The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-08-31
He is INSANE.
Frank McCluskey Released From
Asylum to Plague Officers.
Was Pronounced Cured by the
Authorities.
STATE HOUSE.
Makes Life Miserable For
Treasurer Grimes.
Public Should BePrOtected Even
If Political FaVOrites Suffer.

The affairs of the state treasurer
have been running smoothly until with
in the past few weeks when life be
came a burden to Frank Grimes owing
to the persistence with which Frank
McCluskey has pursued him, demand
ing the removal of Thomas Kelly from
the position of assistant treasurer.
Kelly's enemy has been in the insane
asylum in this city and was recently
released. Since that time he has been
in Topeka and is making a life work
of the effort TO get Kelly out of office.
McClusky is the man who claims that
the state authorities, he does not say
who, robbed him of a fortune. He de-
clares that he had $4,000 or $4,000 be-
fore leaving PaOla but since he has
been in the asylum it has all disappear
ed. He charges that the state has
taken the money and applied it to some
unselfish philanthropy for which he re-
ceives no credit and no interest.
When he lived in PaOla McCluskey
was one of the most successful men in
the town. He was a lawyer and a
polished gentleman but his mind be-
came unbalanced and he was sent to
the asylum.
A few weeks ago this man went to
the home of Mr.. Grimes and startled
the family by his actions He called
the treasurer off into a secluded spot
in the yard and said:
You must get rid of Kelly"
What do you mean?'' asked Grimes
who was considerably alarmed at the
strange conduct of the man.
He is a dangerous character" re-
piled McCluskey.
The calm demeanor of the visitor sur
prised Mr.. Grimes who could not make
up his mind as to whether he was
crazy.
Kelly will ruin you if you keep him."
continued McCluskey.
What's the matter with Kelly?'' in
Quired Grimes.
Then the visitor pronounced Kelly a
gigantic fraud. He applied a large
number of choice epithets to the assist
ant treasurer and renewed the warning
and suggested to Mr.. Grimes the i'm
prOpriety of housing in the Office such
a dangerous character.
The visitor then disappeared and the
treasurer paid no more attention to the
incident Later McCluskey appeared
at the office of the governor and de-
manded the return of the thousands
which he claimed had been taken from
him by the authority of the state and
the connivance of the officials with
whom he had come In contact while
absent from home and spending his
time in the asylum. The force in the
executive office was not employed TO
oust insane men but there was time
when the subject of calling for police
protection was considered but it was
abandoned until some future time, be-
cause the cause of the excitement dis
appeared. No more was heard from
him and his visits ceased and now he
is making the campaign against Kelly
McCluskey would probably never
have thought of Kelly had he not met
him on the street one day. Then the
desire for revenge against a citizen of
the town in which the probate judge
had pronounced him insane came upon
McCluskey and he has been after Mr.
Grimes ever since. His visits to the
home of the state treasurer have be
come annoying and unless they cease
Mr.. Grimes will be compelled to ask
officers pha1sCn M
key.
The unfortunate man has taken q
new tack in his efforts to get the money
which he claims is due him and has
sent the following letter to the state
treasurer:
Topeka, Kansas, Aug 26 1899
Mr.. Grimes, State Treasurer, Topeka,
Kansas.
Kindly inform me if either through
supreme court or governor you have
been instructed to pay to Hon. f 2.