The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-04-16
A WOMAN WITH GRIT.
How Mrs. Neisler Fought the
Raiders Last Night.
SPIRITED SCENE At HER HOUSE.
Police Eand sherLh's Forces Hake a
Number OF Raids Including Two
Drug stores without Permits

Police Fand SherI1l7s Forces Aake q
Number OF Raids Including I've
Drug stores Without Permits
Smoky Row was several degrees
smoker than usual last evening. Inc
police and the sheriff7s Office combined
for the purpose of cleaning out the ie"
joints that remained in its precincts
The sight of the officers and the shurry-
IN wagon as it is known there always
brings out an interested assemblage
OF people from the row, especially those
of the complexion after which smoky
Row derives its name. The olncers
raided several places late yesterday ana
found what they went after TO wit, bot
tied goods) at each place
In the party were Chief OF Police
WHkerson, Police Captain Gardiner.
Sergeant Donovan, Sheriff Burdge and
Undersheriff Tom Wilkerson-
The first place visited was that of Bob
NeisIer on the south side of Crane street
between jefferson and Madison. Nels-
Ter wasn't at home, but his spunky little
wife was.
"What are you people doing in my
house. I'd like TO know" she demanded
"Haye you got any beer?" asked Cap
tain Gardiner, ignoring her question
amt got none, only what We use our
selves. Hurry up now, and git out of
= nv house." and the little woman picked
up the usual feminine weapon, broom.
The sight of the broom did not terror
ize Sheriff Burdge.
Evidently, madam" he said politely,
with bow, you do not know who we
are. We are officers and we have a war
rant for your husband and search war
= fo r1rar0iaal
for any liquor or appurtenances for the
sale of liquor"
SCOT all them. have you? S'posen you
let me look at 'em."
Certainly, madam; will read it aloud
if you WISH" and he did. The woman
listened attentively and when it was COM
pleted she said:
-"Well, what of it? What are you GO
ing to do?"
from garnet to cellar and then go out to
the barn"
Hunting for beer?"
Yes"
What are you going to do with it
when you get it?"
I'VE will confscate it."
You'll which,"
"Confscate it Take it with US. you
know"
~oh, I see. Going to drink it yer
selves. On, why didn't I know you was
coming. l wouldn't have left drop in
the house. I guess you'd better wait till
my husband gets back"
1t is impossible, madam, we cannot
wait 80 long" insisted Sheriff Burdge.
''John," he said to Captain Gardiner,
'you go up stairs and see what you can
find. Tim, you watch the women, and
we'll go down cellar"
The sheriff went down q rickety stair
way in the dim light of a match into the
cellar and hunted for beer Cobwebs
were there, and dust enough to build
race track. Hanging shelves knocked
stoves in the searchers' hats, unseen
ropes and wires struck them under the
chin Searching fingers were run along
shelves that abounded in crooks and
jars containing greasy and sticky stuff.
and pickles and preserves. When Sheriff
Burdge stumbled over something there
was a rafting, crashing sound, the source
OF which could not be mistaken They
were beer bottles. Eighteen of them.
An empty box was found and the
sheriff was preparing to carry them up
stairs, when skirt and a voice were seen
and heard simultaneously at the top of
the stairs.
where are they, where are they?"
she cried.
Here we are" was the reply
slave you found the beer?" she de-
manded, as she ran down stairs.
Yes, here it ia"
"Well, I've changed my mind. I ain't
going to let you take it. PHI smash it all
first It's my beer, and I can bust those
bottles if l want to, and you can't stop
me-" Mrs. Neisler had a flat-iron in
her hand and was fully determined to
break all the bottles, and spill $3.50
worth of beer (retail price, on the cellar
floor, until Sheriff Burdge seized her.
She resisted, and Sheriff Burdge
held on. The little woman finally gave
In.
well, if can't bust EN-" she said.
"I'm going to count 'em anyway" She
counted them and found eighteen. ~
just wanted to know how many there
was, so I'd know if I got EN- all back, if
l ever do. Say, Mr.. Bulge, you're Mr.
Bulge, amt yOu?-Say. you'll let me
have one bottle, won't you? I'm awfulIy
thirsty. l amt had nothing to drink
since dinner"
This appeal struck responsive chord
in Mr.. Burdge's heart He granted the
request One bottle from eighteen bot
ties leaves seventeen bottles
Nothing was found in the second story
Captain Gardiner in the kitchen detected
Mrs. Neisler in the act of emptying a
quart bottle of whisky into the sink, and
stopped her just in time to leave a
small drink in the bottom of the
bottle. 1t was also confiscated and will
De introduced in evidence when the case