The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1876-01-13
For the EAGLE.
Topeka, Legislature, Sam Lappin,
Water Works. Murder and
History.
For the EAGLE.

Topeka, KANSAS, Jan. 8, 1876.
EDITOR EAGLE: The late fraud on
the State treasury is still the theme of
discussion here on all hands, and cir
cumstances pointing 10 Sam Lappin
as the guilty party are accommodating.
When the forgery was first discovered
many believed that he was innocent
of any intentional malfeasancc in his
Office and fully expected him to SO ex-
plain matters as to yindicate his in
tegrity and clear his character ofthese
badges of fraud. But instead of this,
his course since his resignation has
been such, as not only to add strength
to the convictions of those who are
ever more ready to believe evil than
good of man, but to force upon his
personal friends the belief that he is
either guilty as principal or has guilty
knowledge of the transaction. Instead
of attempting to dispell the cloud OF
suspicion that is settling around his
case he seems to be preparing only to
avoid trial and make good his es-
cape. 1t was with difficulty that he
obtained bondsmen for his appearance
at court to answer the criminal charges
having to secure them by turning
over to them the most OF his property.
1t is pretty conclusively shown that
Lappin's late partner and brOther-in-
law, c. G.. Scraflord, is implicated in
the ex-Treasurer's fraudulent-bond
transaction, and, having concluded
that "discrction was the better part
of valor," he, upon the discovery Of
the fraud, arranged his little business
matters in Kansas and ''lit out" for
more congenial chimes.
! Lappin, after gathering up what
little was left him by his bondsmen,
has followed Scraflord's example, and
it is very evident that if, as he wrote
the Governor on rendering his resig-
nation, she should beglad to have the
case heard at the earliest possible mo-
ment," he is not at all particular about
being present at the clearing" So
that it is extremely doubtful about a
jury of his peers having the honor OF
trying him for stealing nearly $4,000
of the peoples money. Why any JUS
tice of the Peace should "bind man
over" who is virtually charged with
stealing $40, 900, in sum of only &c.
600, is piece of judicial wisdom that
mo fellah can find out"
The attorneys first employed by
Lappin, Judge Guthrie, of Topeka, and
Judge Horton, of Atchison, have both
abandoned the case and decline to act
any further in either the criminal or
civil suit. Lappin's attorneys now are
John Martin and A. L. Williams, of
this city. More able counsel could
not have been employed in the State
of Kansas and if Mr.. Lappin is con-
victed it will not be because there was
not secured to him ali the rights and
benefits the law allows.
The money and bonds turned over
by Lappin to the present treasurer,
Francis, are as follows:
Cash .............. 1900. -. S13l ,632 50
Bonds of Permanent School Fund. 163,5S4 %
Sinking Fund Bends. ............. 229,026 %
State University Fund Bonds. 49,. 10.3O0 90
Ralief kunI Ranls 10 600 0lD
Overdue Coupons. ................ l6,2o4 10
All agree that the funds of the State
are now in safe hands and that Mr..
Francis is eminently the right man in
the right place.
The law makers are beginning to
gather around the noted old left
House, Topeka's most popular hotel
and the scene of York's confidence
game on old Pom. The members from
the frontier are OIL hand first and have
already made the acquaintance of some
five or six hundred candidates (more
or less) for clerkships and other posi-
tons in the Legislature. No one who
was here last winter at this time can
fail to note the wonderful difference
in the weather. Instead of the fear
full bowling of the storm-king, the
drifting snow and cutting blasts,
which last winter prevented some of
our blessed legislators from arriving
here in time to run for Speaker or
vote for their favorite man, we have a
continuous spell of delightful weather,
mild as May morn. Kansas beats
the world for weather, good or bad.
One of the latest movements in To-
peka is an ottempt to establish water
works in the city, and to give the ex-
elusive right to construct and main
tain them TO company for ninety
nine years. Our city is in need of
such improvements, but whether the
people are ready to consider tavorably
any project that will SO greatly in
crease their taxes is very dou btful.
The question of the rights and pow
ers of Building Associations, now SO
numerous in our State, was recently
tried in our district court in case
brought here from Miami county on
change of venue. The court has not
yet rendered its decision, but what
ever it be, the case will likely go to
Supreme Court, where the legality or
illegality of these institutions, con.
corning which there is SO much differ
ence of opinion, will be tested and
finally settled.
One of the most notable events Of
the week, of local Importance, is the
killing, at st. Mary's Mission, of John
Prior by F. IL. Palmer, young attor-
ney. Prior was saloon keeper and
the report is that Palmer, with others,
had been drinking in the saloon; that
Palmer placed his hat ON the counter
and dared Prior to knock it off. Little
thinking he ran such q deadly risk
Prior knocked off the hat and was in
stantly shot and killed by Palmer.
Young Palmer is son of DIR. l.. r.
Palmer, of st. Marys, who, it is said,
settled in that county in 1851 and has
alwas been held in high esteem by
those who know him. Soon after the
killing young Palmer was arrested
and brought to Topeka for safe keep
ing. 1t is a noted fact that fewer
murders are committed in The third