The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-09-09
OATH BOUND.
Fearful Obligation Taken by
st. Louis Aldermen
Who Entered Into Combine for
Purpose Of Doodle.
DEATH THE PENALTY
For Revealing Any OF the Sc.
crets of the Alliance.
Lighting Scandal Is Now Sub
ject Of Investigation.


st. Louis Sept. s.-The search for the
nine indicted alleged members of the
house of delegates Doodle combine, who
have thus far eluded the police and
deputy sheriffs, became the principal
business of both classes of officers today
after the night had passed without the
capture of any of the men sought.
The homes and accustomed haunts of
Edmund Bersch, julius Lehman,
Charles f. Kelly. Louis Decker, Kid
Sheridan, Chas. J. Denny and Emile
Hartman We're watched by policemen
all night and these watchers were re-
ieved this morning by other policemen
and deputy sheriffs. VIM NJ Temblin is
in Cleveland. Ohio, and Adolph MADEIRA
is in Colorado. Chief Kiely has offered
to- place the entire police force, if need
ed, at the disposal of the circuit attor-
ney in aid of the deputy sheriffs. The
places of egress from the city have been
guarded, and bridges. stations, ferries
and street car termini are being closely
WATCHED.
About Kelly and Lehman, who are
| now under heavy bonds Kelly In a
pending trial and Lehman on an ap-
peal. the police feel less solicitude. They
express the belief that these two are
simply trying to find bondsmen.
Although two deputy sheriffs have
been searching for him continuously
| Delegate Charles F. Kelly of the Twen-
| tieth ward, former speaker of the house.
seems to have disappeared That he is
| still in st. Louis. however. and within
| a short distance of friends. is believed.
He telephoned to the Four Courts late
| sheriff that it would not be necessary to
hunt for him: that he intended to ap-
pear and give bond today
The present status of the members Of
the alleged combine Is as follows:
In Circuit Attorney Folks custody
John K. Murrell, Ed H. Murrell, George
/ F. Robertson.
| In custody of sheriff and police-Jchn
! III. Schnettler, ]. j.. Hannfgan. John
Halms, Otto Schumacher. and Charles
| Gutlse.
Released on bond-Harry A. Feulkner.
Not apprehended-Emile Hartman,
Charles F. Kelly, Charles ]. Denny,
Louis Decker. Edmund Bersch, John 4.
Sheridan, and Julius lehman:
Cleveland. O.; Adolph MADEIRA, in Colo
l RADIO.
/ It developed today that an oath was
administered to each OF the nineteen
members of the combine whose identity
was disclosed by the confession of j.
| X. Murrel yesterday. A copy of the
oath has been given to Circuit Attorney
Folk and the grand jury. 1t is as fol-
lows:
u do solemnly swear before the AL
mighty God that in associating myself
and in becoming a member of this COM
bine I will vote and act with the COM
bine whenever and wherever may be
SO expected to do.
"And further solemnly swear that
I will not, at any place or time reveal
the fact that there is combine, and
that will not communicate to any per-
son or persons anything that may take
place at any meeting of the combines
And I do solemnly agree that, in
case I should reveal the fact that any
person In this combine has received
money, I hereby permit and authorize
other members of this combine to take
the forfeit of my life in such manner as
they may deem proper, and that my
throat may be cut my tongue torn out
and my body cast into the Mississippi
river.
And all of this I do solemnly swear
SO help me God"
John K. MurrelPs statement that the
house combine of 1S99-1900, of which he
was a member, accepted bribes of 81,
| 500 each for their votes on the lighting
bill of 1900 made the lighting scandal
the chief topic of Investigation by the
grand jury today.
Shortly after noon Edmund Berscl
was taken into custody. He was lodgec
in Jail in default Of 900 bail, as were
also John H. Schnetler, J. J. Hannigan
John Helms, Otto Schumacher ant
Charles Gulke, who spent last night ani
this morning at their homes in the Gus
} tody of the deputy sheriffs.
| Former Delegate w. M. Tamblyn Il
under arrest in Cleveland, Ohio Chic
of Police Kiely was called to the long
distance telephone by Tamblyn today
The latter informed the police that h
had been arrested and desires to return
to st. Louis at once. He requested thar
an officer be sent sfter him with as lit
tie delay as possible.
When the warrant for Tamblyn as on,
of the Is men implicated by John K
| Murrells confession was made out Mon
day, Chief Kiely at once wired the po
lice authorities at Cleveland, wher
Tamblyn now resides, to arrest the for
: mer dele$ate.