The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-08-21
ISLAND REFUGE.
st. Marys JOintists Have Been
Driven Out.
Now Claim Protection of Ma
tiOnaI Government.
THEIR NEW LOCATION
Set Up Bars on an Island In the
KaW.
Run a Ferry and Think State
Can Not Reach Them.

There is a new Klondike in Kansas.
It is in the middle of the Kaw river, on
a small island, a short distance from
st. Marys and there the thirsty pOpula-
ton of the town and surrounding coun-
try, after a free ride on a ferry boat,
is supplied with cooling beverages from
pumps and kegs or with something
stronger"
Governor Stanley will not be re
quested to suppress this new Klondike
because it is claimed the island upon
which it is located is out of the juris-
dictiOn of the state authorities. State
laws viii not reach OffenSeS committed
thereon and the vender of liquors seems
to have the privilege of conducting the
new KlOndike well in hand, because he
is doing business under government
license.
The Kaw river is by law declared to
be a navigable stream. 1t is claimed,
under the laws governing navigable
streams, that the government controls
the land in mid-Stream, consequently
the state authorities or the county au-
thOrities have nothing to do with the
enforcement of the law upon islands in
the KaW. 1t is also claimed by the new
KlOndike proprietor that under a gov
ernment license to sell liquor he is free
from prosecution by any authority and
promises the thirsty ones to furnish
them plenty TO drink as long as the
river is open to navigation by his ferry
boat. When the river freezes the KlOn-
dixie proprietor promises to run sledge
line across the ice for the benefit of
those who can not skate or walk on
ice.
st. Marys has, in the years past,
been supplied with saloons and joints
just as are all the other towns in kan
sas. Recently a fight started and ev-
cry saloon and joint has been closed up
by the county attorney For a time
there were several saloons which op-
Grated without interference during the
close
up on Sunday. The conditions were
such that the people protested and the
fight in which the county attorney
closed all of them every day in the
week resulted.
For a few days the town was dry.
Citizens with tongues hanging out
longed for drink of cool beer but it
could not be found To relieve the dis
tresSing conditions two men 1efied the
authorities. They re-Opened their
joints or saloons. They were running
they were arrested and prosecuted.
They are now under sentence to pay
fine Of $500 and to serve 100 days in
Jail.
This heavy tribute for twenty-four
hours working a beer pump was too
much and the viola tors surrendered
Then came the Klondiker.
The man of the hour had procured
a government license and control of the
island. He erected a small building
and mounted a plate mirror and an
elaborate bar. A grand opening was
held at which the ferry boat on the
continuous cable made its trial trip 1t
was packed to the hand rails and the
klOndike was a success. Under the
shade of the large trees on the island
settees and comfortable chairs were
placed. These were all filed while
some men stretched out on the grass
and took chances on having a continued
battle with chiggers.
The opening day was a great success.
The klOndike every day is a success.
The patronage of the Klondike is so
extensive that it is possible for three
thirsty men to ride in a buggy to the
ferry boat landing for a quarter the
Klondike transfer line doing the busi-
ness of hauling prospective patrons.