davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-01-06
HE is A BAD ONE.
Actor Ratcliffe Appears to Have An
other Living Wife.

New York, Jan. 6.-The argument on
the application for a certificate of rea-
sonable doubt of the legality OF the
conviction of Actor Ratcliffe, for wife
beating is on again before Justice Dick
ey in the supreme court, Brooklyn
Should the certificate be grarted Rat
cliffe would be released on bail pending
an appeal to the high courts.
Assistant District Attorney Lloyd
saws that the grand jury will be asked
Caroline Ravenhill of London that he
married her in 1888 and deserted her
and baby in September, 18S5-Ratcliffe
having testified on his own trial for
beating Alice DeLacey Ratcliffe that
the latter was his only wife.
District Attorney Gardiner has ca
bled to London asking Caroline Raw
enhiu to come to New York and appear
as a witness against Ratclitfe.
Howe and Hummell, attorneys for
today from their London representa-
tive stating that he mailed to them an
official copy of the marriage certificate
of Edward J. Ratcliffe to Caroline Ra-
venhill, a fish monger'S daughter, on
August 10. 1888 Their representative
also stated that several columns re-
garding Ratcliffe's antecedents were
published in today's Mail. Howe and
HummeIl instructed their representa-
tive to send the woman to this country
on the next steamer.
According to Howe and Hummell.
their London representative obtained
confirmation of the story of Ratcliffe's
English marriage from the fathers OF
both parties to the alleged maria ge.
They also declare that the father of
the Ravenhill woman has a letter
written by Ratcliffe to his daughter
while the actor was in this country in
which Ratcliffe is alleged to have
asked after the health of his son.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-01-06
ATTACK on SCHURZ.
Congressman Grosvenor Bitterly De-
nounces the Great Civil Ser
vice Refor1ner

Washington, Jan. 6-The house today
promptly resumed the debate on the civil
service question and Mr.. Grosvenor of
Ohio took the floor with an elaborate
speech in opposition to the law. In open
ing Mr.. GrosvenOr disclaimed any leader
ship of the anti-civiI service reform forces
and any purpose to speak for any officer
of the government, executive, legislative
or judicial
'AH efforts to entangIe me in a collision
with the president said he, wastes just
so much powder. If I believed that my
relations to the executive would be
changed or modified because differ with
him in any representative capacity,
would despise myself as he would despise
me If I faltered in my convictions
Mr.. Grosvenor said he had watched with
admiration the presidents public career,
and one of his most prominent character
istics had always been that he not only
did not demand subservfency. but despised
a man who sought favors by sycophancy.
Mr.. Grosvenor proceeded to pay his re-
spects to the National Civil Service Re-
form league and to Carl Schurz. its pres
ident. His excoriation of the latter was
the most scathing that has been heard
on the floor of the house in months. He
denounced unsparingly those who sought
to read out Of the Republican party those
who believed in the repeal of the civil
service law. With vitriolic language he
sketched the political career of Mr..
Schurz, which he characterized as the
"checkered, spotted. IeprOus career of one
who betrayed every party and every duty
to which he was bound and whose betray-
ais had been his only stock in trade in
the arena of politics." He traced Mr..
Schurz's political history and def1ed any
one to point out point in the trail which
was not tainted with political corruption.
Yet he said, this was the man who, with
other foul political dema gogues, at Gin
cinnati, under the name of the National
Civil service league. had denounced him
and those who thought with him this
question. He read the resolutions adopted
at the Cincinnati meeting, branding them
as infamous beyond description.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-01-06
SHE MADE A WARM TALK.
President of the Farmers Alliance
Reviews the Careers of Her
Pred acessors.

The president of the Kansas Farm
ers' Alliance Mrs. Emma TroUdner of
Usage City, startled the few delegates
who came to Topeka to attend the an
nUal meeting of the organization at the
opening session by making an attack
on her predecessors in Office.
After intimating that the presidents
of the organization had been members
''fcr revenue only, she said Interviewing
their record:
The Alliance reached its zenith in
$780, both in point of membership and
financially. The first president, Ben
Clover, graduated from the Alliance in
to congress and 1t is said the Republi-
can party afterward hshed him out of
the Kaw and put him into a fifteen dol
lar job. He was succeeded by Frank
NcCfrath, who spent the funds of the
order with unparalleled extravaganza
and who tried to use the Alliance to
get political power.
Then came w. II. BiddIe, who serv-
ed with ability and drew his salary
likewise and passed from the Alliance
into the state treasurer's office. w h
Hanna tried to use the order to furth-
er his political aspirations and then
came John T. Willis, at the end of
whose term the order was barely alive
1T is a question now of existence but
all those who desired to use the Ali
ance to feather their nests are out; it
is separate from politics and its work
is purely to better the farmers condi-
tion educatiOnally and socially"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-01-06
WILLAPPEAL TO CONGRESS-
Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce is
After the Interstate Commis ion.

Milwaukee, Jan. 6.-Owing to the
failure of the interstate commerce COM
mission to hand down it's decision in
the case of the Milwaukee chamber of
commerce against several railroads IN
which alleged discriminating rates
were charged, the chamber of commerce
threatens to appeal to congress and
have an investigation of the interstate
commerce commission
The trouble arose some four years
ago. The issues were discussed at great
length and were presented to the inter
state commerce commission in detail.
The railways denied any discrimina-
ton, but it was shown TO the satisfac-
ton of many that the Milwaukee grain
dealers had not been treated equitably
by the roads.
The Chicago, Milwaukee & st. Paul,
the Chicago Northwestern, the Illinois
Central and other railroads figured in
the hearing.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-01-06
ENORMOUS.
Most Tremendous Express Rob
berry in the History
Of the United States Takes
Place in New York.
James Gordon Benefits Paper
Publishes the Story,
American Express Company
Robbed of S1,OOO,OOO.
HAD BEEN GIVEN 1T
For Transportation to Western
Cities.
Money Was in Bags in an EX-
press Car.
James Gordon Benefits Paper
Publishes the Story,
American Express Company
Robbed of 100000.
HAD BEEN GIVEN 1T
For Transportation to Western
Cities.
Money Was in Bags in an EX-
press Car.

New York, Jan. 6.-The Evening Tel
egram prints a report, which has not
been verified, that the American Ex-
press company was robbed last night
of 81 .OO0. 900. which had been given it
for transportation.
The money was said to have been
taken from one of the cars in its
through western express while the
train was being made up in the yards
at Forty-eighth street.
The officers of the company refuse to
talk regarding the robbery. The mon
ey was said to have been in bags ready
to place in safes The western express
leaves the Grand Central yards at S:15-
1t goes through to Chicago, dropping
off cars at intermediate cities. There
are eleven cars in this train usually,
which carries nothing but express ship
ments.
Large sums of money are frequently
sent west on this train
According to the report received by
the Evening Telegram the clerks found
the money bags rified when they reach
ed their car. The robbers had evidently
been watching the methods of hauling
money shipped on this train for some
time
At the Office of the president of the
American Express company an AssO-
ciated Press reporter was told that no
robbery of any kind had been heard of.
The president, however, refused to de-
ny the truth Of the story, merely con-
hning himself to the statement that
he had not been advised of any such
occurrence.
The story as printed by the Evening
Telegram was denied at the Grand
Central depot and at all accessible
sources of information. It was learned
however that a detective agency re-
ported that Clark Braden, Jr., night
clerk employed at the branch Office of
the American Express company had to-
day stolen five 500 bonds Consumers
Gas company of Chicago. The bankers
and brokers were notified not to accept
these bonds and if possible to arrest
those presenting them. Whether Bra
den took more than this amount is not
known
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-01-06
ALL COMING BACK JAN. IL.
Populist Conference Decides It Doesn't
Want Legislature Called.

The POpuliSt conference today de-
cided to call a joint meeting of the
leaders of the free silver Republicans,
Democrats and PopuIists, in Topeka,
January II, the day fixed for the meet
ing of the free silver Republican exec
utive committee.
A sub committee was provided for,
but not appointed today, to arrange the
call for the conference of the three ell
ementS.
The conference adopted the follow
ing resolution, which was submitted by
P. P. Elder. The vote was Overwhelm-
ing in favor of the resolution:
Resolved, By the Peoples conference,
assembled at Topeka January g. 1898
that we are not aware of any public
necessity or emergency for calling the
legislature together in extra session in
the near future, and that we deem it
unwise for the executive to issue a
proclamation to that effect; and, that
we earnestly recommend to the board
of railroad commissioners to prepare a
schedule of rates for freight to be paid
on transportation, and that they test
their power in the courts of the state
The proposition to invite a general
conference of the allied forces. occupied
the principal part of the forenoon. There
was considerable discussion of the sub
ject, but the sentiment was one-sided,
nearly every person favoring it
There was little opposition against
the anti-special session resolution F.
J Close and Representative Outcalt
session but ex-GOv. Elder was in the
pink of condition and won out by a
large majority. 1t is said the resolution
was carried with ten to one in its favor.
The conference this afternoon is at
work selecting a committee to treat
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-01-06
SCALPING BILL HEARING.
Brokers Get 95 Per Cent of the Tick
cts From the Companies.

Washington, Jan. 6.-The interstate
commerce commission continued it's
hearing on the anti-scalping bill
Mr.. Mckenzie, president of the Amer
lean Ticket Brokers' association, said
he had received affidavits from a num-
Der of ticket brokers confirming his
statement that the brokers secured 95
per cent of the tickets sold bv them
from the railroad companies
When Senator Cullom asked for
names, Mr. Mckenzie replied that to
answer, would be a breach of conf
dence. While he considered the question
proper, still he declined to name the
companies except under summons. In
that case he would respond, but he did
not want to break faith.
E. ]. Thiel of the Illinois Commercial
Mems association, opposed the bill as
unjust, claiming that an owner of
railroad ticket should be allowed to dis
pose of it as he might see fit, as would
the owner of any other commodity
Senator WOlcOtt made the point that
mo honest, honorable man would be
caught travelling around on another's
name on a -tranSferrab bic ticket
Mr.. Thiel said he had known of men
whom he believed to be honest doing
that thing. He said that what the trav-
cling men wanted was a uniform flat
$50 a thousand mile rate.
P. z. Dow of New York, president of
the Commercial Travellers National
league. also appeared in antagonism to
the bill.
Vim. r. King. president of the Merch-
ants association Of New York, spoke
for the bill. He was opposed to dis
elimination. hence he favored the pend
ing bill. He characterized as forgery
the dealing in railroad tickets which he
said was opposed to the constitution of
the United States. He did not believe,
he said, in a course that would save
one dollar at the expense of the crime
of forgery. He said there were very few
firms that would employ q man as
traveller who would deal with ticket
hrnIrnrs
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-01-06
CONSPIRACY
At Stock Yards at Kansas City
Thousands of Dollars
Stolen.

Kansas City, Jan. 6-The detective
department of the Missouri Pacific
railway has unearthed a conspiracy
at the Kansas City stock yards by
which it has, it is alleged, been robbed
of thousands of dollars on live stock
shipments. False affidavits of short
age in the number of live stock received
have been made to the claim depart
ment of the Missouri Pacific and ship
pers have it is said been paid for the
number of head of stock reported to
be missing.
The robbery has been going on sys-
tematically for years, and nearly ev-
cry railroad entering Kansas City is
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-01-06
Another Claimant to the De
BOissiere Estate
Is Said to Have Been Discovered
Near Lawrence.
GIRL 10 YEARS OLD.
1t is Claimed That She is a
Daughter
Of the Frenchman Who En-
dOwed the Odd Fellows Home.

The famous De Boissiere law suit for
the possession of 8, 100 acres of rich land
worth $1,000 has taken a new turn
It is claimed that an heir of the &c
centric French bachelor has been found
in the vicinity of Lawrence in the per-
son of a young lady 10 years old who is
the child of Ernest VaIeton DeBois-
siere and a French servant employed in
his household near williamsburg.
TroUtman & Stone of Topeka com
menced proceedings in behalf of Mad
anne Marteneni who lives in France
and is a sister Of the dead millionaire
to set aside the conveyance of the
property to the trustees of the / o. o.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-01-06
CAN DRIVE OVER.
New Bridge Will Be Open for We
hicles Next Week.

The supply of pitch for the surface OF
the brick pavement on the new bridge
has arrived and it is being put on today.
The pitch viii be melted and poured over
the bricks 50 that it will soak into the
cracks ard prevent water running through
and remaining in the valleys of she
bridge. The city electric light and fire
alarm wires are being placed in the con-
duits by Hnemen of the two departments
The approaches have been leveIed ant
the pavement will have been laid on them
by Saturday, at which time also the rest
of the sidewalks will be finished. Both
towers on which the cable was swung
have been removed. BY Sunday the new
bridge will be ready for traffic and the
contractors say that the bridge will prob
ably be thrown open to the public some
time next week
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-01-06

HIPS Vaudeville company. He at
tracted such favorable attention at the
board of trade benefit that Hills man
aSer secured him. His speciality was
one of the best on the programme.
Halpin's make up as a tramp is great
and his gags are good. His dancing
secured him several encores.
The performance last night contained
a number of good features, and was en-
tirely satisfactory to the audience. The
instrumental speciality of Walz and
Ardelle was unique and funny and
served to put the audience on good
terms with the company
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-01-06
PoPULIsTs IN ATTENDANCE.
Names of Those Here During State
Central Committee Meeting.


Central Committee Meeting.
The local Populists and the state
house employees and officers are taking
much interest in the conference of the
POpuliSt managers today. There was a
large attendance at the meeting last
night and today. Those from out of
town are as follows:
H. L. Cooper, WaVerly.
A. A. Newman, Clay. Center.
]. 7. Scott, Usage City.
F. w. Doan, Weir City.
w. D. Campbell, Lyndon.
A. Harold, Manhattan.
T. NJ. QuigIey, St Marys.
F. w. Phillips, Effin CHAM.
T. J. McCurry, Lincoln county.
Frank Nighswonger, Wichita.
John Madison, Smith Center.
J. A. Wright, Lebanon.
H. F. Harbaugh. Concordia.
H. R. Honey and R. D. Rose Manka-
to.
o. o. OutcaIt, Burlington.
E. D. Wheeler, WaKeeney.
H. P. Clay and H. A. Strong, Mound
A. F. Hamm, c. H Linley, and E. S.
Woodwork, Atchison.
G.. b. Eastwood, Kansas City.
G.. S. King, OswegO.
John T. Little, Olathe.
s. G. Brown, Chanute.
f. ShaddOz. Independence.
c. E. Allison, Erie.
r. w. Holmes, Paola.
G. w. Coffin, Council Grove.
T. ]. Wildly, Girard.
H. S. Lands, Lansing.
Carl Vrooman. Parsons.
w. J. Hurd, HoltOn.
Z. J. Westgate, Garden City.
Chas. L. Brown, Arkansas City.
T. ]. Arnold, Wichita.
w. L. Brown, Kingman.
w. H. Donaldson, Manhattan.
w. H. Hiles, Norton.
w. H. Ryan, Brazilton.
John Callahan and T. H. Stanford
independence.
]. NJ. Allen, Erie.
Gael Bergfried, and J. c. Cranston,
LeavenWorth.
E. G. Gates, Fort Scott.
P. P. Elder, Ottawa.
A. G. Lamb, Wellington.
Fred Smith, Leaven worth.
P. f. Yearout, EmpOria.
w. T. Quarles, Kansas Citys
B. F. Shane, OsBalOosa.
H. G. Jumper MeIvarn.
H. S. Clarke, Lawrence.
J. NJ. Clay, Strong City.
D. F.. Ballard, Washington.
T. II. Grisham, Cottonwood Falls.
P. H. Dolan, Salina.
J. E. Riggs, Lawrence.
E. z. Gephart and w. L. Pancoast,
Pratt.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-01-06
aid to have been victimized

SAID 10 nave Deen VICLIIIIZtu.
The amount paid for fraudulent
shortage claims during the last five
years will run up into the thousands of
dollars.
W. w. Kay. chief of the secret serv-
ice Of the Missouri Pacific, who has
been working on the case for several
days, refused to talk further than to
say that his road has been victimized
out of many thousands of dollars and
that he expects to make several ar
rests within "a hours.
The robbery is laid at the door of the
local yard employees and the shippers
themselves
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-01-06
POLICY SHOPS TO CLOSE.
Parties Interested at Leavenworth
Row Over the Division of the
S1ua Or

Governor Leedy has issued an order
to the effect that the policy shops in
Leavenworth must close and has in
structed J. c. Cranston, the city mar
shaI, to carry it into execution.
This action on the part of the COVER
nor is due to a disturbance created by
Mrs Charles Sherman who owns a
large amount of gambling parapher-
MALTA which was rented to the policy
shop owners with the understanding
that she was to have a percenta ge.
Mrs. Sherman did not create any dis
turbance until she discovered that from
the percentages which she was to re-
ceiVe $3.50 was withheld each month,
as she says for the purpose of fixing
policemen and detectives She made
q demand for the money and the wheel
men refused to deliver up the profits
She then came to see Governor Leedy.
Mrs Sherman is a cOmely woman and
is well educated. She dresses we'll and
presented a striking appearance at the
executive office She spent an hour
with the governor and declared that
she was being robbed by the policemen
and explained the situation in detail
The result was an order from the gov
ernor to close the policy shops.
Mrs Sherman says of the affair: Il
have been shamefully treated by the
men who started up policy shops in our
name. Just think, they took $3.50 out
of the first profits every month to fix,
the police and other officers. 1 don't
believe the officers got all of this. One
of the gamblers was poor and in debt
last june; now he has new furniture
and owns the house I live in I went
to the police commissioners first and
one of them talked loud to me and tried
to frighten me. He is not Bismarck and
it viii take him thirty years to become
a politician. They thought that I was
afraid to go to the governor. They
know the difference now. I only asked
them to treat me fairly, and now they
will all quit won't they? 1 will wait
and see what they have to say when
I'll tell all I also told the governor
that some of the politicians said:
'Lee6y gets some of this money!"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-01-06
APPEAL TO JUDGE BREWER
Durrant's Attorney is at Work in
Washington.

Washington, Jan. 6.-Attorney Board
man of California, is here in the inter
est of Theodore Durrant, with the hope
of securing from Justice Brewer of the
supreme court and in charge of the
ninth circuit a writ of error, or super
sedeas, which would act as a stay of
proceedings which will delay Durrant's
execution He saw Justice Brewer for
a few minutes today but without pre-
senting the question, he made an en-
gagement for a later hour.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-01-06
THE DANCING TRAMP.
Was One of the Best Features OF Gus
Hills Show

The young man who made such a hit
with a Kansas City audience at the
board of trade benefit in that city on
New Years that he got his picture in
the newspapers, released his gags" :"
sang his song and did some remarka-
bic dancing before a Topeka audience
last night.
He was Dave J. Halpin, alias Hunt
N. Grub, the dancing tramp Of Gus
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-01-06

H. G. Larimer will lecture before the
Unity club tomorrow evening on "Shel-
tSys the Poets Poet
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-01-06
DIDN'T GET HOME.
English Delegate to Federation Con-
gress Dies on Return Voyage.

6Tsss DIES On ENstlTn Voyage
London, Jan. 6.-Edward Hartford. one
of the delegates from the British Trades
Union Congress to the American Fedepa-
tion of Labor Congress held recently at
Nashville, Tenn, died yesterday of pneu-
monia while returning on the American
liner St. Paul, which arrived at South
ampton today
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-01-06

Miss Allie Hughes, Norfolk, Va, was
frightfuIly burned on the face and
neck. Pain was instantly relieved by
DeWitt's Witch Hazel SaIve, which
healed the injury without leaving
scar. It is the famous pile remedy
G. W. Stansdeld, 632 Kansas avenue
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-01-06

The old frame building at 124 North
Kansas avenue is being torn down. Tt
was condemned by the fire marshal. A
new building will probably be erected
there next spring.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-01-06
BLEW STANDARD OIL SAFE.
Burglars Wreck the Alton Office and
Get $50.

st. Louis, Jan. 6.-Some time between
midnight and daybreak today burglars
broke into the office of the Standard
Oil company near Alton and blew up
the safe with dynamite. The explosion
was terrific, the safe door being blown
open and almost the entire office
wrecked One of the walls of the
building was shattered. There was on
" $50 in the safe and this was all the
robbers got. 1t is supposed the job was
done by St Louis crooks
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-01-06
Mineral Water.

The finest in the west. Come and trg
f. J. ". PHILLIPS.
S12 ". Eighth St
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-01-06

with the Democrats and free silver
forces.