it was to attend to Bailey.

The man stated that the excitement incident upon the poisoning of Mrs. Steffler had so unnerved him that upon his return and finding a small box, supposed to contain morphine, upon the table, he took one tablet. This tablet also contained strychnine and Bailey became sick at once. He was treated at the hospital and after a short time was out of danger.

COCAINE IN MEDICINE RUINED A BOY'S HEALTH. ~ Took It For Catarrh and Acquired the Habit -- Took Many Bottles a Week.

October 12, 2025

COCAINE IN MEDICINE

RUINED A BOY'S HEALTH.

Took It For Catarrh and Acquired

the Habit -- Took Many

Bottles a Week.

Following the crusade against cocaine drug stores the Humane authorities are reaching out after the patent medicines that contain the drug. Ever since the confession of Willie Smith, the 15-year-old messenger boy who was sent to the reform school to be cured, the authorities have been flooded with information about youthful cocaine fiends.

Now they are working on a case of a boy who is a physical and mental wreck from using a patent medicine which compound contains alcohol and cocaine. The boy was taken to the office of F. E. McCrary, Humane agent, Saturday afternoon and questioned. He was believed to be a cocaine fiend, but in his confession to Mr. McCrary he said he only indulged in "Crown." When asked what "Crown" was, he said a patent medicine for catarrh. The boy said that he first used the medicine for medicinal purposes and after using three bottles had acquired a taste for the medicine that was ravenous.

Week by week the boy increased the number of bottles he purchased and drank until his system rebelled and he began to lose flesh. His father and mother found it impossible to make him stop using the patent medicine and a druggist refused to sell him any more. Then he changed his place of procuring the medicine, and to avoid suspicion had other boys buy the bottles for him.

Humane agent McCrary said yesterday that his office was investigating the boy's story and intended to put a stop to the sale of all drugs containing cocaine in large quantities if such a thing was possible. He said if enough evidence could be secured against the proprietors of the drug stores which sold the cocaine compounds to boys to warrant their arrest he would swear out the complaints. According to the Humane authorities and physicians at the city hospital there is as much danger in using patent medicines containing cocaine as in snuffing "coke."

FARMERS SHOOT A COCAINE CRAZED MAN. ~ RICHARD GREENWOOD STOLE A GUN AND HORSE.

October 10, 2025

FARMERS SHOOT A

COCAINE CRAZED MAN.

RICHARD GREENWOOD STOLE A

GUN AND HORSE.

Defended Himself, Behind Breast-

works of Baled Hay Near Swope

Park -- Back and Legs

Filled With Shot.

Just as bales of cotton looked fine to Andrew Jackson of New Orleans, so bales of hay appealed as ramparts to Richard Greenwood near Swope park yesterday. Greenwood has a fondness for cocaine and, cherishing delusions that he was being pursued, he fled from the North End into open country, perhaps by street car. He was in no condition yesterday to tell.

At any rate, early in the morning he appeared at the farm house of C. C. Cole, about five miles east of Swope park. Whatever delusions the Cole family may have cherished that he was in search of information as to how to make $1,000 from an acre in six months were quickly dispelled when Greenwood ran into the house and took a shotgun which hung on the wall.

With the gun he hurried down the road to where R. C. Hutcheson was looking after the horses in his barn . Pointing the business end of the weapon towards the farmer, he induced the latter to put bridle and saddle on a horse. Then Greenwood rode away. Hutcheson got busy with the telephone and every farmer in the neighborhood was soon out, each armed with a shotgun.

In the meantime, Greenwood had discovered that the gun he carried was of the ancient pattern called "Zulu." It had only one barrel and but one cartridge. So at the home of C. S. Brown the raider stopped and induced Mrs. Brown to give her five shells. He threatened her with the gun.

By this time the farmers were in full cry after the North Ender. Soon after leaving the Brown farm, Greenwood forsook his steed and made for a field. There he made a rude breastwork of baled hay. Behind this he defied capture. His pursuers fired and he returned the fire. Right there the "Zulu" took revenge. Greenwood was unable to extract the first shell from the gun and before he was otherwise able to defend himself he had been captured.
Martin Roos, a deputy marshal, brought Greenwood to the jail hospital. He had shot in his back and legs. A charge of robbery in the first degree was filed against him in Justice J. B. Shoemaker's court.

When searched at the county jail cocaine was found in Greenwood's pockets. He said some one had given him the drug. Last spring he was treated at the general hospital for the drug habit. Of late he had been working at 507 Broadway.

MUST BREAK UP "DOPE" SALES. ~ Humane and Juvenile Court Officers Will Assist in Crusade.

September 29, 2025

MUST BREAK UP "DOPE" SALES.

Humane and Juvenile Court Officers

Will Assist in Crusade.

Following the story told by Willie Smith, a cocaine victim at the tender age of 15, the prosecuting attorney is preparing to file information against the druggists who are said to have made sales to the boy. The humane officer and the juvenile court officers are assisting in the crusade to break up the sale of the drug to minors. The sales are largest in the poorer districts of the city.

SAW A BOY BUY COCAINE. ~ Then Bert Stregel, Druggist, Was Arrested and Arraigned in Court.

September 27, 2025

SAW A BOY BUY COCAINE.

Then Bert Stregel, Druggist, Was

Arrested and Arraigned in Court.

Bert Stregel, a druggist at Fifth and Central streets, and his clerk, E. C. Ellis, were arraigned in police court yesterday charged with selling cocaine to Willie Smith, a 15-year-old messenger boy who was tried before the juvenile court Friday. Both asked for continuances, and they were granted until Tuesday.

The boy testified that he has been addicted to the cocaine habit for the last four months. He named three places where he bought the drug, Charles Gidinski's, Nineteenth and Grand, Dudley & Hunter's, 1303 Grand, and Bert Stregel's, Fifth and Central. Edgar Warden, a probation officer, went with him to Stregel's and watched the boy buy a box of cocaine.

"I'LL KILL MYSELF," SAID HE. ~ But James N. Allen's Fellow Workmen Laughed -- He Is Found Dead.

September 14, 2025

"I'LL KILL MYSELF," SAID HE.

But James N. Allen's Fellow Work-

men Laughed -- He Is Found Dead.

For three years James N. Allen had worked as a dishwasher at the Manhattan restaurant. Saturday night he packed up all of his clothes at the restaurant and bid his fellow workers goodby. He informed them that he would commit suicide that night. Believing that Allen was joking, the men suggested various methods of suicide and jested with him until he left the place.

Going to the Henry house, on Walnut street near Fifth, where he roomed, Allen passed through the office, went to his room and locked the door. Then he sat down and wrote a note to his only friend, Sam Grassberger, a cook at the Manhattan restaurant, 420 West Ninth street. The note said: "I am going to end it all by killing myself. God bless you."

Before going to his room, he had purchased a bottle of morphine and the supposition is that he took the contents before going to bed. A maid found his door locked at 10 o'clock yesterday morning and the manager broke it down and found Allen dead.

FRIGHTENED TO DEATH BY DOPE FIEND'S CRIES. ~ Mrs. Jennie Elmer Was Ill From Heart Disease in Rooming House With the Crazed Woman.

July 13, 2025

FRIGHTENED TO DEATH

BY DOPE FIEND'S CRIES.

Mrs. Jennie Elmer Was Ill From

Heart Disease in Rooming House

With the Crazed Woman.

When Rosie O'Grady went on a wild rampage last night at 8:45 o'clock she only intended to throw a man named Thomas Miller out of the house but her actions were so violent and terrorising that she literally frightened Mrs. Jennie Elmer to death.

The O'Grady woman was drunk and insane from the use of morphine. She quarreled with Thomas Miler, on the third floor of the rooming house at 501 Walnut street, which is conducted by Mrs. Belle Wilson. Miller ran out of the room and started down the stairs to the second floor. He was urged to greater haste by flower pots and cooking utensils hurled at his head by the hysterical O'Grady woman. She was using profane language and yelling murder at the top of her voice. Mrs. Jennie Elmer was lying in a bed in the rear room on the third floor suffering from heart trouble. She became greatly excited and asked George Conine, a roomer in the house, to call a policeman.

The landlady entered her room to quiet her and said she would call an officer. She went down to the street and summoned Patrolman A. L. Boyd, who went into the house and arrested the O'Grady woman. He was told Mrs. Elmer very low from the shock and excitement. As the policeman was leaving the building with the woman, Mrs. Elmer sank back on the pillows and gasped for breath. Dr. W. L. Gist of the emergency hospital was called by Conine, but the woman was dead when he reached the house. He said Mrs. Elmer had died of heart disease, caused by the fright she had received during the quarrel in the hall just outside of her door.

The police placed Rosie O'Grady, who is about 40 years old, in a cell in the women's department of the holdover. She succeeded in collecting a crowd of curious people around the station by her maniacal cries. She was not told that she had caused the death of the Elmer woman. Mrs. Elmer has a brother living in Leavenworth, Will Darling, formerly proprietor of the Delmonico hotel. A married sister lives in Chicago. Only her first name, Josie, and her husband's name, Lee, are known to the occupants of the rooming house. Their address is 1270 Polk street. The coroner was notified of Mrs. Elmer's death and took charge of the body.

"COCAINE MARY" IS DEAD. ~ Picturesque North End Character Falls From Second Story Widow.

July 6, 2025

"COCAINE MARY" IS DEAD.

Picturesque North End Character

Falls From Second Story Widow.

Minnie Palmer, who was better known to the residents of the North end as "Cocaine Mary," died at the general hospital at 5:30 o'clock last night from concussion of the brain, received by falling from a second story window to the pavement twenty feet below, shortly after 1 o'clock Sunday morning. She was seen about 1 o'clock sitting on the window ledge, and told a woman who lived in the house that she was trying to get a little fresh air before going to bed. It is thought she went to sleep and lost her her balance.

The woman was found at 5 o'clock Sunday morning by Philip J. Welch, night jailer at police headquarters. He called an ambulance and had her taken to the emergency hospital. Later she was removed to the general hospital, where an operation was performed in an effort to relieve the pressure of bone against the brain. Minnie Palmer lived at the rooming house on the southwest corner of Third and Main street