The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-11-30
Takes Shady Means to Make
Money Easily.
HIS SMOOTH SCHEME.
Appears at a House and Repairs
a Cellar Furnace.
Then Quietly Collects His Bill
From the Renter.
Has No Authority to Act and
Spells the Furnace.

Kansas City, Kan, Nov. 30.-Ed. White,
one of the gallant soldiers boys who, by
swimming the Bagbag river, in the Philip
pines. contributed largely to the success
Of a battle, the winning of which made
Fred Funston general. was a defendant
in Justice Spitzs court Wednesday, but
he did not appear for trial;
White and W. B. Trembly, now city
clerk of Kansas City, Kan. were two OF
the greatest heroes of the war IN the
Philippines for time In the course OF
him world famous. General Funston came
to the Bagbag river A strong force OF
wanted to drive them out. but there were
no visible means of getting across F1nal-
with rope under a heavy 4re from the
enemy-an exploit which enabled Funston
70 cross with a small force OF men and
dislodge q much stronger BODY OF Fill
pines.
The story Of Whites more recent exploit
told in Justice Spitz's court indicates that
he has not yet lost any of his personal
daring or coolress and holiness in carry
ing out his plans, which won MIN q repu-
tation, although 1t appeared from the evil
dence that he has taken tumble from
the pedestal on which people elevated him
after the heroic exploit above described
rested. chargeF on complaint of Mrs. A B.
Sargent Of GAPS Charlotte. Their case
was continued twelve times, but finally
came to trial in Justice SDitz,s court yes
terday. They had been out on bond all
ST the dates for which the trial was set,
excepting tbs last three, on which the
hero failed to appear. The other man was
convicted and hned $50 and costs
Mr. and Mrs. Sargent live in a house
the rental agent of which is c. D. Parker.
On September Is, according to Mrs Sar-
names as Jeffries and Wilson came to
their house, and, without saying anything
hammer1ng away at the furnace. Mr..
Parker, the rental agent, had been hay-
saw nothing strange about their conduct
until they came up and asked her to pay
s'Why. Mr. Parker has been paying for
all the repairs here himself" Mrs. Sar-
That's true one of the men explained,
but he told US that you would pay us
for the work, and that he would settle
rent
Mrs: Sargent thought this was very
singular, but their cool effrontery de-
eeived her into the belief that they were
telling the truth
ally replied, but I will give you that and
you can come back for the balance in the
To this proposal the supposed furnace
repa1rerS readily aSsented. Mrs Sargent
got the money for them and they went
When Mr.. Sargent came home he
Ihough[ the business decidedly shady, and
to It The latter said he had ordered no
thought of telling anybody to collect from
occupants of the house for repairs. It was
decided, therefore, to have two policemen
at the house the next morning to assist
in receiving the men if they returned
Their astonishing holiness had not left
while they slept, and the next morning
they came back, and walked into the arms
of the officers
Mr.. Trembley stated yesterday that so
far as he knew, White had always borne
a good reputation and been a straight fell
low. He knew that he had been arrested,
but manifested considerable surprise when
told that he had failed to appear for trial.
From the evidence in the case, it ap-
peared that, instead of repairing the fur
mace. which was in good working order
the men hammered it half to pieces and
made very material repairs necessary.