The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-09-29
WILD AND WOOLLY EAST.
New Yorker Discharges His Pistol in
the Kansas City Depot.

the Kansas City Depot.
Kansas City, Sept. 29.-Two dogs, one
a pug and the other a Mexican grey
hound were the innocent cause of a
melee in the ladies' waiting room of the
union depot, which nearly resulted in
murder. Lafayette Meade and his
wife, who live in New York, arrived in
the city yesterday on their way to Grip
pie Creek. They slept at one of the
Union avenue hotels last night and
went to the depot early this morning to
contiue their journey. With them
were the two dogs. Mr.. and Mrs. Meade
found they would have to wait quite q
while for the train, so they took seats
in the ladies' waiting room under the
big clock. The pug dog sat in Mrs
Meade's lap and the greyhound reclined
at Mr.. Meade'S feet. It is against the
depot rules to take dogs into the watt
ing room. Mr.. Meade was informed by
Depot Master hawthorn and was told
to take the dogs to the baggage room
Mr.. Meade refused, saying that he had
Travelled all over the country and never
heard of such a rule. hawthorn order
ed the platform foreman D. G. Bradley,
to remove the dogs. Bradley went to
where Meade was sitting and told him
politely that the dogs had to be taken
from the room.
They're just as good as you and
were going to keep them with us,
snapped out Mrs. Meade. Passenger
Director H. L. Sherwood took Meade
by the arm and Bradley reached for the
pug in Mrs. Meades lap.
By this time Meade was very much
excited and jumping to his feet, pulled
a 44-caHbre Colts revolver from his
+y.oc zfT rcrI 10
began for the possession of the weapon
before a large crowd of excited travel
ers. Jim Williams, depot porter, ran
to the assistance of Sherwood and
Bradley. The combat was in progress
only a few seconds when the pistol was
DISCHARGED The shot doomed out like
a cannon report. Mrs. Meade gave one
loud, prolonged scream, Sherwood fell
back, thinking he was shot and men,
women and children ran excitedly out
of the room to the platform. Sherwood
returned to the attack, aided by Officer
R. M. Wright Meade was quickly
oyerpowered, thrown to the floor and
the pistol wrenched from his hand.
In the fight Meade was punched in the
face by Bradley. He also received
deep cut over the left eye, made by Of
f1cer Wright, who entered the fray pis-
toll in hand. Meade was taken to No.
2 police station and locked up. The
dogs were tied to a trunk in the bag
gage room.
The bullet struck the tile floor and,
glancing off, was buried in the wains-
coting Of the ticket Office. The room
was crowded with travellers at the
time and it is considered almost mirac-
ulous that no one was killed or injured.
The affair caused great excitement and
attracted an immense crowd.
Meade is a young man. He refused
to tell his business but said that he was
going to Colorado for his health. He
asvowed that he drew his pistol acct
dentaIly and that it was not he who
pulled the trigger. Meade says the
dogs have caused him great trouble
since leaving New York as every time
a new baggage man got on the train
he was forced to give up so cents or
dollar The dogs, he said, slept with
him and his wife.
rive learned one lesson" said Meade
Il will never travel again with a pistol
and dogs. I had no trouble at other
depots and I want to say you have the
dirtfest depot I have seen in all my
travels