100 Year Old Weblog: February 2007

February 28, 1907

LAST WORD OF HER.

SUICIDE DIES WITH WIFE'S

NAME ON HIS LIPS.

SHE SOUGHT A DIVORCE.

ATTORNEY AT DOOR TO TAKE

HUSBAND'S DEPOSITION

When Samuel G. Booth, Formerly of Valley Falls, Kas.,

Swallows Carbolic Acid -- Wife Left Last Friday

Fortune Was $50,000

With the name "Ida" lingering on his lips, Samuel G. Booth, a retired farmer, 63 years old, whose wife, Mrs. Ida Booth, 28 years his junior, had left him a few days ago, swallowed carbolic acid and died at his home, 2625 Garfield Avenue, about 5:45 o'clock yesterday afternoon.

John Woodson, his attorney, had called at the house to take his deposition in the divorce suit that his wife was about to institute. When the attorney arrived he found the door partly ajar, but his ring received no response. He walked into the house, and finding no one on the lower floor, went to Mr. Booth's bedroom. There lay the man on the bed fully dressed. A vial containing a small quantity of carbolic acid lay by his side. Evidently Mr. Booth had swallowed the acid when he heard the approach of the attorney, for he was able to whisper his wife's name just before he lapsed into unconsciousness.

In one hand was clasped a newspaper who contained the obituary of his mother, who died three years ago at Valley Falls, Kas., and nearby lay two notes, one addressed to his wife and another to his nephew, Rosco Booth, of Valley Falls.

Note to His Wife.

The note left to his wife is believed to explain the cause for his action. It is written in a firm round hand on a piece of white plain stationary. In part it follows:

Ida, I love you and have tried to talk to you and try to adjust our
difficulties, that we may live together and be happy as we once were. But
of the privilege of even seeing you I am denied. I think that you and I
could live happily together, were it not for Laura. She wields a powerful
influence over you, and I am very confident that she ahs been to a degree to
blame for the alienation of your affections from me. This, with your
imaginary wrongs and the intrigue of others had been the cause of the breaking
up of our home that would have otherwise been a happy one.

The other note directs that his body be turned over to Wise & Cassidy, undertakers, and that he be buried by the side of his mother at Valley Falls, Kas., with Masonic rites. It also states that after his debts are paid, which amount to but a small sum, a widow's share be given to his wife, and the residue divided between his niece and nephew.

Table Still Set for Two.

Since her departure Mr. Booth had lived alone in the house. He still kept up the illusion of her presence, however. Last night the dining room table had been set for two, and about this part of the house there was no indication of anything having been disturbed since the departure of Mrs. Booth.

Immediately after her departure, Mrs. Booth took steps toward instituting divorce proceedings and of this Mr. Booth was promptly informed. He decided to file a cross bill, and arrangements had been made for his attorney to take his deposition yesterday afternoon.

Since 1864 Mr. Booth had lived near Valley Falls, moving there with his mother from Kentucky. He had acquired much land in that territory, but had not married until after his mother's death three years ago. The body will probably be taken to Valley Falls this morning for burial.

Last night Mrs. Booth had not called at the morgue to give instructions regarding the disposition of her husband's body. She had been told of his death in the evening, and went to the home, but remained only a few minutes.

A brother of the dead man lives in Oklahoma, and a niece and nephew live in Valley Falls. Telegrams were sent last night to the niece and nephew, but the address of the brother had not been learned.

February 26, 1907

BY A LAWYER'S AID.

ATTORNEY HELPED MRS. ROBINSON

KIDNAP HER CHILD.

AN OLD MYSTERY CLEARED UP.

CHILD WAS TAKEN FROM CHACE

SCHOOL LAST JUNE.

Mother and Father Had Separated and Courts Had Awarded HimCustody of Gertrude, 7 Years Old--Humane Officer Suspected.

When little Gertrude Robinson, 7 years old, was kidnaped from the basement of the Chace school by her mother on June 1 last year many persons, especially Mr. and Mrs. F. C. Weaver, 1404 Troost avenue, who were keeping the child, believed that Colonel J. C. Greenman, Humane agent, had aided Mrs. Robinson. A woman, well known as a local temperance worker, appeared at Colonel Greenman's office yesterday afternoon, however, and admitted that she and a lawyer had planned the whole thing. Mrs. Robinson, she said, came on here from Chicago and stopped at her home. The lawyer was called in and the three planned the kidnaping, which was successful.

Just after little Gertrude entered the basement steps at the school the morning of Friday, June 1, 1906, a woman was standing in the shadow. "Hello, Gertrude," she said. "Why, hello, mamma," replied the child. The mother threw a black cloak over her child and ran to where a carriage was standing on the Paseo. With mother and child the carriage was driven rapidly south to Fifteenth street and west. Then it was seen no more.

It was believed that Mrs. Robinson had stolen her own child, but this could not be proved. Woman-like, however, she had to tell it. Two days later a Frisco conductor came in from his run and reported that a woman with a little girl, described as the missing one, had boarded his train in Rosedale. He paid no attention to her, but she had told the train butcher her story. She said that after getting possession of Gertrude the hack had driven to the Southwest Boulevard and Wyandotte street. All that had been planned out beforehand. There she left the vehicle and boarded a Rosedale car, getting out there just in time to meet the ongoing Frisco passenger for Springfield, Mo. She left Springfield for St. Louis and went from there to Chicago, getting home the next day.

The child was not missed by the Weavers until noon. Then they instituted a search on their own accord, and the kidnaping was not reported to the police until 2 p.m., five hours after it occurred. All of the outgoing trains were watched by detectives, but the shrewd little mother with her babe was many, many miles from Kansas City railway stations. She knew they would be watched, that is, she, her woman friend and the lawyer.

Little Gertrude was the daughter of Harry G. Robinson. He secured a divorce from his wife by default, the notice of the suit having been printed in an Independence paper, which the wife never saw in her Chicago home. When she heard of it she came here and tried to get the decree set aside, but failed. The court had given the custody of the child to Robinson. Colonel Greenman had advised the woman in both suits and that was how he came to be suspected of advising the kidnaping.

The mother came here once," said the colonel yesterday, "and visited with her child at the Weaver's for a week. I suspected something wrong at the time and went so far as to make Mrs. Robinson leave her return ticket and all her money, but a small amount, with me, and saw her to the train when she left. She had visited at my house then and I knew if she got away with her baby I would have to bear the blame. When she did come here and succeed in kidnaping it I had no idea she was out of Chicago -- but I got the blame nevertheless of advising her to take it in the manner in which she did. I wouldn't use my office for breaking the law and am glad that Mrs. Blank has set me right."

The woman who helped to plan the kidnaping said she was going to tell the Weavers how it was all done -- some day, when she got a chance.

February 26, 1907

FUNERAL OF A CAR VICTIM.

Margaret Blume, Killed on Eighteenth,

A Neighborhood Favorite.

Margaret Blume, the 5-year-old child killed by a street car Sunday at Walrond avenue on Eighteenth street, will be buried this morning in St. Peter and St. Paul's cemetery, Twenty-fifth and Brooklyn.

MARGARET BLUME.

The funeral service will be at Sacred Heart church at 9 o'clock, Rev. Father R. G. Lyons officiating. Margaret was the oldest of three children and was a neighborhood favorite.

Motorman Jesse F. Cannon, who was running the car, was arraigned on a charge of manslaughter and criminal negligence yesterday before Justice Theodore Remley. His preliminary hearing was set for March 7 and he was released on a bond of $500.

February 23, 1907

ADOPTED A NINTH CHILD.

Mrs. Fanny Savage, Highwayman's

Wife, Accused of Neglect.

When Mike Savage, alias O'Brien, was arrested by Detectives Kenny and Ghent on a charge of highway robbery, at his home, 417 East Eighteenth street, the night of February 14, those officers reported to Colonel J. C. Greenman, Humane agent, that a little 5-month old baby was being kept there in squalor, wretchedness and misery.

Yesterday morning Dr. E. L. Matthias, of the juvenile court and Mrs. Kate Pearson, of the Associated Charities, went to the Eighteenth street house, while Mrs. Fanny Savage, the baby's foster mother, was away and took the little one to Mercy hospital, Fifth street and Highland avenue, where it is said to be in precarious condition.

When Mrs. Savage returned home she was taken before Colonel Greenman for investigation and asked why she had adopted a child of such a tender age and then had neglected it. She said her husband saw it at St. Anthony's home and "took pity on it" and for that reason she adopted it -- "just because my husband wanted me to," she said. "I have eight of my own now and five of them are at home."

Savage, James Severwright, Samuel Hite and Herman, alias "Dutch" Gall, are all confessed highwaymen now in the county jail awaiting trial.

February 22, 1907

WOFFORD HOLDING HIS OWN.

It Was Said Last Night That He Was

Improving Steadily.

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

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

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

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

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

February 22, 1907

ENDS LIFE BEFORE MIRROR.

Girl Cashier Shoots Herself With

Her Father's Pistol.

Ada Veive Sieglar, with her 20th birthday this week, stood before her dresser mirror last night at her home, 4809 East Sixth street, with a revolver pressed to her temple, when her sister called upstairs to ask:

"Ada, are you getting ready?"

"Yes, getting ready," she replied, and then, the sister having closed a door, there followed the report of a pistol.

Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Holiday, boarders and long time friends of the family, were sitting in the living room just beneath the girls' chamber, Mrs. Holiday said:

"The gas globe has burst and must have struck Ada on the head," for they had heard the sound of her body falling.

In a moment Mr. Holiday had reached the girl's side. She was unconscious. A 32-caliber bullet had traversed her brain. She was lifted to the bed and died fifteen minutes later.

MISS ADA VEIVE SEIGLAR

No member of the household had the remotest idea when Ada left the dinner table a few minutes before, that she was even feeling despondent. On the contrary, she was cheerful and had joked pleasantly with Mr. Holiday about a long run which, in his business as an express messenger, had kept him from home for four days. Then she asked if the Coopers, friends of the family, were coming to spend the evening, and went upstairs, presumably to dress for the company.

That she left any message or note was denied by every member of the family present. At the Jones Dry Goods Company, where she was employed as cashier in the pattern department, she was known as a rather quiet girl who did not mingle much with other young people, though several months she has kept company with Robert E. Hamilton, a newspaper pressman. The death of the young woman's mother, which occurred last June, was suggested as having preyed upon her mind, but the family do not incline to the idea. Her father, J. T. Seiglar, had gone to call on a friend a few minutes before the tragedy. Two unmarried sisters, Ora and Grace, were in the kitchen at the time. The only other member of the family is Gus E. Seiglar, a brother, employed by an express company at the Union depot.

It was 10:45 o'clock and three hours after the shooting when the father came home to hear the first news of the tragedy. He is prominent in Masonic circles and the Eastern Star will assist in the funeral arrangements.

Coroner Thompson deputized D. W. Newcomer to view the body and remove it to his undertaking room.

Miss Seiglar had worked at the Jones dry goods store for about three months. The revolver that she shot herself with was her father's. She had taken it from a trunk in another room where the brother had kept it and another revolver of her own.

February 20, 1907

JUDGE TEASDALE'S WILL.

All of the Late Jurist's Property

Goes to His Widow.

The will of the late Judge William B. Teasdale, of the circuit court, was filed for probate yesterday. It is very short, written by himself with pen and ink on one sheet of one of his own letterheads. Its date is November 11, two months before he died. The principal clause is as follows:

"I give, bequeath and devise to my wife, Lydia E. Teasdale, all my property, real and personal, to have and own absolutely, knowing that she will take care of our children, Aimee, Marguerite and Bertha."

February 20, 1907

THE PRISONER'S WIFE FAINTED.

Lost Consciousness When Husband

Was Sentenced to Prison.

We, the jury, find the defendant guilty as charged and assess his punishment at three years in the penitentiary. ---

A well dressed woman of middle age slipped from her chair in the criminal court room yesterday when she heard those words read by the clerk, and was caught up by deputies. She was unconscious. It was the verdict against her husband for obtaining property under false pretenses, and she had fainted. The woman was Mr. S. M. Miller, the wife of a Chillicothe real estate dealer. She was carried to one of the side rooms and revived. Her husband's lawyer gave notice of appeal, furnished bond, and Mr. and Mrs. Miller left for Chillicothe last night.

A year or more ago Mr. and Mrs. R. F. Freeman owned a home on Brighton avenue. It was worth $1,200, they said. One day Miller came to town and offered to trade them for it 143 acres of what he said was good and improved real estate in Carter county, Mo.

The trade went through and the transfers were made. The Freemans went to look at their new farm. It was not what they expected, by any means. It was not improved as Miller said, lay on the side of a mountain and was very poor land. They sought to trade back, but Miller refused. Then they consulted a lawyer, with the result that Miller was arrested and is now convicted. The Freemans will get their home back. Miller is over 50 years of age.

February 20, 1907

MONEY WAS IN HIS HAT.

And Harrison Accused a Policeman

of Putting It There.

F. G. Harrison, a switchman, went to police headquarters last night and complained that he had been robbed of $5 by a woman. The woman was arrested and denied the robbery so strenuously that Lieutenant H. W. Hammil thought best to search Harrison to be sure.

When they search a man at police headquarters the man's hat is never overlooked. And so Harrison's hat came in for a search. Lo and behold, snugly ensconced inside of the sweat band was a $5 bill neatly folded. The woman was ordered released and Harrison placed in the holdover for safekeeping.

"Say," said Harrison to Michael McCarthy when the latter took down a prisoner, "who was that feller who took that money out of my hat?"

"That was Lieutenant Hammil," he was informed.

"Well, I don't care who he is," said Harrison, "he had that money crimped up in his hand and put it in my hat himself. I know I was robbed."

McCarthy did not argue the question with him. He knew Hammil was not going to place a $5 bill in Harrison's hat. They are too scarce in the police department.

February 16, 1907

WORTHLESS DRAFT COST $60.

"Dead Brother" Game Used to

Ensnare a Farmer From Nevada.

On the old plea that he needed $25 more to take the body of his brother to St. Louis, a young man succeeded in securing $60 from J. Moseley, a farmer who lives near Nevada, Mo., on a train from that city yesterday. With Moseley he left a draft for $1,100 as security. The farmer found the paper to be worthless when he arrived here. He had to pawn his watch to get back home, after protesting for a time that the draft was good. The man who gave him the draft left the train at Southwest Junction.

February 16, 1907

DEATH HIS REFUGE.

JOHN R. M'KIM KILLS HIMSELF

IN THE CENTROPOLIS.

LETTER TO WIFE TELLS STORY.

BLAMES ILL HEALTH AND DEBTS FOR SUICIDE.

Milling Venture in Pittsburg, Kas., Did Not Prove Profitable, It Is Said--

Lived in Kansas City at 304 Maple Avenue With Family

Late yesterday afternoon, when a chambermaid could not get into a room on the third floor of the Centropolis hotel, she called the night clerk and the proprietor. The key was in the door on the inside and the door locked. With instruments the house electrician succeeded in pushing the key out and the door was opened with a pass key.

On the bed, face downward, lay the body of a man. He was dead and the odor in the room indicated that carbolic acid had been used. The register showed that he had registered late Thursday afternoon as "John R. McKim, South Omaha, Neb." On a dresser among a lot of paper and envelopes of the Cudahy Packing Company of South Omaha was found the following note:

To the authorities: Notify at once my brother-in-law, William Arthur
Miller, with Karnes, New & Krauthoff, Water Works building. Telegraph
my brother, James McKim, at Deloit, Crawford county, Ia., who will come and take
care of me and my affairs. Do not send word to my wife, who resides in
this city, but let Mr. Miller see to that. --Jno. R. McKim.

The hotel people said that McKim came in and went straight to his room. Dr. George B. Thompson, the coroner, was notified and sent the body to Freeman & Marshall's morgue.

On the washstand in the room was a glass which showed that it had contained carbolic acid. The mans face and lips were also badly burned and corroded with the drug. A two-ounce bottle of the acid, bought from George Eyssell, Union depot drug store, was nearly gone.

Letters to His Wife.

McKim must have poured out most all of the drug into the glass, drank it and then started for his bed. It acted so quickly that he fell on the bed. He had been dead probably twenty-four hours when found, the inference being that he killed himself early Thursday evening.

Letters were found addressed to Mrs. J. R. McKim and also to James McKim, Deloit, Ia. They were placed in large envelopes on which was printed "Cudahy Packing Co., South Omaha, Neb.," but that had been erased with a pencil. On the one addressed to "Mrs. J. R. McKim," with no town or street address, was written "Do not notify or send word to my wife. Send word to Arthur Miller of Karnes, New &Krauthoff." The letter was not stamped. The contents show that McKim, besides being in ill health, was carrying a burden of debt, which seems to have been sufficient to cause him to take his own life. It also shows that he went about the preparations coolly and deliberately. The letter follows:

Cudahy Packing Company -- South Omaha, Neb.; To My Darling Wife:
Do not allow the shock of the shock of my death, revolting as it may seem, to overcome you. It is the only way to prevent the worst catastrophe that must befall you and the dear family if I attempt to continue this fight against increasing ill health and impossible tasks before me. I am trying to do
the courageous thing of sacrificing my life, dear as it is to me, to save you from the greater disgrace and privation that must ensue when I can no longer bear up under it.
I have striven with all my power to pull out of debt that has fastened itself upon us, but today the situation is such that I know that I cannot work with the pressure that I must endure.
I have policies in the
Fraternal Aid...$3,000;
New York Life....$2,000 -- in $800;
Mutual Life of New York....$2,000 -- in $600;
Indiana State Life..5,000 -- in $500.
These will pay out your debts and leave you enough, with your judicious management, to take care of the family. I want Jim to administer my estate and he will come down to see that everything is taken care of.
Oh, my dear, and you deserve a better fate than this! but I cannot feel that it is disgrace when the circumstances that compel me to do this are considered. Those dear, loving children -- how I hoped to enjoy my late life with them and you. God knows best and I submit to His decree. I am aware of what I am doing and the great shock to you all is my greatest regret. Those who have been responsible for my downfall will be dealt with on God's own plan. Let this be a lesson to my dear boys to keep out of debt and I do pray that they will live to redeem in the eyes of the world this seeming disgrace of their devoted father. I cannot write much as my heart is too full -- may God bless you all and keep you as His own. My sweet daughters -- they are a crown of honor and will always be your solace.
I have nerved myself for this trial, knowing it must come unless some providence would avert it.
My honor is my life
Both grown in one,
Take honor from me
And my life is done.
A PRAYER
O, merciful God, spare my dear wife and children. As much as may be the disgrace and penalty of this, my sacrifice, I pray you like a publican to be merciful to my soul in all that I have sinned and to keep them with Thy great kind heart from future disaster. Amen.
Dear wife, be comforted and take care of our flock -- it is past my physical and mental endurance to longer withstand the strain. Your most loving husband, JNO. R. McKim

In still another envelope, also addressed to his wife, with no street or city address, was this short note:

Cudahy's advance money and their mileage are in another envelope for them.
I have a $25 check which you can use. My debts abstract the larger
obligations and will not press you. Jim will take care of the matter when
he comes. J. R. McK.

A check for $25, made payable to John R. McKim or order, had been slipped under the edge of the tongue of the envelope of the first long letter to his wife, it probably being intended as a second thought for this one.

John R. McKim was 48 years of age and resided with his wife and four children at 304 Maple avenue. He was formerly a traveling man for the Cudahy Packing Company and later for the K. C. Baking Powder Company, of Chicago. He was well-to-do and owned his home, which is a pretentious brick and stone structure in the center of spacious grounds.

Some time ago he purchased a 200-barrel flour mill at Pittsburg, Kas., and it was stated last night by friends of the family that this venture had not been a success and that McKim had become almost a nervous wreck over the failure of the institution to pay.

Donald G. McKim, 19 years of age, a son of the dead man, is employed by Hucke & Sexton, in the contracting department, while another son, Bruce, aged 17, is conducting the mill at Pittsburg, Kas. He also leaves two daughters, Elizabeth, 15, and Genevieve, aged 8.

February 16, 1907

AUTO HIGHWAYMEN FOILED.

Chester L. Jones Tried to Run Over

Them and They Fled.

As Chester L Jones, son of Lawrence M. Jones, merchant, 2613 Troost avenue, was speeding south on Prospect avenue at 11:30 o'clock last night in his automobile two men ran out from the alley just north of Eleventh. One carried a club. They stood in front of the automobile and called "Halt." Mr. Jones kept on and the men jumped for safety.

When he reached the arc light at Eleventh street Mr. Jones stopped and ostentatiously removed his revolver from his hip to an overcoat pocket. He waited for the men to pursue, but they did not come. A man who was standing on the corner stepped over to the machine and asked what the trouble was, but Mr. Jones was suspicious of him and kept his revolver in easy reach.

Seeing that the men did not follow, Mr. Jones continued homeward. He says it was so dark that he could not distinguish the men, further than to say that one was tall and one short and that one had a club.

It was a lucky thing for the men that they jumped aside, for Mr. Jones, who was alone, drove his 50 horse power red juggernaut which could make highwaymen look like pancakes.

February 8. 1907

STRUCK WITH A BEER GLASS.

Saloonkeeper Arrested

After Injury to a Traveling Man.

In a fight in the saloon of Charles Dittmar, Broadway and Southwest boulevard, yesterday afternoon, William E. Hines, a traveling salesman from New York, was so seriously cut that he had to be taken to the University hospital. Hines did not say what started the trouble, but said it was Dittmar who struck him. He was hit with a beer glass and received a deep cut two inches long on the left side of the face, a cut an inch long under his left eye and a number of small cuts and bruises about the head and face.

Dittmar was arrested and taken to No. 3 police station, a few blocks distant, where he was released on his personal recognizance.

February 2, 1907

WHO OWNS THIS LICENSE?

Saloonkeeper Will Fight Its
Transfer by a Brewery.

The question as to who owns the license, the man who operates the saloon and to whom it is made out or the brewery that backs him, will have another inning before the police board next week.

J. W. Franke operates a saloon at 315 Main street. The Green Tree Brewing Company backed him in the enterprise and paid his license for him, taking from him a slip signed by him in which he agreed to transfer the license "from ---- to ----." Lately it began to look as if the building the saloon is in in would change hands and the brewery undertook to transfer the license to W. L. Scott, of 323 East Eighteenth street, filling in the blank places itself. Franke had prospered and had the money to repay the brewery for the license. He says the brewery refused to take the money or permit him to keep the license. So he has employed a lawyer and will take the matter to the police board on the ground that a saloon license is a franchinse and cannot be transferred without the consent of the board that granted it.

February 6, 1907

KILLED BY A FALLING TREE.

Orlando Harra, a Farmer Boy, Made a Miscalculation.

Orlando Harra, 22 years old, was killed on his father's farm near Sibley yesterday afternoon, being caught under the trunk of a falling tree. Harra was cutting the tree down and stood away from the direction in which it way to fall. His calculations were imperfect, however, and when the trunk fell, it came over upon him pinning him down before he could escape. He was 22 years old, a son of William Harra, and was a member of the Yeomen lodge. He was not married.

February 6, 1907

HIS GAS BILL WAS $26.

On the First Reading the Company Sent a Bill for $78.

"Here is your gas bill, ma'am," said a boy to Mrs. C. F. Hutchings, of 20 South Eighteenth street, Kansas City, Kas., handing her a folded sheet of paper. Mrs. Hutchings closed the door and then read the bill.

"Seventy eight dollars!" she cried. "Oh no, surely that is wrong. They mean $7.80."

She laid the bill away. When her husband came home she showed it to him.

"Seventy-eight dollars!" also exclaimed Mr. Hutchings when he had read it. "What is this --- a bill for the past year?"

Careful examination showed taut the statement was for the month of January only. Mr. Hutchings took an pencil and paper and began to figure.

"At 26 cents a thousand cubic fee, $78 would buy 312,000 cubic feet of gas," said Mr. Hutchings.

The company when the matter was brought to its attention, re-read the meter. The bill was then reduced to $26.00.

February 6, 1907

FINDS A WITNESS.

STATE'S CASE IS STRENGTHENED

AGAINST ALBERT CRONE.

FIREMAN YOWELL SAW HIM.

ON KERSEY COATES TERRACE NIGHT OF MURDER.

After Telling His Story, He Disappeared, but He Is Now Ready to Go on the Stand --

Taking of Testimony Begins This Morning.

After a search covering several weeks a most important witness for the state in the Crone murder trial, which begins today, has been found. Rather, he was found several days ago, but the announcement was made only last evening.

He is the man who swore so positively a few days after the murder that he saw Albert Crone on the Kersey Coates terrace at about 8:50 o'clock on the evening of Thursday, July 19, the time at which the officers say the murder must have been committed. Bertha Bowlink, the murdered girl, and Frank Kern, who was assaulted at the same time, went out for a walk that evening about 8:30 o'clock. A young woman in the neighborhood says she heard groans coming from the direction of the spot where the girl's body was found, about 10 o'clock that night. Thus the police declare the killing must have been done between those two hours.

The witness who has been missing for so long and who has now been found, is Roy M. Yowell, a Frisco fireman. He swore positively to seeing Crone on the terrace at the time stated and later identified Crone at the county jail. Before he saw him, however, he described Crone accurately and added that he had on a "lead-colored hat." Crone had at that time a United States infantry campaign hat which is of a dark gray, or lead color.

Yowell went to police headquarters early this morning with Marshal Francis, of Emporia, having arrived here from that city shortly after midnight. He was taken to a hotel and a policeman assigned to stay in his vicinity for the night.

Yowell's statement to the prosecutor the day after Crone's arrest was as follows:

"I left a restaurant at 915 West Twelfth street about 8:35. I started to
my room at 1121 West Seventeenth street by the Kersey Coates driveway.
About half way between Twelfth and Seventeenth streets I came upon a man and a
woman sitting on a catch basin, which is about two feet above the present
grade. The girl was bareheaded and wore a dark dress. It may
have been blue. The man with her sat with his elbows on his knees
and only glanced up as I passed. He was a large man, weighing probably 190
or 200 pounds.
"There are breaks in the bluff along there, where the light from the electric lights above shines through. As I passed the pair I looked at my watch. It was 8:40 o'clock. About 150
to 200 yards to the south of the couple, I came upon a man carrying his coat under his arm and with what I took to be a short cane in his hand. It was about three feet long. The man passed to the right of me toward the edge of the road. I started to speak to him, as I thought him a friend. Seeing that he was not, I scrutinized him closely as he came between me and the light in the bottoms."

Here he described Crone, even to the campaign hat he wore:

"I saw and recognized this same man in a cell at police headquarters at 11:30 Friday night. In spite of all the alibis he may have, I am willing to go on the stand and swear that he is the man I saw there.

"The man I passed on the driveway had his hat pulled down and walked around me as if he wanted to avoid meeting anyone. Nevertheless, I got a good look at him. Crone is that man. Just as I got to the end of the driveway and came to the walk leading up Seventeenth street, another man,
who was walking leisurely along, stepped from the sidewalk and started on down the driveway toward where the couple sat. Both the men I passed were going in that direction. I have seen Charles Henry, who is arrested with Crone. He does not fit the description of the second man I saw."

Crone's alibi consists of a statement that at the time the killing must have taken place he was in a card game in the Tralle saloon at 1125 Grand avenue. He has five witnesses who are expected to swear that they were in the card room with him at that time.

The taking of the testimony in the case will begin at 9 o'clock this morning before Special Judge Casteel, of St. Joseph, in the criminal court.

February 4, 1907

HIS STORY A FAKE.

W. DALTON, "OF NEW YORK,"

REALLY OF ARMOURDALE.

MOVED A JUDGE TO TEARS.

YOUNG ROMANCER WHO MANY

WANTED TO ADOPT.

After Court Officers Had Found Him a Good Home His Mother Tells Them They Were Taken In by a Juvenile Munchausen.

There seems to be a joke on somebody.

Walter Dalton, the "friendless orphan" boy who told Judge McCune in the juvenile court last Friday of his many and superlative vicissitudes after the death of his father and mother in New York and his abuse by a stepfather, how he slept in doorways there and finally beat his way to Kansas City on 9-cents because he wanted to come West where he could make a good man of himself, really lives in Armourdale and has never even seen New York. His mother, who lives there also, called at the Detention home yesterday to see this young Munchausen.

When he told his tear-stained story to Judge McCune Friday the judge and the spectators wiped their streaming eyes and sent out their hearts to give poor motherless Walter comfort.

"You look like a good boy," said Judge McCune out of the fullness of his heart (as he blew his nose suspiciously, as is proper under such stress), "but you haven't had much of a chance. We'll find you a good home and a good job where you won't have anything to do but work and nothing to eat but food and no place to sleep but in a feather bed."

"Thank you kindly, sir," sobbed Walter. "I will indeed be grateful. That's all I've been looking for and your generosity moves me. I shall do all in my power to show you how I appreciate it."

A court official led Walter away weeping and the court dried its judicial eyes and blowing its judicial nose again, called the next case.

Then the newspaper reporters wrote the story and splashed it liberally with salty tears and the next day twenty yearning philanthropists, looking for a husky boy who in turn was yearning to do a man's work for his board and clothes and a few kind words, besieged the office of the probation officer where Walter was wallowing in the fat of the county, and one of them took him triumphantly away in the face of the deep throated clamorings of the others.

When Dalton left the Detention building for his new home he was fitted out by loving hands with new clothing throughout, including a nice warm overcoat.

So much for the first installment.

Yesterday a frail, thinly clad dim-eyed woman accompanied by an ill-clothed boy of 7 appeared at the Detention home.

"Have you got a boy here named Water Dalton?" she asked.

"Yes, ma'am," replied one of the officers, "but I am sorry to say, you are too late, much as we appreciate your sympathy in favor of the friendless orphan. We have already found him a good home."

"Home," replied the woman. "Home? He already had a home and I'm his mother."

"But my dear madam," returned the astonished officer, "his mother is dead."

"I don't look very dead, do I? Well I'm his mother all right and he lives with me in Armourdale -- that is, when he isn't running away. I ought to know whether I'm his mother or not, oughtn't I?"

"Y-yes. But he said he came here from New York."

"New York, fiddlesticks. I've known him pretty well for sixteen years, which is as old as he is, and if he was ever farther East than Sheffield I never heard of it."

"But his father --"

"Father, nuthin'. Dalton skinned out years ago and left me to support this boy and that 'waif' you picked up from New York and found a good home for. But he won't be there long. As soon as he gets enough to eat and the weather gets warmer he'll be gone again. I know him.. He's no good."

"But, Judge ----" "Yes, I know what the judge said. The truth of the matter is that boy can outlie a press agent. I'm his mother and I know. New York! The only other town that boy ever lived in was Omaha, and he was in jail there three times for stealing that I know of -- and maybe more. Did he keep his eyes on the floor sort of solemn like while he was telling the judge the magazine story?"

The officer remembered that he did.

"That was Walter, all right," said the woman. "He always keeps his eyes on the floor and talks low when he's drilling for tears."

"But his stepfather beat--"

"Stepfather! He never had a stepfather. I know when I've had enough. The only person I've ever expected to help me along since Dalton left was Walter, and instead of that I've had to support him. Oh, yes, he would work occasionally, but it didn't do me much good.

"The last time I saw him was Friday morning a week ago. I put up his lunch for him and started him to work. The next I heard of him I read in the papers what a good boy he was and what a good man he was going to make and --and the rest of it. It was news to me.

"Well," she added in leaving, "I'm glad Walter is a good boy and has a good home and is going to be a good and great man. It relieves me of a good deal."

Walter Dalton is 16 years old. He was arrested by the police one night last week begging on the streets. He told a pitiful story of having been left an orphan in New York city and told it in such a plausible way that he made more friends in ten minutes than an honest boy could get together in a lifetime of uprightness. His new home is on a farm a few miles from Kansas City.

February 2, 1907

DEATH OF LOUIS SHUKERT.

Only Son of Furrier Succumbs

to Pneumonia

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

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

February 2, 1907

HITS SCHOOL GIRL.

NOW THERE IS A WARRANT FOR THE PRINCIPAL.

SHE MADE A FACE AT HIM

AND HE SLAPPED.

Dora Owens, 13, Says a Tooth Was Loosened and Her Nose Made to Bleed by Albert Evans, and Mother Tells Police.

Because Dora Owens, 13 years old, a pupil in his school, made a face at him, Albert Evans, principal of the Bancroft school in Kansas City, Kas., struck her in the mouth with such a force as to loosen one of her teeth, lacerate her lips, and make her nose bleed. This is the story told by Mrs. Tenny Wilburn, of 508 Elizabeth avenue, the child's mother. She swore out a warrant for Principal Evans' arrest yesterday.

"My little girl came home Wednesday," said Mrs. Wilburn last night, "with blood streaming from her mouth and nose, and her dress was red with it. She told me that the principal had struck her in the mouth with his hand, and I believe it, because one of her teeth was knocked loose.

"The only reason I know for him to have punished her was because she asked to be excused. She is a sickly little girl and unable to attend school all of the time."

Mrs. Wilburn says this is not the first time that she has heard of Principal Evans striking his pupils, and she declares her intention of prosecuting him as far as the law allows. She is the wife of W. M. Wilburn, an employee of Armour & Co. Dora Owens is her own child from a former marriage.

Principal Evans tells a more complete story. He admits to striking the little girl, but he says he only slapped across the moth with the back of his hand. She had made a face at him while he was talking to her about her continual breaches of discipline, he says.

Dora is a pupil in the Fifth grade, taught by Miss Florence Knox. Miss Knox frequently complained to me of the little girl's conduct, saying she was practically uncontrollable. Wednesday the teacher came to me and told me that Dora refused to obey her, and that unless she became better in her conduct, she couldn't be kept in her room any longer.

"I had no sooner begun than she puckered up her features, and made a face at me. Then I slapped her with the back of my hand. Her nose began to bleed, and with her hands she smeared the blood over her face and dress and went home."

Superintendent of Schools M. E. Pearson said last night that the matter had been called to his attention, and that he is investing it. The warrant for Principal Evans' arrest was in the hands of the police.

February 1, 1907

ACCUSED OF EMBEZZLEMENT.

Ambrose Gallagher Brought Back

From Buffalo to Face Charge.

Detective Joseph Keshlear arrived here last night at 9:30 o'clock with Ambrose Gallagher, a prisoner for whom he went to Buffalo, N. Y. Gallagher is charged with embezlement. The complaint is sworn to by J. H. Lyman, general agent of the Chicago Great Western railway, and alleges that Gallagher stole $200 from that company in January, 1906, wile acting as cashier in their freight office at Seventh and Hickory streets. In telling of his travels after leaving here Gallagher said:

"I went straight to Omaha, Neb., from here on January 28, 1906, the day I left. After staying there a few days I went to Chicago where I found greater latitude for spending money. When the money was all gone I went ot Buffalo, N. Y., got a job right off with the New York Central about the middle of February and have been there ever since."

The prisoner says that he was bonded with a surety company and that he presumed it was the surety company which caused his arrest and will prosecute him.

Gallagher's wife, whom he has not seen since he left here, was at the police station Monday asking when he would be returned. He said he thought his wife was with "the folks in Kansas." Gallagher probably will be arraigned before a justice today.

February 1, 1907

IT WAS THE LIMIT.

WOMEN SOUVENIR HUNTERS

TOOK COLLINS AT HIS WORD.

LUGGED OFF A HEAVY DOOR.

"YOU DON'T MEAN WE CAN

HAVE IT?" THEY COOED

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

They Carted Off an $8.50 Door That

Weighed Forty-Eight Pounds

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The porter ran into Collins.

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

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

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