The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1894-10-05

missioner In Kansas City, Kan, and sought
the appointment from the governor. For that
purpose procured the Endorsement OF about
seyenty-fve Of the prominent business men OF
the city, which presented to Gov. Lewelling
at the same time / made my application for
such appointment, and when received from
the governor very fattering assurances that
would be selected as the democratic representa-
tive on the board.
Afterward was consulted regarding my being
given the position Of chief of police in Kan
sas City, Kan, instead of place OIL the board,
in order to permit the governor to harmonic
matters. as it was said, to which agreement
assented.
During the same winter 1 was invited to be
present at the Blossom house. in Kansas City,
Mo-, to meet Attorney-General ]. I. Little and
others. At the appointed time 1 was at that
house and met P. wv. Kline and James F. Leg
ate. We remained there some time engaged
in conversation. but Mr.. Little did not arrive
until after Mr.. Kline, by reason of business en-
gagements was obliged to leave. When he
did come, however, it was developed that his
coming was to arrange for and induce Mr.. Kline
to furnish and pay over to Mr.. j. +. Legate
an additional $780, to be expended for some
purpose at Topeka, which was not at that
time fully explained to me, and Mr.. Little
then and there gave positive assurances that In
the event Mr.. Kline did furnish said 81 800 for
such purposes, the original agreement should
be at once carried out This meeting was be-
fore any appointments had been made by Gov.
Lewelling for Kansas City, Kan, and a day or
two previous to the time when, as 1 afteward
learned, Mr.. Kline did pay over to Legate at
Topeka the $500, that was the subject Of so
much comment at that time and since
afterward met Gen. Little on sundry occa-
sions, and at each occasion he extended to me
assurances that matters in Kansas City would
soon be satisfactorily arranged"
On the day previous to that on which Mr..
Fred Close had arranged to leave for Chicago
to attend the fair. Mr.. Cline came to me and
said that Mr.. Close had come to him and de-
manded of him in consideration for certain
protection of his (Kline's) business 1900 per
month. and that they had come to an agreement
about the matter. He said further that Mr..
Close asked, as first payment under such
agreement, $500, and that he C<line) wished me
to take some money to Topeka and deliver it
over to Mr.. Fred Close. and he gave me 500
for that purpose. 1t was Saturday evening
when l called at the residence of Mr.. Close,
but he being out l was unable to see him. L,
however left word for him to meet me
the following morning at the Chesterfield. The
next morning Mr.. Close came to the Chester
field with his family on his way to the train.
Mr.. Close recognized me at once and seemed
very glad to see me, and Immediately invited
me to n private interview. When in seclusion
and apart from others / told him Mr.. Kline
was unable to raise him the $500 which had
been asked and had been agreed upon, but had
sent me with 800. then gave him 500, which
he received, and which disappeared in his
pocket in an incredible short space Of time,
and then Mr.. Close said: I'VE have been so
busy getting things ready to go to the fair that
nothing particular hal been done. but just as
soon as we return we will arrange everything
satisfactorily "
On several occasions have met Mr.. Close in
Mr.. p. W. kline's rooms in Kansas City-Mr.
James F. Legate being present at times. On
these occasions he or they invariably held pri-
waite conversations with Mr.. Kline. On one Of
these occasions Mr.. Close remarked in my
hearing to Mr.. Legate that he did not like the
arrangement here" In response to which
Mr.. Legate said: What is the objection:"
Mr.. Close cautiously and in an undertone said
he did not like the presence OF a certain gen.
tleman who was sitting near by and with
whom he had an acquaintance He said the
gentleman acted as if he knew all about what
was going on: that he sometime drank and
was liable to talk.
At various times after the presentation OF
my application for the appointment as men,
Der of the board of police commissioners met
Gov. Lewelling and at each of such meetings
more or less was said concerning the affairs at
Kansas City. Until the appointments were
made he invariably gave me assurances OF his
intentions; he at all times expressed 4 willing
ness to arrange matters satisfactorily"
After he made the appointments he made ex-
cuses OF an indefinite character. intimating
that for certain reasons he had been compelled
to do things not originally intended. but he
gave me to understand he intended soon to re-
arrange and reorganize matters in Kansas
City. s. s. SHARPE
State of Missouri. County of JacksOn-Ss.
=. s. Sharpe, of lawful age, being duly sworn
upon his oath states that the above and fore
going statement is true and correct to the best
of his knowledge and belief. 9. =. SHARPE.
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 18th
day of September, A. ID. 1924.
q. 81 JOHN c. STEARNS.
Notary Public, Jack son County, Nd.