100 Year Old Weblog: May 2009

POPE'S SPECIAL BLESSING. ~ Unusual Honor for Kansas City Couple's Golden Wedding.

May 31, 1909

POPE'S SPECIAL BLESSING.

Unusual Honor for Kansas City

Couple's Golden Wedding.

An unusual honor in the form of special blessings from the pope on the occasion of their fiftieth wedding anniversary was enjoyed by Mr. and Mrs. Alexis Gosselin, 3240 Chestnut street. The anniversary was observed in Aurora, Kas., a week ago, where most of the Gosselin family resides. The Holy Father cabled his special blessings upon the couple and as a further token of regard he caused an enlarged picture of himself to be sent to them.

MEMORIAL DAY PLEASURE SEEKER CALLED TRAITOR. ~ Person Who Attends Ball Game Then Should Be Branded, Says Rev. James Schindel.

May 31, 1909

MEMORIAL DAY PLEASURE

SEEKER CALLED TRAITOR.

Person Who Attends Ball Game Then

Should Be Branded, Says

Rev. James Schindel.

"Tomorrow will be Memorial day, a holy day, not a holiday. If it were in my power I would gather every man in Kansas City who goes to a baseball game or other amusement on that day, into some public concourse and brand him as a traitor."

With these words the Rev. James C. Schindel, pastor of the First English Lutheran church, last night denounced everything that would tend to desecrate the day when America pays grateful tribute to her soldier dead. At nearly all of the churches yesterday, mention was made of the day.

Various G. A. R. posts of Kansas City will visit the cemeteries today and decorate the graves of the fallen and at Independence the Pythians will remember their departed members.

Mr. Schindel's sermon was to members of the Grand Army of the Republic, Women's Relief Corps, Confederate Veterans Army of the Philippines, Ladies' Auxiliary, Society of the Porto Rican Expedition, United Spanish war veterans, the Third Regiment of the Missouri national guard and the Lincoln circle of the G. A. R. The church was crowded.

When Mr. Schindel made his denunciation of persons who seek amusement on such an occasion as Memorial day, the veterans could not withhold suppressed applause.

Paul's words: "I have fought a good fight," furnished the pastor his text.

MORE ROOM FOR VAUDEVILLE. ~ Bandshell at Fairmount to Be Enlarged to Accommodate Crowds.

May 31, 1909

MORE ROOM FOR VAUDEVILLE.

Bandshell at Fairmount to Be En-

larged to Accommodate Crowds.

The vaudeville show at Fairmount park for this week was well liked yesterday and last night. workmen will begin today to construct more tiers of seats in the bandshell amphitheater, so that the extra crowds will be accommodated. The bill this week includes Rand's dog circus, Meyers and Mason, comedians and kickers and Tachakira, a Japanese wire walker.

Although the weather was a bit cool, that didn't interfere with the opening of the beach yesterday and several hundred persons were in the water.

Special preparations have been made at the park for the crowds today. At 9 o'clock tonight a fireworks display will be shown on the side of the lake opposite the boathouse. The vaudeville show will be given twice in the afternoon and twice at night.

PLAYED ROUND WORLD WITH GENERAL GRANT. ~ PEDRO MEYRELLES ALSO LED PATTI'S ORCHESTRA.

May 31, 1909

PLAYED ROUND WORLD

WITH GENERAL GRANT.

PEDRO MEYRELLES ALSO LED

PATTI'S ORCHESTRA.

End Comes to Noted Musician, Who

for Many Years Was Musical

Director at Leavenworth

Soldiers' Home.

Pedro C. Meyrelles, the bandmaster who accompanied General U. S. Grant around the world, who led Patti's orchestra for ten years, long musical director of the Leavenworth Soldiers' home and once one of the most distinguished musicians and conductors in this country, died yesterday morning at his hime, 2321 Harrison street, after a protracted illness.

Mr. Meyrelles was born of a family of musicians in Oporto, Portugal. He first began the systematic study of music at the age of 11. when a young man he graduated from the best musical school in Lisbon and at 28 came to America.

ROUND WORLD WITH GRANT.

He landed in Boston, where he gave lessons. When a bandmaster was wanted to accompany General U. S. Grant in his triumphal tour around the world. Meyrelles was honored with the position. He was enlisted in the army for three years and was made a first lieutenant in order to accept this post. The king of Portugal himself decorated Meyrelles with a medal and the empress of China had him to sup with her and afterwards gave him a decoration.

When the trip was over Meyrelles found himself a national figure. Upon his return to Boston he was chosen by Patti to lead her orchestra and remained with the great singer for ten years, making two trips abroad with her. It was at this time that Meyrelles met the woman who afterwards became his wife. She was Miss Georgia Follensbee, a member of an old Boston family and a singer in Patti's company.

They were in the company together for several years, but it was not until twenty-one years ago that they were married. The event occurred immediately after Meyrelles left Patti's company to accept a governor appointment as director of music at the Soldiers' home, Leavenworth, Kas. Meyrelles remained in this position until May 20 of last year, when his failing health made it necessary for him to retire.

WELL KNOWN AS COMPOSER.

Meyrelles, besides being a master of every musical instrument played in either band or orchestra, was a composer of many well known pieces. His arrangement of the Stabat Mater is a classic and his "Governor Owen's March" is still widely used. In addition he composed all the music used in the Priests of Pallas festivals for the last five years and all used in the Kansas building at the Louisiana Purchase exposition. For his own use, his favorite instrument was the clarinet.

Meyrelles was a Mason, a member of the B. P. O. E. and the Theatrical Mechanical Association. A Roman Catholic by training and practice for many years, he had fallen away from his faith, but in his last hours he asked for a priest and was given the rites of the church. The cause of his death was principally heart trouble.

The body will be taken to the Old Soldiers' home near Leavenworth and will be given military burial tomorrow.

He leaves a widow.

LOCKJAW CLAIMS VICTIM. ~ Joseph Reiner's Leg Was Crushed by Train Ten Days Ago.

May 31, 1909

LOCKJAW CLAIMS VICTIM.

Joseph Reiner's Leg Was Crushed by

Train Ten Days Ago.

Joseph Reiner of Eldon, Mo., died early yesterday morning at Bethany hospital in Kansas City, Kas., from lockjaw. Reiner's left leg was crushed about ten days ago by a train and he was taken to the hospital, where he was attended by Dr. J. O. Millner. The physician had hopes of his recovery, but tetanus developed and the patient died shortly before midnight. The body will be taken to his home in Eldon for burial.

ADAM GOD SAYS HE IS NOT A LUNATIC. ~ APPARENTLY PLEASED WITH 25-YEAR SENTENCE.

May 30, 1909

ADAM GOD SAYS HE

IS NOT A LUNATIC.

APPARENTLY PLEASED WITH

25-YEAR SENTENCE.

Load Lifted From Riot Leader's

Mind and He Speaks of Kind-

ness of Police -- Verdict

Was Unexpected.

Adam God is satisfied with the verdict of the jury which yesterday found him guilty of murder in the second degree, and fixed his punishment at twenty-five years in the penitentiary.

James Sharp, which is the fanatic's real name, was busy in the jail during the afternoon writing a miniature sermon about himself. He showed visitors one of the sheets which he had written and then remarked:

"That doesn't look like the writing of a crazy man, does it?" Then he laughed.

"In my blind walks," says Sharp in his statement, "I have been like a crazy man, but there is nothing crazy about m e. No crazy man could write with the understanding I have. I will always pray for my enemies, for they have been the making of me."

A great load seems to have been lifted off the prisoner's mind by the sentence. He speaks repeatedly and often of the kindness with which he has been treated.

"The police, bringing me back from Olathe, could have killed me," said he. "They did not even abuse me. I have had the best treatment all the time. Even the prosecuting attorney is my friend."

Twenty-five years is practically a life sentence for Sharp. It was testified during the trial that Sharp is 48 years old. From other sources is the information he is 52. With the one-fourth allowance for good behavior, the lapse of years yet seems to preclude the possibility of his ever leaving prison walls alive, unless pardoned by a governor. Since his confinement in the county jail Sharp has lost eighteen pounds. That has been in six months.

A second degree murder verdict on the part of the jury was unexpected. On the first ballot three of the jurors voted for capital punishment, three for acquittal on the grounds of insanity, one for manslaughter and the balance for second degree with varying terms of imprisonment. It took nearly nineteen hours to reach an agreement. Sharp had little comment to make when the jury reported at 10 o'clock.

It is not likely that the case of Mrs. Melissa Sharp, wife of the fanatic, will be called for trial until September.

IN HIS OWN WORDS. ~ Ex-Governor's Life Sketch, as Written by Himself.

May 30, 1909

IN HIS OWN WORDS.

Ex-Governor's Life Sketch, as Writ-

ten by Himself.

Here is a brief sketch of the ex-governor's life, as given by himself in his own words:

"I was born January 1, 1832, in Shelby county, Ky., on a farm near Shelbyville. My father, Henry Crittenden, died when I was two years old leaving my mother a widow with five sons; three daughters had died in infancy; the oldest son was not over 15 years of age. My mother was remarried after a few years to Colonel Murry of Cloverport, K y., and five children were born of this union.

"My education was begun at a small subscription school at Shelbyville and continued until I was old enough to go to Center college at Danville, from which I was graduated in the class that had in it Judge John of this city, Governor John Young Brown, W. P. C. Breckinridge, Boyd Winchester and other noted men. I studied law in Frankfort in the office of John J. Crittenden and married in Frankfort Miss Carrie W. Jackson. Soon afterwards I removed to Lexington, Mo., where I opened my first law office. I remained there till the war broke out, when I assisted John F. Philips in raising a regiment of Union soldiers that was sworn in at Georgetown, Pettis county, in 1862, for three years. The regiment was mustered out April 7, 1865 two days before Lee's surrender. At the close of the war I removed to Warrensburg, as feeling still ran high at Lexington. I formed a law partnership with Frances M. Cockrell, who returned from the Confederate service at the close of the war. We practiced law successfully until I was elected to congress in 1872, but the partnership was not dissolved. It continued until General Cockrell was elected United States senator. I remained in congress until 1878 when I refused to be a candidate for re-election. I was nominated for governor over John S. Marmaduke, who became my successor and John A. Hockaday, who had been attorney general under my predecessor.

TEMPESTUOUS ADMINISTRATION.

"The four years of my administration are known to all the older citizens of the state. Phil E. Chappel of this city was state treasurer during my administration,and no state ever had a more honest, faithful or intelligent official.

"My administration was perhaps the most tempestuous in the state's history. We had so many questions of great importance to settle, which agitated every part of the state. One was the great lawsuit with the Hannibal & St. Joseph railroad; as governor I advertised the road for sale. The state won on every point we raised. My efforts to break up the James gang, the most noted band of outlaws ever known in the United States, are familiar to all.

LIFE IN MEXICO.

"After I left Jefferson City I came to Kansas City, in 1885 and resumed the practice of law. I had been out of law office so often in my life and been out of practice so long that I had lost almost all connection with the law and had got behind in my knowledge of the books. I had virtually lost my disposition to return to practice. But the law is a jealous mistress and will not favor any man who deserts it on all occasions.

"I was given the post of consul general to Mexico by President Cleveland in 1893 and absented myself from my own country for four years. My life in Mexico was very pleasant. There were many charms about such a life then and there are more now. I returned to Kansas City and have been here ever since, living a quiet and pleasant life with my family and friends in one of the greatest young cities in the world."

VISIT ARRESTED BY DEATH. ~ Admiral John Crittenden Watson Came Here to Meet Late Governor, His Cousin.

May 30, 1909

VISIT ARRESTED BY DEATH.

Admiral John Crittenden Watson

Came Here to Meet Late Gov-

ernor, His Cousin.

Unaware of Governor Thomas T. Crittenden's death, Admiral John Crittenden Watson, a cousin of the governor, arrived in Kansas City yesterday afternoon for brief visit. The first he learned of his cousin's death was while riding on a street car to the Crittenden home. A man with whom the admiral was sitting held a paper which contained an account of the governor's death. As he turned the page the admiral stopped him:

"What's that," he exclaimed. "Governor Crittenden dead?"

"Yes, he died early this morning," replied the man.

"I am his cousin, and I have just arrived in the city for a visit with him and his family. This is the first I've heard of his death."

Admiral Watson, who succeeded Dewey in command of the fleet at Manila, had been attending the convention of the Presbyterian general assembly in Denver. He was there as a delegate from Louisville, Ky., his him, and stopped off in Kansas City upon his return. He had been on the train for more than a day and consequently had missed the newspaper accounts of Mr. Crittenden's condition.

At the Crittenden home, the governor's half brother, Logan C. Murray of Kentucky, is expected today. Governor Crittenden and his brother and cousin had planned a family reunion to be held June 18, at the Crittenden home in Shelby county.

DEATH CLAIMS FORMER MISSOURI GOVERNOR. ~ THOMAS T. CRITTENDEN SUCCUMBS AT AGE OF 77.

May 30, 1909

DEATH CLAIMS FORMER

MISSOURI GOVERNOR.

THOMAS T. CRITTENDEN SUC-

CUMBS AT AGE OF 77.

Twice a Member of Congress and a

Consul General, The Governor

Saw State Through Most

Strenuous Period.

EX-GOV. T. T. CRITTENDEN, SR.

Twice a member of congress, once the governor of his state, at another time consul general to Mexico and for the last eight years referee in bankruptcy, Thomas T. Crittenden died at dawn yesterday morning. Thursday afternoon the ex-governor sustained a stroke of apoplexy. While watching a ball game he fell unconscious from his seat and did not regain his mental faculties. Death came at 5:30 yesterday. Interment is to be made tomorrow afternoon in Forest Hill cemetery, after services at the family residence, 3230 Flora avenue.

With the former governor at the time of his death were all surviving members of the family save one, that one now traveling in Japan. The grief stricken family is Mrs. Crittenden, Thomas T. Crittenden, Jr., mayor of Kansas City; H. Houston Crittenden, and W. J. Crittenden. It is the latter who was unable to be at his distinguished father's side till the last.

SOLDIER OF RENOWN.

With Governor Crittenden there died a man of parts, and all those parts true facts. He was a soldier of renown, having fought and won battles which turned form this state the tide of slavery. He was a courageous man, having, in the face of the enemy, been appointed to succeed a dismissed brigade commander because his senior had hesitated about making a charge which the division commander knew Crittenden was eager to make. He was a statesman, as his record in the congress of the United States and in Jefferson City shows. He was a man of commerce, as his most excellent direction of international commerce while consul general to Mexico bear out. He was a man of letters, widely read and collecting a magnificent library. He was a judge in equity, as is shown by the last eight years of his public service, and always, he was a gentleman.

Handsome of face, his bearing was striking. The last moment he was on his feet, with the weight of seventy-seven years on his shoulders and those added to by the infirmities of four years in the saddle during the civil war, he was straight as an arrow. Governor Crittenden had the bearing of a courtier. He was gracious always, charming his familiars and captivating his casual acquaintances. He spoke softly, chose his words and ever was anxious to do something for someone else. Never a moneymaker, he lived to see three splendid sons grow up to take care of that part of his affairs. Fond of public places, high ones, the old governor's happiness at seeing one of his sons become mayor of this city was taken by himself as an honor.

A LIFELONG DEMOCRAT.

"Is this governor Crittenden?" would be asked.

"The mayor is my son," he would reply. The old governor enjoyed living all things in life.

He was a most thoughtful man. Obscurity found him delving. Great charities might take care of themselves, he would say, but little ones were hopeless, so he did little ones. Born in Shelby county, Ky., 77 years ago, he was born and bred a Democrat, and lived and died one, but he was a rampant Union man and helped raise a Union regiment with which he kept in the field throughout the war. He was of the Washington type, if history is to be believed.

Governor Crittenden believed in the dignity of the occasion. The men who fought under him and who yet live say he was almost a martinet within the regiment and at the same time a father to the men. As governor he lived up to his high office. When Madam Patti first visited Missouri someone proposed a ceremonial visit. Patti said it was like going to Windsor Castle. And yet this same man undertook to break up the James gang, summarily granted a pardon to a malefactor who had been the agent of destruction and paternally took the hand of a surviving member of the gang, Frank James. Nor did the kindly man ever lose sight of the objects of his official stoicism, for one of his constant correspondents and visitors was this same Frank James.

HE NEVER FORGOT.

No situation was too perplexing for Governor Crittenden. He was governor when Missouri was in the transition stage. The war had not long been over. Democrats, he being one, were fighting to capture everything. The James boys were turned highwaymen and their names were associated with the contemporaneous history of the state. They lowered its level and defied capture. Missouri had had one governor who confessed inability to cope with the situation. Probably profiting by his experience in the war, Governor Crittenden made overtures to Bob Ford, a member of the James gang, and through that means encompassed the destruction of the band. Ford killed Jesse, and Frank, the second brother, surrendered. What in other states would have meant a feud for a generation was dismissed by the clever work of Governor Crittenden as soon as it was over.

No one was forgotten by Governor Crittenden. Had Dickens known him he would have gone into literature with other notable characters. As early as 1870 there was a man came to Kansas City to make some political speeches for the governor. Two years ago that man's dead body was found in squalor. The first hand to get into a purse to buy a grave and a casket was the hand of the old governor. He got not a little of his pleasure out of his personal acts of charity to his personal acquaintances.

It was a pleasure to know the old governor. He was always affable and sunny. He was comforting in sorrow and refreshing always. In his long life he was always busy, and yet he did no great things. He was a monument to the man who has not done great things in that he showed how really much an ordinary man can do with credit to himself and yet keep within the orbit of the ordinary man.

MANY EXTEND SYMPATHY. ~ Gov. Crittenden's Family Receives Telegrams from Prominent Men.

May 30, 1909

MANY EXTEND SYMPATHY.

Gov. Crittenden's Family Receives

Telegrams from Prominent Men.

From all parts of the United States telegrams expressing condolence and sympathy have been received by the family of Governor Crittenden. Many are from men prominent in public life. The following message addressed to H. H. Crittenden was received from Colonel Henry Watterson of Louisville, Ky.:

"My profound and heartfelt sympathies to your dear mother and all you children. None loved him better than I."

From former Senator F. M. Cockrell at Washington:

"I tender deepest sympathy in your great loss. May God bless and comfort you."

From Joseph W. Folk, Colorado Springs:

"Accept my most sincere sympathy in the death of your father, former Governor Crittenden."

From John G. Hurd, Washington:

"Am keenly distressed to learn of Governor Crittenden's condition. Be assured of my sympathy and sincere hopes for his recovery."

From G. W. Zevely, Muskogee, Ok.:

"Greatly distressed by reports of your father's illness. Mrs. Zevely and myself extend our deepest sympathies."

From Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Marmaduke, St. Louis:

"Our sympathies. The governor's kindly nature won him many warm friends."

SWIMMING AT FAIRMOUNT. ~ "Come On In, the Water's Fine," Says the Press Agent.

May 30, 1909

SWIMMING AT FAIRMOUNT.

"Come On In, the Water's Fine,"

Says the Press Agent.

If the sun shines today -- and the weather department says it is sure to this afternoon -- it will bean the beginning of the swimming season at Fairmount park. The sunshine of the last few days has warmed the water to a very comfortable degree and with the improvements that have been put in on the beach, the water should be very enjoyable today.

Today a new weekly vaudeville bill begins at the park. Rand's dog circus is one of the principal acts, consisting of a troupe of thirty dogs that do nearly everything except talk. Of course, they bark as a substitute, but that isn't admitted as conversation. Among the dogs is "Marvelous Ted," a wire-walking dog. Meyers and Mason are comedians of the unusual kind. Tackahira is a Japanese wire-walker and does many things that are novel. There are to be two shows this afternoon and two at night. Between the shows Zimmerschied's orchestra will give a programme.

Tomorrow is Decoration day and that means a large crowd at Fairmount park. Because of this and because of the day, the park management has arranged a fireworks display which will be given at 9 o'clock at night. They pyrotechnics are to be fired from the balloon grounds, across the lake from the boathouse, and will include about everything in the fireworks line that can be exploded at night. Of course, there will be the usual pinwheels, skyrockets in bunches. Roman candles by the box and many novelties. Four vaudeville shows will also be given tomorrow.

NEBRASKA CLOTHING CO. SOLD. ~ A. L. Askanas Purchases Control of This Well Known Firm.

May 30, 1909

NEBRASKA CLOTHING CO. SOLD.

A. L. Askanas Purchases Control of

This Well Known Firm.

The Nebraska Clothing Company, for many years located at 1113-1115 Main street, are retiring from Kansas City and have disposed of their interest to Mr. A. L. Askanas, who has been associated with this firm as a stockholder and resident manager for the past sixteen years. This business will be conducted in the future under the name of the Askanas Clothing Company.

The lease covering the building at 1125 Main street, now occupied by the Kline Cloak and Suit Co., has been transferred to the Askanas Clothing Co., and the building at 1113-1115 Main street has been transferred to the Kline Cloak and Suit Co.

As will be announced in a few days, the stock now at 1113-1115 Main street will be entirely closed out at this location, and the new firm will open with a complete new stock for fall, on or about Sept. 1 at 1125 Main street.

W. N. Dixon, who has been with the old firm for a number of years, will be retained in his present position as advertising manager.

HOWARD BACK TO STAY. ~ Kansas City Capitalist Returns From Trip to Pacific Coast.

May 29, 1909

HOWARD BACK TO STAY.

Kansas City Capitalist Returns From

Trip to Pacific Coast.

Chris Howard, a Kansas City capitalist and investor, who went to Los Angeles, Seattle and other coast cities over a year ago, has returned.

"Kansas City is the peer of them all," said Mr. Howard yesterday. "This is the place for the poor man, the progressive man and the investor. I'm back to stay, and there a whole lot of Kansas City people who cast their fortunes along the pacific coast country that are wishing they were back here."

PIONEER CONDUCTOR DIES. ~ A. B. Shepherd Ran Out of Topeka in 1870 on Santa Fe.

May 29, 1909

PIONEER CONDUCTOR DIES.

A. B. Shepherd Ran Out of Topeka

in 1870 on Santa Fe.

A. B. Shepherd, one of the three conductors who were with the Santa Fe railroad when it started out of Topeka in 1870, and one of the oldest passenger conductors working out of the Union depot, died yesterday morning at his home, 1216 Washington street, at the age of 67 years. For several years Mr. Shepherd has had a night run on the Missouri Pacific line from Kansas City to Coffeyville, Kas.

Born and reared in Wellsville, O., Mr. Shepherd enlisted in the One Hundred and First Ohio volunteers at the outbreak of the civil war. At its close he was discharged with the rank of sergeant. Immediately he became a brakeman on the Cleveland & Pittsburg railway and had been in the railway business since, working out of Kansas City for thirty years.

Mr. Shepherd was a member of the Order of Railway Conductors. A widow and two sons, Charles, who lives in Armourdale, and Wilbur B., who lives at the Washington street address, survive.

Funeral services will be held this afternoon at 2 o'clock from the home. Rev. Dr. George Reynolds, pastor of the Second Presbyterian church, will officiate. Burial will be in Forest Hill cemetery.

SHARP'S FATE IN THE HANDS OF JURY. ~ RELIGIOUS FANATIC WEEPS DURING THE ARGUMENTS.

May 29, 1909

SHARP'S FATE IN THE

HANDS OF JURY.

RELIGIOUS FANATIC WEEPS

DURING THE AURGMENTS.

Prosecutor Conkling Pleads Strongly

for the Death Penalty -- "Adam

God" Sat Unmoved

Through It All.

After deliberating from 2:50 o'clock yesterday afternoon until 10 o'clock last night, the jury in the James Sharp murder case declared its inability to reach a verdict, and was locked up for the night. It will be called into criminal court at 9 o'clock this morning.

Yesterday was taken up entirely by arguments in the Sharp case.

In the morning A. E. Martin concluded for the defense. He spoke until the noon recess. During his speech the widow of A. O. Dalbow, one of the policemen killed in the riot, fainted and had to be carried from the courtroom. She fainted also the first day of the trial.

After the noon recess, Virgil Conkling, prosecuting attorney, summed up for the state. Mr. Conkling pleaded strongly for the death penalty. He said the testimony given by Harry Hoffman, deputy marshal, about the dream Sharp had, in which penitentiary life appeared easy, should prove that imprisonment would be no punishment, but rather would be welcomed by the defendant.

In his argument, Mr. Conkling said:

ARRAIGNED AS A COWARD.

"I will not rely on the testimony of any witness other than the defendant himself. If his own words do not condemn him then you are at liberty to set him free. No verdict you can render will restore to life Michael Mullane, Albert O. Dalbow or Andrew J. Selsor, nor will it restore Patrick Clark, who grappled unarmed with this fanatic, the eye he lost on that day.

"Counsel for the defense try to inject into this case the claim that the man is being tried for his religion. It is unnecessary to state that this is not true. This is the Twentieth century and every man is accorded the liberty of his conscience. But that liberty does not arm the assassin, it does not give strength to the ruffian. It does not allow a man to break the laws of God and man."

Strongly Mr. Conkling arraigned Sharp as a coward, contrasting his flight with the fight to the death made by Pratt. He pictured Sharp's hasty departure from the scene of combat, leaving behind wife, followers, faith and playing the part of coward.

Mr. Conkling's whole line of reasoning was as to the amount of punishment t hat should be given him. The vital point of the whole case, said Mr. Conking, was whether Sharp knew it was wrong to kill a man. Nothing else, he said, was involved.

IN THE HANDS OF GOD.

During Mr. Conkling's speech Sharp sat without the shadow of an expression on his face. During Martin's address he had wept. After the jury went out the fanatic who called himself Adam God asserted that his fate was in the hands of God. He was taken into a witness room and there for an hour talked his strange preachings to a score of the curious. He did not seem worried over the outcome of the trial.

Sharp was a leader of the band of religious fanatics who participated in a riot at the city hall December 8 of last year. He was tried on the charge of killing Michael P. Mullane, a patrolman. Besides Mullane, there were killed Patrolman A. O. Dalbow, A. J. Selsor, a spectator, and Luis Pratt, member of the fanatic band. Captain Patrick Clark of the police was severely wounded by Sharp.

GOV. CRITTENDEN IS SINKING. ~ May Survive Some Hours, but Physicians Give No Hope.

May 29, 1909

GOV. CRITTENDEN IS SINKING.

May Survive Some Hours, but

Physicians Give No Hope.

Still in an unconscious state, Governor Thomas T. Crittenden is slowly sinking. At times, since he was stricken with apoplexy Thursday afternoon at Association park during the baseball game, he has seemed to be nearly conscious, so much so as to nod his head and move his hand, but yesterday afternoon and evening brought a decided change for the worse. His unconsciousness is seeming to grow deeper and he now gives no sign of life other than his breathing and unusually good heart action.

It is this heart action which is keeping Governor Crittenden alive, according to his physicians, who, with trained nurses, are constantly in attendance.

"I consider Governor Crittenden's condition extremely critical," said Dr. Ned O. Lewis, one of the attending physicians, last night. "However, we expect that he will survive the night, though his recovery seems now to be impossible. It is his strong heart action that is keeping life within him now."

All of yesterday scores of Governor Crittenden's friends visited the home at 3220 Flora avenue, although no one was allowed into the sickroom. Messages of sympathy and hope for recovery have been received by the family from many sources.

UNKNOWN MAN TRIES TO KILL ROBERT M'CLINTOCK. ~ Attacks Him With Knife in Front of Twelfth Street Entrance to His Restaurant.

May 28, 1909

UNKNOWN MAN TRIES TO

KILL ROBERT M'CLINTOCK.

Attacks Him With Knife in Front

of Twelfth Street Entrance to

His Restaurant.

While standing in the front of the Twelfth street entrance to McClintock's restaurant, Twelfth and Walnut streets, Robert McClintock, son of the proprietor, was stabbed three times by one of three passersby, who attacked him without provocation or warning. Hundreds of people were on their way home from the theaters at the time.

Mr. McClintock's stiff hat broke the force of the first blow, but the blade cut a long gash in his scalp. The second cut also was in the head, near the first. McClintock, weak from the loss of blood, then grappled with his assailant, who cut him again on the forehead and broke away, pursued by a dozen men, but eventually escaping.

R. S. McClintock, proprietor of the restaurant, was standing in front of the Walnut street entrance when he saw a man run panting past him. He wore no hat and several men were chasing him. A moment later his son was led into the restaurant with the blood streaming down his face.

"I'm sure I would know the man if I saw him again," said Mr. McClintock last night. "Had I known what he had done, I could have knocked him down as he ran past. I don't know of an enemy Robert has. I will give $100 for his assailant's arrest and conviction.

Young McClintock remembered that he had an altercation a year ago over the payment of a check with a man to whom his assailant bore a strong resemblance.

The assailant left his hat. In the sweatband were the initials "D. D." It bore the brand of the "Lid," and evidently had been worn several months.

A cashier in the restaurant declared that three men a half hour before had come in and asked the whereabouts of Robert McClintock. Without thinking anything peculiar in their actions, she told them that he was likely in the office on the Walnut street side. Satisfied that he was inside, the men waited until he appeared.

JAMES SHARP TELLS A RAMBLING STORY. ~ PREACHES ON WITNESS STAND BUT PASSES UP KILLING.

May 28, 1909

JAMES SHARP TELLS

A RAMBLING STORY.

PREACHES ON WITNESS STAND

BUT PASSES UP KILLING.

Arguments in Riot Case With

Instructions to Jury Including

Manslaughter and Par-

tial Insanity.

Cost of the Sharp trial to Jackson county $1,500.
Duration of trial (if ended today) twelve days.

By noon today or shortly after 12 o'clock the fate of James Sharp will be in the hands of the jury. All the testimony was finished yesterday afternoon and the instructions were read to the jury.

If Sharp meant to convince the jury he is not in his right mind, his counsel let him do the best possible thing by allowing him to ramble on the witness stand as he did yesterday morning. One of his impromptu sermons lasted for nearly twenty minutes and might have been two hours had the court not stopped it. All through Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, Colorado, the Northwest and Canada he rambled.

DEFENSE SCORES POINT.

But when, in the course of his ramblings, he got to Kansas City, his flow of language dried. He was not allowed by his counsel to tell even who fired the first shot in the riot, and, not having been examined as to the details by his own counsel, could not be cross-examined on such points.

In many words Adam God told of the revelations he had:

"It was revealed to me, after I had been preaching for two years, that I was a chosen vessel. I received it as the messenger of the fifth angel in the ninth chapter of Revelations -- the angel who opened the bottomless pi pt and out of the pit came locusts and they had tails.

"I am Jesus Christ. This knowledge that is in me is God. I claim to be the father of the Lord, yet he is my mother. I am the father of Jesus Christ raised up again out of David. This revelation came to me in Fort Smith, Ark. Since then I have found more proof in the Scripture all the time. Two years ago it was revealed to me that I was David."

"Will you ever die?"

"I preached that I would never die and that my body would never see corruption. Anyhow, I will be reincarnated."

JEALOUS OF ADKINS.

But in all of Sharp's statement, from the time the meteor fell on his farm in Oklahoma until the time of the riot, through the tears that masked but could not stop the flow of words, though whatever emotion he may have felt, there was in it all , t the culminating moment, the note of jealousy. For John Adkins, the Adkins who led the naked parade, was a greater preacher than Adam God.

"From the time Adkins joined us until we were arrested in Oklahoma City he was the leader," Sharp testified. "The time he was converted he preached as no man has ever preached before nor since. We stood dumbfounded. Tears streaming down his cheeks, Adkins told us of things we had never heard of; things that were not in the Bible. He made men weep and women cry. Often I myself have wept as I preached, but I couldn't make others cry. But Adkins could. He was a great preacher."

It was Adkins who told Sharp, according to the defendant's story, that he was Adam, Mrs. Sharp, Eve, and the boy, Cain or Abel. There is confusion in the testimony as to the child's name. It was Adkins, too, according to the defendant, who said three times to the police, when they started to interfere with the naked parade: "Get the behind me, Satan." And Sharp said the police got.

NO SENSE OF SHAME.

Of this orgy Sharp told with no sense of shame. He appeared amused when he related his wife's endeavor to shield herself from the public gaze after her arrest and omitted no detail. In marked contrast to this was his testimony about selling his home because he feared he would get attached to it instead of god.

"An evil spirit leapt out of Holt and on me," said Sharp, telling of the controversy at the mission in the North end. I became unbalanced and pushed him out. I called him a foul name, but did not swear. I struck Holt with a pistol against my will. From that time on I was like a blind man and all through the fight I can't remember. I never was in such a fix since I was born. I know I said: 'Come on, we'll hold a meeting if we don't get killed. This is a free country and we'll preach anyhow.'

"I meant to show my humility with guns and thought perhaps they'd let me alone. I was watching for the police. the first officer told me to go over to the station and I started to talk to him when a man in citizen's clothes came up beside the officer and put a pistol in my face and told me to drop my knife. Then I heard a shot fired.

"Did you fire that shot?"

"No."

At this point the direct examination stopped. Sharp's counsel would not let him tell who fired the first shot, but turned him over to the state for cross-examination. Then the religious ramblings ceased and Sharp was brought back to his earlier life with a jerk.

WAS SHORT-CARD GAMBLER.

""Yes," said he in answer to questions from Mr. Conkling. "I was a gambler from the age of 14 for almost thirty years. I played cards for money. I was a short card gambler and played poker, seven-up, casino and other games. About all I looked for was to swindle. I got so I could run up high hands, but played square when I had to."

Under a fire of questions Sharp admitted that he had no title to the farm on which he lived, as it was a claim and he had lived there only two and a half years. He said he sold his relinquishment for $250 and paid off debts of $22. He didn't give the poor over $125, he said.

But after he quit gambling, Sharp took moral bankruptcy. He never made restitution to the people whom he had swindled.

"Gambling was the devil working through me. The money I had swindled people out of I just charged up to the devil, and let it go at that."

"Did you preach the Ten Commandments?"

"The Commandments were law in their day, but Christ came along and changed the law."

Pursuing questions about the evil spirit he said Holt brought the defendant, Mr. Conkling asked:

"Did you get the evil spirit first, or the gun?"

WAITED FOR TROUBLE.

"I carried the gun all the time. I never was in such a fix. Just think of a man going out and doing what I did -- "

"Did you tell the others to bring their revolvers?"

"They had them with them all the time. I was not hunting trouble. I was waiting to see it come. I was expecting it after what had happened."

"When the officer said, 'Drop that knife,' where was the weapon?"

"In my hand, open. We were holding a meeting and I was watching to keep them off if they interfered. I was armed with faith. Besides that, I had a gun and a knife which the children not of God could understand. Of course they could not recognize the spirit."

The sharp fire of cross-examination, calling for quick thought and feats of memory by the defendant, did much to dispel any belief of insanity which he may have instilled on his direct examination.

MRS. SHARP HYSTERICAL.

There were certain inconsistencies which hardly could have been lost on the jury. For instance, Sharp testified that he learned to read largely through his perusal of the Bible. He gave the impression that this was about his only means of education. Yet Sharp, it was pointed out, writes a fair hand.

Mrs. Melissa Sharp, sobbing and talking in the voice of hysteria, preceded her husband on the stand. She seems devoted to her husband, aside from religion and told of the falling star and of her conversion in Oklahoma in a voice that expressed the profoundest conviction.

Her recital of how the Sharps wept and prayed for weeks after Adam saw the star was dramatic. When she had finished amid tears of her own and of Mr. Martin of her counsel, she was taken back to her cell without cross-examination.

ARGUMENTS ARE BEGUN.

The argument was begun at 7 o'clock in the evening by William S. Gabriel, assistant prosecuting attorney, who presented the case for the state. He was followed by A. A. Bailey of the defense and Harry Friedberg for the state. After these addresses court adjourned until 9 o'clock this morning. The morning A. E. Martin will argue for the defense and Virgil Conkling, prosecutor, will sum up for the state. How soon after that there will be a verdict is for the jury to say.

About twenty-five instructions offered by the state and defense were given to the jury by Judge Ralph S. Latshaw. Under them, Sharp may be convicted of murder in the first or second degree. The maximum penalty for the last mentioned offense is two years' imprisonment. The jury may acquit on the ground of self-defense or on the plea of insanity.

The instructions cover partial insanity, the presumption of guilt raised by flight after the crime. There is an instruction covering the supposition that Sharp was insane at the time of the crime and has since recovered, and another that supposes he was insane then and is so now. The court instructed the jury that it was not necessary that Sharp should have fired the shot that killed Michael P. Mullane in order to convict him, but that it was sufficient if proved anyone acting in concert with him did the deed.

For the first time during the trial of the case, A. A. Bailey of Sharp's counsel took the active part yesterday. His adroit questioning strengthened the defendant's case materially, so far as it was possible to do so in light of the damaging evidence Sharp gave against himself. A. E. Martin, the other attorney, was late at both morning and afternoon sessions, and was lectured each time by the court.

COVER PARTIAL INSANITY.

After the Sharps had told their story in the morning, or at least as much of it as Mr. Bailey shrewd questioning allowed to be revealed, the afternoon was devoted to expert insanity testimony and to rebuttal evidence by the state.

Dr. S. Grover Burnett heard a 4,000-word hypothetical question and was asked: "Assuming that all this is true, is it your belief that Sharp is insane?"

"It is indicative that he is insane. He is suffering form a form of mania of insanity classified as paranoia religiosa."

The hypothetical question, easy for Dr. Burnett, was too much for a spectator, who fainted and was carried from the room.

Dr. Burnett modestly admitted that he had pronounced 15,000 persons insane and had never, so far as he knew or was able to find out, made a mistake. He was the only expert put on by the defense.

In rebuttal, the state introduced Harry Hoffman, a deputy county marshal, who would not say whether he believed Sharp sane or insane. It also called to the witness stand Theodore Remley, justice of the peace, before whom Sharp had two preliminary hearings. Justice Remley testified that, at neither of these hearings did Sharp make any interruption, nor did he n or his wife carry a Bible. The same facts were testified to by Clarance Wofford, stenographer of the criminal court, who reported the preliminary hearings.

John S. Steed, sheriff of Johnson county, Kas.; Hugh I. Moore, a reporter for The Journal, who talked to Sharp soon after his arrest; John M. Leonard, editor of the Olathe Register; Edwin G. Pinkham, a reporter for the Star, all testified they believed Sharp sane.

The statement made by Sharp after he had been returned to Kansas City was read. In it the fanatic said it had been revealed to him that Kansas City was the town he was going to take. His band, he said, was singing "Babylon is Falling" just before the riot started. Also in his statement, Sharp said he fired the first shot.

GOVERNOR CRITTENDEN STRICKEN BY APOPLEXY. ~ FALLS FROM SEAT WHILE WATCHING BALL GAME.

May 28, 1909

GOVERNOR CRITTENDEN

STRICKEN BY APOPLEXY.

FALLS FROM SEAT WHILE

WATCHING BALL GAME.

Age and General Ill Health Believed

by Doctors to Render Recovery

Problematical -- Has Not Re-

gained Consciousness.

As the result of a stroke of apoplexy which came upon him yesterday afternoon while watching a baseball game at Association park, former Governor Thomas T. Crittenden is lying at the point of death at his home, 3220 Flora avenue, with physicians in constant attendance.

Slight hope is entertained for Mr. Crittenden's recovery. His age and general ill health are said to be factors against his rallying. Though Mr. Crittenden had not regained consciousness up to a late hour last night, it was ascertained by the attending physicians, Ned O. Lewis and J. C. Rogers, that Mr. Crittenden's entire left side is completely paralyzed. The left side of his face is badly bruised where he struck the benches in front of him when he fell forward at the ball park.

Mr. Crittenden had been sitting in the grandstand near the third base line during the first of the two games which were played between Kansas City and St. Paul. Other spectators who were sitting near him said that he had not displayed any unusual excitement over the game and had been sitting rather quietly.

It was the beginning of the second inning of the second game when Mr. Crittenden was seen suddenly to fall forward and outward into the aisle.

CONDITION IS CRITICAL.

Thinking that Mr. Crittenden had but fainted, his immediate neighbors rushed to pick him up and placed him on the bench, where they attempted to revive him. Dr. Stanley Newhouse, the park physician, was hastily called from the press box, where he had been watching the game. He gave Mr. Crittenden prompt attention, but was unable to revive him.

Mayor Thomas T. Crittenden, Jr., was summoned from the city hall. He was driven to the park in an automobile, and suggested that he drive his father home in the motor car. Dr. Newhouse advised an ambulance, and one from the Walnut street police station was summoned. Then Mr. Crittenden was taken to his home.

After a long consultation with Dr. Lewis and an examination of Mr. Crittenden, Dr. Rogers stated that while the patient was in a precarious condition and that he was critically ill, there was a little hope for his recovery.

"It all depends upon the size of the hemorrhage on the brain," said Dr. Rogers. "It appears that the hemorrhage is from a ruptured small blood vessel, but we do not know whether or not the flow had been stopped completely. Governor Crittenden has been in poor health for several months. That taken into consideration with the fact that this is the second attack, does not argue well for a speedy recovery."

Dr. Newhouse, who first attended Mr. Crittenden, is not so sanguine as Dr. Rogers. Dr. Lewis remained with his patient all night, and did not make a statement.

HIS SECOND SEIZURE.

Eighteen years ago, while Mr. Crittenden was a practicing lawyer, he had his first stroke of apoplexy. No ill effects resulted from the first stroke, other than to make him more susceptible to the second.

Mr. Crittenden has long been a baseball enthusiast and there have been few games this season, according to his son, that he has missed. It has been his chief recreation, and though his family feared for him to go alone to the games on account of his age and declining health, Mr. Crittenden persisted in doing so. Mayor Crittenden said last night that his family had feared some untoward incident as a probable result of his innocent recreation.

Dr. Newhouse stated last night that he believed the attack was caused from an overwrought nervous condition. He said that it occurred at a lull in the game and excitement, and was the result of a reaction upon the nerves, even though Mr. Crittenden had not appeared excited.

Mr. Crittenden in 77 years of age. He was born January 1, 1832, in Shelby county, Ky. His father was Henry Crittenden, a farmer, and the former governor was one of eight children. He received his education at Center college, Danville, Ky. Among his classmates were Judge John F. Philips of this city, who was by his bedside last night; W. P. C. Breckenridge, John Young Brown, and other noted men.

LAWYER AND SOLDIER.

Mr. Crittenden studied law at Frankfort. Soon after his marriage to Miss Carrie W. Jackson he moved to Lexington, Mo., where he first practiced law. There he remained until the civil war when he and Judge Philips raised a regiment of federal sondiers, and were engaged in the war for three years. Many of his battles were fought in Jackson county.

At the close of the war Mr. Crittenden formed a partnership with Francis M. Cockrell, afterward United States senator. During that time Mr. Crittenden was sent to congress from Missouri.

In 1878 Mr. Crittenden became governor of Missouri, and the four years of his administration were stormy ones. At the close of his term he moved to Kansas city, where, with the exception of four years, he has resided since. That exception is during the time he acted as consul general to Mexico under President Cleveland.

Mr. Crittenden has three sons, H. H., Mayor Thomas T., both of Kansas City, and William J. Crittenden of Pittsburg, Pa., now in Japan.

TO GET BERTILLON REPORTS. ~ Police Department Now Member of National Identification Bureau.

May 28, 1909

TO GET BERTILLON REPORTS.

Police Department Now Member of

National Identification Bureau.

Within a month the Kansas City police department will be entitled to the advantages of the National Bureau of Identification. At the special meeting of the police board yesterday morning enough money was appropriated to entitle the department to membership.

As a member of the bureau the Kansas City department will be advised of the movements of all noted criminals. Every month, the pictures of all crooks liberated from prisons will be forwarded to the seventy different cities that belong to the association.

Hitherto Lieutenant Stege has been compelled to rely on his memory to locate crooks when they have been arrested in Kansas City.

The total cost to Kansas City for membership is only $105.

BOUNDARIES FOR TENDERLOIN. ~ Tenement Commission's Advice Concerning "Red Light" Districts.

May 28, 1909

BOUNDARIES FOR TENDERLOIN.

Tenement Commission's Advice Con-

cerning "Red Light" Districts.

In a letter to the board of police commissioners yesterday the tenement commission advised the board that conditions on Twelfth street in the neighborhood of Central high school were not ideal, and that many hotels and rooming houses in that neighborhood were frequented by an undesirable class of inmates.

The commission also advised that the "red light" district be segregated to definite boundaries, south of Twelfth street. The letter advised that the boundaries of the district be fixed at Main street on the west, McGee street on the east, Eighteenth street on the south and Fourteenth street on the north. The district in the North End should be bounded on the north by Second street, on the east by Wyandotte street, on the south by Fifth street and on the west by Broadway.

Commissioner Marks was delegated to make an investigation of the matter, and report at the next meeting.

OLDHAM TO SEATTLE FAIR. ~ Local Detective to Look After Kansas City Crooks.

May 28, 1909

OLDHAM TO SEATTLE FAIR.

Local Detective to Look After Kan-

sas City Crooks.

To keep a lookout for Kansas City crooks who may visit Seattle this summer, Detective David Oldham has been assigned by the board of police commissioners to attend the Alaska-Yukon Pacific exposition in that city. while in Seattle, Detective Oldham will be paid by the city of Seattle. Detectives from all the large cities of the country have been invited to attend.

OLD NEWSPAPER MAN DIES. ~ Edwin Gilbert Erwin Was Founder of Jackson County Judge.

May 27, 1909

OLD NEWSPAPER MAN DIES.

Edwin Gilbert Erwin Was Founder

of Jackson County Judge.

EDWIN G. ERWIN

Edwin Gilbert Erwin, formerly a reporter on The Journal and for many years a Jackson county newspaper man, died at his home, 1317 Madison street, yesterday morning, of diabetes. He was 48 years old. Mr. Erwin was born in Cleveland, Ill., and had been in the newspaper business practically all his life.

Physically Mr. Erwin was a large man, and during his life in this county was called by the sobriquet of "Judge." In 1898 Mr. Erwin was employed as a reporter on The Journal. Erwin, however, was not satisfied unless editing a paper of his own. After a year and a half on The Journal he moved to Independence with his family , and founded the Jackson County Judge. He held the position of editor on this paper until two years ago.

His relinquishment of the Jackson County Judge was caused by his failing health, due to an attack of diabetes which slowly wasted him away until he was but a shadow of his former self. Last March the family moved to the Madison street address from Independence. The end came after Mr. Erwin had been confined to his bed for two weeks.

Besides his father and widow, three daughters and one son survive. The daughters are Mrs. Frank F. Syne of Sioux City, Ia., and Miss Georgia and Miss Louise of this city. The son is Lester G. Erwin. Two sisters, Mrs. U. G. Osborn of 3424 Highland avenue and Mrs. Eugene Neal, who lives seven miles east of Independence, survive.

Funeral services will be held from the home this afternoon at 2 o'clock. Rev. William Haupt of the Independence Episcopal church, will officiate. Burial will be in Forest Hill cemetery.

GRAND OPERA GETS THE HOOK. ~ Union Depot Autocrat, a Family Man, Prefers Baby's Crying.

May 27, 1909

GRAND OPERA GETS

THE HOOK.

Union Depot Autocrat, a Family

Man, Prefers Baby's Crying.

Italian grand opera was introduced at the Union depot last night to pacify crying babies. It wasn't much more than introduced, however, before the official red cap decided that it would be better for the crowded condition of the depot if the crying continued, rather than the music, inasmuch as the squeals of infants did not draw the huge audience that the serenade did.

In the east end of the depot a bunch of Italian immigrants were herded. One of the men had a violin and another had an accordion. Two little babies had their natural Italian voices which they began to exercise and cultivate. After some minutes of the infantile crying, the musicians produced their instruments and played the "Miserere" and the triumphal march of "Aida."

That was as far as the minstrels got, when the red cap appeared with his silencer. The babies cried on.

BOY DUPE OF SHARP BAND IS RELEASED. ~ WILLIAM ENGHNELL TELLS OF FAITH IN ADAM GOD.

May 27, 1909

BOY DUPE OF SHARP

BAND IS RELEASED.

WILLIAM ENGHNELL TELLS OF

FAITH IN ADAM GOD.

While on Stand, Prosecutor Dis-

misses Information Against Him.

Fanatic Continues to Inter-

rupt Court Proceedings.

William Enghnell, Member of the Band of Religious Fanatics.

WILLIAM ENGHNELL,
As He Appeared After His Arrest

Following the City Hall Riot.
Acrid exchanges of words between attorneys and the release of William Enghnell, a member of James Sharp's band, from the county jail, brought interest to the closing hour of the Adam God hearing for yesterday.

The day had been one of lagging testimony, largely by deposition, and court and spectators, as well as the jury, were weary when, at 4:30 o'clock, Enghnell, 20 years old, who does not appear bright, marched to the witness stand. He had been brought out of his cell on a former day of the trial, but taken back before he had a chance to testify.

On the stand Enghnell spoke with a pronounced Swedish dialect. He said he had lived in Kitchen county, Minn.

"Who is this?" asked A. E. Martin, counsel for the fanatic, Sharp, indicating the defendant.

"It's James Sharp."

"HE IS THE LORD," SAYS BOY.

"By what other name do you know him?"

"Adam."

"By what other name?"

"Adam."

"By what other name?"

"He is the Lord," said the boy, reverently.

"How long have you known Sharp?"

"I met him a year ago in Kitchen county, and hear him preach."

Judge Ralph S. Latshaw of the criminal court here turned to Enghnell and told him not to testify to anything that might tend to incriminate himself.

Immediately Virgil Conkling, prosecutor, was on his feet.

"If the court please," said he, "the state wishes to dismiss any information that may be pending against Enghnell. The state will not prosecute him for anything. He was not present at the shooting."

Mr. Martin resumed:

"Why are you in jail, Enghnell?"

"They had me arrested for believing the truth and Adam. I met him and God revealed to me that He was Adam, and I got the faith."

The witness started to tell what he saw of the shooting on the river, but was stopped by an objection by Mr. Conkling.

Sharp spoke up and said:

"I object. There you go stopping one of my best witnesses. Object, object," he continued, punching Martin in the back.

"Let him tell what he knows about that killing," shouted Sharp.

"That's the truth," called out the boy in the voice of a zealot.

On cross-examination Mr. Conkling asked:

GUNS TO KEEP OFF EVIL.

"Sharp believed in killing people, didn't he?"

"No," said the boy. "Letting all people alone was our doctrine."

"Why did you have guns?"

"I heard Adam say that all through the South, where he had been preaching, they had been putting him in jail, and he had the guns to keep the evil men off him."

"Now don't let him get more than twenty-five minutes from the shooting," called out Sharp. "They wouldn't let the others tell what happened twenty-five minutes afterward. Why should this boy tell what happened more than twenty-five minutes before the shooting?"

The interruption was too much for Martin, who jumped in and said, "For two or three days I've resisted putting this boy on the stand. I was forced to do so by the defendant."

"Mr. Martin is 21 years old, a member of the bar and ought to be able to conduct a criminal case or resign," said Mr. conkling frigidly. By this time the prosecutor was on his feet and continued: "I don't think you ought to take this position before the jury."

"Are there any other witnesses they are trying to force you to put on, Mr. Martin?" asked Judge Latshaw. "If there are, I will protect you."

"No," said Martin.

"If you object," said Mr. Conkling, "I shall not examine this witness further. I don't want to be unfair."

Martin had none, so the questioning about the guns was resumed by the prosecutor.

GAVE ADAM HIS MONEY.

"Sharp took the guns up town to protect him from the evil man," said the boy Enghnell.

"Did you give him some of the guns?"

"When I got into the faith I gave Adam my two pistols. I saw he was David, the father, and I gave everything I had to him."

"What else did you give him?"

"A $5 bill."

"Because he told you he was Adam?"

"No. God revealed it to me."

"Revealed it to Sharp, too, didn't he?"

"Yes."

"When you offered him the $5, you had a hard time to get him to take it, didn't you?"

"No."

"What did he say about you not having nerve to use pistols?"

"He said I didn't."

As soon as this answer had been given, Mr. Conkling accused Martin of shaking his head at the witness and objected to such alleged acts. martin denied them, but Conkling persisted.

"Did Sharp tell you that if anybody stopped him from preaching there would be war? the prosecutor asked the witness.

"Yes."

"Did he say if they didn't let him do what he wanted he would shoot?"

"Yes, he said that."

"Did Sharp tell you that perhaps this was the town God wanted him to take?"

"Yes."

"Did he say he had to fire the first shot and then they all could shoot?"

ALL GOT REVELATIONS.

"Yes."

"Did he say he proposed never to be put in jail again?"

"Yes."

"Did he tell you he bought the guns to keep the police from arresting him?"

"Yes."

"Were you with Sharp w hen he stood off the Canadian police?"

"Yes."

"Stood them off with a rifle, didn't he?"

"Yes."

"And the next day he stood off several?"

"Yes."

"Then they sent fifty Canadian police after him and he stood them off with a rifle?"

"Yes."

"All of you who joined the band got revelations to give Sharp your money, didn't you?"

"Yes, we got revelations. God showed us."

"Did Sharp say he would do like David did to the Philistine with his knife?"

"Yes."

This concluded the examination of Enghnell, who was set at liberty. He was taken in charge by Mrs. Alice Stultz, a mission worker at 1418 Oak street, who said she would care for him. Court then adjourned for the day.

The reference Enghnell made in his testimony to Sharp taking the city had to do with a claim he made to his followers in connection with Joshua and Jericho.

SHARP NOT ON STAND.

Sharp himself did not take the stand yesterday, and it is possible that neither he nor his wife will be used as witnesses. The case may be finished today, as there remains little evidence to be put before the jury unless the Sharps go on the stand. Mr. Martin was unwilling last night to allow Sharp or his wife to testify, but added that they might override his wishes.

During the afternoon there were read by A. A. Bailey of Sharp's counsel depositions taken early this month in Oklahoma City. L. A. Sheldon, a real estate dealer who was a jailer there in February, 1905, said that the Sharps were in his charge for about sixty days that year. This was just after the naked parade.

"Sharp told me," said Sheldon, "that he came naked into the world and would go out that way. He preached and sang in the jail day and night so that one couldn't sleep in the jail office. He said also he was God and was generally 'nutty' on religion. His mental condition was 'mighty weak'.

"This naked parade was on Broadway in the afternoon. There were four of them in it."

James Bruce of Oklahoma City, who had the contract for feeding prisoners at the jail when Sharp was confined there, said he seemed to be rational on all subjects except religion. Sharp, so said Bruce, had a "very elegant beard," which reached almost to his waist.

"I told him," said Bruce, "that I wanted his whiskers and when I got back there he had cut them off with a pocket knife and had them in an envelope. 'Keep these and they will make you religious,' he said to me. I learned from neighbors that Pratt gave Sharp over $3,000, realized from the sale of Pratt's farm."

ASKED TOO MUCH FOR FARM.

John Tobin, a retired farmer of Oklahoma City, saw Sharp's band in their camp near Oklahoma City in the spring of 1905. He said he wanted to buy the farm (Pratt's), but that Sharp asked $6,000, or $1,000 more than it was worth.

John Ballard, a deputy sheriff, saw the naked parade.

John W. Hanson, assistant county attorney, who was police judge of Oklahoma City in 1905, gave it as his opinion that Sharp was sane.

"He told me," the witness said, "that the constitution of the United States guaranteed him the right to preach on the streets. This was after he had been arrested for blockading the streets."

When Mr. Conkling read this question from the deposition: "It's very common for religious fanatics to claim divine origin, isn't it?" Sharp remarked, loud enough to be heard all over the courtroom:

"No, it is not."

May 27, 1909

BOY DUPE OF SHARP

BAND IS RELEASED.

WILLIAM ENGHNELL TELLS OF

FAITH IN ADAM GOD.

Second Headline Here.

Text of Article

Text of Article

EXAMINE YOUR MONEY. ~ Many Bad $2 Bills Are Now Circulating in Kansas City.

May 27, 1909

EXAMINE YOUR MONEY.

Many Bad $2 Bills Are Now Cir-

culating in Kansas City.

Don't take any bad money. You are likely to do so unless there is a closer observation of $2 bills. Government inspectors have been notified that the new issue of bad twos has reached here, and United States Marshal E R. Durham's men yesterday got three of them.

The fake bills are blue, rather than green; on bond paper instead of anything like real bill paper, and they have no silk threads running through them. These silk threads show plainly in new bills and as the new fraud is on new paper, it is easy to find they have no silk fiber.

There have been about a dozen complaints made to the government officials.

"We hear of comparatively few," said an official yesterday. "It is not a nice thing to say, but a true one; when a man gets a spurious bill forced upon him, his first effort is to foist it on somebody else. His duty, under the law, is to notify the treasury department, but that would mean the coin or the bill being taken away from him, which is more than the average man seems to be willing to stand.

OFFERED COFFIN HANDLES. ~ Young Man, Who Tried to Make Sale, Held for Investigation.

May 27, 1909

OFFERED COFFIN HANDLES.

Young Man, Who Tried to Make

Sale, Held for Investigation.

A young man entered Leo J. Stewart's undertaking rooms at 1212 McGee street yesterday afternoon and offered to sell two boxes containing a dozen cheap coffin handles. The suspicions of William Stewart, junior member of the firm, were aroused, and when the man returned with three more boxes he had him arrested by Officers Lucius Downing and J. C. W. Dyson. The prisoner gave the name of Ed McBride and his residence as 521 East Nineteenth street.

The coffin handles were identified by H. R. Miller of the Wagner undertaking firm as some that had been taken from their warehouse. In McBride's pockets were found a Chicago street car transfer dated April 9, a St. Louis transfer dated April 8 and a paper back copy of "Fetters That Sear." He was held for investigation.

FROM ABRAHAM TO DAVID. ~ Sharp Hops Into Another Biblical Role for a Change.

May 26, 1909

FROM ABRAHAM TO DAVID.

Sharp Hops Into Another Biblical

Role for a Change.

Monday it was Abraham, Tuesday it was David. What will it be on Wednesday? James Sharp, thoroughly in tune with his defense of insanity, and defending the clipping of his beard, said yesterday:

"What if I did act crazy? Didn't David play crazy, foam at the mouth and scratch on the wall with his finger nails when they said he was a soldier, and he didn't want to reveal himself? Am I better than David?"

Earlier in the day, noting the clouds without, Sharp wrote this note and passed it around:

"It is written the day of the Lord will be darkness and not lite, so if I am the Lord it is very dark."

SHARP'S SANITY NOW AN IMPORTANT FACTOR. ~ WITNESSES TELL OF INCONSISTENT ACTS AND STATEMENTS.

May 26, 1909

SHARP'S SANITY NOW

AN IMPORTANT FACTOR.

WITNESSES TELL OF INCONSIS-

TENT ACTS AND STATEMENTS.

Today the Fanatic Leader Will Take

the Witness Stand and Tell

the Story of His Life.

ORIGIN OF NAME "ADAM GOD"
"He told me that the Almighty created the first man and called him Adam and that, therefore, all men since the first are property named Adam and may call themselves so if they choose.
He said further, that the Almighty, having created Adam, had breathed into him the breath of life and, having made him in His image and endowed him with life, that each man was in a way a god and could properly call himself a god. Combining the two titles he said every man could term himself Adam God. But he said he was not Adam nor God." -- From I. B. Kimbrell's testimony yesterday relating to a talk he had with Sharp.

Adam God, or James Sharp himself, will go on the witness stand today to tell the story of his life and his version of the city hall riot. Also there will testify Mrs. Melissa Sharp, his wife, who frequently was called Eve.

The crowd in the criminal court expected to see Sharp on the stand yesterday, for the number of spectators was greater than it has been at any time since the trial began. Half the space inside the railing was filled by spectators and once Judge Ralph S. Latshaw threatened to clear the court room and lock the doors if better order was not observed.

There were not so many objections yesterday from Sharp as have been on previous days of the trial. It was said that Sharp had been advised to make less commotion and he heeded the admonitions except in three or four instances. Once was when Virgil Conkling, prosecuting attorney, asked a witness if Sharp was a publicity seeker. The defendant jumped up and said:

"I object, if my attorneys won't. I didn't advertise in no paper anywhere."

H. O. Lindsay, a merchant of Lebanon, Mo., however, said that Sharp had no hesitancy in announcing his sermons. On the witness stand Lindsay said that five years ago he heard Sharp preach in Conway, Mo.

"He had his wife and his little son along," said the witness, "and he said he was God himself and that it was the first time the people of that city had ever had a chance to hear God preach. He said also that he was David and Elijah and Adam."

THE FIFTH ANGEL.

Mr. Lindsay said he believed Sharp was unbalanced, in fact, insane.

Henry D. Hilton, a farmer of Morgan, Laclede county, saw Sharp five years ago and heard him preach twice that day. He testified:

"Sharp told us he was the fifth angel spoken of in Revelations as having the keys to the bottomless pit. He said, too, that it was God talking to us and that the people in that town had never heard God speak to them before. I formed the opinion that he had gone insane over religion."

When Sharp preached at Morgan at the time mentioned above, he stayed at the home of his sister, Mrs. Eliza Price. She testified yesterday that he preached at her house and spoke of being the fifth angel. He told her also, she said, that he was David and Elijah, and she made up her mind that he was insane.

"Did he preach against killing?" asked Mr. Conkling on cross-examination.

"I object to this," said Sharp. "You don't ask the woman if I said it was right to kill if they shot at me first. Ask her that and then let her tell."

"Very well," said the prosecutor. "Did he preach that it was right to kill if he was attacked?"

"No," said the witness.

Clara Price, a daughter of the previous witness, who also had not seen him for five years, said she had made up her mind that he was insane.

Andrew J. Price, an uncle of Clara, said that Sharp, when a boy, could bark like a dog and meouw like a cat more naturally than he had ever heard anyone else do. He was inclined to believe that this showed a rather unbalanced mind on the part of the defendant. Five years ago Price met Sharp in Stoutland, Mo., and asked him:

SWALLOWING FISH ALIVE.

"Are you still following your same old trade?" I meant," the witness explained, "the trade of gambling, as I had heard he was engaged in this and horse trading. He said:

" 'No, I am a different man now. I am preaching.'

The witness asked Sharp where he lived and says Adam told him:

"I've got no more home than a rabbit. Christ had no home, neither have I. I am the fifth angel."

The witness said he then wanted to "get shed of" Sharp and walked away. He did not attend any preaching that Sharp did.

Price said also that Sharp, when a boy, caught small fish and swallowed them alive.

This same fish story was told also by Eli A. Ellis, cashier of the People's bank of Stoutland, Mo. He and Sharp were boys together.

"I felt uneasy for Sharp and for the fish," said the witness. "When the lad would not stop I thrashed him, me being the larger."

The witness said that Sharp seemed to be a bad boy and didn't seem to care much for work. It was while Mr. Conkling asked this witness whether Sharp was not a publicity seeker that the fanatic shrouded himself with the banner of non-advertiser. Ellis said he thought the man insane. He had not seen Sharp for years.

Rudolph Indermuehle of Morgan had heard Sharp preach and tell people that he was the fifth angel and could not sin.

That was the end of the insanity testimony for the day. There was another witness, however, in the person of Joseph S. Waite, an itinerant furniture mender, who said he lived mostly at 553 Main street. After a grilling cross-examination by Mr. Conkling as to how he came to be a witness, Waite said:

VOLUNTEERED HIS SERVICES.

"Well, to tell the truth, I had some curiosity to be a witness here. I volunteered my services to Mr. Martin."

The witness said, on cross-examination, that he had heard Sharp attacking the public school system in a talk at the Workingmen's mission and that he had seen him put Probation Officer Holt out of the building. Further he heard the fanatic say that he would take the children on the street and defend himself and them. Sharp also talked of the authorities, said the witness, but in terms he could not remember.

"The last time I saw Sharp's gun it was by his side," said the witness and then immediately contradicted himself by adding: "I saw Sharp shoot at somebody after the first shots were fired. I couldn't tell who fired the first shot."

At the conclusion of this testimony, court adjourned for the day.