The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-11-27
JUDGE ATCHISON'S COURT.
Dick Bell Fined $50 for Striking a
Woman-Homberg's Assail-
ants Convicted

Last evening at eight o'clock, Sadie
Prather and Mrs. Larson, two young
women who are employed at the Fifth
Avenue hotel, were standing at Sixth
and Quincy streets waiting for a troll
ley car, when Dick Bell, who the po-
lice say is gambler, approached them.
He called Mrs. Larson aside and in
suited her. She resented his insult, and
he struck her a vicious blow in the
face. She fell over and was caught by
Sadie Prather. Bell ran as soon as he
and Miss Prather went to the police
station and reported the case to Chief
Steele and Judge Atchison. A warrant
was issued for Bells arrest, and at
$40 p. m, Patrolman Charles Gordon
arrested him. Today in police court
Mrs. Larson appeared against him.
Her lips were badly swollen and dis
cOlored, where Bells fist had smashed
them against her teeth. Her face was
bruised in other places. She told the
court her story, and Sadie Prather cor
roborated it. Bell was fined s25 by
Judge AtchiSOn.
The two young women live in Park
dale, and they are employed as dining
room girls at the Fifth avenue. They
were on their way home yesterday
when Bell attacked Mrs. Larson.
Today in police court VIII Wheeler,
aged % years, and Joe Weatherly, aged
10 years, both cOlored, were convicted
of attempting to rob John Homberg, a
shipping clerk for the Topeka Vinegar
and Preserving Works. The attack
took place yesterday morning at one
o'clock at the alley west of Kansas
avenue on Railroad street, as HOmberg
was returning home The cOlOred men
fed after they had struck HOmberg
and he screamed for help. Police Off
GERS chased them and they were ar
rested in the west part of North To-
peka. After the case was concluded,
Judge Atchison said:
I have no sympathy for this kind of
h1IC i0l~ ie a Ia
that you are the guilty ones. I think
a $50 fine will be very small for this
case. 1 therefore fine you $50 each.
and order that you be committed until
the sentence is settled.
Both are young tOughs. Wheeler was
but recently released from the state
penitentiary- Weatherly is known as
a tough character in the city.
Last evening at Z o'clock, Ed Jack
son, a blacksmith, was creating a dis
turbance on Kansas avenue between
Fourth and Fifth streets. He was
very much intoxicated and he wanted
to fight with a man who had passed
him on the street. Patrol Driver Heart
burg was at Fifth and Kansas avenue
when he saw Jackson staggering
about and heard him cursing. He ar
rested him, but on account of Jack
sons size was unable to proceed with
him. So he threw him to the pavement
and called another officer.
Sergeant Donovan was near. and the
two started with their struggling pris-
Ouer for police station He fought and
bit and scratched. Sergeant Donovan
drew his chain and attempted to throw
it around JackSOnS wrist. But the lat
ter caught the officers thumb in his
mouth and bit it. He was finally taken
to police station and locked up on the
charge of being drunk and resisting an
officer. He refused to give his name
last night. but this morning he was in
a different mood, and he pleaded guilty
and was fined $40.