The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-03-16
TELLS A TERRIBLE STORY.
II. S. Nichols, Who Was Put Off the
St Joe Train Sues for Damages.

Mr.. H. S. Nichols the Topeka shoe
merchant who was put off a Santa Fe
train on the Atchison branch near
Rushville, Mo, on Wednesday night
last and declares he was slugged and
robbed of diamonds valued at 81, 400, will
sue the Santa Fe company for $25, 900
Joseph G. Waters and A. H. Case as
counsel and today the petition will be
filed in the district court of Jefferson
county, Kansas.
Fifth Avenue hotel suffering from the
wounds on his head made on the night
of March TO-
Nichols went to St Joseph to buy
goods on Wednesday last. He bought
round trip ticket. In the evening ne
boarded the Santa Fe train for Tope-
ka. When Conductor Harry Griffin
came through the train collecting fares
Mr.. Nichols was asleep. He had taken
a few drinks of liquor and was drowsy.
The conductor demanded a ticket. Mr..
Nichols hunted in vain for his ticket
and not finding it handed his watch
which is handsome Howard move
ment valued a 5000, to Conductor Grif-
I'm with the remark that the watch
would do as security until he found his
1cket. The conductor took the watch
and passed on Mr.. Nichols again went
afterwards by the conductorand brake
man who again demanded a ticket.
Again he searched his pockets but was
not able to find it. The watch was
handed to him and the bell rope pulled
The two trainmen dragged Mr.. Nichols
from the car to the platform to eject
him from the train. He struggled but
was taken out AS he reached the plat
form and the train was slowing up he
found his ticket and he says proffered
1t to the conductor, but the latter would
not then receive it. NichOl says he was
hit in the forehead by someone on the
platform and pushed off the car. AS
the train started he again climbed on
the car steps and he was pushed off.
He says he was left in a lonely stretch
of country and a long distance from any
station. Finally he crawled along and
reached the little station at RuShVille,
Mo. There the station man let him lie
down and he was put on the next train
to Topeka. Arriving here he staggered
into a hack more dead than alive and
where he found his way to his room.
for Two days he lay unconscious up
on his bed, whilst DR.. Hamilton did all
in his power to revive him.
There was wound on the side of his
head which had been made with a
heavy iron piece and his face was
To a State Journal reporter today he
gave the first public statement of the
case. He said: 4 had taken a few
drinks. but I wasn't drunk When the
conductor and brakeman started to put
me off the train L struggled as hard as
L could. 1 found my ticket just as we
got to the car platform They wouldn't
take it then. 1 was struck on the
forehead a heavy blow I heard some
one say, though I couldn't say who it
was: Give me that ring, quick" Then
my diamond ring, which cost $780, was
wrenched off my finger Afterward [
missed the diamond cluster which was
in the shirt stud. I was thrown off the
platform and as tried to get on again
they kicked me off. I don't know how
l got to the station at RuShVille
handed the station agent my watch to
keep for me while I lay down. You see,
the theory of tramps robbing me is not
substantiated, for my watch and chain
and money which was in my pockets
were not taken. The chain was a long
one and cost 800, and I thought a great
deal of my watch. 1t is mistake to
tramp near there. 1 met no one until
/ got to Rushville. 1 wouldn't like to
say who took my diamond, but the
case will be ferreted out and the guilty
parties will be brought to justice. I
feel much better now, but my head
hurts me a great deal and have no ap-
petite. If the people only get the
straight facts of this I do not fear any
injury to my business"
Attorney a. H. Case, who with At
torney Jos. G. Waters will today file
the suit in the district court of Jeffer-
son county, said to a reporters "A
We will file the case in Jefferson coun-
ty for the reason that it is
almost impossible to get a good
jury in railroad cases here in
IOPeka- Inc statute Oh missouri says
that no passenger, for non payment of
fare, shall be put off any train at other
places than at regular stopping places
or Immediately near a dwelling house.
From blood on Mr. Nichols shirt it
shows that Immediately after he was
hit his diamond stud was taken"
Chief of Police Henry NJ. Steele is
working on the case. Mr.. Nichols has
offered a reward of 800 for the return
of his diamonds and SIS for the arrest
and conviction of the robbers.
The story of the trainmen is yet to
be heard, and it is quite possible an
other light will be thrown on the affair