davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-07-06
ALEXANDER JnsrER's RECORD.

A1E4ANUhh JE6IEh'b hEtOhDs
WICHITA, KAs., June 29.-sheri6
Simmons, who arrested Alexander
Jester at Shawnee, o, T., last week,
for the murder of young Gilbert Gates
in Monroe county, Missouri, 2s years
ago, returned to Wichita to-day to
secure witnesses for a more complete
naturalization of Jester, who Is to be
brought here as soon as the habeas
corpus hearing is finished at Tecum-
sch. One OF the witnesses who will be
called to see Jester is John Mott, who
lives near Valley Center, Kss., on a
claim which Jester Jumped in 1870.
In the trial Mott beat Jester and got
the land. Jester, 1t is said, tried to get
Mott out on q hunt.
While Sheriff Simmons was at
Shawnee he got lengthy statement
Of TESTERS life from his sister, Mrs.
Cornelia Street, who wrote the letter
to Sheriff Simmons giving her brother
away. In the statement Mrs. Street
says Jester was totally bad from the
time he was 10 years old till he killed
Gilbert Gates, at which time he was
so years old.
In 1870, according to Mrs. Street,
while Jester and bis first wife lived on
claim near Valley Center, 9 young
doctor went TO their place one night
and stayed until after breakfast the
following morning. In few minutes
after the doctor left Jester stepped out
and did not return until noon When
he returned, she says, he had the
DOCTORS horse and buggy and medl.
cine case and the doctor was never
heard Of again. This came ont on
Jester after his first arrest for the
murder of young Gates and was told
to Mrs Street by TESTERS first wife,
who died l6 years ago.
Jester has been married twice since,
but deserted both women, and was to
have been married last Sunday for
the fourth time. Mrs. Street could
not remember the young Doctors
name, but she said his medicine case
sat around in TESTERS house for years
afterward. When Jester was i6 years
old, while the family lived in Indiana,
he beat one OF his sisters over the
head with q club until she sank TO the
ground and then took knife and
tried TO cut an artery in her left arm
80 she would bleed TO death. This was
near Hagerstown, Ind. At another
time be had trouble with his mother
and during the quarrel be threw big
stone on her feet, iniuring her so that
she was = cripple for several years.
Mrs. Streets statement is long one
and paints her brother as an unusually
vicious character.
A special from Hsgerstowns Ind,
says Jester lived there In 1885. He
went West and returned In the spring
Of 1871 with young Gates team and
wagon and leading > young buffalo,
which Gates left Kansas City with and
was taking home 10 domesticate.
Mrs. Street says young Gates trunk
was split in Eve pieces and buried on
q farm near Valley Center.
J. W. Cater, OF Chicago, brother OF
the murdered man, thinks Mrs.
Streets story perfectly straight. He
Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-07-06
aoEBLEs GRAFT.
The Final Result of It is Announced
at Louisville.

LoUIsvmLE, KY, June 29.-Aiter
the warmest convention in the history
Of Kentucky, the Democrats have sue
ceeded In nominating this State ticket;
For Governor, William Goeble.
Lieutenant Governor, J. O. W.
Beckham.
Attorney General, R. J. Breokin-
ridge.
Auditor, q. G. Coulter.
State Treasurer, s. W. Haeger
Secretary Of State, Breckinridge
Hill.
Superintendent Public Instruction,
81. v. McChesney.
Commissioner Of Agriculture, /. B.
Hall.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-07-06

CHICAGO, June 2s.-A special to the
0hronicle from Racine, Wis, says: A.
Altman, clerk in leading dry goods
house here, 3 week ago received a
silver dollar in payment for goods
that brought him $1,000. The coin is
dated 1904 and is very valuable, there
being only few Of that denomination
In existence. Altman cent the coin
to Chicago. experts pronounced it
genuine and it was sold for $1,000.
The party who gave the dollar for the
goods Is not known.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-07-06

JOHN W. GATES, who is on the trail
of old man Alexander Jester, has just
been appointed by the Governor of
Illinois as q commissioner TO the Paris
exposition. A report from Tecumseh.
Ok, saysi The Seminole "who lived
on hate" may sometimes have missed
. meal, but John W. Gates never does.
Vengeance on Jester as the murderer
Of his brother is dominant to the
verge Of monomanIa. Gates eats,
walks, talks and sleeps in vengeance.
HIS great wealth is but sinking fund
for TESTERS prosecution, and three
special trains In one day draw only
cheerful checks and smiies from Mr..
Gates.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-07-06

Tourist Rates to Colorado and Utah.
On and after June 25, and until July
II, 1898, the Chicago & Alton Railroad
will sell round trip tourist tickets to
Denver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo and
Glenwood Springs, Colorado, and to
Salt Lake City and Ogden, Utah, at
greatly reduced rates. Liberal stop
over privileges viii be granted. For
rates, time OF trains and complete
particulars apply to Il. 8. Wilson,
Ticket Agent Of Chicago Il Alton,
Mexico, or James Charlton, General
Passenger and Ticket Agent, Chicago,
TllinolH.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-07-06

business aud-by tomorrow will be
able to state where he will have his
ONCE. At O'Clock this morning,
while his stable was smoulderIug, he
filed an order.
]. B. Graham could have saved his
horse, "Paper Collar" had the horse
belonging to the United States Ex-
press Company been easier to get out.
He seemed determined to rush back
into the flames.
The origin Of the fire is very un-
certain, but Mr.. Graham thinks that
cigarettes were the cause; he said
that a young negro boy and a white
boy were smoking outside of the
building on Love street some time
before.
o. r. Graham, son of E. D. Graham,
owner of the building, when seen by q
LEDGER reporter and asked whether
the stable would be rebuilt, said that,
as the walls Of the main building
seemed to be in good condition, he
thought that his father would rebuild.
Mr.. Graham, >Sr., has not yet been
told OF the fire, as he is Ill In st. Louis.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-07-06

Frank H. Spottswood, who went to
Texas directly after being mustered
out Of the volunteers last fall, is home
on a visit to his parents, Mr.. and Mrs.
John w. Spottswood, north Of town.
Frank has q good position with the
Western Union Telegraph %. and win
go back in about two weeks.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-07-06
BABY DROWNED AT FARBER.
Young Child of Mr.. and Mrs. James
Lowry Found Dead in a Pond.

Special Dispatch to the Ledger.
FARBER, Mo-, June 2s.-Yesterday
the fifteen months old child Of Mr..
and Mrs. James Lowry, Of this place,
was found drowned in q pond near the
home Of the parents. The mother
left the baby in the house asleep and
went to make a short visit to a neigh
Dor. When she returned and vent to
look for the infant Il was found dead
in the pond. How it got there In 30
short time Is q mystery.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-07-06

A PIE trust with ss,OOO,0 GOO behind it
has been formed and Billie West is
sad. Not only is Col. West q pie eater,
but he has proven TO the satisfaction
of his many friends that he is the only
man that ever ate thirty quail In thirty
days and holIered for more. To form
a pie crust would suit Billie better.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-07-06

Frank Galloway Guilty of Murder.
Frank B. galloway was found guilty
Of murder in the frst degree Thurs
day afternoon for the killing of his
child-wife in SIegeI-Hillman's dry
goods store in St. Louis on April 10.
After deliberating upon the evidence
for an hour and i've minutes the jury
sent word to Judge Tally that they
had arrived at verdict.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-07-06

IT is difficult to tell at this stage OF
the proceedings in the Jester case
which is the more prominent person
connected with it-sheriff Nelson,
Jno. w. Gates, old man Jester, or old
Mrs. Street; but 1t seems that the
Sheriff has the pole.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-07-06
The JESTER CASE.
FINKs IDENTIFIES IEsrER


SHAWNEE, OK, June 2O. O.-The Alex
ander Jester habeas corpus case was
resumed this afternoon at $3.50 O'Clock.
Owing to the feebleness of Mr.. Jester
the court adjourned the case from the
court house to ths jail Office. A. &,
Finks testified In behalf OF the state.
He said that be lived ten miles
southeast Of Tecumseh, Pcttawatomie
county, Ok.
"Where did you reside during the
years 1901 ana is72Y'' he was ask
cd.
Monroe county, Missouri"
"Were you during these years or at
any time during the time you resided
in Monroe county, Missouri, acquaInt-
ed with man by name Of Alexander
lestera''
'sYes, STR. y
"When and where did you see him
in Monroe county, Missouri
81 saw him In the Paris jail, Mon
roe county, Mo-, several times three
weeks during the fall Of 1871"
"Where did you next see him, after
you saw him In the Paris jail, Monroe
county, Mo."P
"Tn Teoumseh jail, Pottawatomie
county, Ok"
"When did you see him In the jail
at Tecumseh2n
"0n the 9th day OF June, 1s99."
"Do you see him now, and II so, l
viii ask you TO point him out to the
court2"
"That is him right there" pointing
to Alexander Jester, alias W. A. Hill.
''Can you, Of your own knowledge,
positively. Identify W. A. Hill, the
plaintiff In this action, as the same
man whom you saw in the Paris, Mon
roe county, jail during the year 1871,
and whom you then knew as Alexan-
der Jesteri"
"Yes, sir. -
estate II you know what crime Al
exander Jester, alias W. A. Hill, was
charged with when he was in jail at
Paris, Mo?r
81 do not know Of my own personal
knowledge, but understand he was
charged with the murder Of one Gill
bert Gates.n
Upon s-examlnatlon, Mr.. Finks
said that he was engaged as farmer
near Paris and frequently visited the
jail with the sheriff. Finks said that
he remembered ArImsteadA Alexander,
the prosecuting attorney at Paris.
As he recalled Jester he was then
about 40 or 80 years old, with dark
hair, about 8 feet tall and weighed
about 100 pounds.
He testified that Jester was smooth
shaven when he saw him in jail.
"Why did you visit the jail7" FInks
was asked.
''To see Jester"
Finks said, under further question:
ing, that he had been prompted by
curiosity to look at a man who would
commit such heinous crime.
After Finks was dismissed from the
stand the attorneys for the state filed
q motion asking that the writ of
habeas corpus be set aside, upon the
grounds that the court has no juris-
dIction. The motion was set for next
Monday to be argued.
The court adjourned until 10 O'Clock
tomorrow morning.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-07-06
TRY ALIENS FOOT . EASE.

A powder 10 be shaken into the shoes. Your
feet feel swollen, nervous and hot, and get tired
easily. Hyou have smarting feet or tight shoes,
try Aliens F0ot-Eaao. lt oools tho feet and
makes walking easy. Cures swollen, swestlng
feet, ingroWing nails, blisters and cnllous spots
Relieves corns and bunlQns OF all pain and gives
rest and comfort. Try it to-day. Sold By all
druggists and shoe stores for 30. Trial package
FREE. Address. Allen s. Oinnsted La Roy NY
Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-07-06

says his father dug up the pieces of
Gates trunk at the time Of TESTERS
arrest ana that no one knew Of this
part Of the case except Gates and the
Jester family.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-07-06

IT lie deeply regretted that the re-
port became circulated and found its
way into print that A. o. Stotler, OF
Laddonia, came to his death by his
own hand, when such was not the case.
1t has been proven beyond question
Of doubt that the cause Of death was
heart trouble, which, though the de-
mise Of Mr.. stotler is sad enough un-
der the known circumstances, is 8
source OF some satisfaction to the
friends and family of deceased, who
was good man and n prominent citi-
zen.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-07-06

OLD "S1sTERn STREET lie q despica-
BILE character and is not whit better
than her aged brother Jester All this
old woman wants is an opportunity to
do as great q crime as Jester is
charged with. This is made apparent
by her unnatural action in giving the
Information that led to the arrest OF
her brother, which was done for pure
ly personal motives and not from a
sense of justice. Her oath is not
worth baubee In court.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-07-06

INAsMUcH as the war in the Philip
pines is costing the United States
more than a million dollars day the
desire of the people to have it hurried
to a close is perfectly natural, but
there is nothing to indicate that 1t will
be praIifiad aoon.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-07-06

silas Engle has brought to the LED
GER office genuine curiosity In the
shape Of sweet potato plant bearing
bloom. Mfr. Engle says he is 75 years
old, has been q gardener nearly all
his life and this is the first sweet-
potato bloom he ever saw. Mr.. Engle
also exhibited timothy six feet tail,
grown in southwest Mexico.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-07-06

IT Is now charged that the estimate
made by Gen. Otis Of the number Of
men he would require was made In
ob&dience to orders from Washington,
and not upon the judgment Of him
self and his officers.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-07-06

q. A. DAvAuLT, Of the Farber (Mo. }
Forum, we are reliably informed, will
be appointed Census Supervisor from
this district. Mr.. Davault, who was
among the firHt to apply for this
position, is a loyal Democrat and is
worthy of the position, and we pre-
dict that his administration win be 3
successful one. He is strongly rec
commended, not only by local DEM
ocrats, but by Senators, Congressman
and Democratic leaders,
Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-07-06

WTH all due respect to Sam
Jones, who says the day Of political
parties is passing, we beg to remark
that when there are no longer poIitic-
al parties there will no longer be a
ronut.lio
Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-07-06

Ir will be just as wen to find out
whether there was a string tied TO
Gen. Wood's declInatlon Of $4,000
salary to become president OF trust
before throwing too many boquets at
him
Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-07-06

1T is pleasant to note that the Louis
vile convention, Notwithstanding its
trials and tribnlations, did not forget
to put its feet on the octopus.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-07-06

THE Mexico LEDGER will send on a
pleasure trip to the north pole the
first man, woman or child who re-
members that Gen. Shafter was ever
a farm-hand in Audrain county. In
entering this contest the management
Of the LEDGER requests all to be
calm. No need to rush; contest open
until peace is declared In the Philip
pinae
Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-07-06

A skiff overturned Wednesday in
the river near Clarksville, Mo-, and
five men employed on river work
were drowned. William Hodges,
residence unhAown; Henry Rowland,
Of Clarksville, j. W. Arnold, W. G.
Jamison and a Mr.. Phillips, OF HAM
burg, ILL.,, were the men who met
death.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-07-06

NONE OF tine people who thought
Alger would resign Of his own accord
have been sent to asylums for incur
ables yet, but they are being watched
by their friends.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-07-06
TRY GRAlN.Ol TRY GRAIN-Ol

Ask your Grocer to-day to show you pack
are OF GRAN. %, the new food drink that takes
the place Of coffee. Tha children may drink Il
wtthoutiin5ury as well as the adult. Ali who use
IL, Ike II. GRAIN-O has that rich seal brown
Of Mocha or Java but It Is made from pure
grains, and the most delicate stomach receives
It without distress. Y the price Of coffee. i5c
and 26c per package. Sold hv All Qrocars
Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-07-06
We BEGLEAVE TOANNOUNCE

That we have secured the
agency for the American and
Red Star lines Of ocean steam
ers. The American line plies
between New York and South
am pton. Direct connection
with London, Chebourg and
Paris. The Red Star line plies
between New York and Ant.
werp, Philadelphia and Ant
werp. Short route to France,
Switzerland, Germany, the
Rhine. Austria and Italy.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-07-06

THERE lie one sure reason why the
Democratic National convention of
next year will not be held in New
York City. the party at large will not
have il.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-07-06
win Speak Before the Rabbit Club


From the Paris Mercury.
As a student of social conditions
Bob White, of the Mexico LEDGER,
has set pace that will make his more
deliberate contemporaries dizzy. He
mastered Europein a week and is now
at home preparing a report of his in
vestigations, which will be shortly
submitted to the Rabbit Club at Mex
leo. A forecast is not possible at this
time, but we understand Mr.. White
was highly gratifed at the reception
accorded him in Paris, where 1900
troops turned out to greet him and a
special envoy of the President showed
him through the jail and court house.
As a result of this courteous treat
ment he has written an eulogistic
poom, for private consumption, on
the French President, a quatrain with
one rhyme to the -"Loubet"
and "you bet"-said to be excellent.
He will shatter, we understand, some
long cherished delusions of the Rab-
bit Club, among them that there Is
absolutely nothing in a name, as he
was. unable to find q single piece Of
bologna along the whole course Of
the Bois de Bologna; and another,
that, for exhilarating purposes, q sip
OF absinthe is worth two of mint
julep. Mr.. White obtained g BIRDS
eye view of the rest of Europe from
faris, but owing TO the enforced alb
sence OF Sam Cook refused to attend
the disarmament conference at The
Hague.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-07-06

IT was because Kentucky Demo-
ocrats were so certain OF carrying the
State thai the State convention took
so long to nominate ticket.
ALTHOUGH the firm of Pingree and
Alger was formed to deal in politics
only, it might appropriately handle
canned beef and potatoes as a side
line.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-07-06

If there is anything in the name,
Gen. Miles would be the proper per-
son to send after the swift Aguinaldo.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-07-06

PARIS, Mo-, June 25. Considerable
pressure is being brought to bear up
on Prosecuting Attorney Rodes to
induce him to quass the original
Indictment against Alexander Jester,
so that he can be reindicted and tried
in Monroe county instead of Audrain.
tits agreed that the prejudice against
Jester in this locality has died out
and the costs incident to o change OF
venue would be saved by holding the
trial at Paris. Although twenty eight
years have elapsed since Jester Is
alleged to have murdered Gilbert
Gates west OF Paris many Of the wit
nesses against him are still living and
practically as strong q case could be
made against him how as when he
was originally indicted. A number Of
parties with whom Jester and Gates
stopped on their trip through Mis-
souri, have volunteered to aid the
State In prosecuting Jester.
A new piece Of evidence against
Jester came to light to- day, ,whenCapt.
Hugh Stewart, now one OF the most
substantial and reliable citizens in
Monroe county, stated that on riding
east from Middle Grove In the after
noon of the day when Gates and Jes-
ter were last seen together, he en-
countered a trail OF fresh blood in the
snow on the prairie, and, on looking
ahead, saw the wagons and tesms of
Jester and Gates. As he approached,
the driver whipped the horses into q
trot, and suddenly turned out OF the
main road into the woods leading to
Allen Greek where the body was sup
posed to have been buried. Captain
Stewart thought at the time that the
blood came from injuries one Of the
animals had received. but on Learning
of Gates disappesranee, concluded
that Jester had shot him and that the
bloody trail was caused by Gates
wounds,
HOW JESTER WAS IDENTIFIED.
TEcUMsEH, Ok, June 2s.-John W.
Gates, the millionaire from Chicago,
when he saw Alexander Jester, ident-
flied him By a scar on the upper lip
under the mustache. Gates had not
seen Jester for 2s years. Gates Is now
II years old, while Jester is . feeble
old man, tall and slender, with 8 dark
complexion. He claims to be 81 years
old.
In an interview Jester said he never
lived in Missouri. He enlisted In the
Union army in 1861 from Indiana,
served through the war, went to Tex
Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-07-06

The life sentence Of Bud Blount has
been commuted BY Governor Stephens
and he will be at liberty on July 4.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-07-06

LIGHTNING struck Mr.. Cleveland's
barn Tuesday, but that is as close as
1t is likely to get to Grover this year
or next.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-07-06

KANSAS CrTY, Nc, June 29.-Alex-
aDder Jester, who Is now held atshaw-
nee, Okla, charged with the murder
Of g. w. Gates in 1871, is not the
only man of that name who is wanted,
either by the authorities or relatives.
A letter from Mrs. Sarah Warner,
dated Elizabeth, Pa, says she has a
brother by that name, who is about so
years old, and who 10 missing. Dis
patches cay that Gov. Barnes, OF Ok
iahoma, has received a letter from 8.
NJ. Jester, of Ellkton, Mimi, inquiring
about the arrested man, saying he had
a brother named Alexander Jester,
whom he has been seeking for twenty
years.
To Globe Democrat reporter ]. W.
Gates said:
"Gilbert W Gates left his home near
Chicago in 1871 for Kansas in search
OF health. AT Wichita he took a con-
tract for building a portion OF the
Santa Fe railroad and was employed
there for several months. In the
fall Of that year he closed up his
business and started for bis home In a
two-horse wagon. He had nearly
5000 in money. Before he reached
Fort Scott he met up with an Alexan-
der Jester, who was bound for Indi-
ana. Jester also had a wagon and
team, and the two men agreed to
travel together. We heard from Gil
bert at Fort Scott, and then his let
ters ceased. My father became un-
easy and began to make inquiries. He
traced the two to a point twelve
miles from Paris, MO-, where Gilbert
Gates disappeared. Beyond this point
Jester was seen with the two wagons,
and In the rear one was the body OF a
man, whether dead or drunk the wit
ness knew not. A mile further on
another witness had seen the wagons
stop by the river side. The river was
frozen over, and there was in the
snow a trace where heavy body had
been dragged to hole In the ice.
About the hole there was blood stains
on the snow. Jester was trailed to
his home In Indiana, where he sold
my brothers. team, and then turned
again toward Kansas. By this time
my father was convinced he would
return to Wichita, SO he went there
and waited. Jester came and was ar
rested by my father and the sheriff.
"Jester's sister, who recently ex-
posed him, was present at the arrest.
On his person were found my broth
er's watch, his clothing and ring
that my father had given him. Jester
was taken to Mexico, Mo-, and plac-
ed in jail. His trial was to be held in
the spring OF 1872. In January of
that year he escaped, and no word
of him had reached my father
until Mrs. Street exposed her broth
er. My father offered q reward OF
q, 800 for the capture and conviction
OF Jester, and the reward win be paid.
"Many of the witnesses are still
living, and there Is little doubt of
TESTERS conviction"
Mr.. Gates and his attorney left for
Chicago this afternoon.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-07-06

Joseph Tate, Of this city, has been
appointed engineer of the new Blees
Military Academy at Macon City. He
win move there with his family. II
viii be remembered that he held
similar position with the NJ. M. A.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-07-06

"Dod," the horse which was seri-
ously burned in John Graham's livery
stable fire, viii, 1t Is believed, recover.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1899-07-06
RPoBABLy TOOK cARBoLIc ACID By
.xs,-...-.-

hEObAhAh AQOh OAhbbLlC AtAO hN
MISTAKE.
Special Dispatch to the Ledger.
LADDoNIA, Mo-, June SO.-Mr. Alva
stotler, living one mile south Of here,
died last night about 10 o'clock from
the effects Of an overdose Of medicine
which he was using for rheumatism
or took by mistake-carbolic acid
which was setting beside the bottle OF
medicine.
Mr.. Stotler was about 40 years Of
age and had lived In Audrain county
twenty years. His health had been
poor and he was financially involved.
He was highly respected In this COM
munity and great sympathy is felt for
his family. Funeral services will be
conducted tomorrow at the NJ. Il.
Church by Rev. Mr.. Mendehhall.