The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-08-21
BIG SH0WMEN SUED
For 81 10000 Damages BY One Call
ing Himself " lille sells.

Topeka, Aug. 1S.-Nl4tIe Seals. the WVTlo
renowen bareback rider and Snowman. has
brought suit in Shawnee county against
Peter Sells and Lewis Sells, principal own
ers of Sells Bros and Forepaughs' circus.
for $4,000 damages.
Willie Sells is the reputed son Of Alien
Sells. whose widow married Simon Green
span few years ago. She is now resid-
ing in Topeka and IS said TO be the
wealthiest woman in Kansas.
Willie Sells, who became estranged from
Peter and Lewis Sells in 1888 as a result
OF a family quarrel and since has been
in the show business for himself. alleges
that the defendants have been relentless
ly pursuing him ever since and have made
it impossible for MIN TO be successful in
his business or even TO make a good tiv-
ing for his wife and baby.
He alleges that he has formed several
partnerships with wealthy men to go into
The show business but as soon as Peter
and Lewis heard Of It they went to his
partner each time and said in substance
that Willie Sells was NOT his right
name; that he had no right 10 use that
name; that If they Went into the show
business and advertised under that name
they would be prosecuted for so dong.
These representations and reports VIZ
lie Sells alleges, invariably broke up the
deal and has the effect Of preventing him
from getting footfofd IN the snow bush
ness, damaging him in the amount stated.
Willie Sells alleges that the original
Sells Bros.-AlIen, Peter and Lewis
taught him to ride a horse and Adver-
49,
back rider of the world" that for thirty
years he bore this name. knowing no
other; that during all this time Peter and
Lewis did not find fault with his name,
and they are now estrOpped from making
objection.
The most unique feature OF the story
is the story OF the service of the papers
in the case on Peter and Lewis Sells
which was accom- 4ished at O'Clock yes
terday morning as they passed through
Topeka with show trains from Manhattan
to Holton. The suit was not filed until
a few minutes before the arrival of the
trains. as the Sells had gotten wind OF
the threatened suit, and il was feared
they would go another route in order 70
evade the service OF the papers.
When the trains arrived in the Topeka
yards. Bert Lucas. who had been depu-
t.zed for this purpose by Sherr Cook and
Archie Williams. one OF the attorneys
for Willie Sells, were there cose rye the
papers. They started across the Rock Is
land bridge towards the North Topeka
yards, when they were run down by an
other section OF the show train
Lucas succeeded in beating the train
across the bridge but Williams stopped
and slipped down between the ties of the
bridge and hung there BY his hands until
the entire train passed over him Peter
ard Lewis, it seems, had given orders 70
let no one in the sleeping car at Topeka
When Lucas and Williams arrived az the
sleeping car, Lucas said 10 the porter:
Hello. IS Lew and Pete in this carr
Does YOU know dem!'' the porter
asked
Yes. know them well. I'm a railroad
Official An error has been made in the
contract and I must see them before the
show can 60 further"
Yes. sab, step right in" and the porter
pulled ASIDE the curtains Of the sleeping
car. Lucas slipped The papers INTO ePter
Sells hand while the porter was half
asleep. As he stepped of the car Lucas
heard two men giving The porter q Sc
r-a-a o1r-sf-S