People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1898-12-06
"DESERVE DEATH"
Such Is the Anathema Pronounced
Upon His Sons by F. Leeke.

WauG 10 roo their old father OF all he
has and send him 10 the asylum? l
have lots Of land and money; my
children have plenty, yet they want
tO take away my property and put me
in an asylum. They deserve death!
They ought to be shOt-hung killed"
Thus spoke +, Leeke, the old Ger
maa citizen Of Springfield, Ill.,, in
broken English as he lay helpless in
his bed at the Hotel Etna Saturday.
The old man is the father of four
living children, who are endeavoring
10 have him sent To An insane asylum
ln his old age, in order that they may
secure possession Of his land and
money. This is the story of A. STAN
ley, proprietor Of boarding house at
422 East Madison street, Springfield,
ILL.,, with whom Mr.. Lseke has been
boarding for the past seven years, and
who arrived 10 the city on the 6:l3
Rock Island train that morning in
company with Leeke's attorney James
E. Bowling Of Springfield. They came
to Wellington in response 10 a tele.
gram from County Attorney Rogers,
informing Mr.. DOwllng that Leeke
was badly injured by a Rock Island
train near Wichita Wednesday night
while temporarily insane.
Mr. Stanley says that Leeke is not
insane and has never shown any
symptoms of insanity, but that his
children are trying to get him sent to
ar asylum, and he ran away from
Springfield to escape service. He left
Springfield November II last and went
to ST. Louis, Mo-, before The charge
Of insanity had been preferred against
him. The first that Stanley knew
that Leeke was not in st. Louis was
the telegram from Mr.. Rogers. They
left immediately for Wellington, and
will take the old gentleman back as
Soon as he is able tO-be moved.
A reporter talked with Mr.. Stanley
and Mr.. Leeke at the hotel that morn.
ing. The old gentleman gave no
evidence of being "Off'' mentally, but
he seemed to be troubled greatly over
the actions OF his children, aud bit.
terly denounced them. He has three
boys and one daughter. Two of his
boys are in Oklahoma or southern
Kansas. Someone present recalled
that they knew a Leeke in Oklahoma
and proposed that they find out If he
was his son.
Never mind-dOn't," Interrupted
the old man nervously. For twenty
years he has been estranged from his
children. For fifteen years they have
been attempting through the courts
to get possession Of his property, aud
as last resort, have charged him
with being insane. Leeke has spent
a fortune fighting his sons In the
courts.
Several years ago he fell into the
clutches OF an adventures and was
married to her. Immediately after
the marriage she began trying to get
hold Of bis property, but he fought
her and secured a divorce from her.
She is now 10 the insane asylum at
Jacksonville. Leeke owns 800 acres
of well improved land twenty miles
from Springfield. 1t Is one OF the
finest farms in Sangamon county, and
would readily sell for 500 an acre,
cash. His children want his property,
and although he is 50 years Of age and
feeble bodied, they cannot wait for
his death, but want him declared
Insane and the property divided. He
will be taken back to Springfield,
when the papers will be served upon
him aud he will fight the insanity
charge to the last.
81 will get an honest jury, and they
cannot take my property away" said
Leeke. There was pathetic tremor
in his voice.
James E. Bowling and A. Stanley Of
Springfield, ILL.,, took F. Leeke, the
old German who was injured by
Rock Island train this side OF Wichita
last Wednesday night, home via the
Rock Island Saturday night. Leeke
was able to travel in 4 sleeper. Upon |
their arrival at Springfield, L-efe !
will be served with papers charging |
him With insanity. His attorney will
fight the charge. The insanity charge
Is based upon the old mans desire to |
marry again.
Mr.. Dowling says that before
Leeke left Springfield he disposed OF
about $4,000 worth OF Sangamon |
county bonds and was supposed to
have the money in bis possession.
Leeke had telescope which the local
authorities did not OPEN When Stan
ley and Bowling arrived Friday night |
be had Stanley bring the telescope to |
|.