Richmond planet., 1901-02-09
THE KANSAS CRUSADE
Mrs. Nation Manages to Wreck
Topeka's Finest Saloon.
TWICE ARRESTED AND RELEASED

sslOcnists who Opposed Her Were
Also Placed Under Arrest-A BilI To
LeEalire Joint Smashing to Re Ia
troduced in the Legislature.
Topeka. Kan, Feb. 6.-Mrs. Carrie
Nation and three followers yesterday
wrought damage to the extent of 81. 500
In the Senate" the finest equipped
'9oint" in Topeka She did more, for
she gained the first police protection
given her since she started out on her
saloon smashing career at wichita a
month ago. The police followed up her
raid or yesterday and arrested the pro-
prietor Of the Senate and two men who
were guarding the place. Mrs Nation
was arrested, but promptly released.
MRS. Nation and her wreckers, each
armed with hatclIet, sailed forth at
dayoreak- They forced their way past
q negro who guarded the door Of the
Senate, and In less than ten minutes
had strewn the floor with broken mir
rors, bottles, slot machines and splin-
tered bar fixtures. The negro dred a
shot OF warning into the ceiling. but
It had no effect. Presently a policeman
stalked leisurely into the room, and
said:
We'll, Sister Nation, I guess well
have to arrest you again"
Mrs. Nation had Just smashed the
last bottle and was ready to go.
"AlI right" she responded cheerily,
you came just when 1 wanted you to-
She turned back as she reached the
door and inquired:
Everything cleaned up, ladiesf"
The police Judge was glad to release
her when she appeared for trial and ad-
ministered a rebuke to that official.
Mrs. Nation soon walked down Kansas
avenue, free again.
Michael Wagner, supposed to be the
owner OF the Senate, made the best of
his opportunity and promptly secured a
quantity OF liquor to supply the thirst
OF the crowd that poured into his place
to view the wreckage.
During the afternoon two deputies
from Sheriff Cooks office raided the
place and arrested Wagner, Shep Lytle
and two guards and took charge OF the
stock Of liquors.
Later Chief of Police Stahl, in an in
terview with reporter, said:
Il do not care If Mrs. Nation snashes
every joint in Topeka. / sympathize
with her. ! hope she will close up the
saloons OF the city. AS an officer OF
the law, though, 1t Is my duty 10 arrest
her every time she creates a disturb
ance or destroys property. II we had
the right kind OF state officers IL would
not be necessary for Mrs. Nation to do
what she is doing"
After Mrs. Nation and her followers
had departed from the wrecked Senate
and the place had been reopened for
business by the proprietor the crowd
In the saloon soon became so large that
1t required four bertenders to wait on
them. Among those present were ad-
Vocates OF temperance who wished to
see the work OF the crusaders. The
crowd around the bar demanded scuVe-
Mrs, and the bartenders gathered up
bits or glass from the broken mirror.
giving away small piece with every
glass OF beer. A man stationed him
self at the front door and cried: Sou
venirs with each and every glass of
beer" Those who did not drink beg
ged for souvenirs. Small pieces of
glass sold for five cents.
Mrs. Nation was again arrested last
night on warrant sworn out in the
city court by Kelly & Lytle, who own
ed the Senate saloon. She is charged
with malicious destruction of property.
Her bond was placed at $100, and she
was released till Saturday, at which
time her trial will take place.
John Z. Nicholson, a lawyer from
Newton, is here with bill he has pre-
pared to legalize joint smashing. He
claims that legislator has promised
TO introduce the bill for the consider
alton OF the legislature. Mr.. Nichol-
son says that Mr.. Nation violates no
law when she smashes property that is
being used for unlawful purposes
Yesterday Mrs. Nation dictated an
appeal 'to the children OF the high
schools of the United States" in which
she urged children everywhere to
smash saloon windows with rocks.