davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-17
LOOKS LIKE PARRICIDE.
Editor Leftwich's Daughter Suspect
ed of Putting Poison in the Coffee.

Editor Leftwich's Daughter Suspect
ed of Putting Poison in the Coffee.
Gallatin, Mo, Feb. 17.-Not for years
has Gallatin been so shaken as it is
now over the developments that have
followed the death of Gus Left
wich, editor of the Gallatin Democrat,
who died last Sunday morning at his
home here from arsenica1 poisoning
The whole affair seems to have had its
origin in the unhappy family condi-
lions, and the dose of poison that killed
the popular editor was possibly admin
istered by his own child, but intended
for his second wife, whose relations with
his children were not pleasant
The fact was brought out at the coro-
ner's inquest that, a few hours prior to
his death, he called his 14-year-old
daughter, Maria, to his bedside, and
said:
Maria, you have given me the poi
The girl left the room crying, and
did not return until her fathers
death. She testified to that before the
coroner's jury, but was not asked any
direct questions.
After the girl left the room, the dy-
ing man said to the physician, Doctor
I got my dose this time
Before he died Editor Leftwfch asked
that no investigation of his death be
made, and that is probably the reason
the coroner and prosecuting attorney
failed to ask any direct questions and
felt warranted in returning a verdict
that he came to his death from arsen-
ical poison administered by person or
persons unknown to the jury
The poison that killed Mr.. Leftwich
was placed in the coffee An analysis
showed strong traces of arsenic, and
two boxes of rat poison sat on the
shelf over the coffee bag, and both
were carefully wrapped. The analysis
Of the rat poison and the poison in the
coffee showed the same test.
From the neighbOrs of the family, it
was learned that the relations between
Mrs. Leftwich and her stepdaughter.
who was wild and willful were not at
all cordial. Mrs. LeftWich was in the
habit of arising very early, and usually
ate breakfast alone, while Mr.. LeftWich
arose later and usually ate with the
children Last Sunday morning he
arose much earlier than usual and ate
breakfast with his wife, and in that
way was a partaker of the poison that
according to general rumor was in
tended alone for his wife. Ordinarily
Mrs. Leftwich would have gotten it all
The developments at the inquest
showed that, on Sunday morning Maria
ground the coffee and put it in the pot
and set it on the back part of the stove
after Mrs. Leftwich had put in the egg
and water. No one in the family was
in the habit of drinking coffee but Mr.
and Mrs LeftWich.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-17

The chaplain of the Maine, Rev. Mr..
Chadwick, went on board the Alfonso
wounded
A Spanish naval officer said Capt
Sigsbee was the last man TO abandon
the sinking ship and that he remained
alongside the wreck as long as it was
possible to do anything in the way of
rescue.
Soon after the explosion Chief of Po-
lice Plagliery went on board the Maine
with an American correspondent to act
as interpreter Capt Sigsbee expressed
total ignorance of the cause of the ex-
plosion. Shortly afterward Capt Sigs-
bee left the Maine after doing every
thing possible under the circumstances
and went on board the City of Wash
ington. He refused to grant any inter-
views on the subject of the disaster.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-17

jointist, who was convicted of selling
liquor in Neodesha last September and
sentenced to eight months in the coun-
ty Jail and a fine of $500. Webb's health
has broken down since his confinement
in jail, and his petition for pardon con-
tanned the names of the majority of
the citizens of Neodesha, and many
prominent men at other points in the
county as we'll
Webb's conviction seems to have been
the result of neglect on his part to fix
the county attorney as well as the city
authorities In a letter advocating
Webb'S pardon, DR.. BIakesley of Neo-
desha stated that Webb arranged with
the city authorities to pay $50 per
month for the privilege of running a
joint, and did pay this amount in for
several months. But finally he was ar
rested on complaint of the county at
torney and tried and convicted
In a similar letter to Governor Leedy,
Marion Cross, a merchant of Neode-
sha, stated that there was no question
but Webb'S conviction was the result
of spite work" as another jointist ar
rested at the same time was released
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-17
BREcKINRIDGRs REMAINS.
Body of the Drowned Ensign Reaches
His Native Shore.

New York. Feb. 1.-THE Ward line
steamer Seneca which arrived this
morning from Havana and Mexico
brought the body of Ensign Breckin-
ridge, who was washed overheard from
the United States torpedo boat Cushing
and drowned while the Gushing was on
the way to Havana.
Lieut.. Ward of the staff of the com
mandant of the New York navy yard
dropped down to quarantine early to-
day on the United States navy yard tug
Narkeet, with an escort of IA marines
The casket was removed from the Sen
eca at quarantine and placed on board
the Narkeet, which steamed up the
bay TO the Jersey City pier of the Penn
sylvania railroad. where the party will
take train for Kentucky. Lieut. Ward
was accompanied by Mr.. Hines, q rep
resentative of the Breckenridge family
who came on from Kentucky to attend
to the transportation of the remains. <
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-17
REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS.

The following transfers of real estate
have been filed for record in the office
of the register of deeds:
w. w. Render to Wilson Thomas,
$3.50, lot "a Harrison street
VIM. NJ. Dunlap to Winnie PrebIe
$500, same property as in PrebIe-Dunlay
mortgage.
S. G. Bailey and wife to Geo NJ. No
BILE, 81, 81 acres in Res. 6, beginning at
northeast corner of northwest quarter
south $50 chains, west 1914, north rs
20, east to beginning.
Geo. Wendell and wife to Laura A.
James, $1,000, undivided half of tract
beginning % rods north of southeast
corner of southwest quarter 8, II. IS
west so rods, north Al rods, east so rods.
south Al rods to beginning.
Same to same, beginning at southwest
corner of southwest quarter Is, IL, 16.
To release tax deed.
County to George Wendell, S51k acres
in 8, IL, 16, north 2012 acres of south 3OJh
half of east half of southwest ouarter
and south 265 acres of same.
L. Van Hook. by Kepley, to Mary NJ.
Taylor, 500, 361, 1863 and north half of
365 Taylor street.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-17
THE MAINE CALAMITY.

That the terrible disaster to the
United States battIeship Maine, which
sent over two hundred human beings
into eternity was caused by Spanish
treachery there seems no longer any
reason to doubt.
In view of the well-known traits of
Spanish character distinguishing them
from other so-called civilized nations
through all history, the occurrence need
cause no surprise. The history of the
Spanish people is one long unbroken
tale of cruelty, assassination and
treachery since the discovery of Amer
lea
While the government of Spain may
not be directly responsible for the blow
ing up of the Maine, it must shoulder
the consequences. For this wantOn de-
struction of life somebody must an
swer. It cannot be permitted to pass
unavenged.
A government must be held to ac-
count for the acts of it's subjects just
as the United States has been held re-
sponsible for the Cuban filibusters. If
the appeals of those who have urged the
suppression of the Cuban war by the
United States had been needed this ter
rible calamity might have been pre-
vented.
The government seems about to be
forced by circumstances to do what
humanity and the love of right and JUS
tice suggested should have been done
long ago. 1t remains to be seen what
those who have clamored so loudly for
aggressive action in the past, will do
now that no further warrant for such
action is needed
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-17
wK1NLEY LOOKED FOR IT.
London Post Says the President Has
Expected Foul Play.

London, Feb. 17.-As the details of
the loss of the Maine are published,
here They are not only in the news
papers, but are to be heard on all sides.
Many of the diplomats, including the
Spanish ambassador, have called at the
United States embassy and the first
lord of the British admiralty, George
B. Goshen has requested Mr.. White, the
secretary of the United States embaS-
sy in the absence of the United States
Ambassador Col. John Hay in Egypt to
express the admiralty's and his own
personal sympathy to the United States
government and to the United States
navy.
ments similar in tone to those of the
London morning papers and the London
afternoon newspapers devote much
space to the disaster. The Pail Mall
Gazette abiding to the bravery of the
American officers says:
Captain Sigsbee, for one, behaved
with splendid contempt of danger,
worthy of the best traditions Of the
American or any navy
Based chiefly on two special tele-
grams, appearing this morning in the
Daily Chronicle and the Morning Post,
there is much discussion of the treach-
cry theory today. A dispatch to the
Chronicle from Washington said that
Mr.. Roosevelt and other bureau chiefs
as well as congressman are absolutely
certain that treachery was the cause of
the disaster, while dispatch to the
Morning Post from New York says
President Mckinley has long been Sus-
picious of some atrocious foul play and
is reported to have confidential reports
in his possession which if published
would cause immediate war.
The St. James Gazette says the con-
duct of President Mckinley in the De
LONE incident shows ne is not seeking
a quarrel and is unwilling to allow his
hand to be forced by the fire brands of
the senate. Yet a president of the Uni
ted States though very powerful, may
be driven against his will"
Other newspapers comment on the
disaster on the same lines.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-17
AN ANXIOUS MOTHER.
Mrs. j. J. Turner of Indianapolis, Had
a Son Aboard the Maine.

Indianapolis, Feb. 17-Henry J.
KeYes, an Indianapolis boy u years old
was serving a three years enlistment
on the Maine, Mrs. J. J. Turner, young
keyes' mother yesterday received a let
ter from her son written from on board
the battleship at Havana, in which he
described the conditions as seen from
ship board. He said the feeling in Ha-
Vana was strong against the American
sailors and that little liberty had been
allowed them for fear of trouble. His
companions believed the Maine would
be speedily called back to the United
the prospect of getting out of cuban
waters. In the letter Keyes said there
were two big Spanish warships in the
harbor close to the Maine. Mrs. Turn
er is almost broken down under the
suspense caused by the possible fate
of her son and has telegraphed the de-
partment at Washington asking to be
kept advised.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-17
A BARBAROUS SURGICAL OPERATION
For the Cure of Piles

Is not only intensely painful dan
gerous to life and very expensive, but in
the light of modern medical research
and since the discovery of the Pyramid
Pile Cure a surgical operation is Who'll
ly unnecessary. If you have any doubt
on the point kindly read the following
letters from people who know that our
claims regarding the merits of the Pyr-
amid Pile Cure are borne out by the
facts.
From N. a. Stall. Ridge Road, Mag
ara Co, N. Y: I received your Pyra-
mid Pile Cure and tested it last night
1t did me more good than anything 1
ever found yet, and remember this was
the result of one nights treatment on
ly.
From Penn W. Arnett, Batesville,
Ark: GentIemen-Your Pyramid Pile
Cure has done me so much good in so
short a time that my son-in-law, Capt
T. J. Klein, of FIT. Smith, Ark, has
written me for your address, as he
wishes to try it also.
From A. E. Townsend, Benville, Ind. ::
I have been so much benefited by the
Pyramid Pile Cure that I enclose 81
for which please send a package
which I wish to give to a friend of mine
who suffers very much from piles.
From John H. Wright, Clinton, De-
Witt Co., Ill: I am so well pleased
with the Pyramid Pile Cure that 1
think it but right to drop you a few
lines to inform you its effects have been
all that I could ask or wish.
From P. A. Burton, Llano, Tex:
Conference.-The Pyramid Pile Cure has
done so much good for me that 1 will
say for the benefit of others that after
using only two days, I am better than
1 have been for months.
The Pyramid Pile Cure is prepared by
The Pyramid Drug Co. of Marshall,
Mich. and is truly a wonderful remedy
for all forms of piles. So great has been
the number of testimonial letters re-
ceived by them from all parts of the
country that they have decided to pub
hsh each week a number of such let
tiers.
All druggists recommend the Pyramid
Pile Cure as they know from what their
customers say that no remedy gives
such general satisfaction.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-17
NORTH TOPEKA.

Items intended for this column should
be left at the Kfmban Pig. Co., before 1e
O'Clock in the morning
Bibles. albums and books at cost. In
ventory sale Cromwell & Jeffers.
No fake. Bibles, albums and books at
actual cost. Cromwell & LETTERS.
Mr.. F. A. Root has charge OF the
Mails north side office.
w H. Austin of Kansas City is in
town.
A. J. Proudft who has been i'll for
some time. is now able to be down
town.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Berry entertained
Mr.. and Mrs. A. J. Berry and Miss Zoe
Paramore at dinner today.
The Ladies' Aid Society of the Con-
gregational church met yesterday after
noon in the church parlOrs.
Ten stamps with every ton of coal.
Last and best thing out
G. G. NICHOLSON.
Mr. and Mrs. D. J. Hathaway will
entertain at cards next Tuesday even
ing at their home 1892 Jackson street.
Canon and Mrs C. w. Miner have
returned from Chicago and other east
ern cities, where they have been visit
ing.
Miss Elsie Hunstberger died of con-
sumption at her home in Meriden the
first of the week. The funeral was held
Tuesday.
Inc laQieS OF the degree OF Honor
No. 152, will meet this evening at the
home of Mrs. Holiday, S25 Madison
street, to make caps for their social,
which will be given soon.
Married. Wednesday evening, Feb
ruary 16. at the Baptist parsonage. by
the Rev. w. B. Hutchinson, Miss Nora
Howard of Shorey and Mr.. Lee Altman.
The groom is a machinist and is in
the employ Of the Santa Fe.
While Mrs Crauel the proprietor of
the Gem bakery, was at supper last
evening an attempt was made by a
sneak thief to steal some -four from
the rear of the shop. The robber, how
ever, was frightened away, and left the
sack of flour standing by the well.
Mrs. L. A. .Daub of Central avenue
entertained the Sunfiower club at
valentine party Monday evening. A
pleasant evening was spent by the fol-
lowing guests who all went masked:
Miss Dollie Harmon, Miss annie Dake,
Miss Minnie Bunting, Miss May Miller,
Miss Jessie Myers. Miss Maud Daub,
Miss Eta Parsons, Miss Eleanor Holt
day, Miss Edith Faus, Messrs. Frank
Deppe, Ben Henderson, Fred Faus, G.
NJ. Arthur. J. L. Henderson, VIII Ar
thur, W. H. Daub. Mrs. Daub was as
sisted in entertaining by Mrs. Faus.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-17
STORIES OF EYE WITNESSES.
officers of the Maine Recite Details of
the Catastrophe.

Havana, Feb. 17-One of the officers
of the Maine said today that at o'clock
the night of the explosion all the mag
azines on board the battleship Maine
were closed and that the keys had been
turned over to Capt. Sigsbee, her COM
mander. The explosion occurred at 3 40
D. m. The officer then rushed on deck
and assisted in lowering a boat and in
trying to rescue the men in the water.
The Spanish cruiser Alfonso XII which
was anchored close to the Maine, also
lowered her boats and saved 81 of the
crew of the American warship.
Another officer said: Il was sitting
with two more officers in the mess room
when a heavy explosion occurred 1t
was so heavy that we understood the
ship would be lost and we went on the
upper deck and found that she had been
badly wrecked by an explosion, and
that she was on fire and sinking. All
efforts were directed toward lowering
the boats and saving lives. The Maine
settled quickly on the bottom of the
harbOT, only her upper decks remaining
above the water. A number of boats
from the Spanish Warship Alfonso XII
and boats from the Ward Liner City OF
washington came alongside ana rem
dered assistance. TWenty-fOur men
who were slightly wounded were car
ried on board the City of Washington
and the rest of the wounded were car
ried on board the Alfonso XII, from
which place they were taken to other
quarters, and after receiving valuable
assistance from the naval doctors were
sent to the military hospitals"
This officer said the explosion occur
red somewhere in the forward part Of
the amidship section of the battleship.
Many of the crew who were below at
the time of the explosion were unable
to escape, and those who succeeded in
reaching the upper decks saved their
lives with great difficulty, with assist
ance of officers and men on watch.
At O'Clock in the morning. while the
correspondent of the Associated press
was going ashore, there was another
terrific explosion. At the same time
boats from the Spanish steamer Colon
and Mexico were taking the wounded
men ashore, after having saved them
from the water.
Some of the wreckage of the Maine
fell on board the City of washington
and knocked two holes in her decls
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-17

Success in home dyeing depends who'll
" upon the kind of dyes used. With
Diamond Dyes, If the simple directions
on the package are followed carefully,
and the special dyes for cotton are used
cotton and mixed goods, and the wool
dyes used for wooden, there is absolute
ly no chance for failure.
Diamond Dyes are very simple and
easy to use, and by using stick to lift
the goods while in the dye bath. there is
no need of soiling the hands. For beau
ty, brillancy and fastness, no other dye
stuffs, whether for home use or for the
dye shop. equal the Diamond. The lat
est scientific discoveries are used in
their manufacture. they are guaranteed
the strongest and fastest of all known
dyes, and their solid colOrs win not
wash out in the strongest soap suds,
nor will they fade when exposed to the
sunlight.
Try Diamond Dyes once. and see how
easy it is to make old and faded dresses
waists, ribbons, coats, etc, look like
new.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-17
SUBMARINE TORPEDO
Is the Theory Advanced by the st.
James Gazette.

London, Feb. 1.-THE st. James Gaz-
cite leans to the supposition that the
disaster was wrought by an explosion
in the magazine which is beneath the
fOrecastle and as far as possible from
the engine fires adding:
1T remains however to be explained
how a magazine carefully guarded
could be fired. AS bearing upon this. it
must be borne in mind that the disci-
pline on American war ships is usually
to English ideas, rather lax The pos
sibility is that the disaster was caused
by the explosion of a submarine mine
or torpedo caused accidentally or other
wise. This suggests the thought that
the outrage was peTpetrated by a
Spanish conspirator, or Cuban insur-
gents incensed against the United
States
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-17
LEE DIDN'T CALL.
The Consul General Had Business
Other Than Visiting Blanco.

Havana, Feb. 17-There is no truth
in the report that Gen. Fitzhugh Lee
and Vice Consul Springer called at the
palace to thank Captain General BlancO
for his offer of assistance.
The Spanish cruiser Alfonso XII was
for some time after the explosion in
great peril and her mooring tackles
were Stacked away and she was an
chOred at a greater distance from the
burning warship. She then lowered her
boats and took part in the work of res
cue.
The first of the American sailors to
reach the Machina wharf swan there.
The following is a list of those who
were temporarily cared for at the Ma
china wharf: Thomas AndrOscy, burn
ed about the arms; Gatren, slightly
wounded on one foot; John Machia, ser
iOusly burned about the arms and face;
A. Pau, wounded on the head; John
Londay, burned and four more whose
names are not known.
StretcherS for the use of the wounded
were sent to the scene by the fire brig
ade and the headquarters of the Red
Cross society was called upon to send
four stretchers and men were sent to
patrol the scene of the disaster and
pick up the dead and wounded.
The smoke stacks of the Maine fell
at 1870 p. m.
Three sailors who escaped, fell sense
less just as they reached a place of
safety.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-17
STILL EXPECTS PEACE.
Spanish Government Relies on the
cable Policy" of President
McKinIev

Madrid, Feb 1.-THE disaster to the
United States battleship is sincerely la
mented by the press and public here
and especially by the Spanish officials
whose regret is mingled with appre-
hension lest the accident augment
American hostility. The queen regent
was visibly affected and displayed emo
ton and pleasure at the friendly con-
duct of the Spanish sailors and authori-
ties at Havana.
General Stewart L. Woodford, Unit
ed States minister, is receiving official
expressions of sympathy and the gov
eminent is confident that 1.-The able pol
icy of President Mckinley and the good
sense of the majority of Americans will
maintain peace
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-17
wINDBAGs SHUT UP
When There is Real Danger of a War
With Spain.

Washington, Feb. 1.-THE appalling
nature of the disaster to the Maine
and the gravity of the situation that
would arise should investigation
give a basis for the undercurrent Of
suspicion OF treachery and foul play
that ran through all minds, has
a SOLDERING effect upon public men OF
all shades Of political opinion in CON
gress.
The fact stands forth, and is little
ess than remarkable, that not a sin
lie resolution was introduced or a
ingle speech made in either house of
lngress, save one of coincidence with
= families of the killed, offered by
i r. BoutelIe and adopted by the house
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-17
POLITICS AND BUSINESS.
The Combination Works Badly for F.
P. Bacon.

A few days ago a well-dressed gentle
man walked into Mr.. F. P. BacOn's Of
fee, introduced himself and started a
conversation. Regarding, as he pre-
sumed, a. prospective customer Mr.. Ba-
con made an effort to entertain the
stranger pleasantly
The conversation proceeded along dff-
ferent lines while Mr.. Bacon enjoyed a
fragrant cigar which the stranger had
proffered him Nothing of a political
nature had passed between the two
men, but the visitor said:
Mr.. Bacon, are you a prohibition
ist?''
Most assuredly,'' was the reply.
The conversation was again resumed
and Mr.. Bacon, thinking he had struck
the right spot with his declaration, real
" became more genial than ever. But,
the stranger soon departed wishing Mr..
Bacon a very pleasant good after
noon
You did nice job" exclaimed one
of Bacons friends as the door closed
behind the visitor.
What do you mean2" inquired the
transfer man breathlessly.
That fellow has ton of freight
bar fixtures at the depot to be hauled
up town and You have killed your
chance of getting the business by as
sorting that you are a prOhibitiOnist."