The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-02-07
FINEST JOINT IN
Topeka WRECKED
=
tOIrCrusaders With Hatchets
Wrought Havoc.
MRS. NATl0N THElEAnER
MRS. NATION THE LEADER
She WAS Arrested. But, Release Fol-
lowed Quickly.
CHIEF OF POLICE STRONG sYMpATHlzER
y Don't Care" He Says, If Sister Nation
Smashes Every Joint in Topeka. The
State Officers Don't Do
Their Duty
lBy the Assoeiated Press.l


Topeka, Kansas. Feb. 5.-Mrs Carrie
Nation and three followers today wrought
damage to the extent of $1,000, in the
Senate" the finest equipped Joint in
Topeka. She also gained the first police
protection.
The police followed up her raid Of to-
day and arrested the proprietor of the
senate and two men who were guard
ing the place and the stock of liquor the
saloon secured to sell the crowd that
Hooked to view the wrcckage Mrs. Ma
lion was arrested but promptly released.
Mrs. Nation and her wreckers, each
armed with Ratchet, sailed forth at
daybreak. They forced their way past
negro who guarded the door of the
Senate" and in less than ten minutes
had strewn the floor with broken mirrors
bottles, slot machines and splintered bar
fixtures. The negro fired shot of warn
ing into the ceiling but it had no effect.
Presently policeman stalked leisurely
into the room and said:
Well, Sister Nation, l guess well
have TO arrest you again"
Mrs. Nation had just smashed the last
bottle and was ready to go.
The police judge was glad TO release
her when she appeared for trial and adj
ministered a rebuke to that official. Mrs.
Nation soon walked down Kansas avenue,
free again.
Later Chief Of Police Stahl in an in
terview with reporter said:
II do not care ii Mrs. Nation smashes
every joint in Topeka. | sympat hize with
her. l hope she will close up the saloons
OF the city. As an officer of the law,
though, 1t is my duty to arrest her every
time she creates disturbance or destroys
property. IL we had the right Kind Of
State officers ii would not be necessary
for Mrs. Nation to do what she is doing.
There are reports of plots to hurt Mrs.
Nation. 1t was said that several saloon
men have charged thick glass bottles with
tremendous pressure so that an explosion
will follow their being broken. She is
not at all disturbed by these stories.
Today Mrs. Nation made an appeal to
the children of the high schools of the
United States in which she urged chill
dren everywhere to smash saloon windows
with rocks.
When Mrs. Nation appeared in court to
answer the charges of disturbing the
peace" and smashing a joint" the first
charge was dismissed, Notwithstanding
the crusader demanded trial, and a
hearing on the second charge was set for
Thursday, the prisoner being released
without bond.
THE charge of disturbing the peace
is dismissed stated Judge Magraw, as
the crusader stood at the railing. The
charge followed her arrest yesterday af-
ter her fruitless attempt to wreck the
Unique restaurant.
Il object to the dismissal" exclaimed
Mrs. Nation. II was arrested wrongfulIy
and deprived. of my liberty,
To the charge of smashing joint Mrs.
Nation replied:
II plead guilty to that. l rather think
! did smash it"
The prisoner demanded that the city
attorney be brought in and be compelled
to give cause for arresting her yester-
day. The police Judge tried to ignore
her and the chief of police refused to
listen to her demand.
Then Judge Magraw began to read the
law touching offenders who create pub
lie disturbance or cause riot.
Mrs. Nation interrupted several times
and said to the Judge: You might az
we'll read a novel to me as that stuff.
1t doesn't cover my case
The judge was indignant and Chief
Stahl threatened to have the marshal put
her out.
Judge Magraw has no desire to hold
the prisoner and permitted her to go on
her own rccognizance to appear next
Thursday for trial.
Mrs. Nation thanked him. shook hands
and departed
Mrs. Nation was again arrested to-
night on warrant sworn out by the
owners OF the Senate" saloon She is
charged with malicious destruction of