The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-01-20
Thrilling Adventure of the
Assistant State Treasurer.
State House People We're Very
Much Excited.
HOW ITALLHAPPENED
Official Meets With Misfortune
in Bath Room.
Pipes Break Nearly Drowning
Him Like Rat.

When Frank Grimes named 7. I.
Kelly for his assistant, an idea that Mr.
Kelly might face death in the office
bath tub did not enter Mr.. Grimes
head and Mr.. Kelly himself has never
believed that he would leave the earth
by the water route. Yet, Mr.. Kelly
came near crossing the river yesterday
and today when thinking of it, breaks
out in cold perspiration at the very
thought of the fate he escaped by
lucky. chance of fortune.
The treasury department was nrst
alarmed yesterday forenoon by screams
and calls for help. The Office was astir
with the employees who rushed about
thinking some one was in deadly peril.
The source of the cries could not be dis
| covered. The muffied sounds caused
some of them to imagine that some I'M
fortunate being was being crushed to
death on the floor below. The employees
| and officials from adjoining offices rush
| ed in to offer assistance, the sounds of
| distress having penetrated the corr1-
| doris. Some one suggested that the
| people in the lower part of the state
| house were dying owing to shock
caused by having had their windows
| cleaned SO the light penetrated the
offices.
Many suggestions were made as to
the origin of the cries but ali were non
plussed.
where's Kelly" yelled Frank Grimes
eXcitedly.
I'm bet he's caught in the big safe
| door," screamed Roy Richey making
run for the inner vault. He expected
| to find Kelly's mangled remains crushed
| between the huge doors.
Not here" echoed Richey emerging
| from the vault.
| Listen; that's Kelly's voice." said
| John Dawson.
"Of course it's Kelly; Oh, the poor
| boy; where on earth is he" This from
| Grimes who thought Kelly was going
| 70 haT h7sT7 t5v,rr nd he
| dreaded the fight which would follow
| for Kelly's job.
| Hes been dragged out into the hall
! and is being murdered said Charley
| Ridgway.
Wen see about that" said w. v.
Church, making a run for the door into
| the hall.
At that moment the hall door opened.
| Auditor George Cole same into the room
| pale with fright. Behind him at a re-
| spectacle distance were Wiley Cook,
| Dick Sanders, Irve Cole, all trembling
| as though expecting to find a murder
| and highway robbery in progress.
Frank Nelson, Al. LindeH, George
| Clark and A. J.Whitmore came running
across the corridor. Clark was putting
| but kept his coat buttoned and looked
| wise. Mr.. Nelson's hair was standing
| up. Iindel1S wasn't because he has
but little. Henry Allen came to the
rescue carrying a waste basket as a
| weapon, while around the other end of
the corridor Attorney General GODDARD
was peering, acting as though he want
ed to bolt out the south door and get
away, but really felt that he should
offer assistance if he could
| There was a great movement of feet
in the corridors and in the treasurer s
office. The subdued cries for help, grow
ing weaker and less frequent We're still
heard in the treasurer's office and in the
corridor.
Il fear that some of the workmen
have fallen down that light shaft said
some one.
mo. that would have killed him. He
could not make a sound if he has fallen
down that far" said another.
I'VE can soon tell said Grimes max
shaft. The door was locked.
Help" came family from the in
side.
Here; here; here's the place." shrek
The cries for help continued but the
fright held the rescuers back.
Break down the door" shouted some
one in the rear of the excited crowd
Send for Mooney; tell him to bring a
sledge,'' shouted Mr.. Crimes pulling in
stead Of pushing on the door.
Al. Mooney came i'll about this time
carrying a tack hammer. The friends
of the supposed dying man didn't notice
the sledge Mooney had until he made a
vicious swipe at the door.
At that instant the latch clicked. The
| crown QISW OdCk expecting 10 CONFRONT
a corpse. The door opened and Kelly
stepped from the bath room a sorry
looking sight. He had been taking a
bath. The water pipes burst, and
flooded him. His lungs were filled with
water and the cries for help which the
crowd had heard were groans and
sounds from the strangling Kelly who
had gotten out of the flood and was
trying to put on his clothes which were
soaked, so he could get out of the build
ing to his room for another suit.
Every man connected with this Incl
dent has sworn to deny that it occurred.
TOMEET AT SALT LAKE