100 Year Old Weblog: police headquarters

Showing posts with label police headquarters. Show all posts

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 10, 2025 ~ SUNDAY SEEKER IS ROBBED.

May 10, 2025

SUNDAY SEEKER IS ROBBED.

Kansan Walks About, Falls Asleep and Loses $10 and Shoes.

A Kansas farmer fell asleep in a Kansas City alley last night and when he awoke he discovered that $10, his brand new shoes and a spring hat had been stolen. He walked from Sixth and Washington streets to the police headquarters in his stockings. He said he is James Kinney of Hayard, Allen county.

"I came to Kansas City to hear Billy Sunday talk," he told Lieutenant Peter McCosgrove, "and I spent the afternoon looking over the city. Finally I became so tired from walking that I sat down to rest. I fell asleep and someone unfastened my shoes. He also took about $10 from any pockets, two cigars, a plug of chewing tobacco, a bag of rock candy, a bottle of ginger ale, two pencils, a copy of an Iola newspaper, my new green neck-tie, a dime's worth of chewing gum, a package of cigarette papers, an automobile catalogue, a pocket knife, two ham sandwiches, and my new hat.

The lieutenant gave permission to Kinney to spend the night in the city holdover.

May 9, 2025 ~ SOCIETY WOMEN GO TO VISIT BURGLAR.

May 9, 2025

SOCIETY WOMEN GO TO VISIT BURGLAR.

Polite Crook Entertains His Victims With Reminiscences.

A young burglar spent yesterday afternoon receiving return calls from his "clientele." He did not forget once to be gentle and courteous.

"Yes, this is Peter Sutton, the burglar," he said. "What are your names, please?" They told him. His guests, who were entertained in the detectives' room of police headquarters, were Mrs. H. H. McCluer, club woman, 3224 Highland avenue; Mrs. J. W. Lemke, 448 Bellefontaine avenue; Mrs. H. A. Spencer, 307 Bellefontaine avenue; Mrs. J. Philbreck, 426 Prospect boulevard, and others who were there to identify property stolen from their homes about March 1.

"Oh, yes, I was out to your home, Mrs. McCluer," Sutton admitted pleasantly. "I got a pair of silk stockings, among other things. You did not happen to be home at the time."

"What did you do with the fourteen pairs of silk stockings you got from my home?" demanded Mrs. Philbreck, the wife of a jeweler, who lost more than $300 worth of property.

"Gone -- all gone, long ago," replied the burglar.

"Did you rob my house?" asked Mrs. Spencer.

"Yes, I was there. Got a pair of opera glasses. You were out, too."

"Did you ever find a woman in the houses you robbed?"

Sutton laughed a care free, hearty laugh.

"One time, on Tracy avenue," said he. "I entered the door with a jimmy and was just ransacking the house when I heard a splash in the bath room. I peeked and found a woman taking a bath. I of course apologized and withdrew without taking anything."

The women appeared to be impressed with the police manners of the burglar. They all shook hands with him when they left and advised him to turn over a new leaf. Only Mrs. Philbreck found some of her stolen goods. She was able to identify a string of beads and a watch chain.

May 3, 2025 KICKING OF POODLE STARTS FUSILLADE.

May 3, 2025

KICKING OF POODLE STARTS FUSILLADE.

Woman Empties Gun at man She Says Abused Pet, Then Hit Her.

The resounding kick on the ribs of a small poodle dog, owned by Mrs. Hazel Baker, 705 Oak street, was the indirect cause, it is said, of a shower of bullets which sang about the ears of Thomas Stevens, a chauffeur, believed by Mrs. Baker to be the one who administered the kick. In the presence of 100 or more speculators Mrs. Baker emptied her revolver at Stevens.

"I was sitting on the porch with a neighbor," Mrs. Baker said. "My pet poodle was trotting about on the sidewalk below. Two men came along and when the dog got in their way they kicked him off of the sidewalk. The kick resulted in a resounding thump and the dog ran yelping and limping away. It made me mad."

" 'I'd as soon you'd kick me," I said. One of the men growled something and ran up on the porch. I asked him what he meant by doing that. I had never seen him before. He evidently had been drinking. He grabbed me by the wrist and commenced to beat me with his umbrella. You can see the mark here on my neck and wrist. He also hit me on the head. I jerked away and ran into my home. I was already mad over the way he kicked my dog and hitting me didn't make it any better. I got my husband's pistol and ran out on the porch and commenced shooting at him.

After the second shot, witnesses say, the man stopped, cursed Mrs. Baker, and walked deliberately away. The first shot brought a crowd of curious spectators, but the shots that followed quickly scattered them. Bullets lodged in houses along the west side of the street. hearing shots and seeing a man running, Joseph Halvey, a detective on his way to supper, got off a street car and stopped the fugitive, who attempted to resist. Bystanders, who did not understand the situation, and did not see why a man should be arrested for being shot at, attempted to interfere. Two special officers in plain clothes assisted Halvey in holding his prisoner. At police headquarters the man gave the name Thomas Stevens. He said he is 25 years old, a chauffeur, and that he lives at 1312 Main street. He declared the shooting was unprovoked.

Believing that she had wounded the man, Miss Baker fled to a wholesale liquor house near Sixth and Walnut street, where her husband, H. C. Baker, is employed. He told her to go to police headquarters and give herself up. She did so and learned that the supposed victim had not been hit. She told her story to Captain Anderson and was released.

"I'm awfully glad I didn't kill him," she said. "While he deserved some punishment, I don't want such a deed on my head.

Some of the neighbors corroborated her statements. She was ordered to report to Chief Ghent of the detective department pending further investigation of the case.

April 15, 2025 ~ TAKES "COP" TO HOLDOVER.

April 15, 2025

TAKES "COP" TO HOLDOVER.

Laborer Then Is Held Because of Abuse Story Told by Wife.

Leo Kasilla, a laborer, 14 South Seventh street, took a peculiar method of getting to jail early yesterday morning. He "arrested" Charles Little, a police sergeant, whom he took for a burglar. The sergeant permitted Kasilla to lead him to police headquarters. There Kasilla was booked and kept the remainder of the night.

Kasilla's arrest was preceded by a stormy session in his home. He is alleged to have driven his wife from the ho use and then to have informed the police that an insane woman was parading the street near his home. Police who investigated, found Mrs. Kasilla with her two young children. They were taken to the headquarters where the woman said she was sane but had left home because her husband had threatened her. She and the children were released and Sergeant Little followed them. He entered the house and stepped behind a door before Kasilla saw him. Later Kasilla discovered Little and accused him of being a burglar.

"I'll just take you to the police station," Kasilla said. Little consented.

April 6, 2025 ~ ILLEGAL VOTING IS CHARGED.

April 7, 2025

ILLEGAL VOTING IS CHARGED.

Warrant Issued for John J. Murphy for Trying to Cast Ballot.

John J. Murphy was registered in the First ward. John J. Murphy voted -- or tried to -- but the charge was made by police officers before the prosecutor yesterday that John J. Murphy who was arrested was not the John J. Murphy who was entitled to a vote. So Shannon C. Douglas, Jr., issued a warrant yesterday charging the Murphy who tried to vote with attempting to vote illegally. He will be given a hearing before Justice Casimir Welch.

Charles Groves, a negro, was before the prosecutor yesterday and a warrant asked charging him with trying to buy votes at Tenth streets and Euclid avenue Tuesday. It was said he received thirty-eight $1 bills from a negro attorney. Warrant Deputy J. L. Kilroy refused to file charges because of lack of evidence. Groves was taken to police headquarters for further investigation.

April 6, 2025 ~ IN CELL WITH "RELATIVES."

April 6, 2025

IN CELL WITH "RELATIVES."

Everton, Mo. Man Converses Freely With Invisible Kinfolks.

Jess Hood, 33 years old, an iron-worker, is evidently having a pleasant time visiting a number of relatives in a cell at police headquarters. No one else can see the relatives, but Hood, who is in charge of Colonel J. C. Greenman, investigator of the insane for the police, insists that a number of them are his cellmates and he conversed with them freely yesterday.

Hood walked into police headquarters yesterday morning and approached a policeman.

"Officer," he said, "me and my relatives here are tired of walking around. We want to be locked up so we can visit with each other and talk awhile."

"Where's the relatives?" asked the cop, looking about.

"Here they are," replied Hood, with a sweep of his hand. "There's Joe and Henry and Frank and Stella and --"

He was interrupted as the patrolman ushered him up to the desk. He said he was from Everton, Mo. Colonel Greenman believes he is suffering from the effect of some drug.

April 2, 2025 ~ HUSBAND WITH GUN CAPTURES ELOPERS.

April 2, 2025

HUSBAND WITH GUN CAPTURES ELOPERS.

J. C. Garvin of Covington, Ind., Traces Wife and Man Here.

A square-built, blonde young man pushed the door of police headquarters open with his elbow at 11 o'clock last night and made way for three persons who crowded their way inside and stood blinking at the light. The turn-key, who stood at t he head of the stairs that leads upward to the lobby, noticed that the young man was replacing a large revolver in his coat pocket.

"My name is J. C. Garvin. I came from Covington, Ind.," the man explained when all four were in the presence of Captain Frank Anderson. "This woman," he went on, pointing to a hansdomely gowned young person, "is my wife. This man," and his accusing finger swept down upon a dapper man of about 45 years," has a wife and two children in Covington. He deserted them to elope with my wife. This old gentleman here is W. H. Reading of Biggs, Ok. -- my wife's father."

BEST CUSTOMER TOOK WIFE.

Then he told his story.

According to Garvin he operated a restauarant in Covington and until the elopement last Thursday his wife, 26 years old, acted as cashier. The man in the case, W. H. Thompson, a wealthy grocer, was his best customer.

Nearly every day Thompson ate his lunch at the restaurant. Frequently as he turned in his check to the cashier he stopped for a chat. The husband, it appears, suspected nothing in the way of a love affair between the two. Then th ey disappeared.

As soon as he could find some one to look after his business Garvin followed. He traced the couple to St. Louis and finally to Kansas City and to a West Side rooming house, he declared. When he had satisfied himself that the elopers intended to stay here several days he telegraphed Reading in Oklahoma. The father arrived in Kansas City last night and he and Garvin interdcepted the couple as they emerged from a moving picture theater near Tenth and Main streets. Brandishing his revolver he forced them to march ahead of him to the station.

"I left my wife and two children because I loved this woman," Thompson said in giving hisversion of the affair. "She loves me the same way and I am sure she will never go back to her husband. The woman smiled an enigmatic smile, but said nothing.

BACK TO HIS RESTAURANT.

"My daughter has got to go home with me," Mr. Reading declared. "She is just a poor, misguided girl. You'l come, wont you, Jennie?"

Mrs. Garvin at first declined to answer. Then she began to weep and went to her father. Captain Anderson called in the husband and Thompson. He gave the two some straight-from-the-shoulder advice.

"All right," finally acceded the husband of Jennie, "I'll go back to my restaurant. My wife can go to Oklahoma with her father. Maybe I can forgive her in time."

Thompson began to show signs of weakening.

"I guess I have done wrong, captain," he admitted. "You can count on me doing the right thing when it is put to me plainly. If my wife will take me back, I'll go home, too."

So they all went their separate ways just one hour after Garvin had usheered the party into police headquarters. There will be no prosecution.

February 7, 2026

"MOOCHED" ON A SCHEDULE?

Police Hold Thirteen Suspected of

Being Professional Beggars.

What the police believe to be an organized gang of professional beggars was effectually broken up yesterday morning, when thirteen men and women were taken from 12 East Missouri avenue to police headquarters pending investigation.

Tacked on the back of a door of their quarters was a placard on which was written the dates of various forthcoming attractions at Convention hall, presumably compiled as a reminder of the "on nights." The circus to open in the big hall on February 14 was noted, together with the auto show to be held February 28. The telephone number of Convention hall was also jotted down across the bottom of the card.

Three men who gave their names as Ed Murray, Harry Beach and George Wilson were apparently the leaders, as "general orders" by each of them posted about the walls of the room, indicated that the others were directed where and when to "work."

One of the women had a 3-year-old child and the police say she has been seen several times begging on the streets with her baby in her arms. It is understood that the nickels and dimes collected went into a general fund which was apportioned and divided according to the standing of each member.

A WALKING HABERDASHERY. ~ Overdressed Man Imagines He's Hunted Magnate.

February 7, 2026

A WALKING HABERDASHERY.

Overdressed Man Imagines He's

Hunted Magnate.

Robert C. Kainz, a young man who says he is an Englishman recently imported to this country, went to police headquarters about 3 o'clock Sunday morning and demanded to know why he had been locked out of jail. The desk sergeant apologized for the oversight and sent him to the holdover.

When searched Kainz was found to be a walking haberdashery, with everything from a clean collar to an extra suit of clothes on his person. Aside from the assortment of dry goods and men's furnishings were:

One ruby ring, three boxes of Egyptian cigarettes, several cigar lighters, a half dozen packages of chewing gum, two pairs of new horsehide gloves and several neckties.

Kainz wore two overcoats, two complete suits of clothes, a jersey sweater and two vests, besides two shirts and some under garments. His feet were protected by three pair of hose, each a different color, and two silk mufflers were wrapped around his neck.

Investigation revealed that he had been living at the Salvation Army hotel on Fifth street. For a time he is said to have imagined that he was the president of a great insurance company, who feared that the United States government might prosecute him for selling bad "policies." He had a quantity of sample insurance policies and a rate book in his pocket.

Kainz was turned over to Colonel J. C. Greenman yesterday and his mental condition will be looked into.

PENSION FOR POLICE. ~ Kansas City, St. Joseph and St. Louis Department Officials In Conference Here.

January 24, 2026

PENSION FOR POLICE.

Kansas City, St. Joseph and St.

Louis Department Officials

In Conference Here.

Police officials from St. Louis and St. Joseph were in conference with Captains John J. Casey and John J. Ennis of the Kansas City department at police headquarters yesterday afternoon to formulate plans for the passage of a police pension fund bill through the state legislature.

The meeting was held in the private office of Commissioner Ralph B. Middlebrook, the commissioner himself being present. No definite line of action was decided upon. The rough draft of the bill already formulated requests that all cities in the state of Missouri with a population of 100,000 be allowed to set apart a percentage of their yearly income for the maintenance of a pension fund for the support of police officers, who, by reason of illness or injuries, may be incapacitated. Commissioner Middlebrook stated that he thought that it was a humane idea and worthy of success.

The visiting officers are Inspector Major Richardson McDonald, Lieutenant T. J. Donegan and Sergeant James Healey of St. Louis, and Chief of Police Charles Haskell, Sergeant Martin Shea and Patrolman Joseph O'Brien from St. Joseph. Another meeting will be held this morning.

BRIDE LOYAL TO PRISONER. ~ Says They Have Plenty of Money and Charge is Absurd.

January 22, 2026

BRIDE LOYAL TO PRISONER.

Says They Have Plenty of Money

and Charge is Absurd.

Clyde Houk, a prisoner at police headquarters awaiting the arrival of officers who will take him back to his home at Memphis, Tenn., on suspicion of having passed worthless paper, still retains the unshaken confidence of his bride of two weeks.

All day yesterday Mrs. Houk, a fragile little woman of about 25 years, sat in the matron's room holding her husband's hand and consoling him as best she could. They were visiting Kansas City on their honeymoon when Houk was arrested by Detectives Andrew O'Hare and D. D. Mitchell Thursday night.

"Of course Clyde is innocent," Mrs. Houk said yesterday. "The whole affair is a terrible mistake. Clyde is well known in Memphis, where he was engaged in the implement business. We have plenty of money, and it is absurd to connect my husband with anything dishonest. He merely overdrew his bank account a few dollars, that's all. Why, he did not even know that he had done so. I don't see the need of having policemen come to get Clyde, as we were going back to Memphis anyhow. I shall go with him and see the matter through."

HUNTS DOWN WOMAN TO REWARD. ~ Laura Kessler Befriended Harry Shaw Years Ago.

January 15, 2026

HUNTS DOWN WOMAN TO REWARD.

Laura Kessler Befriended Harry

Shaw Years Ago.

If Laura Kessler, who several years ago befriended Harry Shaw after the latter was injured in a street car accident, still is in the city, Shaw is here and anxious to reward her. Shaw's home is in Davenport, Ia., but he has been West the last few years and has made money in the mines.

Last night he called at police headquarters and asked the assistance of the police in locating Miss Kessler. When he was injured he was working for the Depot Baggage & Carriage Co., he says.

HOBOES RAID ROOMING HOUSE. ~ But Police Cut Short Their Rest; 17 in Jail.

January 10, 2026

HOBOES RAID ROOMING HOUSE.

But Police Cut Short Their Rest; 17

in Jail.

Tired of loafing around on street corners, seventeen hoboes organized themselves Saturday night and made a raid on a rooming house at 427 Delaware street, taking possession of all the beds after driving the keeper and guests away. The police were notified and the gang taken into custody.

"We got to sleep in a bed once in a while to keep from forgetting how," declared one of the tramps at police headquarters. "But I reckon you've got some bunks here."

DID NUDE VISITOR BECOME SENATOR? ~ KANSAS CITY DETECTIVE TELLS OF EDITOR-POLITICIAN'S HUNT FOR CRIME.

January 3, 2026

DID NUDE VISITOR

BECOME SENATOR?

KANSAS CITY DETECTIVE TELLS

OF EDITOR-POLITICIAN'S

HUNT FOR CRIME.

Covered With Mud, He Broke

Into Station, but Later

Showed Big Roll.

HALVEY SMOKES UP.

Murder was in the air in the detective bureau rooms of Central police station -- murder, along with other things, particularly tobacco smoke. This is said to be the atmosphere of a police secret service department the world over.

It is stronger when there is a story telling contest on and the sweating of a murder suspect in an adjoining room. Detective Joe Halvey had elected to while away the time until the end of the secret conference. His audience consisted of newspaper men, Inspector of Detectives Edward Boyle and Detectives Robert Truman and Dave Oldham.

"It was a late spring night three years ago," said Detective Halvey. "One of those chilly early mornings when reporters love to sit about the 'phone in the lobby and call up instead of going out after their stories," he added, with a ponderous wink.

A SCRIPTURAL WIND.

"It was a very cold night and a wind like the one spoken of in the scriptures was blowing down Missouri avenue."

"What kind of a thing was that scriptural wind?" inquired the reporter.

"I don't see why you intellectual cubs never seem to have had a religious bringing up," scornfully broke in Inspector Boyle, who prides himself in having maintained a Bible in his home since his marriage twenty years ago. "I think it is in Psalms where a March wind is spoken of that blows the straw hat wherever it listeth while many a good man and strong sweareth thereat."

The silence which followed the inspector's quotation was profound. The narrator took advantage of the lull.

"Well, it was getting along toward the second owl car. Michael O'Brien had just brought in a 'drunk' and booked him under the charge of investigation and Pat O'Brien and I were toasting our shins by a warm fire in this same office. I remember every detail, you see, just as though it was yesterday.

YELL AND A SOB.

"Suddenly there came from somewhere on Fifth street near the Helping Hand institute, a blood curdling yell ending in a sort of a sob, as though some man was being choked.

"There were twelve good men in different parts of the station, wherever there was a heating stove, and all jumped at once. There had been a good many holdups during the winter months and of course the first thing we thought was that some villain had made a touch under the eaves of the station. We were not going to stand for that, no sir-e-e-e.

"I was about the first of the officers to reach the big folding doors in the north end of the station. My six shooter was in my hand and there was blood in my eye, I can tell you. If there was something going on I wasn't bound to let the blue uniformed mutts with the brass buttons do the pinch act to the discredit of the detective department.

"Just as I had reached the last step the doors flew open in my face. There was just enough time for action and no time for thought. A lean white streak had started to unwind itself up the stairway when I dropped on it like a thousand bricks.

NAKED, SHIVERING MAN.

" 'Look out below!' I yelled, grabbing it by the neck and bearing it to the linoleum. Then I made a careful analysis. what I was holding was a naked man shivering with the cold and dirtier than any tramp from having been dragged in the mud. 'Great thunder,' said I, 'this must be Adam returned to look after his Eden interests. Who are you, anyway?'

THOUGHT IT WAS ADAM.

"It didn't take much tugging and hauling after I got up off of him to get him in front of the desk sergeant and it took still less time for the entire force to see that he was in the last stages of destitution. He didn't have a finger ring left and his clothing was mud.

" 'What's your name?' the sergeant asked.

" 'You can put me down John Smith,' said 'Adam' with a groan. 'I ain't got any other name, for political reasons. Gentlemen, what I want is clothes, clothes, clothes.'

CLOTHES OBTAINED.

"The nude wonder somehow looked respectable and we could see that he was right about what he wanted. Half a dozen of us took him into the sink room and gave him a bath, while the rest of the shortstops went in search of clothes. He was not a very tall man and very slim, while the officers we had to draw from were all big, so when we got done with dressing him he looked like a Populist of the short grass country the year of the drought.

"I can't help but laugh when I think of him sitting there in the detectives' room with the waist band of the sergeant's extra trousers drawn up under his arm and his feet in shoes the size of four-dollar dictionaries.

LOOKED BETTER CLOTHED.

"But for all his togs he couldn't help but look respectable. Every time he opened his mouth he emitted an idea by the double handful, which was strange considering his appearance when we first saw him. He was no ordinary man, that was a cinch. He was a genius.

ASKS FOR REPORTERS.

"About the time we were settling back into the humdrum of waiting until morning the unknown quantity took a hitch on himself and asked: 'Where are the reporters? Seems like there ought to be one or more around. It isn't time for the second mail edition yet.'

"We told him there was a little reporter named Billings in the room allowed for the use of newspaper men and that he was probably at that moment writing a story of how a naked, insane man had broken into the police station with the intent to murder the captain.

" 'I'll risk it,' he said with a laugh, 'send him to me.'

"We sent for Billings and it was evident that the two would be kindred spirits. The very first thing the stranger said to the reporter was what he refused to tell the sergeant, and that was how he had come to be naked. We had set him down to be a sort of a crank with spells of lucidness who had undressed and run into the station on a bet, but now we knew better.

HELD UP AND ROBBED.

" 'I was held up and robbed because I got into bad company trying to have a good time when I ought to have been decent,' he told Billings. 'I am sure none of this I tell you will get into the papers because I am a fellow newspaper man.

" 'Now what I want is clothes. I haven't got a cent but plenty of credit. I can get $10,000 anywhere when the banks open. I want you to strike some second-hand clothing store where the proprietor sleeps in the rear and get me a complete suit. I'll pay you when pay day comes.'

"Billings did not answer at once, and we could see he was studying hard. He had the money, for it was Saturday, the day he got paid, but he appeared not to like the idea of lending so much on such a short acquaintance. Finally an idea seemed to come to him. He looked sharply at the stranger and asked rather quick: 'What's thirty?' Now 'thirty' is a newspaper term that few people understand, but this one answered in a second, grinning from ear to ear: 'It means to chuck work and go home,' he answered.

REPORTER BUYS SUIT.

"Well, sir, the reporter did just as he said and got a whole outfit for $14.50 and the stranger left at daybreak telling us all to stick around until he could get another and better rig and return.

"In three or four hours he was back. He had on a brand new suit of the best ready-made clothes in town, patent leather shoes and a plug hat. Also he had a roll of $100 bills so large that they wouldn't go into his inside coat pocket without a special effort. He was showing us that he had the credit he had boasted about.

"This time when we saw him he was feeling better toward the world and would talk more about himself, but he wouldn't tell his name, although I have since suspected the reporter knew it. He told us, though, that he was a prominent Missouri editor with aspirations to the United States senate.

"He had been in politics for years with his paper and never wanted anything so bad as that Senate plum. His platform from the start, he said, had been the cleaning up of the state morally.

WANTED TO FIND TRUTH.

" 'I have preached against immorality so much," he explained, 'that I just had to get out and find the truth about the other side. If my political enemies get hold of last night's caper it will be my undoing.'

"After he had gone the reporter looked at me and said: 'Well, we have promised never to mention this and it is safe, I guess. But my! what a story it would be for some newspapers I know.'

"The reporter is out of town now. By the way, Billings wasn't his name, either. I wonder which United States senatorial candidate that was?"

"BURGLAR" SAVED AS POLICE COME. ~ Guest Mistaken by Roomers for Robber, Imprisoned in Guarded Closet.

December 26, 2025

"BURGLAR" SAVED

AS POLICE COME.

Guest Mistaken by Roomers

for Robber, Imprisoned

in Guarded Closet.

"Come to 912 East Ninth street immediately," came a call late last night to police headquarters. "We've got a burglar locked in a closet."

The patrol wagon made a record run, but when it arrived only a crowd of badly frightened men and women roomers were found. There was no burglar.

"It was just one of the roomers," explained one of the crowd. "A man came out here tonight to visit a friend. He stepped out into the hall to look for a water cooler. The man had been drinking, and in his wandering through the dark halls stepped by mistake into a closet. A roomer, seeing the prowler, slipped up behind him and slammed the closet door."

The cry of "burglars" aroused the roomers. While the men rushed about in search of lodge swords and the women went for hat pins, one of the roomers stood guard with a revolver.

"Come out and I'll shoot," warned the guard in night robe, peering around his fortification, a chimney.

The prisoner took a drink. His courage restored, he shouted, "Help," thinking that he himself was the one being held up.

SOLID PHALANX.

The cohorts of the besiegers were now ranged in solid phalanx in front of the closet. There were all sort and manner of weapons. The men felt the edges of their lodge swords, and the women jabbed at supposed burglars, their forms outlined on the wall. The man with the revolver formed the advance line of attack. The rear was brought up by a boarder with a battle ax, used at a masquerade ball in the '60s.

"Help, burglars," came more audibly from the closet.

The friend in a nearby room was attracted by the noise. He came to the hall armed with a .44, not knowing that his guest was in trouble. He lined up behind the rear guard.

"Help, I'm suffocating," came another cry from the closet, this time more insistent and appealing.

GUARD CALLED OFF.

The roomer recognized the voice as that of his guest. The guard of nightie-clad roomers was called off. The guest with the jag was released.

A clanging of bells was heard in the front of the house. A squad of blue-coats came rushing in at the front door.

"Saved," cried the joyful man, emerging from his prison, mopping his brow.

"Stung," answered the chorus of nighties.

The police returned to headquarters empty-handed.

"LEAN" CHRISTMAS FOR COPS. ~ Only One Exception Was Made to Order Prohibiting Gifts.

December 26, 2025

"LEAN" CHRISTMAS FOR COPS.

Only One Exception Was Made to

Order Prohibiting Gifts.

Yesterday, in the annals of the police department, went down as a lean Christmas. It was owing to the order issued by the board of police commissioners shortly after the members went into office last April.

On the official records it reads, "No member of the police force shall give or receive presents." Short and to the point it caused clouds of gloom to settle right around the city hall. This year the patrolman on the beat was forced to wave aside all offers of boxes of cigars, black bottles, etc., and the family turkey was bought from the officer's monthly stipend.

One exception to the rigid rule of the police commissioners was made yesterday, however, and the officer in question is not likely to be called upon to answer for infringement.

On "Battle Roy," known officially as Beat 7 and the roughest beat in the central district, an old shoe string peddler plies his trade. Worn and bent, the old man walked into headquarters last night and asked for Officer Herman Hartman who, for the past five years, has patroled out of headquarters.

"Yes, he saved my life once," he stated to the desk sergeant, Robert Smith. "He pulled me out of the way of a runaway team. I haven't got any money but I would like you to give him this half dozen pair of shoe laces."

The sergeant took the gift and placed it in an envelope for the officer, who is at present a member of the traffic squad and stationed at Eleventh and Walnut streets.

ARREST A SACK OF SNAKES. ~ Police Also Take "Grave Robber" and "Wild Man."

December 20, 2025

ARREST A SACK OF SNAKES.

Police Also Take "Grave Robber"

and "Wild Man."

Detectives who do not object to tackling bad men draw the line when it comes to taking snakes into custody. There was a case of near insubordination in the detective bureau last night. It came about owing to the arrest of the proprietors of an animal show which held forth at 525 Bluff street.

The animals consisted of a choice selection of snakes, one fine specimen of Gilamonster and a weird and non-descript sort of animal which was advertised on the handbills as the "South American Grave Robber." There was also a "wild man of Borneo," but he was roped in, tusks, nose rings and all and deposited in the holdover at police headquarters. The detectives were willing to go up against the "grave robber" and even tackle the Gila monster, but they drew the line at a gunny sack full of lively reptiles.

S. H. Terry, S. D. Rose, L. Crossman and C. H. Hornsen, the alleged proprietors were taken to police headquarters and booked for investigation. The arrest was made on complaint of a man who declared that he had been defrauded of $30 while in the show room. The stock alive and kicking was left at 525 Bluff street.

"Suppose the animals should escape," said the inspector of detectives. "You men had better go back and bring them down here." With one accord the officers declared that they had no experience in animal training. The matter was finally compromised by letting one of the proprietors out on bond to care for the sackful of snakes.

ONE WIFE AT HOME, ANOTHER AT HOTEL? ~ WED NO. 1 27 YEARS AGO; NO. 2 DEC. 7, 1909, THE CHARGE.

December 15, 2025

ONE WIFE AT HOME,

ANOTHER AT HOTEL?

WED NO. 1 27 YEARS AGO; NO. 2

DEC. 7, 1909, THE CHARGE.

Prosecutor and Police Say Benjamin

Franklin Hughes, Held for In-

vestigation, Admits It --

Wife No. 2's Story.

BENJAMIN F. HUGHES.
(From a sketch at police headquarters last night.)

That he married one woman, with whom he makes his home, twenty-seven years ago, and another, who, until Sunday lived as his wife at the Hotel Kupper, on December 7, 1909, is said by Captain Walter Whitsett of the police department and Norman Woodson, an assistant prosecuting attorney, to have been admitted by Benjamin Franklin Hughes, 124 North Hardesty avenue, in a statement secured from him in the matron's room at police headquarters last night.

Hughes was arrested yesterday on complaint of Valerie W. Wiler, who lives with her mother, Mrs. Cora Westover, and her sister, Clarice Wiler, at 1622 Madison street. To Lieutenant Robert Smith at police headquarters Miss Wiler represented that she had been married to Hughes, who has a wife and family at the Hardesty avenue address, by Probate Judge Van B. Prather in Kansas City, Kas. The ceremony, she said, was performed Tuesday, December 7.

Miss Wiler was under the impression that Hughes had left the city when she notified the police. It was later determined that he was home with Mrs. Hughes. Officer Oliver A. Linsay made the arrest. The man was held in the matron's room last night and will remain there until an investigation is made of the charges against him at 9 o'clock this morning.

HAS THREE CHILDREN.

Benjamin Hughes is 52 years old, and has lived in Kansas City two years, coming here, Mrs. Hughes said last night, from Glasgow, Mo. He is said to come of an excellent family and has dabbled in politics.

The details of Hughes's statement were not given out last night. It was announced by the prosecutor and Captain Whitsett, however, that he broke down and admitted marrying the Wiler woman in Kansas City, Kas., Tuesday a week ago, giving as his reason that pressure had been brought to bear upon him to unite with the girl.

According to the statement he was married to Mrs. Hughes in Osborn, Mo., April 16, 1882. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. James E. Hughes, pastor of the Baptist church there. Three children, two boys and a girl, were born to them. The oldest son, aged 20, is a clerk in the First National bank. The other son is 16 years old, the girl 11. Few clouds, he declared, darkened his married life until he met the Wiler woman last April. Mrs. Hughes had been congenial, a good, Christian woman whom all respected.

STORY OF NO. 2.

Valerie Wiler last night said she had first met Hughes when she was in the inmate of a home ofr girls at Chillicothe, Mo., under the care of Mrs. E. Carter. She believed the man was a state officer inspecting such public institutions. he seemed to like her at first sight, and came to see her often. Finally he induced her to become his wife.

Leaving Chillicothe, she stated, they went directly to Kansas City, Kas., where she gave her age as 17 years, while Hughes gave his as 45. She produced a certificate on which both names were signed together with that of Judge Van Prather who officiated at the wedding.

After the marriage, she said, the went to the Hotel Kupper where her supposed husband registered ans Frank Hughes and wife. They stayed at the Kupper several days.

"I discovered my mistake last Sunday morning when I was visiting my mother," said Miss Wiler. "She was aware of the attentions paid me by Mr. Hughes and told me that he had a wife and family on Hardesty avenue. I decided to find out if he had deceived me at once.

"Mother, my sister Clarice and I went to the Hughes home about 6 o'clock Sunday evening. We were allowed to enter unannounced, and found the man whom I had supposed to be my husband there surrounded by his family. He was very much frightened, got up quickly, and asked if he could see me alone for a few minutes. I would not listen. It did not take me very long to tell him that what I had to say was to be to his wife as well as to him.

BEGS NO. 1's FORGIVENESS.

"I said to Mrs. Hughes: 'Madame, I have married this man and have the certificate to prove it. We were married last Tuesday.' Then I threw myself at her feet and begged her forgiveness, telling her it was not my fault, that i knew nothing of any former marriage when I allowed him to lead me into matrimony. She forgave me then and told her husband that he was worse than I was. Later she seemed to take it all back, and when I went again to the ho use with my mother and sister tonight she treated me coldly. She even ordered me out of the house. I guess she is a perfect Christian woman. Anyway I loved her at first sight, and feel deeply sorry for her.

When Hughes was courting me he offered me many inducements to become his wife. He said he had been a member of the legislature and owned property in town and a farm near Cameron, Mo., worth in all about$75,000. He admitted that he had been married once, but added that his wife died eight years ago. 'I never loved her as I love you and we will be a very happy couple if you will have me,' he said once.

MRS. HUGHES DISCONSOLATE.

"Sunday night when we confronted him before his wife in his own home, he asked to speak with me aside. I refused, and he seemed very much annoyed. Finally he managed to get close enough to my ear to whisper, 'If you will make up with me, honey, we will get out of this town and go to Mexico.' I do not remember replying. The way he treated his wife did not suit me, although he was kindness itself to me from the first."

At the Hughes home last night Mrs. Hughes would not be interviewed about her husband. She was nearly distracted over his arrest, she said. Occasionally as she spoke she hesitated, wrung her ands and repeated passages from the Bible.

"This woman he married is a very wicked woman," she cried out once. "She drew my husband way to her through her evil ways. Lord have mercy on them both and me. My poor children."