Kansas City journal., 1898-03-09
The TOY OF A WANTON WIND,
PATR0LMAN CRANE GETS INTO ONE
OF THE TRASH RECEPTACLEs.
Democratic Banner at the Junction
Torn Loose and Swishlng In the
Breeze Catches Up the Onicer
and Dumps Him in the Can.

It was wicked gust Of March wind tha;
swooped down Main street about 2 o'clock
yesterday afternoon. It eddied the dust
whirled into doorways and peoples eyes
Occasionally it caught a dress skirt or a
hat, to the CONSERVATION Of the owner. II
made the signs along the street clatter as
it passed along seeking something worthy
for its prey.
Officer j. L. Crane stood at the corner OF
Ninth and Main streets. His shoulders
were thrown we'll back and his six feet OF
blue and brass We're displayed to good ef-
feet. His uniform was new and close fit
ting. He glanced up and down the street.
but nowhere was there an opportunity for
him to display his valor. Down the street
came the wind. but it passed the officer
unarrested. As II to insult his dignified
pose it scattered dust over his uniform and
into his eyes. Suddenly this officer was
startled by a sharp report, which came
from an office window three stories up.
crack of a pistol. Officer Crane grasped
his club with firm grip and his frame
quivered with expectancy as he jumped
across the gutter and glanced up to the
window whence the report came.
High up in the air. ciinging by one end
to window in the Junction Hotel build
ing, waved and cracked the long strip
cratic Headquarters" which had hung
across the street. 1t had been torn loose
from its moOringS on the west side OF the
street by the gust OF wind which p, as shapped app
cy of delight. The long banner tusssa
away at its mooring, one end waving ana
writhing in the air, as though trying 10
shake off the letters Of Shannonism. Ihen
the wind tired of its toy. like cat OF q
mouse, and the loose end OF the banner
descended to the street with CRASH tear
ing the clot. in places from the wire net
ting on which it was stretched.
Then close on the heels OF the hrst sus'
came another, sweeping close to the ground.
1, swished the banner across the street:
scattering people pell nell out OF range OF
it's cavortins. Then it dashed dangerously
near the big plate glass windows on tne
east side of the street. Oficer crane
sprang towards the thing OF clotn ana WIRE T.
with vengeance in his eye and ms cluo IN
his hand. The banner swung above MIN
crashing and swapping. He welded nus
club wildly above his head in hopes OF tear
inc it loose from its fastened end. out IN
vain. AS he cavorted about the crowd aa-
ability to arrest the cloth. Again the
wind tossed it above his head and the DIE
officer was about to give up IN despair,
when, with a cracking sound. It swoopeo
down and quick as a flash the Democratic
barner was wrapped about the officer. II
was an unexpected capture. The ofncer
helmet was smashed over his eyes and the
wind suddenly threw all its force into the
folds Of the cloth. 1t lifted Officer Crane
off his feet as he struggled to free him-
self from the tangled mass and with one
final swish sat him down in one OF Mayor
Jones' trash receptacles, the officers feet
and head in close proximity as he struggiso
blirdly while the big crowd which had gath
cred whooped its sympathy with cheers
and laughter.