The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-06-16
Frank ClarksOn, a Young Man
Aged Sixteen,
Goes Violently Insane and
Climbs to Top of Dome.
HIS SHRILL SCREAMS
Attract Attention and Police
Seize Him
And Bring Him Downs Now
in Jail.

Frank CIarkson, of 612 Jackson street,
and son of Rev. and Mrs. j. P. Clark
| son, went violently insane last evening
about o'clock. He climbed to the top
of the state house dome, went out on
the balcony of the lantern and lean
ing over the edge, gesticulated wildly
in a vain effort to ward off imaginary
Spaniards.
He is 16 years of age. He was noticed
! as he assembled the dome about o'clock
yesterday afternoon. When the doors
were locked by the Waterman, Clark
son was hidden away in the lantern"
which surmounts the dome. The watch
man supposed that everyone had left
the place.
1t was at 7:30 o'clock that man was
seen leaning over the railing of the
balcony f1ouriShing his arms wildly and
giving vent to yells and screams. PeO-
pie going to meetings in the state house
last evening We're attracted by the
strange sight. 1t looked as if the young
man was trying to jump off the bal
cony. From the top of the dome could
be heard in faint tones, although they
were yelled with force, the cries: III
get the Spaniards. You old Spanish
spies. You have arrested John Collins.
That is a Spanish trick L know Gov
ernor Leedy had John Collins arrested.
Old man Collins was killed by Spanish
spies" The police department was
notified.
Detective Capron and Sergeant Owen
were sent to capture the maniac. AS
they approached the state house they
could see Clarkson pitching about on
the balcony and they expected him to
plunge headfOremost at any moment.
The officers hurriedIy climbed the
long flights of stairs leading to the
dome. 1t was an arduous task for such
a hurried trip as was necessary, ana
the officers were out of breath when
baU reached the SDiral stairway lead
ing to the lantern.
They paused a moment, and they
could hear the young man in his de-
HriOus cries.
IN go ahead said Capron to Owen,
land grab him and throw him back
into the dc or and then you grab him.
The two officers crept cautiously up
the stairs. They did not know who it
was making the noise, nor could they
judge his size and strength Capron
stepped into the lantern, stepped out
of the door, and made a dash 70 the
north on the balcony. Before FRANK
Clarkson could realize what had hap
pened to him, Capron had thrown his
powerful arms about his shoulders ana
swung him quickly around to the door,
where Sergeant Owen pinOned his arm.
You're Spaniards," yelled Clarkson,
struggling violently, 'let me go, III
kill everyone of you. I'll run a sword
through you. Let me go, you spanish
spies"
He was held firmly by the officers. and
when he he t h9nm1d f about ne ana said 20.
thought you were Spaniards and Catho-
lies. 1 just threw Spaniard downstairs
up here after me. But I'll kill them
There was a mob of Spaniards down.
there. but 1 made a noise and kept them
Ciarkson was taken to police station,
where he was locked in Jail. He became
more violent. and late in the evening ne
was taken downstairs into the steel cage
in the basement. He threatened every
one he saw with death and rayed about
the Spaniards pursuing him. He kept up
this noise in his delrious way all night
and this morning he showed signs OF ia
tigue.
Chief Steele Police Judge Atchison. De-
tective Capron and Probate Judge Dolman
stood in front of his steel cage today and
I'm kill everyone see If yop II Just lie, let
6 s at b fgr te sT9rd fhf RaVa
several Spaniards down here There Is
oneT' Clarkson pointed to reporter who
ish spy and / know it You know some
thing about the Collins murder. III tell
you old man Collins was murdered der 4be by
to do it, He had John Collins arrested.
But John will come out of il. and L VIII
kill everyone who says anything against
John Collins. O. let me out of here The
Spanish are after me. L can settle them
Today the young mans mother went be-
fore Probate Judge L. S. Dolman and
swore to an insanity complaint, charging
Annie p. Clarkson: Rev. and Mrs. J. r
Clarkson have lived in Topeka about three
this sudden aff1ictiOn is very trying to
them.
Rev. Mr.. Clarkson said of his son: HE |
has been bright in school. but think his |
mind has been deranged by reading war |
stories. Last Sunday he was out in the
woods and some boys took after him and |
scared him badly. Since then he has been
acting queer. but did not think he would |
lose his mind. He is IS years DID,