The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-08-16
DENS OF VICE.
Topeka Surrounded with Chain
of Road Houses.
Stones Folly Is One Of Latest
and Most PalatiaI.
NEIGHBORS PROTEST.
Sheriff Cook Says He Doesn't
Know About It.
Several Residences ON the Out
skirts Have Been Rented.
ONE ON EAST SIXTH.
Another About to Be Opened on
West Sixth.
Negotiations For DIR. Roby Prop
erty in South Topeka.
Nothing Being Done to Check
the Spread.
ONE ON EAST SIXTH.
Another About to Be Opened on
West Sixth.
Negotiations For DR.. Roby Prop
erty in South Topeka.
Nothing Being Done to Check
the Spread.

Stones Folly, southwest of Topeka,
has been transformed from a Bible
school into a gaudily furnished road
house within the last month. This is
but the beginning of system of road
! houses that are to be located in the
country surrounding the city and away
from the jurisdiction of the police
A month ago Harry Croft, who at
one time was one of the most prosper
GUS jointists in Topeka, bought the
place. The building was occupied by
Rev. Charles H. Parham and his Bible
school. The place was owned by the
American Bible society, who were
forced to take the property several
years ago to satisfy a mortgage. Croft
gave it out that he was going to start
a large chicken ranch. He bought the
property. consisting of the three-storS
mansion and ten acres, from the Bible
company. Croft bought a wagon and
hauling feed to his chicken ranch and
eggs to market, and it is said he is
really raising chickens.
Croft bargained with tine American
Bible society for the place for $1,000 He
paid $500 down, and the contract is that
he is to pay $500 annually until the
purchase price has been paid. The
managers Of the Bible society often an
nounced that they would not dispose OF
the property to anyone who would use
is for any illegal purposes.
Soon after he had closed the deal for
the place Croft moved out there and
bought a large amount of furniture to
use in furnishing the house. The
Folly cost $40. 900 when it was built.
1t is covered with all sorts of towers
and cupOlas and dorEner windows, and
t~,r- re+ ~ a
building has a high basement. two
stories and a large finished attic story.
The interior is finished in various kinds
of expensive woods. carving and other
expensive Ornamentations. 1t is one
of the largest residences ever built in
or near Topeka.
Two years ago Croft gave up the
joint business in Topeka. He had been
operating a large joint at 40 Kansas
avenue. He was arrested with regu-
Iarity, and finally closed his place and
moved to the Indian reserva ton He
found that business there was risky,
and went to St Marys, where for a
tine he flourished in the chicken bust
ness. he says. A month ago he re-
turned to Topeka and opened negotia-
tions for the building he now occu-
pies.
Complaints have been made to Sheriff
Porter Cook by Robert Stone, who lives
close to the Folly" Stone and the
neighbors are keeping a close watch on
place ouSTiII NOOk says ne hAAOWS
nothing about the place except what
he has heard. Saturday night a car
rfage load of people who were return
ing from the place at a late hour over
turned the carriage and wrecked it.
Drinks are served, and the establish
ment is complete in every detail
THERE ARE OTHERS.
Crofts place is but one of at least
three road houses now in operation
/ .ou Arnold who conducted a place on
lower Kansas avenue, has been run
ming road house east of town on the
Sixth street road for some time She
has rented what is known as the Golden
property.
Bill George has been running a road
house south of town on the Topeka ave-
nue. road across the Shunganunga for