The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1883-02-22
IN TROUBLE.

The National Marriage Association Of
fieers, Including a Preacher, Under
Arrest.
A good many people in this city and
vicinity may be interested in the follow
ing which we clip from this mornings
Commonwealth
For some time 1t has been known to
readers of newspapers that the people
have been making vigorous kicks against
the National Marriage Aid association,
of Topeka, which, as is known here, is
an institution which proposes to pay its
policy holders an amount nearly equal,
we believe, to the number of policy
holders, when marriage occurs. The
postmaster general at Washing
of letters from parties in
Kansas, making complaints about it, and
referred them to Special Agent John Nj.
Crowell, who has been here three or
four days looking it up, and after be-
coming satisfied that all was not right
consulted United States Attorney Hal
lowell and was about to have a CON-
plant made by party here in town
when J. G. Ziegler, of Manhattan, called
on Col. Hallowell yesterday for that pur-
pose. He produced a number of pa
pers, circulars and receipts showing that
he had paid considerable amount into
the association, and had been married,
but had failed to receive the benefits
promised, though they were due two
months ago. There are more similar
cases in the city. Col. Hallowell
found that the association is char
tered by the state, though it has no
right to be, in the opinion of Attor-
neY General Johnson, whose attention
was directed to it, and who had deter
mined to institute quo IeGrFGntO proceed
ings in the supreme court, to compel
them to show by what right they were
acting.
Ziegler, who makes the complaint,
would not have made the trouble at this
time, probably, had it not been for the
receipt of circular levYing another as
sessment of $1O.75 for the purpose OF
clearing up the liabilities of the associa-
ton, which amount to $13,O05. The
circular states that the association is
compelled to take this step because the
stockholders insist that an assessment
shall be made after each wedding of
parties belonging to the association. 1t
also says the policy holders were threat.
ening to commence suit TO compel the
levy of this assessment.
Special Agent Crowell estimates that
receipts have been in the neighborhood
of 5000, and the amount paid out
about $4,000, while there is but $40 in
the hands of the treasurer. That the
association is financially exhausted is
apparent, since in the circular referred
to the secretary says so. and asks cores
pondents to send stamps 10 insure re-
ply.
Alter making such investigations and
finding what seem to be evidences of
giaring fraud, L. 8. Attorney Hallowell
requested warrants for the arrest of the
officers, which were issued and placed
in the hands of the q. S. marshal, to be
served today. The warrants are for
Rev. John ID. Knox, president and sec
rotary; DR.. II. K. Tefft, vice president;
S. N. Gardenshire, secretary; w. F.
Thomas. general manager; w. d. Nc
Collister, assistant general manager;
and c. E. Wheeler, who seems to be the
new secI etarY.
The charge is that they have used the
mails of the United States to deceive
and deiraud the public by false preten-
ses.