100 Year Old Weblog: May 2007

May 31, 1907

CHANCE FOR VENUS

SCHOOL BOARD WILL PASS ON

QUALIFICATIONS MONDAY.

NOW KEPT IN SECLUSION

PARK BOARD MEMBER AND EN-

GINEER EXPRESS VIEWS.

Both Call It a Perfect Work of Art --

Mr. Buchan, the Donor, Says

Cleveland Accepted a Sim-

ilar Statue Without a

Single Blush.

Venus Statue at Center of Library Controversy

THE STATUE OF VENUS GENETRIX REJECTED BY

THE KANSAS CITY, KAS. SCHOOL BOARD.

The fate of the statue Venus Genetrix, now reposing in the basement of the public library in Kansas City, Kas., will in all probability be finally decreed at Monday night's meeting of the board of education. The members of the board who have been keeping this particular piece of art in seclusion ever since its presentation by Senator W. J. Buchan, will be asked to render their final decision at the next meeting. It is understood that a large number of lovers of art will attend Monday night's meeting and try to convince the board that by turning down the gift it will be depriving the library of a valuable and beautiful work of art. Leading citizens are manifesting much concern in the matter. The majority of them are in favor of giving Venus the most conspicuous location in the library building.

George Kessler, landscape architect, who has been employed to lay out a park and boulevard system in Kansas City, Kas., examined the statue at a recent meeting of the Kansas City, Kas., park board and pronounced it a most beautiful work of art.

PERFECT WORK OF ART.

J. P. Angle, a member of the park board, to whose office the statue was consigned by the park board, says that he has never gazed upon a more perfect work of art.

"While I do not put myself up as a critic in statuary," said Mr. Angle yesterday, "yet I have visited many art galleries, and from the collections of fine art I have seen I am frank to say I I do not believe I could pick a more beautiful piece of statuary than that which the school board has rejected."

Nathaniel Barnes, former postmaster, in speaking about the statue says that no one with a spark of love for the fine art could find the slightest objection to Venus. However, he suggests that if the school board is in doubt as to the propriety of accepting the gift and giving it a proper place in the library building, a commission might be appointed to determine its worth as a piece of fine art and also decide whether or not it should be exhibited in the library.

Mr. Buchan, the donor of the statue, in speaking about his gift and the subsequent action of the school board, said:

"I think the whole affair is too ridiculous to discuss. I went over to Italy, in my trip around the world, and while there did not forget my home town. I saw this beautiful statue in the original at Rome and bought the fine replica I presented to the board of education in Florence. I made a special trip to Florence to get the piece and paid $450 for it. It cost in transportation another $100.

FUNNY TO BUCHAN.

"For the life of me, I can't understand the aversion of the school board for the statue. A man who was making the trip with me got a similar one for the library at Cleveland, O., and he tells me there were no objections from growing young people there.

"The funniest thing about the deal is that the excuse of the board is that young girls and boys who see the statue may have read Ouida's book in which it is criticized. Now, I may be wrong in my judgement of immoral things, but I think a girl or boy who reads Ouida's proscribed books can not be injured much by looking on the4 excellent piece of art work she condemns."

W. E. Griffith, a member of the board, said yesterday that the statue was too nude to be placed in the rotunda of the library, if not in a collection of such pieces.

"I am not prudish," said Mr. Griffith, "but I am opposed to tempting girls and boys who have not reached the age of discretion, to make remarks and draw inferences. The statue was given to us in good faith, but it is unfit. We can not help that. We are only sorry we can not use it out of courtesy to Mr. Buchan. The statue would not be half so suggestive if there was no drapery at all."

WOMEN NOT DISPLEASED.

Attorney Edward Barker, 713 Minnesota avenue, who has taken considerable interest in the disposition of the Venus, yesterday conducted a party of women, including his wife, to the park board rooms where the statue is stored temporarily awaiting further action of the school board.

"What do you think of it?" Mr. Barker asked them.

"Oh, it is just lovely," they answered in chorus.

Afterward, all of the women said they would not be ashamed to have the Venus installed in their parlors or hallways.

"The school board is trying to out-Comstock Comstock," is the way Attorney Barker expressed his opinion of the action of that body regarding the Venus.

May 31, 1907

DOOR YIELDED TO A PUSH.

Now Warren Lancaster Faces a

Charge of Burglary.

The dry goods store of A. Newman, 1327 Grand avenue, was entered on May 20 by breaking in a rear door. Silk waists and skirts to the value of about $200 were stolen. W. B. Clark and James Downey, plain clothes men from No. 2 station, noticed some silk waists in pawn in the West bottoms. Then they arrested Warran Lancaster, alias "Hayseed," who held out firmly that he knew nothing about the robbery. Yesterday, however, he made a full confession, detailing how the robbery was committed and telling where most of the stolen goods had been sold or pawned.

"No one was implicated with me," he said. "I went into the alley, placed my back against the door, gave it a shove and in it went. I got nine silk waists and four shirts."

May 30, 1907

SOCIALISTS GET A CHANCE.

May Hold Meetings in Grand Ave-

nue's Open District.

James Howard, perpetual president of the local order of Social Socialists, appealed yesterday to the police board for permission to hold meetings in the downtown district. He complained that the police had run his party off Grand, south of Eleventh street, where permission had been given to them to hold forth.

"You let other political meetings be held on the street corners," said Howard.

"Yes," granted Mayor Beardsley, "but that is only when the campaign is going on."

"Our campaign is always going on," promptly retorted the Social Socialist.

After the commissioners stopped laughing they decided unanimously, "That is exactly the trouble," and suggested that the perpetual president try and get a word in edgewise between the Salvationists, the Bakerites and the other little crowds that nightly meet on Grand avenue.

May 30, 1907

THIS WIFE HOLDS THE CASH.

Leeds Bride Exchanges Husband's

$10 for a Modest $3.

Mary Jane Davis, of Leeds, Mo., who was married in Independence yesterday to B. F. Wellford, of Columbus, O., does not believe in the old adage that "the wife should attend to the religion for the family and the husband handle the money."

"I have nothing smaller than a ten spot," the bridegroom said to Deputy Recorder Meinich, after the ceremony was performed.

Meinich found he had no change and started to go out and change the bill, when the bride spoke up:

"I have a little change," and handed Meinich the $3.

Then she took the bridegroom's $10 from Meinich and put it into her own pocketbook.

May 30, 1907

ATE A SUICIDE SANDWICH.

Turkey and Carbolic Acid Failed to

Kill, However.

A suicide sandwich -- the ingredients the same as turkey plus carbolic acid -- was the refreshment Maggie Smith, 309 Walnut, rear, took yesterday. An ambulance surgeon, Dr. T. B. Rogers, said the negro woman would recover.

May 29, 1907

HAD A "WIRELESS PHONE".

Kansas City, Kas., Barber Who Had

a Vision at Police Station.

T. J. Shelton, 807 Cherry street, a barber with a shop at 1 1/2 Central avenue, Kansas City, Kas., walked into police headquarters early Monday morning and asked to be "detained" for a time.

"It's a good bed and the long rest is what I need," he said.

When Shelton was placed in the matron's room he immediately went into using an imaginary phone in the corner of his cell.

"It's a wireless phone," he told Dr. W. L. Gist. ""Handy things, aren't they? Wouldn't be without one."

Later Shelton called Mrs. Joan Moran, the matron, and handing her a quarter said: "I wish you'd send a meal up on the elevator there to my nurse. She's up there and hasn't had anything to eat for some time."

Shelton pointed carelessly out into space as he spoke of "the elevator there." An order was made to send him to the general hospital yesterday. In the afternoon he appeared better, however, and made many promised regarding his future conduct, so Dr. Gist allowed him to be taken in charge by a friend.

May 29, 1907

IT WAS THE WRONG BABY.

Mother, After Long Search, Kisses

First Child She Sees.

"It's mamma's darling! How is the sweet one?" cried Mrs. Margaret Johnson, of St. Louis, as she snatched a small child from the arms of Mrs. Ivan Elliot, of 2441 Flora avenue, at the Detention home yesterday afternoon.

The mother hugged and kissed the child and cried over him for fully five minutes without stopping to breathe. Then Mrs. Elliot said:

"You got the wrong baby, madam."

The child she had been caressing was Willie Jefferson, a nephew of Mrs. Elliot. Her own was handed to her by Dr. E. L. Mathias.

Lee Johnson, her husband, and the child's father, left her in St. Louis nineteen months ago, when the baby was 5 months old, and brought the child with him to Kansas City. The police all over the United States were notified and yesterday the Kansas City officers located the father and the child. Judge McCune last evening set today for hearing the rights of the parents as to the custody of the youngster.

May 29, 1907

BOUGHT BY JONES

TAKE OVER MAIL ORDER BUSINESS

OF KEMPER-PAXTON.

TWO BUSINESSES SEPARATE.

THE CAPITAL STOCK INCREASED

TO $300,000.

Plans Contemplate One of the Largest

Mail Order Concerns in Amer-

ica -- Establish Buying

Stations All Over

the World.

The Jones Dry Goods Company had purchased the mail order business of Kemper-Paxton Mercantile Company, increasing the capital stock of the former company form $150,000 to $300,000. W. T. Kemper retains part of the preferred stock in the company.

In the evolution of the commercial world within recent years the buying of goods by mail from catalogue houses by the people of all sections of the country has grown to such proportions, so states one of the Jones brothers, and has proved such a satisfactory way to trade that it must be recognized as an advanced step in the retail distribution of merchandise. In view of the fact that the people are buying largely from mail order houses, it was decided by the Jones company that it would be better to keep this trade in Kansas City than to have it go to the markets further east. Some of the fundamental principles on which the Jones Bros. will conduct the new branch of their business are stated as follows:

Their purpose shall be to get the goods from the maker to the user at the smallest expenditure of time and money. "The greatest good to the greatest number," is to be the motto of the new department. The present quarters of the Kemper-Paxton company, which will be occupied by the new firm, consist of a seven-story and basement building at Ninth and Liberty streets. As it becomes necessary these quarters will be enlarged.

The new business will be run distinctly separate from the business at Twelfth, Thirteenth, and Main and Walnut streets, but the two will operate in the closest harmony and out-of-town customers will be accommodated at either store.

The Jones Bros. are planning to make of the new business one of the greatest mail order concerns in the United States. Buying stations have already been established all over the world, and merchandise will be shipped direct to Kansas City from those places.

"Our trade territory for the present will be the great Southwest," said J. L. Jones, yesterday. "But as rapidly as is deemed expedient the whole United States will become our market. There is no reason why this catalogue business should not reach from Maine to California and from Winnepeg to Galveston in the course of a few years.

"It is believed that with the re-establishment of navigation on the Missouri river a certain and tremendous increase in the output of Kansas City factories will result, because of the outlet furnished by this distributing agency and others of its kind, and because of better freight rates resulting from river navigation."

Both of the Jones brothers have been country merchants in past years and have felt the country merchants' antagonism toward the mail order houses. They state, however, that so long as millions of people are buying goods from catalogue, there is no reason why Kansas City should not get in the fight and keep the business that rightfully belongs to her. For this reason the Kemper-Paxton Mercantile Company launched its mail order business in Kansas City and for the same reason the Jones Bros. have absorbed it with the determination to make it one of the greatest institutions of its kind in the United States.

May 26, 1907

AFTER HIS WIFE'S REFUSAL.

Canvasser Shoots Himself and Dies at

the General Hospital.

Raymond M. Phillips, a canvasser, called upon his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Phillips, at 512 West Twenty-fifth street, about 6 o'clock last evening. They had been separated about two years, but Reynolds was in the habit of calling to see his son, 15 years old. He set down two grips which he was carrying and greeted the boy pleasantly. In a few minutes Mrs. Reynolds stepped into the room.

"I am going to Colorado, 'Bess'," he said. "I came to ask you once more and for the last time, will you live with me again?"

"No," said the wife firmly. "I cannot. You know why."

Without further ado Reynolds drew a revolver and placing the muzzle to the butt of his right ear, fired one shot. He fell unconscious to the floor. A physician was summoned. The ambulance from No. 4 station arrived soon after, accompanied by a surgeon, and Reynolds was removed to the general hospital, where he died at midnight.

May 19, 1907

ESCORT JUMPS, GIRL HURT.

Pearl Brown, of Armourdale, Injured

in a Runaway.

Pearl Brown, a 19-year-old Armourdale girl, was thrown from a buggy at 2022 Madison in a runaway last night at 10 o'clock. The team ran on, and at Twenty-fourth and Belleview killed another horse with the buggy pole. This hourse was the property of the Brandenmeyr Bros., grocers. The team was caught at Twenty-seventh and Belleview.

Dr. W. O. Gray, ambulance surgeon from the Walnut street police station, took Miss Brown to the general hospital. She was suffering from convulsions, but here injuries were convined to bruises on the limbs. Her home address is 918 South Twelfth street, Armourdale. At the hospital she said she ahd gone driving with Oliver Dooley of 8 West Sixteenth street and that he had been drinking and lost control of the team, then jumped and left her alone.

May 19, 1907

HAPPY FOR ONLY A DAY.

Bride Asks Probate Judge to Nullify

Her Second Venture.

Alvin Thorp, 49 years old, and America Mallat, 5 years his junior, called at the office of the probate judge in Kansas City, Kas., last tuesday and were united in the holy bonds of wedlock by Judge Van prather. It was their second venture upon the sea of matrimony and they left the court house as happy as if it was their first flirtation with Cupid.

Yesterday Mrs. Thorpe, the bride of just four days, reappeared before the probate judge and with tears in her eyes begged Judge Prather to undo what he had done Tuesday. She declared that she was greatly disappointed in the man she had chosen for her second husband and desired to be separated from him just as soon as possible.

"He is not my kind of man," said Mrs. Thorpe. "My! I was certainly deceived in him. The next night after our marriage he came home under the influence of liquor and grossly abused me. He brought home with him a small vial containing some kind of dope and when I saw him take some of it I made up my mind right there and then we severed our companionship."

Judge Prather stated taht he was very sorry, but while he had tied the knot it was up to a court of higher jurisdiction to untie it. He referred her to the district court and a divorce suit is promised in the immediate future.

May 17, 1907

THE SMALLEST BABY.

TINIEST SPECIMEN OF NORMAL

HUMANITY IN THE WORLD.

IS HAPPY IN AN

INCUBATOR.

TWELVE DAYS OLD AND NOW

WEIGHS TWO POUNDS.

Lung Power Well Developed and Ap-

petite Excellent -- First Baby to

Bless the Thirteen Years'

Married Life of the

Coltons.

GRANDMOTHER OF THE COLTON

BABY AND THE BABY HIMSELF.

In a home-made incubator with a pagoda-like top at 406 White avenue there thrives the smallest baby in Kansas City. His name is Kenneth Crowder Colton and he is 12 days old today. He is believed to be the tiniest specimen of normal humanity in the world. Local medical authorities have searched their memories and can recall no other perfectly formed child so small. The baby weighed a trifle less than one pound eight ounces when he was born.

"But now! Well, just look at him," said the proud mother, Mrs. Ruby H. Colton, yesterday afternoon, as she lifted the pagoda-shaped top of the incubator, covered with warm flannel, and showed the little fellow sleeping peacefully. He was smiling, and occasionally he would crow in his sleep in the happiest way imaginable, unconscious that the very fact of his being alive is considered phenomenal.

"See how big he is! Why, he's getting to be a man already. He's a foot long and weighs two pounds. Think of that! When he was born he was only seven and one-half inches long, and he weighed a pound and a half. At his birth his head was hardly larger than a salt cellar, and now is as big as a tea cup.

"And his hair! It'll soon be long enough to cut. Do you see it? But, of course you do. You can't help it. It's an eighth of an inch long and dark, like his father's. His hands and feet are nearly and inch long each. He's perfectly developed in every way. See how sturdy his arms and legs are getting to be. I do believe you could almost feel his muscle."

Mrs. Colton showed a picture of her son. "Look at this, taken with his grandmother when he was 3 days old," said Mrs. Colton. There he is, wrapped in one of my smallest lace handkerchiefs. Notice how much too big for him it is. And you wouldn't think he could cry very loud. But when he is hungry I can hear him if I am out in the yard and the door is closed. Yes, his lungs are developing splendidly.

The baby's mother is small. She is about five feet four inches tall and weighs 100 pounds. The father, who is a carpenter, is five feet ten inches tall and weighs 150 pounds. This is the first child to be born to Mr. and Mrs. Colton. They have been married thirteen years.

The incubator which is Kenneth's home is made from an inverted kitchen chair, with most of the seat cut out and replaced by sheet iron. The baby lies on blankets over the sheet iron, and beneath it a lamp is kept constantly burning. The chair is wrapped in heavy woolen curtains. A square cover with a pointed top, made of flannel with wooden stays to keep it in shape, fits loosely enough over the top to allow ventilation. There is a large thermometer on the side, and the temperature is kept at 75. Kenneth is fed every three hours.

"He eats enough for a baby twice his size," said Dr. W. H. Crowder, the family physician. "I think there is no doubt he stands as good a chance to live now as any other normal baby."

POISONED BY PINEAPPLE. ~ Two Laundry Girls Unconscious After Eating Canned Fruit.

May 17, 1907

POISONED BY PINEAPPLE.

Two Laundry Girls Unconscious

After Eating Canned Fruit.

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

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

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

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

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

May 16, 1907

HAD VIOLATED HIS PROMISE.

Druggist Who Sold Cocaine Fined

$250 in Police Court

When the "Black Maria" was being loaded at police headquarters yesterday with its daily load of prisoners for the workhouse there was one figure among the rollicking, happy-go-lucky crowd that attracted more than usual attention. It was that of a tall and aged man, his hair as white as the snow. He used a cane to feel his way up the steps and his high power glasses signified bad eyesight. Attendants had to assist the man into the wagon.

The unusual figure was that of H. B. Sargent, 70 years old, druggist at 1901 Grand avenue. He had pleaded guilty in police court to selling cocaine to J. M. Watkins, a user of the drug, living at 2127 Terrace street, and had been fined $250. Watkins, who was fined $100 on a vagrancy charge and sent to the general hospital for treatment, testified against Sargent. Mr. Sargent has a wife living at 3021 Oak street. There are no children. He said he was not able to give a $500 appeal bond.

Not many months ago the same aged white-haired man stood in police court charged with the same offense -- selling cocaine. The case was a clear one, but the court was lenient on account of the man's age and the oath he took. Raising his right hand high above his head he said in a trembling voice:

"Judge, I swear as I hope for mercy from my God that I will sell no more cocaine so long as I may live. I will not even keep it in my store. If there is any found there on my return I will cast it in the street."

Mr. Sargent was asked of that oath yesterday before he was taken away. "I made such an oath," he said, "and it was my intention to keep it. But there are two ways of looking at this thing. Here come a man and or a woman into my store. The eyes are wild and sunken, the face wan, drawn, and dreadfully pale. The form trembles as a leaf in a storm. They are too weak almost to stand. Cocaine is the only thing that will relieve them. Death might follow if they did not get it. I never put them in that shape, I know I didn't, but what am I to do?"

On account of Sargent's age efforts will be made to secure his release from the workhouse.

May 16, 1907

EX-SOLDIERS IN DEPOT FIGHT.

One That Tried to Whip Policeman
Is Now in Jail.

The refusal of Toni Misnik, an ex-soldier, to get a shave when his friends thought he needed one, cost him a fight in which he got a badly cut lip, and his assailant, Stanly Barnatt, a severe beating with the probability of a jail sentence, Misnik and Barnatt were on their way home to points in Michigan from San Francisco, where they had recently been discharged from the One Hundredth and Fifth regiment of the United States coast artillery. Shortly after their arrival in Kansas City yesterday they became separated and Barnatt proceeded to absorb the surplus liquor stock of various Union avenue saloons.

About 3 o'clock Barnatt approached his fellow traveler in the women's waiting room of the Union depot and asked him if he had gotten a shave yet. Upon his replying negatively Barnatt proceeded to "rough thing" pretty generally, and Misnik was pretty severely beaten, receiving a gash through his upper lip, presumably from Barnatt's knife.

The fighting seemed to be to Barnatt's liking, for when Policeman Hachenberg and Farrel attempted to arrest him he forthwith started to "do" the police force. The officers immediately put him hors de combat and locked him up in station No. 2.

May 15, 1907

J. C. HORTON DEAD

OPERATION PERFORMED LAST

SATURDAY IS FATAL.

HAS LIVED HERE SINCE 1878.

PROMINENT IN BUSINESS, SOCIAL

AND POLITICAL AFFAIRS.

Was Born in New York State and

Settled in Lawrence, Kas., in

1857 -- Would Have Been

70 Years Old

Today.

On the eve of his 70th birthday, James C. Horton, a resident of Kansas City since 1878, and actively identified with its commercial, civic, social and religious upbuilding, died last night shortly after 10 o'clock at the South Side hospital. His death was the result of an operation performed Saturday for a stomach derangement. But very few of the thousands of friends of the deceased knew of his illness and the announcement of his death came as a shock and a surprise.

At Mr. Horton's bedside were a niece, Mrs. William R. Jacques, and her husband, who live at 1432 West Prospect, the Horton homestead; Mr. and Mrs. Frank F. Faxon of 2615 Troost avenue, and others.

Until fifteen minutes before Mr. Horton's death, he was conscious. The last words he spoke were: "I'm very tired."

He spoke this with an effort, seeming suddenly to grow weaker. Immediately he fell into a stupor from which he never aroused.

No man was better or more favorably known, and no one man was more highly esteemed, beloved, trusted and appreciated than was James C. Horton. In business pursuites he was teh acme of honesty; in private life a man of the highest type of morality and noble and edifying things and thought. In church affairs he was active and sincere, and as senior warden for years of Grace Episcopal Church he contributed largely to its support and prosperity; in politics he was an unflinching Republican, and while standing for its principals he never permitted himself to be led about by venal politicians or to waver from what he considered to be right and to be to the best interests of the people; he was a fast and consistent friend, lovable in disposition and character; liberal and unselfish, he devoted the better part of his life and savings to lighten the burden of the poor, unfortunate and oppressed, and thousands there are who can lend testimony to his goodness of heart and liberality of purse.

James C. Horton died a widower, his wife having passed away in 1901, and her body laid tenderly away in the cemetery at Lawrence, Kas. Although born in the East at Ballston Spa, New York state, Mr. Horton might be properly referred to as a Western man, born and bred, for he had been a resident of the West since 1857, and was a prominent and active figure in its growth and development. Int that year he located in Lawrence, Kas., as the agent of an express company. Young, vigorous and ambitious, he took a prominent part in many of the affairs of Kansas that have now become history. He filled county offices of trust with credit to himself and the satisfaction of his constituency, and was a state senator for one or two terms.

While a resident of Lawrence he married Mrs. Robinson, a widow, and in 1878, Mr. Horton came to Kansas City and became associated with the drug firm of Woodwward, Faxon & Co. In 1897 the firm name was changed to Faxon, Horton & Gallagher. February 3, 1906, Mr. Horton retired from business pursuits to pass his declining years in rest, free from mercantile burdens. He lived with his neice, Mrs. Jacques, wife of W. R. Jacques, at the Horton homestead, 1432 West Prospect, from where the funeral will be conducted.

No children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Horton. The body will be temporarily held at Stine's undertaking rooms awaiting funeral arrangements.

During his residence in Kansas City Mr. Horton was always active in Republican politics, and his last notable fight was the one he put up in advocacy of the nomination of J. J. Davenport for mayor at the last municipal election. Mr. Horton was the unrelenting foe of ballot box stuffers and crooks, and in 1894 when a number of Kansas City men were prosecuting ballot box stuffers and he was short on funds he contributed out of his own pocket $786.50. Later his admiring friends got up a popular subscription, and insisted upon him being reimbursed against his own expressed wishes that it not be done. Although continually solicited by party leaders here to accept political office, he steadfastly declined, and a year ago when an attempt was made to elect him to a seat in the upper house of the council his remonstrance was so pronounced and determined that his name was withdrawn.

May 15, 1907

HE BALKED ON BADGE 13.

Patrolman Charles Lorton Finally

Compromises on No. 63.

"Here, chief, take this star back and give me some other number. I am not at all superstitions, but inasmuch as I took the job on the 13th and you gave me no. 13 star, I would rather not play that number too strong."

Patrolman Charles Lorton made the above remarks as he walked in to Chief Bowden's office, Kansas City, Kas., yesterday morning and turned over the star given him the day before. Chief Bowden smiled and jokingly said that the 13 star was the only one left.

"Well, if that's the case I guess I would rather walk my beat without any star at all," continued Officer Lorton.

After arguing with the man for twenty minutes trying to convince him there was no "hoodoo" connected with star 13, but without success, Chief Bowden gave the new officer star 63.

The chief had a like experience with Officer Jake Canary when he was given the skidoo star, 23. However, Canary was game and has worn it ever since. He was reappointed under the new administration and now he is satisfied that there is no such thing as a "hoodoo."

May 15, 1907

RIDGE SUIT IS PREPARING.

Contest by Heirs to Be Started in a
Few Days.

Attorney O. H. Dean of Warner, Dean, McLeod, Holden & Timmonds said last night that the children of the late Dr. Isaac M. Ridge, by his first wife, had employed him to contest the will of their father, by which he left all of his estate, excepting $1,500, to his second wife.

"I will bring suit in the circuit court within a very few days," Mr. Dean said. "We will ask that the appointment of T. R. Morrow and Mrs. Margaret D. C. Ridge, as executor and executrix of the estate, be set aside."

Attorney Dean declined to discuss the terms of a will made by Dr. Ridge shortly before his last will. It is understood that the earlier will gave a larger amount of property to the children.

May 15, 1907

AIR POLITICAL ROW

TAKING TESTIMONY IN MANN-
DANNHOWER CASE

THE JURY IS DEMOCRATIC.

STATE PROVES DANNAHOWER

HAD THE LETTERS PRINTED.

Long Brewing Row Among Tenth

Ward Republicans Finally

Reaches Criminal Court--

Prominent Men as Witnesses.

Prosecuting Attorney I. B. Kimbrell, in his opening argument to the jury in the case against William Dannahower, charged with criminal libel, upon the complaint of Homer B. Mann, formerly speaker of the lower house of the city council and treasurer of the Republican county central committee, yesterday afternoon said:

"The state will attempt to prove that the defendant with malicious intent had printeed and circulated hand bills in which the public character and private life of Homer B. Mann was held up to public ridicule and contempt. In these circulars, alleged to have been written by the defendant, Mr. Mann is charged with corruption in public office and immorality in private life. The state wil show that these circulars were sent to many of Mr. Mann's friends in Kansas City and in Washington, and were went to his wife and left in the school yard where his children attended school."

The case promises to last all of this week and to be hard fought. One hundred and thirteen witnesses have been subpoenaed, seventy-four of them by the defense. The state's wintesses, in addition to Homer Mann and his wife, include Congressman E. C. Ellis; Thomas K. Niedringhaus, chairmoan of the Republican state entral committee, and Joseph McCoy, of St. Louis. The fefense has subpoenaed among its list of seventy-four Bernard Corrigan, of the Metropolitan Street Railway Company; C. F. Morse, of the Kansas City Stock Yards Company; Al Heslip, county marshal; Frank C. Peck and Wallace Love.

ONE REPUBLICAN ON JURY.

From the questions asked of the men who tried to qualify as jurors, it can be guessed that teh state is relying upon a conviction along lines of direct evidence, adn that the defense hopes to muddle the case by airing the linen of the Tenth Ward Republican Club. The jurors impaneled were asked by Attorney L. H. Waters, for the defense, whether they were Democrats or Republicans in politics and whether or not they had ever held office or done work for the city or county. Prosecuting Attorney Kimbrell passed over the matter of political affiliations, and tended strictly to seeing that the jury was composed of married men with families. Evidently he intends to bring out stongly the fact that Dannahower is charged with forcing the attention of Mr. Mann's wife and children to the circulars which he is alleged to have written.

"The defense is trying to make Democratic political capital out of this trial," said Clyde Taylor, who is assisting Attorney Kimbrell in the prosecution, "but I don't see what they will gain by it. This is a criminal libel suit and not a political meeting. If they are not careful they will overplay their hand and neglect their client's interests."

The jury which is trying the case coprises: Charles R. Jones, Democrat; J. F. Shortridge, Independent; J. M. Burton, Democrat; I. H. B. Edmondson, Democrat; Albert L. Williams, Democrat; J. H. North, Independent; J. G. White, Democrat; Elmer Dorse, Democrat; W. E. Van Crate, Independent; J. H. Pemberton, Democrat; W. D. Oldham, Democrat, and F. B. Alexander, Republican.

Every juror is married and has children. most of them are business men and own their own homes. There is only one Republican in the twelve. Attorney Kimbrell and Attorney Waters got what they wanted in the character of the jurors and the twelve men were agreed upon after half an hour.

MANN HAD KNIFE, ELLIS SAYS.

The first witness for the state was Congressman E. C. Ellis. He testified that he had received at his residence in Washington, D. C., last February copies of the circulars signed by Dannahower through the registered mail. Upon cross-examination he admitted that he once was in a buggy with Mr. Mann when Dannahower drove by and the men began quarreling. He admitted that Mann had an open knife in his hand, but denied that Mann had tried to use the knife. He said that very hot words passed between the two men.

J. F. Ewing, of the Gate City Printing and Advertising Company, 1229 Main street, swore taht Mr. Dannahower had placed tow orders for printed circulars with the establishment, got the circulars and paid for them. One order was placed on October 27, 1906, for 10,000 circulars, and one in February, 1907, for 2,000. Dannahower paid the firm $30 for the big order and $6 for the second. The circulars were different. Copies of both were introduced in evidence, as was a copy of the Gate City company's ledger account with Dannahower.

R. F. Jarmon, of 3419 Summit, formerly of Jarmon & Kykes, at 1229 Main, testified that three years ago, during the Kemper-Neff campaign, he had printed several thousand circulars for Dannahower in which Mr. Mann was attacked. His testimony was stricken out on account of the time which had expired, but the court let stand his statement that at the time Dannahower gave the order he said he was "going to keep after Mann until he got him."

May 14, 1907

WANT A SALOON AT FAIRMOUNT.

Park Management Still Trying to Override Public Sentiment

It was announced in the churches at Independence Sunday that the matter of an application for a saloon license at Fairmount park would come before the county court Tuesday. The ministers requested taht as many of the members of the congregation as could should go before the court and protest. This is the only park near Independence where family, Sunday school and church gatherings can be held. The church people regard the place wehre liquor is sold in a park as a menace3 and very objectionable to park patrons. There is every indication that a strenuous opposition will be made to the granting of the license, which to be legl must have a two-thirds majority in the township, and the township of Blue is quite large and densely populated. For nearly a year Fairmount park has been trying to get a saloon license.

May 14, 1907

BREAKS UP BOYS' GANG.

In the Juvenile Court Yesterday

Judge McCune Lectured the

Father When He Objected

to the Decision.

Seven little boys, from 9 to 12 years of age, charged with being the "Sixteenth Street Gang," train hoppers and coal thieves, were before Judge McCune, of the juvenile court, yesterday afternoon.

"The boys sit on the rails of the Belt line tracks," said James H. Knapp, of the Knapp & Coumbe Construction Company, a witness, "and try to scare the engineer of the approaching trains. When the engine is within a few feet of them, they jump up like frogs and get off the track. If the engineer sticks his head out of the cab to talk to them, they make finger signs at him."

There were other witnesses against the boys -- three truancy officers and W. K. Miller, flagman for the Belt line at Sixteenth street. They said that the boys made a practice of stealing coal and hopping on trains.

"I pointed out to the boys," Miller told the court, "the place where a boy was killed last year jumping on a train. It wasn't ten feet from where these boys repeat the practice. But they only laughed at me.

"They sit up on the cars and kick the coal off. Then they get down, pick it up, and haul it away in little wagons. The gang has two wagons."

The seven boys before the court were; Willie Eft, 10 years old; Martin Eft, 9 years old, both of 1511 College avenue; Henning Broman, 12 years old, of 3113 East Sixteenth street; Harry Wright, 11 years old, of 3208 East Sixteenth street, Edward Blickhan, 11 years old, and Harris Blickhan, 10 years old, both of 1612 College avenue; Earl Frizzell, 12 years old, of 3208 East Sixteenth street.

All of the boys, with the exception of Earl Frizzell, admitted that they hopped on trains and stole coal. The Blickhan boys took the coal home and the other s sold it for 15 cents a wagon load, they said. Willie Eft and Henning Broman owned the two wagons.

Edward J. Blickhan, father of the Blickhan boys, appeared to defend his offspring, but he did more harm than good. He told the court that they had been sick with tonsillitis for two weeks and could not go to school. He denied all knowledge of their bringing coal home, but the court stated that he preferred to believe the boys' own statement that they had brought coal home and put it in the box by the kitchen stove. When the Blickhan boys were rounded up by the truancy officers last Thursday their hair hung over their shoulders and they were so ragged that Miller told the officers that he thought they were orphans. Yesterday afternoon they wore new suits and had their hair clipped short.

Judge McCune turned Earl Frizzell loose, as he had been with the "gang" only one day, ordered a home in the country found for Willie Eft and released the other boys with the understanding that they attend school and quit playing among the railway yards.

When Blickhan protested against the court holding his boys, Judge McCune said:

"You don't care if your boys get killed playing in the yards, so long as they fill your coal box. I don't want to hear another word from you. You have violated the law yourself."

Henry Eft, 13 years old, a brother of Willie and Martin, now has a reform school sentence hanging over him and is at work.

May 13, 1907

BLUES IN FIRST PLACE.

BEAT COLUMBUS 5 TO 4 IN A

GREAT FINISH.

While a crowd of 11,691 wildly excited fans howled and cheered as only raving baseball rooters can, the pinch hitting Blues bunched four bingles with a base on balls and three errors in the eighth inning of yesterday's game at Association park, and scored five runs after two men were out and the most optimistic Kansas Cityan had given up hope. The Blues won from Columbus by a score of 5 to 4, and went to the top of the American Association Standing. This is the first time in the history of the association that Kansas City has had a clear title to the top notch.

It was a glorious finish to what was probably the most exciting game ever played at Association park. The crowd was the largest that has ever been inside the fences adn the rooters filled the bleachers, stood up in the grandstand and swarmed out on the grounds and surrounded the field.

May 12, 1907

HURT IN CAR, MAY DIE.

Two Men Knocked Down Mrs. Anna

Frazer, Who Is 85.

Mrs. Anna Frazer, 85 years old, was knocked to the floor of a Westport car at Eight street and Grand avenue about 8 o'clock last night and so seriously injured that she may die. Just as she left ehr seat to alight from the car two men shoved her roughly in an attempt to leafve the3 car hurriedly, and she fell, striking her hip on the seat rail. She was taken to the emergency hospital, where it was said whe is suffering from a dislocation fo the right hip and internal injuries.

May 12, 1907

FELL INTO BLUE RIVER.

Conductor Patterson Knocked From

Car, Rescued by Man in a Boat.

W. B. Patterson, a conductor on the Kansas City & Independence line, last night at 7:15, as his car, westbound, was approaching the Blue bridge, leaned far out to adjust the tail light, which was glowing dimly. His head struck a truss and he was hurled from the car into the water, fortunately striking no other part of the bridge. He was assisted to shore by a man in a boat. W. P. Donahue, the motorman, had noticed that something was wrong and stopped the car. Patterson was taken to the division car barn at Ninth and Lister and later sent to Monroe and Garner, his home. A scalp would two inches long is the only mark he bears of the accident. But he was badly chilled while waiting at the barn for dry clothing.

May 12, 1907

MISS WITTEBART'S FUNERAL TODAY

The funeral of Miss Aurora Wittebart, who lost her life in the University building fire, will take place tis afternoon at 3 o'clock from St. Patrick's church, Eighth and Cherry streets. There will be no services at the home of Mrs. F. C. Schmidt, where the remains were taken from Stine's. Miss Wittebart's parents, who are at the Densmore, were able to leave the hotel yesterday to assist in the arrangements for the funeral.

May 12, 1907

FUNERAL OF PROFESSOR De MARE

The funeral of Professor Georges De Mare, the high school drawings instructor who was killed in the University building fire, was held yesterday morning at 10 o'clock at St. Vincent's Catholic church, Thirty-first and Flora. Rev. Francis X. Antill conducted the services. Burial was in Mount Washington cemetery.

May 11, 1907

RUINS YIELD BODY.

MISS WITTEBART MUST HAVE

BEEN OVERCOME BY SMOKE.

FLAMES HARDLY TOUCHED HER.

Only a Small Amount of
Debris Over The Girl

The body of Miss Aurora Wittebart, the second victim of the University building fire of Wednesday afternoon, was found by a squad of firemen at 3:20 o'clock yesterday afternoon. No active or systematic search could be made until the walls had been braced, insuring the safety of the searchers, but within half an hour after work could progress without hinderance the body was found and removed to Stine's morgue. In the squad of firemen working under the direction of Assistant Chief Henderson were Jack Evans, W. C. Pahlman, A. Van Dusen, Dick Ginn and Charles Brown, and these men performed the work of recovering the body and conveying it to the morgue, where it was ordered taken by Thompson.

The body was not badly burned. Only the head and hands showed the effects of the fire. A sever injury on the right side of the head lacerated the scalp and the face was somewhat disfigured. The body was lying at full length on its back in an easy and natural position when found under a shallow pile of debris about ten feet south of the hall line and about twenty feet west of the elevator shaft. This location indicates that Miss Wittebart, contrary to general belief, did not lose her life near the northwest corner of the building in the vicinity of the fire escape, but had evidently made her way almost to the middle of the building and probably fell overcome by the smoke and flames. When the fifth story floor fell in, she was carried down with the wreckage and only a small quantity of debris from the roof covered her.

HAIR NOT EVEN SCORCHED

The girl's hat and coat were not found when the body was discovered. There was no doubt about immediate identification. The green skirt and white shirtwaist were easily recognized, as was a string of amber beads about her throat and a small gold fililgree ring on the third finger of her left hand.

The abundant light hair of the dead girl was not even schorced and the clothing was not torn or disarranged.

Miss Wittebart's parents, who are staying at the Densmore hotel, and her fiance, George P. Jackson, of 910 Holmes street, were not permitted to see the body, immediately, thought it was with the utmost difficulty that the police and firemen were able to restrain Mr. Jackson.

The young man was on the verge of nervous collapse after the body had been taken to the morgue. He insisted upon seeing the body, but his friends, realizing the inadvisability of this, took him to the Densmore hotel, hoping by removing him from the scene they could do better toward quieting him. As the party walked toward the hotel a crowd of morbidly curious followed as far as the hotel office, and one woman followed directly into the room to which he was assigned there. She cooly took a seat and remained until requested to leave, which she did, but with decided reluctance. Last night his nervous condition had improved considerably, and it was said that he was standing the ordeal with more fortituude than he had displayed since he had learned of the death of Miss Wittebart.

The funeral of Miss Wittebart will be held at 3 o'clock tomorrow afternoon from St. Patrick's church, Eight and Cherry streets. The body will be taken to the home of a friend, Mrs. F. C. Schmidt, 3338 Prospect avenue, today, and from there will be taken to the church Sunday. On account of the nervous condition of theparents of the young woman and George Jackson, the young man to whom Miss Wittebart was engaged to wed, it was thought advisable to not have them view the body of the dead girl, and the casket will remain closed.

Burial will be in Mount Washington Cemetery.

May 10, 1907

STILL IN RUINS

SEARCH FOR MISS WITTEBART'S
BODY MAY BEGIN TODAY

HER FIANCEE NEARLY CRAZED.

CONVENTION HALL OFFERED FOR

A BENEFIT CONCERT.

The body of Miss Aurora Wittebart, who met death in the University building fire, is yet lying somewhere in the mass of debris of the burned building. No real attempt has been made to recover it, as the ruins were too hot yesterday to permit the firemen to work to any advantage, although streams of water were kept playing on them a great part of the day. It is thought that a search will be made today.

Miss Wittebart perished in the wing of the building where the fire was most severe. This part of the ruins was one of the first to fall, and the unfortunate woman was doubtless buried beneath a great mass of brick, broken irona nd timbers. As soon as the men can get into the building, the tottering walls will be braced and a determined effort will be made to find her body.

Early in the morning, Miss Wittebart's fiancee, George Jackson, wento to the scene of the fire to assist in the search, and was greatly affected when told of the unavoidable delay that would be necessary before the body could be recovered. Mr. Jackson told a pitiful tale of the efforts of his betrothed to reach him by telephone when she realized that escape was hopeless. He is an employe of the Missouri and Kansas Telephone Company and was in his office at the company's headquarters when the fire began. One of the central girls told him that a woman was calling him from the Pepper building, and that she was evidently in great distress. Just before he reached an instrument to answer his sweetheart's call, she was heard to cry out in despair, and it is thought she fell to the floor, overcome by the smoke and the heat.

JACKSON NEARLY PROSTRATED

Mr. Jackson immediately called the fire heaquarters to learn of the fire, and then he ran to the burning building. Of course, he was powerless to aid her in any w3ay. The shock of her death, and the agony of suspense he has u ndergone in the realization that his fincee's body is still lying in the debris, unnerved him and last night he was almost completely prostrated.

Wr. and Mrs. Wittebart, father and mother of the dead girll, arrived in the city last night, and are registered at the Densmore hotel. Both of them were almost prostrated with grief and had not a great deal to say about the calamaty that has befallen them.

'We were at the our home in Coffeeville when the news reached us yesterday evening, said Mrs. Wittebart. "It was a terrific shock to us. We had recently had a letter from our daughter, and of course we never dreamed of any such horrible thing as this. We should have come to the city last night, but Mr. Wittebart, who is not in the best of health, was utterly prostrated at the news and we could not come.

"We have made arrangements as to what we shall do when we find the body. We hardly expect to take it back with us. We shall probably have a funeral here in Kansas City. It is so terrible we do not know just what we shall do.

The remains of Professor Georges de Mare, the other victim of the disaster, were left at Stines during the day. It was announced that no arrangements for the funeral will be made until the arrival of Professor de Mare's mother from Denver. She is expected to reach here this morning.

May 9, 1907

ONLY ONE KNOWN DEAD IN UNIVERSITY FIRE, THOUGH IT IS BELIEVED RUINS HOLDS ANOTHER BODY

GROPING HIS WAY THROUGH SMOKE FILLED HALLWAYS, GEORGES DeMARE BECAME CONFUSED AND LEAPED OR FELL TO HIS DEATH

WOMAN CANNOT BE FOUND.
Miss Aurora Wittebart Believed
To Have Perished in the
Doomed Structure

WOMAN FALLS FROM LADDER.
Through Blinding Smoke Fight for Life Waged.

The University building, at the northtwest corner of Ninth and Locust streets, was totally destroyed by fire yesterday afternoon, causing a loss of $125,000 on the building and resulting in the death of Professor Georges De Mare, head of the art department in Central high school, who jumped or fell from a window on the fourth floor of the burning building. The body of Miss Aurora Wittebart is supposed to be still in the ruins. The loss to the various tenants cannot be known with any degree of definiteness for some time. With the exception of Montgomery Ward & Co., who occupied the first two floors, most of the occupants of the building were musicians and artists. The Radford pharmacy occupied the room at the corner of Ninth and Locust, and the Kindergarten Supply Company occupied the room immediately to the west of the pharmacy. The fire caused more excitement than any which has occurred in Kansas City in years, owing to the ancient architecture of the building and the large number of women who had studios in the building, and the fact that several hundred girls were employed by Montgomery Ward & Co. There were many sensational escapes and displays of heroism, the most notable being the rescue of Miss S. Ellen Barnes, a music teacher, by Fireman Charles Braun.

She Died of Suffocation?

Death by suffocation is thought to have been the fate of Miss Aurora Wittebart, and artist who had an office in the fifth floor of the building, and was there when the fire started. She was last seen by Miss Barnes just as Professor de Mare jumped to his death. She is thought to be the woman Mr. Farrel saw with de Mare, as he groped his way through the smoke to safety. De Mare leaped to death from a window leading out of her studio. Miss Wittebart is the daughter of a glass manufacturer who lives at Coffeyville, Kas. She was only 22 years of age, and had been studying art and painting in Kansas City for several months, and was to have been married to George Jackson, an employe of the Missouri-Kansas Telephone Company.

Last to See Miss Wittebart.

"Just before I learned that the building was on fire Professor de Mare was in my studio," said Miss Helen Barnes last night. "We were talking about music and art, and finally he arose to go, saying that he was expecting a visitor in his studio. He walked to the door and opened it. A gust of black smoke burst through the open door, and it was then we realized that the building was on fire. Professor de Mare called to me to get out of the building immediately and started down the hall. I started to follow, but soon realized that I could not find my way through the dense smoke. I went to a window from where I saw Miss Wittebart standing at a window on the floor below. She was near the rear fire escape and I supposed she had descended. Professor de Mare had opened a window and was preparing, I thought, to mount the landing of a fire escape. I returned immediately to my studio and, raising a window, made a feeble attempt to call for help. the smoke strangled me, and I threw my purse out to attract the people below. That was needless, though, for I had been seen by the firemen, and at that time ladders were being rapidly placed to reach me. I saw the fireman who rescued me climbing upward. There was determination in his manner, and I seemed to realize when I looked upon his smoke-begrimed, upturned face that he would surely reach me. It was his determined look that strengthened me and seemed to give me new courage."

Cleveland Laid Cornerstone.

The building was constructed nearly twenty years ago for the Y. M. C. A., Grover Cleveland laying the cornerstone in 1887 during his first term as president. It cost $112,000, and after the Y. M. C. A. was compelled to relinquish it the building passed into the possession of the Pepper estate, being in turn sold to the Sunny Slope Realty Company. There was an insurance of $72,000 on the structure. The first alarm was turned in a few minutes before 3 o'clock by O. W. Hoover, proprietor of the Kindergarten Supply House, next door west from the drug store on the corner. Mr. Hoover heard the girls employed by Montgomery Ward & Co. hurrying down the stairs and out of the building and soon afterwards smelled the smoke. He called up the fire department and was informed that no alarm of fire had yet been turned in. Mr. Hoover thereupon turned in the alarm. Dr. William West, formerly a fireman and later a police surgeon, who ha an office in the Rialto building, saw the smoke pouring form the building and was one of the first physicians to reach the scene of the fire. He attended Fireman Braun, who rescued Miss Barnes, and did valiant and effective service throughout the fire in extending first aid to the injured.

300 Girls in a Panic.

The fire started in a pile of 8,000 pounds of hemp rope, which was stored in the pit of the building. Until recently the Kansas City Athletic Club had occupied the premises and it had made the basement and main floor a single room. Around this room ran a balcony. Montgomery Ward & Co. were occupying the room and in it they had a pile of hemp stored for immediate use. Without any warning whatever smoke began issuing from it and a crackling sound was heard. There were some of the 300 girls the mail order house employed in the Kansas City general offices, within two feet of the rope, and scores of them within sight. Immediately on hearing the sound of the crackling and seeing the little jets of smoke at the same moment, the girls began to tell each other there was a fire, and precipitously prepared to leave the place. O. Q. Massey and J. M. Miller, clerks, at the same time made a rush for the starting fire and tried to trample it out. Despite their efforts the fire gained on them, jets coming from twenty parts of the pile. A rumor that someone had stepped on a match, igniting it, is completely discredited by the evidence given by a dozen or more clerks who were sitting in the pit where the hemp blazed. While Henderson, Massey and Miller were trying to stamp the fire out, Mrs. Lucille Baker, in charge of the squad in that particular room, began getting her forty subordinates out of the place. Manager W. P. Walker had 200 girls at work in what once was the swimming pool. Their only avenue of escape was to walk toward the burning hemp and up a temporary staircase. In the most amazing manner, the manager succeeded in getting the clerks to stand perfectly still until they could march out of the place in twos, and in that manner he got every one of the 200 out of the pit and to the street level without the slightest confusion. There was every possibility of a jam at the staircase, which could only have resulted in a great loss of life.

May 9, 1907

LOST HIS LIFE IN THE FIRE

GEORGES DE MARE.

PROFESSOR GEORGES DE MARE, who was at the head of the art department in Central high school, occupied studio 508, in the southeast corner. He made his way to the fourth floor, and, finding his way blocked with smoke, he jumped to the ground and was almost instantly killed. The remains were taken to Stine's undertaking rooms and later to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Craig Hunter, 1202 East Thirty-fourth street, to whose daughter Miss Adeline Hunter, Professor de Mare was married December 26 of last year. He was 38 years of age. The tragic death of Professor de Mare shocked a wide circle of friends. He had been at the head of the art department of Central high school for the past two years, ever since coming to the city. He was universally liked by the pupils, and his death cast a gloom over the entire school.

Professor de Mare came of a family more than noted in the art world. His maternal grandfather was G. P. A. Healey, one of the greatest of American painters, who had painted portraits of Clay, Lincoln, and other notables. His father, who was a noted painter in Paris, died in that city a few years ago. The professor himself was born in this country, but was educated and lived in Paris until a few years ago. He held various responsible positions in leading art institutions of the country, especially in Chicago. His mother and two sisters live in Denver, another sister is in Paris, and two aunts, Mrs. Judge Hill and Mrs. Besley, live in Chicago.

Mr. and Mrs. Hunter were notified of the accident and Mr. Hunter and his daughter left the house for the scene of the fire without knowing at the time that Professor de Mare was dead. The tragic event prostrated the members of the entire household.

May 8, 1907

IN QUARREL OVER GIRL.

Early Morning Murder on the Inde-

pendence Public Square.

As the result of a quarrel over Fannie May Hughes, to whom both at been attentive, Van Tappen shot Clyde St. Clair at the southwest corner of the public square in Independence at 1:20 o'clock this morning. The bullet went through the forehead and St. Clair died without a word. His body lay on the sidewalk where it had fallen for more than two hours, until the coroner could reach Independence.

Last night there was a dance at the home of the girl's father, J. Melvin Hughes, who lives on a farm four mile northeast of Independence. Both young went. They returned early in the morning and were discussing their differences when the shooting occurred.

Tappen, who lives at 134 South Pendleton, went to police headquarters in Independence and gave himself up to Sergeant W. W. Twyman.

In a statement he made there her said that St. Clair had drawn a pistol and that thereupon he, Tappen, had fired. After St. Clair, who was the son of George St. Clair, Independence street commissioner, fell dying, Tappen took his pistol. Both the3 weapons he laid on the sergeant's desk when he went to surrender. Tappen is 23. So is St. Clair. Tappen and St. Clair had been the best of friends, it is said, except on the subject of Miss Hughes.

Fannie May Hughes, although less than 19 years of age, is divorced. A year ago she received a decree freeing her from the Kansas City man with whom she had eloped. Their wedded life was brief. The gamut of domestic infelicity was run in six weeks. Then they separated.

May 7, 1907

SALOON MEN UNDER OATH.

Applicants Must Agree to Bar Music

and Pool Tables.

Saloonkeepers who keep mechanical musical instruments or pool and billiard tables for operation in connection with their saloons will hereafter be compelled to violate an oath as ell as risk the revoking of their licenses . Hereafter there will be incorporated in the oath which the applicant for a saloon license must take a clause providing that neither musical instruments nor pool and billiard tables be kept. The county court at Independence decided upon this yesterday at the request of the county license inspector.

May 7, 1907

ARREST INSTEAD OF SUICIDE.

Elevator Boy's Note Found by Land-

lady, Who Called the Police.

George Evans eloped to Leavenworth a week ago with 17-year-old Maud Calvert. He is 23 years old and an elevator operator out of work. Two days after marrying they returned to the home of the girl's sister, Mrs. Louis Baskew, 1012 Adeline place. Promised employment failed Evans and he grew despondent. Yesterday he went to where he had been rooming, at Mrs. M. N. Paine's, 315 East Fourteenth street, closed the windows tightly, preparatory to ending his life by inhaling gas. He wrote this note:

My Darling Wife: I am sorry to have to write you this, my last farewell. When you get this I will be in the other world. I am going to kill myself. It is the only thing I can do. I cannot think of leaving here, Kansas City, and leaving you, and I can't get a job. Am out of money. Nothing left for me to do only end it all, when you will be free
again and you will soon forget me and marry again and be happy. Maud, forgive me -- my dying request -- if I am doing wrong. GEORGE.

Thinking to try once more for a job Evans went down the street, but failing in search for work he returned home, determined more than ever on suicide. But the landlady had found his note. She did not know he was married. She sent to ask him to come down stairs to see her, but as eh hesitated she telephoned for an officer and he was taken to No. 4 police station. His wife and her sister were brought there later to see him.

"They called it a childish prank -- our running off and getting married," he said yesterday, "and I guess it was, but I couldn't stand it to leave Maud and I was tired trying and failing to get work."

In Captain Flahive's office the girl wife had been silently weeping. When she spoke she said:"Why, George, I'll go to work. I know one of us can have a job all the time."

Mrs. Baskew, the sister, took them both back to her home. Mrs. Paine sent to the police station to ask that Evans should not return to her home, evidently fearing he might end his life there if he did not find employment.

May 7, 1907

HENDERSON WANTS A VACATION.

For Thirty-Three Years He Has

Fought Fires in This City.

"A man who has served thirty-three years on the fire department is entitled to three months' leave of absence," commented Alderman Miles Bulger in the lower house of the council last night, when he presented a resolution giving a leave of absence for three months to Alexander Henderson, first chief of the fire department.

To Bulger's sentiments there was a unanimity of approval, and the ordinance went through with a rush. The upper house of the council has to yet pass on the ordinance. If that body complies with the actions of the lower branch Mr. Henderson will spend his vacation in Old Mexico.

May 6, 1907

FOUND DEAD IN A SHED.

Patrick Pendergast, Cousin of the

Alderman, Dies Suddenly.

The body of Patrick Pendergast, a laborer, 35 years old, was found by a neighbor in a shed in the rear of his home, 616 Southwest boulevard, yesterday forenoon. The deceased was a cousin of Alderman Pendergast. The coroner was summoned. Death was due to natural causes.

The man was unmarried and had lived in Kansas City all of his life. A sister, mrs. Margaret Holmes, of Chicago, will come to Kansas City today to take charge of the body.

May 6, 1907

BOUGHT FOUR CASES OF BEER.

Pole Locked Up Until Police Can Do

Some Investigating.

Newton Reichneker, the Kansas City, Kas., attorney in charge of keeping the properties of the nine enjoined breweries from being again used in the sale of liquor, assisted in a joint raid at the "Patch" about 12 o'clock Saturday night. Frank Zoric, a Pole, was arrested and is charged by Reichneker and two constables with obtaining four cases of beer early Saturday evening, apparently with the purpose of selling it among his neighbors of the "Patch."

May 6, 1907

GONE AFTER ATTRACTIONS.

President Horton to Bring Them to

the Carnival Park.

John C. Horton, president of the Carnival Park Company, Kansas City, Kas., left Sunday morning for an extended tour of the East to investigate vaudeville attractions and other amusement propositions. He expects to be gone at least two weeks, and will visit the parks of Chicago, Buffalo, New York and Charleston, S. C. Mr. Horton may also take a hurried look around the Jamestown exposition grounds for new features and ideas in park building.

Although the rain fell with scarcely an intermission all day Sunday, work of construction on carnival buildings was carried on as usual. Officials about the grounds say the doors will open at the scheduled time, May 18.