davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Kansas City daily journal., 1896-12-24

could ask what they wanted she was
grabbed by one man about the neck and
| thrown violently to the floor and choked
until she was almost insensible her as
sailants demanding that she give them
money and breakfast. Mrs. Rosen ex-
planned that she had no money in the house
but would prepare breakfast for them If
they would let her up. The robbers then
threatened to end her life by setting her
clothes a-fire, and one of them picked up q
can of kerosene which stood in one corner
of the kitchen and began to saturate her
clothing, while the other searched his pock-
cts for match as he sat astride her body.
The unfortunate woman, seeing such de-
liberate preparation made for her death,
begged piteously for her life, but the rob-
bers were relentless, and in a moment
would have placed the lighted match to
the oil soaked garment Just at this junct-
ure, however, one of them recalled that
they had made no search of the premises
whatever for valuables, and calling the
other to hold Mrs. Rosen to the floor went
through the house searching for money
and valuables. His search proved unavail-
ing so far as finding any money was con-
cerned, and after picking up a few things
of small value, he returned to the kitchen.
By this time Mrs. Rosen was nearly ex-
HdubIeQ from ITlRnI ana fatigue, ana SnS
lay on the floor with her eyes closed and
her face twitching from the nervous strain.
Suddenly and almost simultaneously with
the return of the second tramp to the
kitchen, Mrs. Rosen by great effort threw
the tramp who was holding her to the
floor aside and jumped to her feet, calling
loudly at the same time for help.
She had only screamed once when one
OF the tramps felled her to the floor again
with blow under the ear. The blow al
most stunned Mrs. Rosen. but she again
sought her feet and began screaming at
the top of her voice. At this, the tramps
beat hasty retreat through the kitchen
door and were soon lost to view. When
they had gone Mrs. Rosen tainted and
would have lain on the floor some time
had it not been for the arrival of some
neighbors, who had heard her screams
She was speedily revived and her husband
notified of her condition. When he came
with medical assistance Mrs. Rosen was
feeling better. No one had seen the tramps
but Mrs. Rosen, but as they were not
masked she was able to give the police a
very good description of them. No arrests /
have as yet been made.
Mrs. Rosen is a rather large though
young. woman. and has been married but
short time. She has no children
Kansas City daily journal., 1896-12-24
THEFTS AND R0BBERIES.
Men Wanted in Topeka and Guthrie
Arrested Yesterday-AIIeged
Ticket Snatcher Caught.

]. P. Johnson, solicitor for an INSTALL
ment house. was arrested at 1927 Bellefon-
taine avenue yesterday by Detectives Ennis
and Johnson. He is wanted at Topeka,
Kas., on a charge of burglary and was
taken back there last night.
Millard Mitchell wanted at Guthrie, o.
t. on the charge of grand larceny, was ar
rested yesterday by Deputy United States
Marshal Chris Madsen on a requisition. He
will be taken to Guthrie to-day.
Jennie Richardson and K. P. Buchanan
are under arrest charged with stealing
$lI5 from j. H. Burns, a stockman from
Parsons. Kas. Burns had Sc left in his
pocketbook and the police do not believe
he was robbed.
VIII Conners was arrested yesterday
while trying to dispose of a stolen railroad
ticket. Conners is a brother of Frank
Conners, who was shot to death several
months ago while trying to hold up a
barkeeper in a West Sixth street saloon
Later yesterday the police arrested Jim"
-Cahill. John O'Brien, Pearl Rogers, T. P.
Carroll, Dan Nolan, Ray Mofford. Harry
Malloy and ''Milt' Burris, all of whom
are said to be pickpockets.
Kansas City daily journal., 1896-12-24
Personal.

W. B. Gano. Dallas. is at the Coates.
NJ. F. Merwin, Pueblo, is at the Coates.
NJ. c. Webb. Emporia. is at the Coates
T. E. Deaver, Galveston, is at the Coates.
z. S. Campbell, st. Louis, is at the Coates.
G. B. Towner, Nashville, is at the Coates.
]. E. Phillips, Cripple Creek, is at the
Coates.
F. B. Chapman, Columbus. is at the
Coates.
r. E. Prichard, Rochester. is at the
Coates.
j. s. Goodwin. Philadelphia, is at the
Coates.
F. Pratt, Chicago. is at the Savoy
W. NJ. Henson, Texas. is at the Savoy.
o. w. Haywood. Chicago, is at the Savoy
j. W. Booker, New York. is at the Savoy.
George Bird. Wichita. Kas.. is at the
Savoy.
w. o. Gruten, Cincinnati, O., is at the
Savoy.
F. o. Behyrman, Chicago. is at the
Savoy.
]. F. Phelps, Tarkio. Mo-, is at the New
Albany.
Michael Higgins, Chicago, is at the New
Albany.
E. E. Kennedy, St. Louis, No.. is at the
New Albany.
]. p. Rude, Des Moines, Ia, is at the
New Albany.
o. L. Houghton. Las Vegas. n. NJ. is at
the New Albany.
Kansas City daily journal., 1896-12-24
A NECESSARY REFORM
MAYOR JONES WILL URGE AMEND
MENT OF THE CHARTER.
TO CHANGE THE POLICE BOARD.
WILL ABOLISH THE GOVERNMENT
FROM JEFFERSON CITY.
Attention of the Council to Be Called
to the MRtIer-LegnI Steps That
Must BE Taken to Secure
the Desired Re-
suit.
TO CHANGE THE POLICE BOARD.

Mayor Jones will ask the city council to
take steps toward charter amendment
by which the board of police commissioners
may be elected in Kansas City instead of
appointed by the governor, as at present
He decided upon this yesterday while in
conversation with number of prominent
citizens. all of whom heartily favored the
project. As stated in the Journal several
days ago. Mayor Jones has indorsed the
campaign for home rule begun by the Jour-
nal from the first, but now he has decided
TO act. He will, before the year closes, ask
the council to take action in the matter.
The first process will be for the council
TO pass an ordinance containing in detail
the proposition to be voted for at the spe-
cial election. Then the mayor will issue
his proclamation, calling the special elec-
tlon. stating the time of holding it and the
proposition to be voted for. This must be
published for thirty days
majority of the aldermen of both
houses are favorable to the proposition
A few may oppose it. Alderman Brown,
who is generally understood to antagonize
the reform, Will vote and work for it If he
can be convinced that there is money
enough In the general fund to defray the
expense Of holding the special election.
Mayor Jones said yesterday:
Il don't know whether the amendment
TO the city charter as proposed by the
Journal will conflict with the state statutes
or not, but / am willing to proceed with
the plans for a Special election and allow
that question TO be settled by the state
supreme court. When such men as c. o.
Tichenor, o. F. Dean and F. F. Rozzelle
decide that the charter can be so amended,
think we are justified in making the at
tempt, at least. There is no question but
that il is great and much needed reform"
c. S. Palmer, assistant city counselor, in
clines to the belief that the charter can
be amended so that Kansas City may
choose her own police commissioners. He
says that the supreme court has never
specially delegated this right to the city.
never having had occasion to pass upon
the point, but it has said that in matters
of purely local concern the city charter
takes precedence of all state laws He
thinks, If this case should go to the su-
preme court, that tribunal would advance
it upon the docket and give an early de-
cision.
Alderman Brown favors the plan of hay
Ing the mayor. president of the upper house
and speaker of the lower house constitute
the board of police commissioners. Accord
ing to his plan, this board could revoke
saloon licenses, but could not grant them
The permitting of the same body TO both
grant and revoke saloon licenses is a men
ace to good government, especially when
that body owes its existence to a political
party. The present board of police COM
missfoners Is in position to control cleo
tion primaries through a system of barter
ing saloon licenses
Kansas City daily journal., 1896-12-24
THE PRINTERS TROUBLE.
International President Prescott Ar.
rives I'm the City to In
yestiRate It.

President Prescott, of the International
Typographical Union, arrived in this city
last night at o'clock. He was met at the
train by members of the executive commit
tee of Typographical Union No.S0 and tax
en- to the hotel. A meeting of the board of
directors of the new cooperative plant was
called for o'clock to hold a conference
with Mr.. Prescott. An executive session
was held until 10 O'Clock, during which time
present trouble with the Typothetae in de-
tail
When asked. after the conference, what
course he would pursue in attempting to
settle the trouble between the union and
the Typothetae, Mr.. Prescott said: 81 can
not say yet what course will take. have
the unions side of the story and to-mor-
row l will get the Typothetaes story. 1
will visit the members of that body and
get from them the cause of the trouble and
on what basis they will agree to settle the
matter. As l understand the matter the
statement made by the Typothetae that all
the offices have been thrown open simply
because the union refused to desist in try
ing TO unionize the Hudson-Kimberly COM
panys plant is only used by the members
as an excuse to disunionize their offices
and reduce the scale of wages. OF course
the union is now locked out, but l have
perfect confidence, from past experiences
in such cases, in the ability of the union
men to come out on top in the end. 1 ap-
prove of the action of the union in pur-
chasing competitive plant and, If neces-
sary, will give the local union all the finan-
cial aid it needs to carry on the fight"
Kansas City daily journal., 1896-12-24
Rumor Caused by Drunken Men.

The action OF n crowd Of drunken men
who were attempting TO board an lnde-
peudence electric car at Fifteenth street
and Askew avenue. last night about 9
O'Clock. was the basis of a report that was
circulated about the city that a car had
been held up II that place. \ person who
was passing the place and saw the conduc-
tor apparently struggling with u couple of
men who were attempting TO get into the
car ran 10 a telephone and notified the po-
lice that a holdup. similar TO the one that
occurred on the line Thanksgiving night
had just occurred. Marshal Kcshlear WAS
In turn notified and Immediately repaired
10 the scene OF the desperate struggle. with
two deputies. When they arrived there no
car was in sight and on investigation IL
was learned that the conductor had only
been helping some hilarious citizens Of In
dependence aboard the car.
Kansas City daily journal., 1896-12-24
AN AIDE TO SANTA CLAUS.
UNCLE SAM Is VERY BUSY HANpnayG
CHRISTMAS PRESENTS.
Great Mass of Mail Matter Passing
Through the PostoHiee-The Ex-
press Compenies Also Do
Ing a Big Business.

The rush of business for Christmas was
on in full force yesterday at the postofice.
| both in the local mail deposited for trans
| mission and in the incoming mail for de-
livery in the city. All day the corridor of
the building was filled with people who
Were registering packages, purchasing
stamps for other packages and transact
ing miscellaneous business, The three
stamp windows were filled all day with
purchasers and the clerks had scarcely
time to eat their lunches. The people stood
IN line before each window from 10 until
nearly o'clock and an immense amount of
business was handled. The forwarding de-
partment was filled with letters bundles
packages, parcels and boxes and the clerks
had hard work to keep the tables from be-
ing swamped. Still. by hard work. the en-
tire business deposited during the day was
disposed of on time and the office cleaned
out for the business that will come with a
rush from all quarters this morning There
was noticeable increase in the amount
OF registered mail handled out of the city
and great decrease in the number of
packages and bundles held for insufficient
postage. The efforts of the carrier and
the policeman who stood in the corridor
and got the people in line for business and
helped in handling the bulky packages con-
1AioutSO LHuCu 10 ine ndnullnS Oh the large
business of the day.
With the rush that has been on for three
days, not single pocket has been picked
and crooks have given the crowded lobby
a wide berth. The wisdom of keeping a
policeman there during the rush has been
demonstrated and Postmaster Reed was
delighted with the results. Assistant POST
master Seidlitz spent several hours yester-
day in the lobby helping the people dis
pose OF the work and getting the supplies
sold without loss of time. One lady left a
purse with SIG in it lying on the money
order window, but it was picked I'D by
another honest woman and given to Assist
ant Postmaster Seidlitz. who was able a
few hours afterwards to return it to the
owner. The carriers went out on their
trips during the day pretty we'll loaded
with packages and bundles, and they ex-
pect greater rush to-day and will come
to the office prepared for that sort of la
Dor. The collections from the street boxes
yesterday brought in piles of bundles that
were left on the top of the boxes about
the city.
The sale of stamps at the various SUBJ
stations all over the city was very heavy
and prevented a congested crowd gather
ing at the postoffice.
Kansas City daily journal., 1896-12-24
Mr.. THAYER STILL LIVES.
How He Was Not Assassinated by an
Unarmed Man Who Called to
Transact n Little Business,

The Journal yesterday would have con-
tanned the terrible news of the assassina-
ton of W. B. Thayer, of the firm of the
Emery-Bird-Thayer Dry Goods Company,
had he been given that sort of treatment
on Monday afternoon. but, unfortunately
for large item, Mr. Thayer still insists
that he has not been killed, and has never
been accosted by anyone of physical
Strength sufficient to overpower him. or
who even carried gun or penknife Moth
ing more serious than a bunch OF KEYS has
been thrust at him for a long time, He
very much regrets spelling 8 fearful sem
satfon, but, owing to the circumstances, is
compelled to do 1t. Mr.. Tiayer insists that
Osias WahlfeId, New York merchant
feeble in health, small and frail, and with
out firearms, failed to come any ways near
originating an obituary notice, but, IL all
the circumstances had been different even
unto the assassination he might have been
placed in a dilemma, ii not in box.
Perhaps the obituary of Mr.. Thayer
would have been a matter of newspaper
history this morning if, instead of a hal
lucination, Mr.. Wahlfeld had been pos
sessed of a definite purpose and had not
given his arms to aid the Cuban insur-
gents; or, perhaps, if, on the other hand,
Mr.. Wahlfeld has first precipitated a tu-
multi in Mr.. Thayer's store, on that mem
oraple Iuesuay afternoon, by throwing q
loaded wiener wurst into the vast throng
of holiday buyers, and then turned red
handed on Mr.. Thayer and slew him with
a blow, there would have been a sensa-
tional story for the police reporter to ham
die But the simple fact that osias Wahi-
field, half-insane merchant from New
York city, called at Mr.. Thayer's private
office Tuesday afternoon, and, in a wild
dilenSpa, asked for the return of a fraud
ulent check he had passed Friday night
did not cause Mr.. Thayer to suspect at
the time or since, that he had been assas-
sinated. He still insists that he is not run
ming an assassination establishment and is
not interested in the retail price of "ex-
hedra heer"
Kansas City daily journal., 1896-12-24
AT THE EXPRESS OFFICES.
A Great Rush of Incoming and Out
going Business.

Christmas with its tide of joy and pleas
ure for so many brings only extra work
and grief in large quantities for employees
OF the express companies of the land who
ind themselves loaded down with rush
business. This year is no exception and
yesterday every express office in the city
was rushed with business. both coming to
the city and being sent out. The clerks
had all they were able to do and in sew
erai of the uptown offices extra forces
were employed to handle the business with
prcmptness. The incoming and outgoing
trains to the city We're loaded down with
the usual shipments that come to the sur
race at this season and the trucks at the
Union depot yesterday all day were filed
high with the shipments. The Wells-Fargo
EXPRESS sent five cars of express west yes
terday over one line and had the depot
office filled with other stuff last night that
will go out this morning. The other COM
panies said they were doing a most salts
factory business
Kansas City daily journal., 1896-12-24
FIVE GRAVES ROBBED.
Bodies From Union Cemetery
for a Medical College.

From reliable source, the police have
been informed that three other bodies be-
side those of William Wolf and James
Davis, as told of in yesterdays Journal as
missing from Union cemetery, have found
their way into the picking, vat of a well
known medical college. They are the bodies
of Charles W. Turner, an old tailor, who
committed suicide by inhaling gas in the
Humboldt building on December 8; George
w. Charles, a pauper, who died suddenly
at the city hospital on November 25 and
Andrew Van Vlect who died at his home,
S0l9 East Eighteenth street Saturday, and
was buried Sunday afternoon. All these
bodies were buried in Union cemetery.
On December T. when Sexton Todd first
reported to the police that the body of
Wolf had been stolen from its grave, De-
tective Andy O'Hare, who seems to enjoy
roaming about a graveyard after night.
asked to be given the case. 1t was turned
over to him by Inspector Flahive with the
direct understanding that he must not pro-
tect the medical college and its instructors
and students from exposure. Detective
O'Hare then set about his investigation.
1t is not known just how O'Hare went
about his work and what he found out.
That part of the story, while it might
cause some Kansas City physicians con-
nected with one of the medical colleges to
vince. nevertheless, would make most in
tereSting reading.
In company with William Payne one of
the directors of Union cemetery, Detective
O'Hare went to the cemetery repeatedly at
night, during the time between the report
of the loss of VOLTS body and that of Van
Vlect, who was buried Sunday. He gave it
out that his purpose in so often visiting
the cemetery was to he there when any
attempt was made to rob a grave and thus
catch the ghouls at their work. As no one
has been arrested charged with that crime,
il is not believed OHare'S work has been
very successful in that line On the con-
trary. it is stated on very good authority
that while he was in Union cemetery Sun
day night the grave of Van Vlect, who was
buried only that morning. was opened and
his body taken out. Yet. he says, he never
suspected that-anEthing wrong was going
on.
As yet none OF the bodies taken have
been restored. but it is believed that the
family of Van Vlect. which lives near Kan
sas City. will make some effort to ascertain
just how the grave of Van Vlect came to
be deSpoiled.
Kansas City daily journal., 1896-12-24
TALK OF TOWN
AND COUNTRY.
;-":-::.::::::.:* O :.:.sa:...

Mr. A. c. Jobes, president of the Kansas
Bankers' Association, and also president of
the Bank of Commerce. of Wichita, and
Colonel B. H. Campbell spent yesterday in
the city attending to some business mat
tiers. Mr.. Jobes says the bankers of Kan
sas will show up smiling at the annual
meeting, which will be held in Wichita
The people of the southwestern part of the
state have gone into close-down legitimate
business. and hence have an assurance of
reward for labors. Colonel Campbell is
prominent cattleman and feels certain
that Western Kansas can be given over
with profit to cattle and the people have
commenced to apply themselves in the di-
rection to secure best results.
Kansas City daily journal., 1896-12-24
BRAVE WONAN'S STRUGGLE.
MRS. NELS A. RAsEN ASSAULTED IN
HER HOME BY ROBBERS.
In the Face of Almost Certain Death
She FOusht With Them-FinaI-
Iy Made an outcry That
Caused Them to Flee.

Mrs. NeIs A. Rasen, wife of a boxmaker,
living at 1915 West Prospect place, was as
saulted by two tramps in her kitchen
about $50 yesterday morning. Their pur-
pose seemed to be robbery. The fight the
brave woman made against the men, how
ever. almost served to turn their original
purpose into murder.
Mrs. Rosen had just finished clearing up
the breakfast dishes when she was startled
by the sudden bursting open of the kitch-
en- door and the hurried entrance of two
men who looked like tramps. Before she
Kansas City daily journal., 1896-12-24
Newsboy, rpion,s Cbr;.,r,.

The Newsboys' Union will dedicate its
new hall at 10 Wyandotte street Christ
mas. The hall is being fitted up as a read
ing room and will contain a library, the
number of books in which it is hoped will
be swelled by Christmas donations. Sun
day school services will be held in the hall
and several speakers have signified their
willingness to address the members of the
union at different times during the winter.
Kansas City daily journal., 1896-12-24
GOtdyspepsia? Graves Dyspepsia Cure cure
Motion OverruIed.

The motion for new trial in the case
of A. NJ. Tyler, the convicted stockman
was given hearing yesterday by Judge
Wofford, of the criminal court. After hear
ing the pleas of the attorneys, the motion
was overruled. Tyler's attorneys imme-
diately filed notice that an appeal would
be taken and the defendant was given until
April TO file a bill of exceptions. Tyler ex-
poets to get out while his case is pending in
the supreme court by giving bond. which
was fixed at 5000. The disposition of the
motion cleared the docket and the court
Adjourned.
Kansas City daily journal., 1896-12-24
An Elegant Christmas Gift.

No buyer at the yards has done more the
past year towards keeping up the price of
fancy cattle here and encouraging feeders
to prepare them for market than A. We
ber the butcher. In appreciation of his
services in this direction his friends at the
yards presented him with a case filled with
a dozen silver knives and forks and a half
dozen dessert spoons as a Christmas gift.
President Stoller, of the Live Stock ex-
change. made the presentation and Mr..
Weber 'set them up
Kansas City daily journal., 1896-12-24
1t Made Him Very Sick.

Ira Ikner, laborer living at 172s MCGEE
street, bathed an aching tooth with a solu-
tion of carbolic acid last evening and after
throwing out the contents of the bottle
placed it on table. Later Mrs. Ikner
poured the bottle full of coffee and her
husband drank of it. He was taken vio-
lently Ill at once and it required the sery-
ice of a police surgeon to save his life.
Kansas City daily journal., 1896-12-24
ALLEGED EMBEZZLER.
Harry L. Smith. Wanted in Aspen
Col. Gathered In by Local
Detectives Yesterday

Harry L. Smith; who is wanted in Aspen.
Col. on the charge of embezziing $500 from
the MoIlie Gibson Mining Company and the
Aspen Dry Goods Company. was arrested
while in the company of a woman at 90
Central street yesterday. Letters on his
person proved his identity and Sheriff
Strawbridge, of Aspen. was notified last
night of his arrest. Smith was registered
at hotel as W. p. Jackson. 1t is said that
he has wife and child at Aspen.
May Stuart dissolute woman, who spent
Kansas City daily journal., 1896-12-24
Midnight Celebration,

There will be midnight celebration at
Trinity church tonight, beginning at IL
o'clock. The church will be decorated with
eveIgreens, mistletoe, holly and cut fiow-
ers. The music will be rendered by the
church choir. The Christmas services will
be held tomorrow morning at and IL
o'clock.
Kansas City daily journal., 1896-12-24
Will Have n Christina. Tree.

The Florence Crittenton mission at
Fourth and Main streets will have
Christmas tree at the home There are
ffty-two inmates of the institution and ar
rangements have been made to have an
enjoyable entertainment
Kansas City daily journal., 1896-12-24
Travel Greatly Increased.

Railroad officials report greatly increased
local travel incident to the holidays. Many
Christmas shoppers have been coming into
the city from surrounding points. and the
demand was large yesterday for tickets for
those who will leave the city to spend
Christmas.