The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-07-29
A LONG TIME
TWEEN DRINKS
Says Governor of Missouri to
Governor of Kansas.
Frank I1mbree Hanging Incl
dent Is Now Closed.
MR.. STEPHENS SAYS so.
No Longer Amy Danger of War
Between States.
News From the State House
Departments.

A few weeks ago Governor Stanley
honored a requisition from Governor
Stephens of Missouri for the arrest and
return to that state of Frank Embree,
wanted at Fayette for a revolving
crime. 1t was claimed the man would
be lynched and his friends wanted the
governor to refuse to issue the requisi-
ton, but Governor Stanley did not con-
slider this request after receiving what
he construed to be a pledge from Gov
ernor Stephens that Embree would be
protected.
Embree was Iynched whereupon Gov
ernOr Stanley stated publicly that Gov
ernor Stephens had broken faith. This
statement was printed. Governor Steph-
ems saw it and he has sent the follow
ing official communication to Governor
Stanley:
To the Governor of Kansas, Topeka.
Kansas:
souri,, jefferson City, Mo, July 20
Dear Sir; My attention has just been
directed to a special telegram from your
city of the 25th inst, which does your
office and mine an injustice and places
us before the public in a false light, be-
cause the telegram states there is no
little Indignation in your state admin
istration circles over my failure to keep
my word with you to protect Frank
Embree, colOred (WhO was lynched near
Fayette, Mo, recently), from mob vio-
lence; that you demanded and secured
from me an absolute promise that the
authorities of Missouri would protect
Embree, and upon this solemn pledge
given you by me you hOnored my requl-
Sition- 1t says further that your pri-
Vate secretary, Hon. Henry Allen, Sug-
gests that it felt 1 made no deter1nine ed
effortSto keep my pledge and adds that
in the future it will be more difficult
for Missouri authorities to get requisi-
tions honored in Kansas for negroes.
L say this purpOrted telegram does
US both an injustice. 1 have not failed
to keep my word with you or anyone
else that L am aware of. You did not
demand of me and did not re-
ceiVe from me an absolute promise or
a promise of any kind, that our author
tiles would protect the negro assauIter,
Frank Embree. There is nothing on file
in your office from me this subject.
If am right respectfully suggest that
you simply call the attention of the
correspondent to this fact that he has
misrepresented both you and me and
your private secretary. MY relations
with the governor of Kansas have al
ways been pleasant and cordial, and I
do not wish an irresponsible and mis-
chieVOuS newspaper correspondent to
disturb them and to come between US
and our people.
very much to my regret, Embree
was hung, as is reported after, however.
I urged in a letter to Sheriff Gibson of
Howard county that he do all in his
power to protect his promise to YOU the
credit of the state and county and to
protect if possible Embree from mob
violence. The crime was a heinous one,
repulsive to every good citizen of the
county where it was committed, and the
sheriff can not be held responsible fo1.
his failure to do what he hoped and
earnestly endeavOred to do. AS far as
Missouri is concerned. take it the incl
dent is closed
with assurances of high regard, I
am yours very respectfully,
LON V. STEPHENS, Governor"