Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1901-02-14
SITUATION AT Topeka.
MRS. NATION BRAvED DEATH
TO wREK THE SENATE
SALOON IN THAT ITY.
THE PORTER TRIED TO KILL her.
He Was so Badly Scared That He
Missed Her and Men Seized
Mrs. Nation Had
Several Assistants.
THE PORTER TRIED 10 KILL Her.

Topeka, KAN, Feb. 5.--Mrs. Carrie
Nation inaugurated her crusade
against Topeka saloons this morning.
Accompanied by nine members of the
"hatchet brigade" Of her "Home De-
fenders," she made kindling wood of
the "Senate, a saloon much frequent
ed by members of the State Legisla-
ture. She also attempted to enter
Herman Klauer's place, but here Mrs,
Nation was disarmed and her force
barred out by the proprietor, who was
on watch. The property damaged in
the raid was valued at $1,000. Mrs.
Nation was slightly injured.
1t became known by the saloon
keepers last night that Mrs. Nation
intended to raid their places to-day,
but they did not expect her before 8
O'Clock, and, as the saloon guards come
on watch at 7:30 at all of the places, it
was not thought necessary to get them
up earlier.
MRS. NATION SHOT AT.
When the hatchet brigade swooped
down on the "Senate' at O'Clock
this morning the guards we're all in
bed and there was nobody but the
porter on watch. He saw the char
acter Of the mob and, grabbing re-
volver from beneath the bar, he fired
two shots at Mrs. Nation, who was
not more than ten feet from him and
advancing on the plate glass mirror
with her Ratchet upraised. That he
missed her entirely is accounted for
by the fact that he was scared speech
less by the sight of the saloon wrecker
and her mob.
MEN HELD THE PORTER.
There were four men In Mrs. Ma
tion's brigade and two Of them dis
armed the porter and held him while
the smashing proceeded. 1t was ten
minutes before the wrecking squad
emerged from the saloon and they
appeared well satisfied with their
work. The interior of the saloon is
total wreck. Expensive mirrors,
glassware and pieces Of high priced
slot machines strewed the floor.
A large crowd had collected before
the door Of the saloon, attracted by
the two shots fired and squad of
police appeared around the corner
Just as Mrs. Nation and her party
started for the second saloon.
MRS. NATION HIT WITH HATCHET.
The little band of women strug-
gled valiantly against the superior
strength Of the men, who were trying
to keep them out Of the saloon. In
the melee women were thrown down
and their hatchets taken from them.
Here Mrs. Nation was disarmed and
in the scuffle with the proprietor she
was struck In the face with the fat of
her hatchet. She was put into the
street and her party was barred out
by the guards. Just at this time the
squad of police appeared on the scene
and arrested all of those implicated in
the wrecking of the saloons. They
were charged with malicious destruc-
tion of property and their trial set for
8 O'Clock Thursday morning. Chief Of
Police Frank Stahl is very friendly
toward Mrs. Nation and the trial will
be in the nature of a friendly test of
he law to see If Mrs. Nation can be
held responsible for the destruction of
property used in the liquor business.
CHIEF DOESN'T CARE, HE SAYS.
In an interview with reporter for
paper this afternoon, Chief of
Police Stahl said:
81 do not care IL Mrs. Nation
smashes 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 to arrest her every time she
creates a disturbance or destroys
property. Imust perform my outy by
arresting her and turning her over to
the courts for trial. If we had the
right kind OF state officers 1t wouldn't t
be necessary for Mrs. Nation to dc
what she is doing"
At the police station Mrs. Nation
was formally charged with disturbing
the peace and her name was entered
on the docket. The police judge was
at the station. Mrs. Nation refused
to 60 to his room to see him regarding
her offense, but insisted that he come
to her, which he did, and she was re
Leased IN her own recoQnizance.