The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-09-11
EGGS AS MISSILES
They We're Thrown at a Pro-
hibition Speaker
On Kansas Avenue By HOOdlums
Last Night
DISGRACEFUL AFFAIR.
The Enemies Of the PrOhib-
itOry Law
Permitted to Assault a Peaceful
Speaker.
POLICEMAN PRESENT.
He Made No Attempt to Arrest
the Perpetrators.
The Enemies Of the PrOhib-
itOry Law
POLICEMAN PRESENT.

Temperance sentiment is not what it
ought to be in Topeka when a Prohibition
speaker is pelted with eggs on Kansas
avenue, and yet this is what occurred
last night
A @. Wilson, who has for some time
been making temperance speeches on
the street ghtly, was pelted with eggs
by liquor sympathizers at the corner of
Fifth street and Kansas avenue last night
about half past eight o'clock.
AIr. Wilson, who was assisted by an
elderly man who sings, was just con-
cluding his meeting and was taking
down his gasoline lamp, when some one
back IN the crowd threw an egg, which
missed the mark and smashed on a by
stander's shirt front Another egg fol-
lowed, which was aimed straight, and it
struck Mr.. Wilson squarely on top of the
head; a third egg was thrown, which hit
the lamp Mr. Wilson was taking down.
AIr. Wilson did not quail before the
egg throwers, as he says he got used to
that kind of treatment in California sew
eral years ago, and he announced THAI he
would hold another meeting Wednesday
evening. at the corner of Seventh and
Kansas avenue
Wilson had been talking very plainly.
In the early part of his speech, he ac-
cused the police department of being
corrupted by the enemies of temperance.
and then said the county authorities were
no better.
When he uttered this sentiment there
was slig ht commotion in the crowd, but
no one said anything, although there
were about $50 people present
When Wilson concluded his speech he
got down from his platform and his as
sistant commenced to sing.
The crowd did not want to hear any
singing, and the "Sankey" of the combi-
nation was jeered and told to quit, while
there were continued calls for shorty"
as Mr.. Wilson is called by his street
auditors.
Wilson concluded it was time to quit,
aud got up to put out his light when the
eggs were thrown. The crowd was ap-
parentiy in sympathy with the man who
threw the eggs and cheered loudly.
A policeman stood on the sidewalk
and witnessed the entire disgraceful per-
formance, and made no attempt to arrest
the perpetrators of the deed
Policeman Jones Is in charge of the
beat on Fifth street from Kansas avenue
to the Santa Fe depot, and Policeman
Russell has the beat on Kansas avenue
between Fourth and Sixth streets. It
must have been one of the two. Police
man Jones says he was on the other end
of the beat and came running up Fifth
street, but when he arrived the egg
thrower could not be apprehended, and
the affair was all over.
Wilson is not brilliant talker, but he
has a way of putting facts which is not
pleasing to the enemies of temperance
and prohibition, and this is no doubt the
reason TopeIa's record was broken, and
for the first time in her history temper
ance speaker was egged.
Some of Mr.. Wilson's friends say he is
indiscreet which may be so, but as long
as be himself does not disturb the peace.
he should be given protection and the
hoodlums should not be allowed TO as
sail him.