100 Year Old Weblog: August 2008

JOHNSON WITH HIS WIFE. ~ Attending Physician Believes Woman Can't Live Much Longer.

August 28, 1908

JOHNSON WITH HIS WIFE.

Attending Physician Believes Woman

Can't Live Much Longer.

Guarded by detectives William A. Johnson was taken from the county jail yesterday morning to his home near Buckner, where his wife, who was assaulted several weeks ago, is in a precarious condition. Word was received yesterday that Mrs. Johnson was expected to live but a few hours and the authorities decided to allow Johnson, who had been arrested and charged with making the felonious assault, to be at his wife's bedside. He is being watched by Detectives Whig Keshlear, W. E. Brown and Candless. When he arrived at his home Johnson did not show any outward signs of nervousness and did not break down as was expected he would do.

Dr. N. D. Ravenscraft stated last night that while he believed Mrs. Johnson would live throughout the night he did not hope for her recovery.

BRYAN SAYS HE'LL CARRY MISSOURI. ~ TOLD IT TO W. S. COWHERD, CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR.

August 28, 1908

BRYAN SAYS HE'LL

CARRY MISSOURI.

TOLD IT TO W. S. COWHERD, CAN-

DIDATE FOR GOVERNOR.

The Secret Was Imparted During the

Stimulus of an Appetizing

Breakfast at Hotel Bal-

timore Yesterday.

William Jennings Bryan thinks he is going to carry Missouri. He told W. S. Cowherd, Democratic candidate for governor, so yesterday morning at breakfast, at the Hotel Baltimore. He breakfasted with Mr. Cowherd and Mayor T. T. Crittenden, Jr., and then went his way to Topeka, where he had a speaking engagement.

Many Missouri politicians wished to get a talk with Mr. Bryan, but the presidential candidate didn't have much time to spare and all the politicians got was a handshake and a promise to "see you later" -- for Mr. Bryan was in a hurry to catch his train and make his speech at Topeka.

The presidential candidate told Mr. Cowherd that he believes more in Missouri than he ever did, and expects the state to go for h im this fall by a bigger vote than ever. Mr. Bryan didn't say anything about trying to aid in pacifying Dave Ball and did not delve into national politics at all, his only political suggestion being that Missouri will be for him stronger than ever.

Mr. Bryan came in yesterday morning at 7:30 o'clock from St. Louis. With him were a regiment of newspaper correspondents and Theodore M. Bell of California, who was temporary chairman of the Denver convention.

Mr. Cowherd and Mayor Crittenden had been notified the night before that the presidential candidate would spend a few hours here and they met him at the Union depot and took him to the Hotel Baltimore for breakfast.

Mr. Bryan, who had lost his purse, negotiated a loan frfom the mayhor of Kansas City, that he might get to Topeka, but the Pullman porter returned his purse of yellow-backed $20 at the depot and the loan was cancelled.

IT'S NOW A LAW. ~ Police Will Arrest All Who Make Unnecessary Noise.

August 28, 1908

IT'S NOW A LAW.

Police Will Arrest All Who Make

Unnecessary Noise.

The ordinance of Alderman J. E. Logan preventing the making of unnecessary noises was signed by Mayor Crittenden, Jr., yesterday. The provisions apply to vehicles, operated by electricity and horses only, and provide a penalty for the use of siren whistles on automobiles and bicycles, and loud, piercing bells on street cars. It also provides that the only time of year when strings of bells can be attached to sleighs or vehicles is when there is snow on the ground.

Contrary to general belief the ordinance does not apply to barking dogs and loud lunged hucksters. There are already laws in force covering these two nuisances, but not enforced by the police.

DR. BOHL'S SNAKES GOT OUT OF THE BOTTLE ~ KEITH & PERRY BUILDING TENANTS ARE SEEING THINGS IN EVERY CORNER NOW.

August 28, 1908

DR. BOHL'S SNAKES GOT

OUT OF THE BOTTLE

Keith & Perry Building Tenants Are

Seeing Things in Every

Corner Now

Look out for snakes. Dr. Otto Bohl took a bottle of young ones up to the office of Harry R. Walmsley, vice president of the Zoological Society, and the things all got away. Bohl, being humane and not afraid of anything, considerately left the cork of the bottle loose, although he had cut a nick in it for ventilation. When the late Democratic nominee for coroner got to former Representative Walmsley's office there was nobody there but the young woman stenographer. When he had said that he was leaving a bottle of snakes for Mr. Walmsley there was nobody in the office at all. The young woman telephoned from a nearby drug store from time to time, finally getting word to Mr. Walmsley.

"There is a bottle full of snakes on your desk, Mr. Walmsley," she said. "I am afraid to come --"

"-- home in the dark," Mr. Walmsley supplied as he left the telephone to go to his desk. He returned to tell the girl that she might return to her place. "There are no snakes here. I guess it was a mistake."

"Are there really no snakes in the bottle?" the girl inquired.

"The bottle is there and a cork beside it, but it is empty."

A scream closed the conversation. Though a block away, the girl was frightened. Them Mr. Walmsley, naturalist, laughed with glee. A flock of snakes was running through the Keith and Perry building.

"They are little bits of fellows," said Mr. Walmsley yesterday. "Dr. Bohl caught a big garter snake and put it in a box. The next morning he found eight in the box, including the big one. He bottled up the eight young ones for the city zoo and brought them over to me. They got out of the bottle and dear knows where they are, for I do not. The janitors have looked everywhere but in the dark corners, and they say they do not like to look there. Garter snakes are very harmless and quite affectionate. I hope if they are found none of the office people will kill them."

It is easy to distinguish the Keith & Perry building stenographers. They are wearing automobile faces just now and most of them have pulled their desks out into the middle of the offices. Declaring that he was doing it "just for fun," one young man in the building with rah rahs on had rubber bands around the cuffs.

"I think it is horrid," said one young woman yesterday as she started back to the building from lunch. "Every time a rubber band drops on the floor or a piece of string is seen, we all jump. I scream. I just cannot help it. I am glad Dr. Bohl was defeated for the nomination. They ought to make him keep his nasty snakes at home. Our office is only two floors above that of Walmsley & Scott, and the elevator boy told me he saw two of the what you call 'em snakes going up the elevator shaft this morning. Two of the girls have left the building, afraid to stay in it till they capture the things again."

DISCIPLE OF JACK GALLAGHER. ~ Stole Tub of Pig's Feet and Went to the Workhouse.

August 28, 1908

DISCIPLE OF JACK GALLAGHER.

Stole Tub of Pig's Feet and Went to

the Workhouse.

Frank McGinnis, while ambling about the city market yesterday morning, stole a tub of pickled pigs' feet. The farmer saw him just in time and chased McGinnis toward Patrolman T. M. Dalton, who "confiscated" him and immediately arraigned him in police court.

"Be a gentleman, judge. Make the fine light," pleaded McGinnis of Harry G. Kyle, police judge. "I used to train with Jack Gallagher down here in the North End, and he always got me out of trouble. But now --"

McGinnis got no further. The entire court room laughed -- even the judge could not repress a broad grin. He fined McGinnis $5 and he rode.

DR. MATHIAS SAYS DR. PERRY IS RIGHT. ~ SUPPORTS THEORY THAT EPILECTICS SHOULD NOT MARRY.

August 28, 1908

DR. MATHIAS SAYS

DR. PERRY IS RIGHT.

SUPPORTS THEORY THAT EPI-

LECTICS SHOULD NOT MARRY.

Persistent Offenders Brought Into

Juvenile Court in Kansas City

Bears Traces of Traits

of Parents.

The opinion of Dr. L. M. Perry, superintendent of the Parsons, Kas., hospital for epilectics, to the effect that marriage between persons so afflicted should not be permitted, is shared by Dr. E. L. Mathias, probation officer of Jackson county. Dr. Perry, in a recent statement to the Kansas board of health, protested that the statute forbidding such marriages was almost a dead letter and that, for the good of the state, it should be rigidly enforced.

"Records of thousands of boys who have come under observation of this office since its establishment confirm the theory that the persistent offender bears the traces of one or more of four traits handed down by the parents," says Dr. Mathias, himself the fourth generation of a family of physicians.

"These four traits are, broadly speaking, epilepsy, idiocy, insanity and alcoholism in one or both parents. Whenever we have had the case of a boy who does wrong, time after time, and submits to no correction, he always shows the taint of one or more of these four things. This statement is taken from information regarding all the cases which have passed through this office.

"Of course, there are contributing causes, such as environment. Another feature is the early death of one or both parents from natural causes, indicating that they did not have the vitality to impart to their offspring. But the four main influences are those named.

"This statement does not take into account the occasional offenders, but those who are habitual wrongdoers. The fact that they have been born late in the life of their parents tends to the same end.

"While on this subject, it is a curious thing to note that more boys who have mothers only, go wrong, as compared with those who have only fathers to look after their welfare. A widow generally has to work all day and do the housework in the evening. The boys, as a consequence, if too small to work, are on the streets most of the time. In the evening the mother is too tired to give them much attention. A father, on the other hand, gives up his evenings to the boys and makes companions of them. This state of affairs has been proved in a careful record of thousands of cases. The boy has a better chance, three to one, with the father rather than the mother."

Dr. Mathias has had signal success in his work with boys. He makes a careful study and record of each case, both as a court record and from the medical standpoint. Hundreds of boys pass under his observing eye every month.

LEE'S SUMMIT TO HAVE SALOON. ~ Contestants Over License Fight in Presence of County Court.

August 28, 1908

LEE'S SUMMIT TO HAVE SALOON.

Contestants Over License Fight in

Presence of County Court.

There was almost a fight in the county court room yesterday afternoon when W. H. Carr, who represented the protestors in a Lee's Summit license case, struck, Ernest Bennett, who appeared for the applicants. Carr landed a light blow on the face after a lie had been passed, but the men were at once separated. The application for a saloon license was made by S. L. Coley, who had been at once enjoined by protestors. The court granted the license, on a showing there were 239 signatures for the petitioner and 207 for the protestants.

ARREST JOHNSON ON GRAVE CHARGE. ~ BUCKNER MAN ACCUSED OF ASSAULT ON WIFE.

August 27, 1908

ARREST JOHNSON

ON GRAVE CHARGE.

BUCKNER MAN ACCUSED OF AS-

SAULT ON WIFE.

WOMAN IS EXPECTED

TO DIE.

SHE FEARS HER HUSBAND, AND

ASKED FOR PROTECTION.

Prisoner Did Not Expect Arrest -- He

Says He Can Prove His Inno-

cence Easily, but Will

Not Talk of Case.

Charged with having assaulted his wife with intent to kill her last Thursday morning, W. A. Johnson, who lives near Buckner, Mo., was arrested yesterday afternoon and brought to Kansas City, where he was placed in the county jail. The arrest was the outcome of much investigation of the circumstances which surrounded the mysterious assault made upon Mrs. Johnson Thursday morning, and the result of Johnson's strange actions in his home since the morning of the assault.

From the beginning there have been few persons in Buckner who have not believed that Johnson knows more of the attempt to murder his wife than he gave out, and there has been much talk in Buckner of using mob violence.

When Johnson was arrested yesterday afternoon he was at the home of Clint Winfrey, two miles north of Buckner. He was taken there late Tuesday night at his wife's request, she saying she could not rest easily as long as her husband was in the house.

T. E. Beckum of Buckner was the arresting officer. When told that he was under arrest, according to witnesses, Johnson's face lost its expression. His hands and feet worked nervously and without evident purpose.

"You know your duty, Tom," he said slowly, without looking at the constable; "and you must do it. I am ready to go."

"Do you want to read the warrant?" asked Mr. Beckum, producing the paper.

HE DREADED JAIL.

"No, it is not necessary," answered the arrested man.

As the party, which consisted of Johnson, Beckum, Whig Keshlear and J. W. Hostetter, turned to go to the surrey, which was standing by the gate, Johnson hesitated and asked falteringly:

"Will I have to go to jail and spend the night there?"

Upon being told that such would be the case the suspected man almost broke down. He insisted that some arrangement be made whereby he need not be put behind the bars just yet. At Johnson's request Clint Winfrey and T. E. Beckum called up Prosecuting Attorney I. B. Kimbrell and asked him if it was necessary for Johnson to go to jail. Mr. Kimbrell promised that he would look into the matter after the prisoner had been brought to Kansas City.

On the way to Kansas City, Johnson spoke of his arrest but few times. On one occasion he requested that the warrant be read to him. After Mr. Beckum had complied Johnson muttered, "All right, all right."

Upon the second occasion, Mr. Hostetter had spoken of a neuralgia pain in his jaw and Johnson lifted his head from his hands and said:

"My heart aches far worse than your jaw, Hostetter, and it can't be cured."

The party drove into Independence from the Winfrey farm, passing wide of Buckner, since there had been much talk of mob violence. At Independence they stopped at a hotel for a short while and there Johnson was asked if his arrest was unexpected by him.

SAYS IT'S A SURPRISE.

"It was a great surprise, and wholly unexpected," he said. "But I think I had better not talk just yet. If I was at home on the farm I would be glad to answer any question that you want to ask, but until I have talked with my lawyers I had better be quiet. I am not running on my ignorance, nor do I boast of my wisdom, but I think that I will be able to clear up a few things soon.

"Right now I can scarcely collect my thoughts, my brain is in a whirl and I have been under a great nervous strain for the last four or five days. "

Beyond these few remarks Johnson would say nothing. During the half hour that they were in Independence, Johnson remained standing, always shifting about in an extremely nervous manner.

From Independence to Kansas City the party rode on the electric car and all of the prisoner's conversation was in regard to the scenery through which he was passing. Not once did he refer to his arrest.

On East Eighth street between Highland avenue and Vine street is where the woman in the case lives. As the car reached Woodland avenue Johnson, who had been sitting on the north side of the car, crossed to a seat by the window where he could see the house as he passed. As the car reached the place Johnson looked up into the windows of the house until it had passed out of sight. He said not a word.

MRS. JOHNSON IS DYING.

Mrs. Johnson is reported as failing rapidly. The physicians late last night stated that there was small chance for her to live through the night. Symptoms of meningitis have appeared and Mrs. Johnson has become delirious. The nurse and the women of the Johnson household are in constant attention. If she should die, the charge against her husband would be changed to first degree murder, and he would be held in the jail without bond. As it is, he hopes to furnish satisfactory bail this morning.

The arraignment and preliminary hearing will probably be this morning.

The people of Buckner soon learned of Johnson's arrest and most of them seemed to be greatly relieved, while a few thought that the action was a bit hasty on the part of the state. It was taken, however, at the indirect request of Mrs. Johnson, who, it is stated by a relative, greatly feared her husband.

It was given out yesterday for the first time officially that there had been much discord in the Johnson family for the past four or five years, but that none outside of the immediate family knew of the domestic troubles.

Johnson's endeavors to be released from the jail last night were without avail. As he walked into the jail he looked straight ahead of him and spoke to no one. After the cell door was locked he stood silently an gazed at the floor. Mr. Kimbrell stated last night that he could do nothing definite in the case until he learns of the condition of the man's wife. Johnson may be held without arraignment until tonight.

No visitors whatever are allowed in the Johnson house and every effort is being made by physicians to save the woman's life. Dr. N. D. Ravenscraft, who has been attending Mrs. Johnson since the night of the assault, said last night that Mrs. Johnson is worse than she has ever been since the attack. He expresses no hope for her recovery.

KANSAS CITY BOY AT CARNIVAL. ~ Earl Flynn, in Dancing Stunt, on Next Week's Bill.

August 27, 1908

KANSAS CITY BOY AT CARNIVAL.

Earl Flynn, in Dancing Stunt, on

Next Week's Bill.

The stars of the free vaudeville at Carnival park next week will be Mazuz and Mazette, the comedy acrobats who have been seen several times at the Orpheum theater. Earl Flynn, the Kansas City boy, who has played the last two seasons with the Al G. Fields Minstrels, and formerly with the West Minstrels, Ward and Vokes, "Fiddle-Dee-Dee" and other companies, will have a novelty dancing stunt on the same bill.

Flynn was born in Kansas City and attended the Lathrop school. His father, William Flynn, was in business here and in Kansas City, Kas., for nearly twenty years. Flynn lives at 3334 Prospect avenue. Others in the bill are Clifford and Robbins, character singers, and E., J. Olson, banjoist, formerly of the Olson brothers. The bill is up to the standard of the Napanees, who are making a great success this week in the free vaudeville at Carnival park.

W. J. BRYAN WILL STOP HERE. ~ A Few Minutes This Morning on His Way to Topeka.

August 27, 1908

W. J. BRYAN WILL STOP HERE.

A Few Minutes This Morning on His

Way to Topeka.

Admirers of William Jennings Bryan will have a chance to greet him this morning in Kansas City, if they get up early and go to the Union depot. Mr. Bryan will be here this morning between trains on his way from St. Louis to Topeka. He will breakfast here, arriving at 7:30 o'clock over the Missouri Pacific.

DOMESTIC LIFE MADE AN UNHAPPY WOMAN. ~ MRS. JOHNSON TOLD NEIGHBORS OF HER FEARS.

August 25, 1908

DOMESTIC LIFE MADE

AN UNHAPPY WOMAN.

MRS. JOHNSON TOLD NEIGHBORS

OF HER FEARS.

Physician to Operate Today, Fears

Slugger's Victim Will Die.

No Clew to Identity

of Assailant.

The attending physician reported in Buckner, Mo., last night that Mrs. W. A. Johnson, who was slugged in her bed Thursday morning by an unknown hand, was brighter than she had been since she received the wound which may cause her death. The physician held out no intimation that Mrs. Johnson would recover -- simply saying she appeared to be better.

Detectives employed by a public subscription committee at Buckner did not report any findings of importance yesterday, and relatives and friends of the injured woman had no information to make public regarding the investigation which is being prosecuted to discover her assailant. The county prosecutor did not visit the farm house yesterday, and stated last night that he would not return until called.

Many additional stories of unhappy domestic relations were in circulation in Buckner yesterday. One story, which caused comment, was of an illness some years ago when Mrs. Johnson believed an attempt had been made to put her out of the way. A physician prescribed a remedy when Mrs. Johnson decided she needed a tonic. One morning after her regular dose of the tonic she became seriously ill. She took no more of the medicine. She feared, so she told a neighbor, that somebody had tampered with the bottle.

Then there was another story going yesterday about a pistol duel some years ago in the streets of Buckner between men employed as laborers on the Johnson farm, and many persons tried to connect this shooting affair with the supposed unhappy life of Mrs. Johnson. One of the men who participated in the shooting in the streets of Buckner is said to have left the county and the other is reported living here now.

The county prosecutor, I. B. Kimbrell, expects to find the weapon with which Mrs. Johnson was injured as she lay in bed beside her husband in the early morning. If a man was employed to murder Mrs. Johnson he surely did not carry away his weapon, the prosecutor thinks. The well on the Johnson farm is to be searched.

Today the physicians will remove the packing from Mrs. Johnson's skull and fear she will not survive the operation.

ASKED BUTCHER TO KILL HIM. ~ Charles Timberlake Failed to Take His Own Life With Three Shots.

August 26, 1908

ASKED BUTCHER TO KILL HIM.

Charles Timberlake Failed to Take

His Own Life With Three Shots.

Accompanied by his 11-year-old brother-in-law, Max Harrington, Charles Timberlake, a traveling salesman out of employment, left the home of his wife at 3501 East Thirty-first street, about six o'clock last evening. They walked to the corner of Thirty-first and Indiana, one block from home. Mr. Timberlake took a few steps around the corner, drew a revolver and fired three shots at himself. Two of the shots took effect and he dropped to the pavement. The boy ran home and told what had happened.

Henry Trott, a butcher at 3329 East Thirty-first street, was a witness to the attempt at self-destruction. He, with the aid of others, took Mr. Timberlake back to his home and the ambulance from the Walnut street station was called. One bullet pierced the left chest just above the heart, the other passed through the right shoulder.

Patrolman Isaac Hull investigated the case. It was found that Timberlake had only arrived here Friday from California. He had been stopping at the home of his mother-in-law, 3501 East Thirty-first street, where his wife had been for the last eight months. Little information could be gained at the house, but it was intimated that Mr. Timberlake and his wife had been separated and that he had come on here to effect a reconciliation. Mrs. Harrington said she believed all had been arranged yesterday. No one would ascribe a cause for the attempted suicide, and though Mr. Timberlake was conscious when removed to the general hospital, he would tell nothing of the affair to Dr. Thornton or to the attendants at the hospital.

More information was gained from the butcher, Trott, than anyone else. He said he was attracted by the sound of the shooting and ran to Mr. Timberlake as soon as he fell to the ground. "When I arrived at his side and asked him what he had done," Trott told the police, "he begged me to take his gun and finish the job, saying he wanted very much to die and had made a botch job of it."

RAT POISON KILLED A BABY. ~ Little Harold Hunt Suffered Six Days After Eating It.

August 26, 1908

RAT POISON KILLED A BABY.

Little Harold Hunt Suffered Six

Days After Eating It.

After six days of unconsciousness from having eaten rat poison, Harold Hunt, 2 years of age, died at the Mercy hospital early yesterday morning. The day after the baby ate the poison it was taken to its home in Prior Creek, Ok., by its mother and received treatment from six physicians. Sunday the child seemed to grow much worse and its parents hurried it back to Kansas City, where it might receive expert medical attention. Mrs. J. J. Erwin, the mother, took the baby to the general hospital, where she was told that the child would receive better attention at the Mercy hospital, that being especially a hospital for children. The mother took the advice, but the child was beyond medical aid.

Mrs. Erwin had been visiting her mother at 216 West Sixteenth street, and it was at that place where Harold ate a biscuit which had been sprinkled with rat poison.

MYSTERIOUS WOMAN IN JOHNSON CASE. ~ SOME BELIEVE SHE HIRED MAN TO COMMIT MURDER.

August 23, 1908

MYSTERIOUS WOMAN IN

JOHNSON CASE.

SOME BELIEVE SHE HIRED MAN

TO COMMIT MURDER.

Was the Farmer's Wife in Her Way?

That Is the Solution Some Buck-

ner People Have -- Strange

Man Seen.

No nearer solution than it has ever been is the mystery which surrounds the attempt which was made to murder Mrs. W. A. Johnson at her home near Buckner, Mo., Thursday morning. Many clue have been suggested and all of them have been followed closely by a private detective who has been put upon the case, but those clues have resulted in almost nothing. Mrs. Johnson stoutly maintains that she knows absolutely nothing of the assault which was made upon her, and if she suspects anyone of the crime she will not make her suspicions known. Her physician stated yesterday that she is growing rapidly worse and probably would not live through today.

The latest theory as to the circumstances which surround the crime is that a certain person who was seen loitering around Lake City, a small village seven miles west of the Johnson farm, Wednesday, was hired by a woman to kill Mrs. Johnson.

It is said that though this woman did not know Mrs. Johnson, she was well acquainted with the husband, who visited her when he was in Kansas City. The idea is that this Kansas City woman found Mrs. Johnson to be a stumbling block and contrived to put her out of the way. To accomplish her purpose it is thought that she hired this man who was seen in Lake City to do the deed.

What strengthens the suspicion is the fact that a Kansas City woman, with whom Mr. Johnson is said to be well acquainted, telephoned to Buckner on Thursday morning and asked concerning Mrs. Johnson. This was before the assault had become generally known in Kansas City.

The man upon whom the suspicion of some rests was seen in Lake City about noon on Wednesday. Two hours later he stopped at a farm house belonging to B. Neal, two miles east of Lake City. There he asked for work, and none being give him, he walked one mile further east to a farm owned by a Mr. Sloan. There he asked for work and was kept until nightfall. From there he followed the railroad track east. The tracks run within 150 yards of the Johnson home, and it is thought by a few that this man was the one who attempted to murder Mrs. Johnson.

THEY HAVE ANOTHER THEORY.

The majority of persons in and about Buckner, however, think that they know who the assailant is and give circumstantial evidence to back their judgment. Prosecuting Attorney I. B. Kimbrell, who has spent two days investigating the case, also holds that the blow was not struck by one who was unacquainted with the Johnson family. Mr. Kimbrell believes that money was the motive of the crime.

Though two days have been spent in investigation by the prosecutor and other county officials, there is no likelihood of arrest just yet. Mr. Kimbrell said last night that all the evidence which his office had against the person who he believes committed the crime was purely circumstantial.

Among the many questions which the prosecutor has asked persons who are connected with the Johnson family, those regarding the domestic relations of the Johnson family, remained unanswered. When Mrs. Edgar Hilt, who was reared in the Johnson home, was asked concerning domestic relations of the family, she answered: "I would rather not say anything about that. It can do no good" Many others advance the same reasons for their silence.

ASHLAND CORNERSTONE LAID. ~ School Building Will Be One of The Best in the City.

August 25, 1908

ASHLAND CORNERSTONE LAID.

School Building Will Be One of

The Best in the City.

Accompanied by appropriate ceremonies the cornerstone for the new Ashland school, in course of construction at Twenty-fourth street and Elmwood avenue, was laid yesterday afternoon.

Joseph L. Norman, president of the board of education, who was to have delivered the principal address, was unable to attend the ceremonies because of illness, his place being taken by Hale H. Cook, a member of the board. Mr. Cook, during the course of his remarks explained that when the new school, when completed, would be one of the best in the city, and that he was of the opinion that within the course of a short time an addition would become necessary.

A. C. Wright, who was acquainted with the school in its earlier days, delivered an interesting address. Mr. Wright said that he could remember when the school was a small one-story frame, a considerable distance out in the country. He read some interesting documents having to do with transfers of the property when the first permanent building was erected. Ex-Mayor H. M. Beardsley also was one of the speakers.

Before the stone was placed in position a box containing the superintendent's last annual report, documents having to do with the history of the school, coins contributed by pupils and other articles were deposited in it by Mrs. Gertrude Edmondson, principal of the school.

HE BEGGED TO BE ARRESTED. ~ Police Kindly Complied With Roy Schultz's Request.

August 25, 1908

HE BEGGED TO BE ARRESTED.

Police Kindly Complied With Roy

Schultz's Request.

Roy Schultz, who formerly conducted a saloon at Tenth and Wyandotte streets, rushed into police headquarters last night, folowed by a pretty young woman, and requested to be locked up, saying that he had stabbed her. The woman, who gave the name of Anna Crisp and said she lived at Twenty-sixth street and Park avenue, declared that Schultz had not stabbed her.

When questioned she admitted that she had been stabbed in both hips in a quarrel while out buggy riding. The horse had started to run away and each held a line and it was to settle the question of which should hold both reins in the emergency that the stabbings occurred. Miss Crisp said that they had been quarreling because he had spent $3,000 on her in the last three years, and he had now only $50 to his name. The woman's injuries were trivial.

Both were locked in the holdover for a short time, and then released on $11 bond each, furnished by Schultz.

Schultz and Miss Crisp came into the lime light last New Year's night when she had trouble with H. R. Schultz, Roy's father, in the north lobby of the Midland hotel. Seeing her with Roy the father tried to induce the son to go home. Miss Crisp objeted and there was a regular hand-to-hand tussle for the possession of the youth. Finally the row reached the street and young Schultz tried to get Miss Crisp into a hack, but she was yanked back by the elder Schultz and then Miss Crisp alleged he struck her. At any rate she was arrested and later released on bond put up by J. H. Adams, a big-hearted real estate man from Texas, who had witnessed the affair.

MYSTERIOUS WOMAN IN JOHNSON CASE. ~ SOME BELIEVE SHE HIRED MAN TO COMMIT MURDER.

August 25, 1908

MYSTERIOUS WOMAN

IN JOHNSON CASE.

SOME BELIEVE SHE HIRED MAN

TO COMMIT MURDER.

No nearer solution than it has ever been is the mystery which surrounds the attempt which was made to murder Mrs. W. A. Johnson at her home near Buckner, Mo., Thursday morning. Many clues have been suggested and all of them have been followed closely by a private detective who has been put upon the case, but those clues have resulted in almost nothing. Mrs. Johnson stoutly maintains that she knows absolutely nothing of the assault which was made upon her, and if she suspects anyone of the crime she will not make her suspicions known. Her physician stated yesterday that she is growing rapidly worse and probably would not live through today.

The latest theory as to the circumstances which surround the crime is that a certain person who was seen loitering about Lake City, a small village seven miles west of the Johnson farm, Wednesday, was hired by a woman to kill Mrs. Johnson.

It is said that though this woman did not know Mrs. Johnson, she was well acquainted with the husband, who visited her when he was in Kansas City. The idea is that this Kansas City woman found Mrs. Johnson to be a stumbling block and contrived to put her out of the way. To accomplish her purpose it is thought that she hired this man who was seen in Lake City to do the deed.

What strengthens the suspicion is the fact that the Kansas City woman, with whom Mr. Johnson is well acquainted, telephoned to Buckner on Thursday morning and asked concerning Mrs. Johnson. This was before the assault had become generally known in Kansas City.

The man upon whom the suspicion of some rests was seen in Lake City about noon on Wednesday. Two hours later he stopped at a farm house belonging to B. Neal, two miles east of Lake City. There he asked for work and was kept until nightfall. From there he followed the railroad track east. The tracks run within 150 yards of the Johnson home, and it is thought by a few that this man was the one who attempted to murder Mrs. Johnson.

THEY HAVE ANOTHER THEORY.

The majority of persons in and about Buckner, however, think that they know who the assailant is and give circumstantial evidence to back their judgment. Prosecuting Attorney I. B. Kimbrell, who has spent two days investigating the case, also holds that the blow was not struck by one who was unacquainted with the Johnson home, and his theory is the same as the one which has always been advanced by those who were acquainted with the Johnson family. Mr. Kimbrell believes that money was the motive of the crime.

Though two days have been spent in investigation by the prosecutor and other county officials, there is no likelihood of arrest just yet. Mr. Kimbrell said last night that all the evidence which his office had against against the person who he believes committed the crime was purely circumstantial.

Among the many questions which the prosecutor has asked persons who are connected with the Johnson family, those regarding the domestic relations of the Johnson family remained unanswered. When Mrs. Edgar Hilt, who was reared in the Johnson home, was asked concerning the domestic relations of the family she answered: "I would rather not say anything about that. It can do no good." Many others advance the same reasons for their silence.

FOUND A "COLOR" IN HIS YARD. ~ Kansas City, Kas., Man Struck Something That Looked Like Gold.

August 25, 1908

FOUND A "COLOR"

IN HIS YARD.

Kansas City, Kas., Man Struck Some-

thing That Looked Like Gold.

For about the tenth time in so many years, gold, the real old yellow stuff, the so-called root of all evil, has again been found in the hills of Kansas City, Kas. This time the precious metal has been discovered in the rear of the home of John Martin, 70 South Forest street, and the new "diggins" threatens to put Cripple Creek and Dawson City on the bum. If future development furnishes no disappointments, Mr. Martin and the Forest street mine will make Scotty and his Death Valley mint look like 30 cents in Mexican silver.

The discovery of gold in Mr. Martin's yard was made several days ago while a well was being dug there. The matter was kept a secret in order that a national syndicate might be organized for the purpose of buying up all the land lying between the Kaw mouth and Grandview, it being the belief of some that the mother lode starts from the hill upon which stands the Grandview sanitarium, running in a southeasterly line to a point near where the main Riverview sewer empties into the Kaw river.

Thomas Wood, the druggist, who tested the ore sample from Mr. Martin's diggins, says there is no doubt that it contains some of the real stuff. Mr. Martin took some of the dirt to a Missouri assayer yesterday and was told that it contained traces of gold. However, the report received by him was not sufficiently encouraging to warrant him in expending any large sum in the development of the mine.

Traces of gold have been found in various parts of Wyandotte county, but that was all. So far, not even a scare has resulted from any of these discoveries.

MAY BE SUMMER THEATER. ~ Midland Building Agent Says Owners Considering Possibility.

August 25, 1908

MAY BE SUMMER THEATER.

Midland Building Agent Says Owners

Considering Possibility.

A feeler has been thrown out for a roof garden for the Midland hotel. While admitting that an inquiry had been made, the agent of the building yesterday declined to say whether it had come form a local or a foreign manager.

"In changing the Midland block from a hotel to an office building," said he, "it was necessary to put the banquet hall on the top floor in shape for offices. This calls for an intervening story and for considerable steel work. That steel work will be strong enough to carry a summer theatre up there. If the plan had the right sort of backing a theater would be built there, I am sure."

PICKLE'S BODY NOT BRUISED. ~ Coroner Finds No Mark of Violence. May Have Drowned.

August 24, 1908

PICKLE'S BODY NOT BRUISED.

Coroner Finds No Mark of Violence.

May Have Drowned.

An autopsy was held yesterday on the body of George Pickle, found in the Blue near the junction with the Missouri river several weeks ago. Pickle disappeared from his home, 1429 Summit street, June 21, and it was believed that he had been murdered and robbed, as he had over $100 when he left home. A companion was arrested and held for a week in connection with Pickle's disappearance and then released. The coroner found that Pickle died from some unknown cause, probably from drowning, but that he was not bruised in any way.

MAKES CITY LIFE LOOK COOL. ~ Prest Foundry at Sheffield, Hot, but Interesting Place.

August 24, 1908

MAKES CITY LIFE

LOOK COOL.

Prest Foundry at Sheffield, Hot, but

Interesting Place.

While the average Kansas Cityan who has had to stay at home this summer is complaining of the heat, it would make their lot much easier to bear if they should visit a foundry where the furnaces are being manufactured which are intended to heat their homes during the winter months. To see the perspiring foundrymen running here and there with great ladles of molten iron would make the office man feel that his lot had been cast in pleasant places.

The Prest Heating Company's plant at Sheffield is a busy place these days, trying to keep ahead of their orders for furnaces and furnace fittings.

"This has been the best year we have ever had," said Mr. John R. Ranson, president of the company. "This, we think, is not only due to the superiority of our goods, but to the fact that the patriotic people of this section want factories and they believe the way to build factories is to patronize them." This firm in addition to manufacturing and installing furnaces makes high grade commercial casting in any quality.

JAMES YATES DIES SUDDENLY. ~ An Hour Before the End He Was Walking About House.

August 24, 1908

JAMES YATES DIES SUDDENLY.

An Hour Before the End He Was

Walking About House.

James Yates, 68 years old, president of the Yates Ice Company for many years, died yesterday at his home, Thirty-seventh and Summit streets. Mr. Yates was born in New York and attended college at Schenectady, N. Y., graduating in 1863. He took no part in the civil war, but was engaged in the railroad business for several years and then moved to Atchison, Kas.

Mr. Yates came to this city twenty-two years ago and founded a natural ice company, which eventually supplied most of the ice for the city. He was also the founder of the company now known as the Stewart-Peck Sand Company. Three years ago he organized the Economic Asphalt Company, but last year he sold out his interests in all of his companies, saying that he intended to do nothing but enjoy the rest of his life. Death was due to heart failure, superinduced by liver complaint. Only an hour before he died Mr. Yates was walking around the house.

No children are living, but a widow survives. A brother, Charles Yates, lives in Lincoln, Neb. The funeral arrangements have not been made.

LOST BOY'S BODY IN PAUPER'S GRAVE. ~ GEORGE PICKLE HAS BEEN DEAD SINCE JUNE.

August 23, 1908

LOST BOY'S BODY

IN PAUPER'S GRAVE.

GEORGE PICKLE HAS BEEN DEAD

SINCE JUNE.

Body Was Found in the River a Few

Days After His Disappearance.

Earl Hamilton Viewed It and

Made False Report.

On Saturday, June 20, George Pickle, 16 years old, went from his home, 1429 Summit street, in company with a friend, Earl Hamilton, 30 years old. They said that they were going to view the high water.

The day passed and the boy did not return. The next day Alexander Pickle, father of the lad, asked Hamilton what had become of his son. The latter replied that he had left him at 10 o'clock the morning before and that the boy had probably gone to the harvest fields, as he heard him asking for a ticket for Poe, Kas., at the Union depot ticket window. As George had promised his sister, Mrs. Alma E. Crowder, when she was in the city a few days before, that he would go out to her husband's farm at that place in a few days, this story seemed very probable. However, a few days later a body was discovered in the Missouri river near the mouth of the Blue and taken to the undertaking rooms of Blackburn & Carson in Sheffield for identification. The mother of the lost boy asked Earl Hamilton to go to Sheffield to view the body. He came back and reported that the body was that of a negro in an advanced stage of decomposition. The family did not pursue that clew any farther until last Friday.

Alonzo Ghent and Lum Wilson, city detectives, were assigned to the case. They discovered that Hamilton, a few days after the disappearance of the boy, deposited $120 in $20 bills in a bank, although the same week he had told his landlady that he had not enough money to pay her. George Pickle had a like sum when he disappeared. Hamilton had continued his friendly relations with the pickle family and frequently stopped to talk with the mother and to inquire if the boy had been found. On one of these visits he mentioned to Mrs. Pickle that he had served six months in the army once. She repeated this remark to the detectives, who investigated and found that Hamilton was a deserter from the army, having served a full term of three years and six months of another. They arrested him and sent word to Fort Leavenworth, and in the meanwhile they tried to connect him with the disappearance of the boy.

No charge, save investigation, was ever placed against Hamilton. He was turned over to the county marshal and held as his "guest" in the county jail a few days, then surrendered to the government authorities. A month later he escaped from the federal prison.

But it was not the trained minds of the detectives that determined the fate of the lad. Rather it was the mother's love which prompted her to go over the case again and again and to work up every clew. Her husband, who is a night watchman for the Jones Dry Goods Company, told her that no doubt the boy was safe, but she refused to believe it. Inquiries showed that he had not gone to Poe, Kas., nor was any word ever heard from him.

Last Friday, Mrs. Pickle, in thinking over the mystery, remembered that it was Hamilton that had reported the body at the undertaker's was a negro's. She determined to see if they had not been deceived, so she sent a friend, a Mr. Kinsey, to see the body. He found that the body was very probably that of the boy, and identified several articles as belonging to him. Yesterday the body was exhumed form the pauper's grave, where it had been buried, and positively identified by the father. A gash on the head told how he had come to his death. The police are looking for Hamilton now.

The body of George Pickle will be buried in Mount Washington cemetery today. Earl Hamilton is a cousin of Joseph Hamilton, 1511 Pennsylvania avenue, brother-in-law of the dead boy.

DRINKS MILK UNDER WATER. ~ Graham, the "Human Fish," the Attraction at Fairmount.

August 23, 1908

DRINKS MILK

UNDER WATER.

Graham, the "Human Fish," the At-

traction at Fairmount.

Graham, the "Human Fish," is to be the free attraction at Fairmount park today. A large glass tank, filled with water, is used. He descends into the water, and while under the surface eats and drinks a bottle of milk. To do this he must exhale enough air from his lungs while under water to correspond to the amount of air displaced by the milk. Graham gives an exhibition of a drowning person, showing the various actions, from the time the person falls into the water until he lied apparently dead at the bottom, showing the struggle under water. The shows will be given near the circle swing and will take place at 3 and 4 o'clock in the afternoon and at 9 and 10 o'clock at night.

Fishing is still good at the lake and so is the bathing. The concessions are all doing a rushing business and the band has a full programme for the day.

SHE DOESN'T KNOW WHO SLUGGED HER. ~ MRS. W. A. JOHNSON, BUCKNER, TALKS OF HER CASE.

August 22, 1908

SHE DOESN'T KNOW

WHO SLUGGED HER

MRS. W. A. JOHNSON, BUCKNER,

TALKS OF HER CASE.

She Is Conscious, but Doctors Have

No Hope for Her Recovery -- Vil-

lage People Suspect

Unnamed Man.

Mystery has been added to mystery in the circumstances which surround the attack made upon Mrs. W. A. Johnson at her home near Buckner, Mo., Thursday morning. Mrs. Johnson is conscious at intervals, and during these lucid spells she talks rationally of her injuries, but is unable to throw any light upon the mystery. It had been thought that Mrs. Johnson could explain it all and the name of her assailant as soon as she was able to talk.

"I do not know who struck me," said she yesterday afternoon. "I do not know that I was slugged. If it were not for the pain in my head and the fact that everyone tells me that such is the case, I would not believe it. I did not get out of bed Thursday morning, to my knowledge, and can not understand how it happened that I was found lying on the floor. I saw no one Thursday morning, nor did I hear any noise which awakened me."

Beyond that Mrs. Johnson can say nothing of the affair. It is her belief that she has been drugged, but how or why she cannot explain. Though Mrs. Johnson's condition seemed to be improving yesterday, the physician in charge said that there was very little hope of her recovery, and Mrs. Johnson herself realizes that she may never get well.

The assault was committed on the night when Sam Eliot and his wife, who usually sleep in a house located about twenty-five feet from the room in which Mrs. Johnson slept, were away from home. It was the first time that they had been away from the Johnson farm for at least three months. This fact has led many persons in Buckner to believe that the assault was perpetrated by some one who had knowledge of the household, and knew that the Eliots were away. Absolutely no trace of the intruder or assailant has been found.

When Mr. Johnson was asked if he intended to investigate the circumstances which led to his wife's assault, he replied: "I think that there is nothing to investigate; besides, nothing has been missed from the house. If a detective were employed to look into the affair it would mean that he must talk with my wife, and that would not be tolerated right now."

It was said in Buckner yesterday that a subscription of $1,000 was being raised by the citizens in order to push investigation on their own accord. Mr. Johnson sticks steadfastly to the theory of robbery as an explanation of the slugging.

The people of Buckner, with a few exceptions, are firm in their belief that the assault upon Mrs. Johnson was an attempt to murder and that no robbery was contemplated. Most of them think that they know the person who committed the crime, but are reluctant to give names. The whole town is greatly excited. Mrs. Johnson is a woman of the highest standing, and if she ever had an enemy no one knew it.

Prosecutor I. B. Kimbrell and representatives of the county marshal's office visited the Johnson farm yesterday to investigate the assault. They learned no more than the reporter from The Journal who preceded them.

RED LIGHTS TO WARN AUTOS. ~ They'll Be Placed at Boulevard Crossings and Curves.

August 22, 1908

RED LIGHTS TO WARN AUTOS.

They'll Be Placed at Boulevard

Crossings and Curves.

The Chicago plan of warnings to automobile operators on boulevards is to be adopted on the boulevards of Kansas City. This consist of displaying at night red lights at curves that intersect with cross streets. Fifty-two of these red globes, to be illuminated with gas, are to be posted at sharp intersections along the several boulevards, and are to be warning signals to autos to keep to the right of the road and to go slowly. An ordinance authorizing the installation of these lights and a form or rules and regulations will be sent to the council by the park board Monday night for approval.

THEATER PATRONS MAY SMOKE. ~ Ordinance Permitting 'Smoky House' Passes Both Houses.

August 22, 1908

THEATER PATRONS MAY SMOKE.

Ordinance Permitting 'Smoky House'

Passes Both Houses.

In the lower house of the council last night Alderman Michael O'Hearn introduced an ordinance permitting the smoking of cigars, cigarettes and pipes in theaters or public halls having regularly established smoking rooms and three exits. The ordinance passed both houses.

ELECTRIC HAS AN AIRSHIP. ~ Man Named Mars, but From Omaha, Is Inventor and Navigator.

August 22, 1908

ELECTRIC HAS AN AIRSHIP.

Man Named Mars, but From Omaha,

Is Inventor and Navigator.

For the last three days patrons of Electric park wondered what was in a large tent that was pitched near the monkey cage. Even the park employes couldn't guess what was in it. Yesterday afternoon, without any announcement, Charles Baysdorfer and George E. Yager opened up the front of the tent and helpers carried out a lemon-shaped gas bag to which was hung a light frame, carrying a small gasoline engine.

Baysdorfer climbed on the frame, started the engine and sailed away.

Then M. G. Heim and his able corps of press agents heaved a sigh of relief. The thing really flew.

It gyrated around over the park, then started for nowhere in particular, landing at Thirty-seventh street and Brooklyn avenue when a battery went wrong. A new batter was procured and the airship sailed back to the park and to its tent. A flight lasting half an hour was staged yesterday evening. J. C. Mars -- fine name for an airshipper -- sailed the thing on this flight.

The airship is called the Baysdorfer-Yager "Comet." The men whose name it bears made it in Omaha, their home.

They will attempt to sail twice a day, but the park management promises nothing. Baysdorfer will attempt to come down town with the ship this noon.

HEAD CRUSHED BY MYSTERIOUS BLOW. ~ BUCKNER WOMAN FATALLY BEATEN IN HUSBAND'S BED.

August 21, 1908

HEAD CRUSHED BY

MYSTERIOUS BLOW.

BUCKNER WOMAN FATALLY

BEATEN IN HUSBAND'S BED.

HE WAS ASLEEP BESIDE HER.

SHE KNOWS WHO DID IT, BUT

CANNOT SPEAK.

Lost Consciousness After Whispering,

"I Know, but Can't Tell Yet."

Mrs. W. A. Johnson the Victim.

Awakened from his sleep by agonized groans at 4 o'clock yesterday morning W. A. Johnson, who lives near Buckner, ten miles east of Independence, arose to find his wife sitting on the floor by their bed, her nightgown covered with blood and herself almost unconscious. When Mr. Johnson bent over his wife, she whispered faintly: "I'm hurting and sick. Let me lie down."

With that Mrs. Johnson became unconscious and has spoken no word since.

Hastily taking pillows from the bed the husband placed them under his wife's head and ran down stairs for help. When others arrived it was seen that nothing could be done for the woman until a physician had come, and Dr. N. P. Ravenscraft of Buckner was summoned. The physician found that Mrs. Johnson had suffered a severe fracture of the skull, particles of which were pressing upon the brain. the skull was splintered across the top of the head. The physician said that the blow must have been inflicted by a heavy, blunt instrument, and by a muscular person.

Wednesday night Mr. Johnson and his wife, who live on a large farm about one mile southwest of Buckner, had driven into the town with Edward Hilt and his wife to attend church. Mr. and Mrs. Hilt are neighbors of the Johnsons and had been spending the day with them. The Hilts returned to the Johnson home that night and were given a bedroom directly under the one in which Mr. Johnson and his wife slept. Henry Johnson, a nephew, 16 years of age, slept in a room which directly adjoins the room in which Mr. Johnson and his wife were sleeping. These were the only occupants of the house.

NO NOISE WAS HEARD.

The first intimation of what seems to be attempted murder was the groans which awakened Mr. Johnson. None in the house had heard sounds of blows or the falling of Mrs. Johnson's body.

Her husband, who was sleeping in the same bed with her, was not awakened by his wife's getting out of bed, or by any talking or sounds of a struggle. To all questions of what had happened to her, Mr. Johnson says that she could not reply.

It is said in Buckner that when asked if she knew who had struck her, Mrs. Johnson replied: "Yes, but I can't tell; not yet." Mr. Johnson says that he did not hear his wife make such a statement. It is feared by the physicians who attended the stricken woman that she will never regain consciousness, and so the mystery of who her assailant was may remain unsolved.

Theories as to the reason for the assault are many and various. For a while it was believed that robbery was the sole purpose of the assailant inasmuch as the Johnsons are a wealthy family and it was known that money was kept in the house, as well as other valuables. According to this theory it would seem that Mrs. Johnson was awakened by an intruder and in order to save himself after discovery by the woman, he struck her over the head.

NOTHING OF VALUE THERE.

The husband says that there was nothing in their room of great value, not as much as there was in other rooms of the house. Upon thorough investigation it was found that nothing about the premises had been stolen.

Murder, though entirely inexplicable as to reasons, is the theory which has the most followers. Near the house there are railroad tracks and many freight trains pass the place during the day and night. As no loungers were seen in the neighborhood of the Johnson home, or on the streets of Buckner Wednesday, it is believed that the person who committed the assault must have come and left by means of the nearby trains.

THIS 4-YEAR-OLD BOY READS PAPERS AND BOOKS. ~ Roland Rexroth Is Self-Taught -- At 2 Years Old He Was Not Even Able to Speak a Word.

August 21, 1908

THIS 4-YEAR-OLD BOY

READS PAPERS AND BOOKS.

Roland Rexroth Is Self-Taught -- At

2 Years Old He Was Not Even

Able to Speak a Word.

Picture and Signature of 4-Year-Old Boy
Who Reads with Remarkable
Understanding.

Almost phenomenal in his brightness is little 4-year-old Roland Rexroth, of 613 Troup avenue, Kansas City, Kas. Despite his years Roland is able to read as well as the average grown person. Newspapers are his particular hobby and he takes delight in reading them to his parents every morning and evening. What is more, he can understand what he reads and often entertains his neighbors and grown friends with discussions of matters which are of current interest.

The fact that he was unable to speak one word until two years ago makes his strange ability to read more remarkable.

About eight months ago, Roland, who had seen a bunch of A, B, C blocks, went to one of his friends, John H. Finlay, and asked him for a set of blocks. Having taken taken an interest in the child since his birth, Mr. Finlay immediately procured the blocks. That was on Tuesday. The following Sunday Mr. Finlay visited the child and found that he had mastered the mysteries of the A, B, C. Without being urged to do so, Roland asked for a primer. Within one week he could read every word contained in the book. Since that time he has rapidly advanced in his ability to read and now is able to read any kind of fiction, even newspapers, understandingly.

Roland is at his best when lying flat upon the floor. For hours he will lie in that position and read.

Wholly unaided, the child learned to write. His writing is nothing more than printing, following out the lines of the letters with which he so readily became familiar, but it is clearly legible. Roland prefers writing on a typewriter, and while he has not much speed developed in that line, his work is without error so far as spelling and punctuation are concerned. How the child learned to punctuate can not be explained.

Roland's parents are poor; too poor to secure books for him to read, and the child longs for books. His neighbors kindly furnish him with newspapers and a few books, but Mr. Finlay has helped the child forward more than anyone else. William Rexroth, the boy's father, is a mechanic. Neither he nor his wife has had more than a grammar school education, and they speak with a German accent.

While Roland shows such remarkable ability to read, he knows nothing about mathematics. It seems strange that the child is able to form letters into words and words into sentences and at the same time be unable to add figures into totals.

A particularly attractive looking child is Roland. He has dark blue eyes, shaded by extremely heavy brows. His face shows much intellect and no mean amount of will power. His features are all clear cut and attractive, but standing out from the rest of his features are his eyes and heavy brows.

TOO TALL TO JOIN THE ARMY. ~ Giant, Tired of Circus Life, Finds Existence a Problem.

August 21, 1908

TOO TALL TO

JOIN THE ARMY.

Giant, Tired of Circus Life, Finds Ex-

istence a Problem.

"Is there such a thing as a man being too tall to join the army?" asked a gigantic young fellow of a dapper looking officer standing in the entrance of the United States army recruiting office yesterday. He was told that a man could be too tall and that he probably was in that class.

"I thought so," he replied, "too tall for anything but the circus business, and I'm so blamed tired of that that I never want to see the inside of a canvass again. I'm too tall to work in the average shop, too tall to work in a store, too tall to be employed in an office, too tall to hustle on a boat, too tall to engage myself as a traction car motorman or conductor, too tall --ah, what's the use. I'm too tall for anything."

In answer to a question the man said his name was Jarvis Henderson, that he was 32 years old and hailed from a small town near Harrisburg, Pa. His parents, he said, were of average height and that other members of the family also were of medium stature.

"I do have an awful time," said he, looking down on the officer as though longing to suddenly shrink to his size. "Since I left the show out there in Kansas I have been unable to get sufficient to eat in hotels and have had to pay for two beds, which I broke when my legs straightened out after I had gone to sleep. I can't go any place unless I am gawked at by a lot of rubber necks."

"Well, I'm much obliged," resumed the giant as he prepared to leave. "If I can't join the army I guess it's up to me to get back and try to catch up to that show again. I don't like it a little bit, but I am convinced that it is the only thing for me. So long."

"But say," asked the soldier, "how tall are you, anyhow?"

"Only seven feet two," came the response.

ILLNESS DELAYED FAIRBANKS. ~ Vice President Will Speak in Excelsior Springs Today.

August 20, 1908

ILLNESS DELAYED FAIRBANKS.

Vice President Will Speak in Excel-

sior Springs Today.

EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, August 19. -- (Special.) Charles W. Fairbanks, vice president of the United States, disappointed the biggest crowd of the Chautauqua season when he was delayed in reaching here today. Mr. Fairbanks's secretary wired Mayor J. W. McRory when Mr. Fairbanks became indisposed in Chicago last night but it was impossible for the mayor to get word to citizens who went to bed early planning to meet the vice president at the Milwaukee depot at 6:52 o'clock this morning. The United States cavalry, sent from Fort Leavenworth as an escort for Mr. Fairbanks while here, were notified and the Third Regiment band of Kansas City was instructed not to start for the Chautauqua until tonight -- but the population of the watering place flocked to the depot just the same only to be disappointed.

Mr. Fairbanks will speak at the Chautauqua grounds tomorrow afternoon at 3:30 o'clock, the secretary having received a message from Chicago that he will arrive in the morning. He will speak on "The Life and Times of William McKinley." Mr. Fairbanks's failure to be here today shook up the programme and some of the speakers had to "sit in" twice to entertain the Chautauqua guests.

GOOD CITIZENS LOATH TO SERVE ~ NOT A SINGLE VOLUNTEER FOR ELECTION DUTY.

August 20, 1908

GOOD CITIZENS

LOATH TO SERVE

NOT A SINGLE VOLUNTEER FOR

ELECTION DUTY.

ONE MAN RECOM-

MENDS 28

BUT FAILED TO INCLUDE HIM-

SELF IN THE LIST.

Appeal of Election Board for Judges

and Clerks Practically Without

Result -- Still the Good

Citizen Complains.

In the election commissioners' office they have not a very high opinion about civic pride. After appealing publicly and by private letter to what Alderman James Pendergast calls the "high class business man" to volunteer for election service, needing 1,000 judges and clerks and sending out about 3,000 letters of invitation, the board has got less than 200 names.

And the names submitted are not those of 200 volunteers. Some of them recall Artemus Ward's patriotic declaration that in the interest of the welfare of the republic during the civil war he was willing to sacrifice the last of his wife's relations. Most of those people who have written to the election commissioners have suggested neighbors and acquaintances, but not one offered to serve himself. One widely known man, a rich, landed proprietor, bravely rose to the occasion by responding to the invitation by the commissioners, but while he proposed twenty-eight names he omitted his own. He signed the letter, though, as an indorsement of his list. In the list were the names of Colonel John Conover, who served his time as a patriotic citizen years and years ago, and with Colonel Conover the names of Jay H. Neff, Francis B. Nofsinger, C. D. Parker, Charles J. Schmelzer and John F. Richards were given.

"It beats the world how people will growl about the quality of the election officials and yet refuse to supply them," said Chairman J. M. Lowe. "We are glad to have this list, but we would have been more glad to have had the sender of it volunteer himself. Only one firm has sent in the list of its employes fitted to serve during election. Few are willing to be interested, and those few are not willing to volunteer. They want to make the other fellows volunteer.

The appointments must all be made by September 3. This year there is to be a brand new registration, books to be open October 6, 10 and 18, for that purpose. In order to keep down fraud the commissioners have been trying to get "high class business men" to help conduct the registration and election, but not with a flattering prospect.

SKATERS MUST BEHAVE NOW. ~ Park Police Will Arrest All Boisterous Rollers Hereafter.

August 20, 1908

SKATERS MUST BEHAVE NOW.

Park Police Will Arrest All Boister-

ous Rollers Hereafter.

Orders were issued to the park policemen yesterday by William H. Dunn, general superintendent of the parks and boulevards, to maintain better order and conduct among the roller skaters using the sidewalks and boulevards.

Complaints are received daily by the park and police commissioners of rowdyism on the part of roller skaters. Men and even women have been pushed off the sidewalks and abused by the skaters when their conduct was such as to demand remonstrance on the part of the older people. It is also claimed that the roller skates damage the concrete walks and ruin the wearing surface. As the skaters are breaking the city ordinances they will be arrested when they misbehave in any manner.

MEAT IS A LITTLE CHEAPER.~ Retail Prices Have Declined as Much as 3 Cents a Pound.

August 20, 1908

MEAT IS A LITTLE CHEAPER.

Retail Prices Have Declined as Much

as 3 Cents a Pound.

Retail meat prices are being quoted from 1/2 to 3 cents lower per pound than was the case a month ago. the reason for the slight decrease in price as given by the local retail butchers is that the wholesale markets have reduced their prices on meat stuffs, and that it is more profitable for them to reduce their own prices in proportion, inasmuch as more people will buy meat at cheaper prices.

The wholesalers give no particular reason for the decline in prices, saying that general circumstances make it possible to reduce the price of meat to the retailer a few cents a pound. The flood during the early part of the summer had a great deal to do with the large advance in the price of meats, which was maintained up until the last few days.

Steaks which cost the butcher 14 1/2 cents to 18 1/2 cents a pound are being sold by the retailers at 22 1/2 cents a pound. This is a decrease of from 4 1/2 to 7 1/2 cents per pound since last month. Rib roasts are selling from 15 to 17 cents a pound and cost the retailer anywhere from 14 to 17 cents a pound. Sugar-cured ham which costs the retailer 12 1/2 cents a pound is being sold for 17 cents, and pork, which ranges from 8 to 12 cents a pound at wholesale prices can be bought for 15 cents at many of the downtown markets.

MARY PARMELIA SQUIER DIES. ~ She Was Widely Known as an Author and Educator.

August 20, 1908

MARY PARMELIA SQUIER DIES.

She Was Widely Known as an Au-

thor and Educator.

Miss Mary Parmelia Squier, 52 years old, author and educator, died at her home, 3507 Highland avenue, yesterday afternoon. She was born in Belmont county, O., and was the daughter of E. K. Squier, pastor of the Cumberland Presbyterian church in Pittsburg, Pa. She graduated from the high school there and attended the University of Chicago and took a degree. She also attended the Cincinnati Conservatory of music and graduated there. For ten years she taught in the ward schools of Chicago and one year in an Illinois college. She then moved to Kansas City, where her cousin J. J. Squier, owner of the Squier manor, was living, and opened a private school. She conducted this school until two years ago, when she retired to start a bi-monthly magazine. Its name is Home Education and it is printed in Chicago. Miss Squier was editor.

Miss Squier was interested in many movements for the bettering of social conditions, but particularly in the bettering of the Chicago schools and in taking the appointment of teachers out of politics. She spent much of her time in that city and had traveled extensively in other parts of the country.

Miss Squier wrote serious articles for many magazines besides her own, and was a member of clubs in Chicago. The funeral services will be held tomorrow at Marshall, Mo., where her parents are buried. A brother, Charles S. Squier, lives in this city.

ROOMING HOUSES ARE CLOSED. ~ Undesirable Element on Grand Avenue Has Been Driven Out.

August 20, 1908

ROOMING HOUSES

ARE CLOSED.

Undesirable Element on Grand Ave-

nue Has Been Driven Out.

Fourteen tabooed rooming houses on Grand avenue between Twelfth and Sixteenth streets, have been closed by the police. Along with the women, of whom there were fifty or sixty, a great many loafers and crooks who lived in these rooming houses have left the district, and now the street is comparatively free from loitering women at night.

EXCELSIOR SPRINGS IS READY FOR FAIRBANKS. ~ W. S. Cowherd Will Welcome the Vice President.

August 19, 1908

EXCELSIOR SPRINGS IS

READY FOR FAIRBANKS.

W. S. Cowherd Will Welcome

the Vice President.

EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, MO., Aug. 18. -- This town is the mecca of politicians today. They are flocking here from two states. Charles W. Fairbanks, Republican, vice president of the United States, is coming in the morning.

In the afternoon W. S. Cowherd, Democratic gubernatorial nominee in Missouri, will make an address welcoming the vice president to the state and the state's watering place -- Excelsior Springs.

The vice president will be here at 6:54 o'clock in the morning, and half the population -- Republican and Democrat -- will be out a mile form town to welcome him at the Milwaukee depot.

The United States government has sent a troop of cavalry from Fort Leavenworth to act as escort for Mr. Fairbanks from the depot to the residence of L. V. Morse, where he is to be entertained while here, and the Chautauqua Association has sent a special train to Excelsior Springs Junction to get E. M. Hiner and his Kansas City Third Regiment band to help greet him.

This afternoon, practically the beginning of the Chautauqua, Benjamin B. Lindsay, the juvenile court judge of Denver, spoke to an unusually large crowd at Superior park. Of course Judge Lindsay confirmed his remarks to the subject nearest his heart, juvenile courts, and the making of young Americans out of bad boys.