davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-12-14
Odor in the Bottle That of Poison. of Which Large Quantities Are
Found in the Beer te Old Man Drank-Conhicting State
nients Made by Boy Clerk in Victims Store.

REPrBLIc SPECIAL.
New York. Dec. I3.-Cyanide Of potassium
has been found in the beer. in the beer glass
and in the stomach of George f. Leyh. and
the odor of peach kernels, the distinctive
odor of cyanid, of potassium. has been
found in the bromo-seltzer bottle from
which Robert Westphal says he poured .
few grains into the beer glass that poisoned
the old Williamsburg merchant
This announcement was made by the
chemist who has been analyzins the vari-
Gus articles sent him by Coroner Williams.
and the information is confirmed by the
Coroner himself.
In his statement to the Coroner. Robert
WestphaI. the 1.-year-Cld clerk. who worked
in Leyh's store. DECLARED that he had poured
several grains into the beer glass.
But he denied having put any In the heer
bottle. The chemist. however says that
there is a thick sediment in the bottom IF
the bottle due to the presence of cyanide
of potassium, and up To the present he has
found no trace of broTno-SeitZer in either
bottle or glass.
DETECTIVES FIND BOTTLES.
Detectives went to the store. and. in com
pany with Doctor Leyh. secured the bottles
of poison that they fcurd there. These were
of three kinds: Cyanide of potassium, hi
sulphiie OF mercury and ammonium cya-
hide. None of the bottles. save one, which
contained hi-suIphide of mercury. showed
any signs Of having been tempered with.
The settler bottles which have been Sc
cured are two in number. One is entirely
empty, save for some dust of the prepara-
ton ur other chemical which hangs to its
sides. while the other is full, and the seal
has not been broken. 1t is the empty bronze
settler bottle tia: gives out the odor of
peach kernels alluded to by the Coroner.
In his first statement to the Coroner.
westphai said that when he tasted the beer
that the old man said was bitter. he thought
he tasted potash.
Potash said the Coroner. What do
YOU know about the taste of potash?'
81 mean that Il. tastes like potash smells"
said the boy readily. When / was in a gro
Gerry store once a woman bought potash and
the beer tasted exactly like the way the
potash snei!ed."
As potash has not a strong odor the Coro-
ner thought the statement strange. and
when he announced at the first that murder
had been lone in the case he thought It
curious that the boy should have said that
it tasted like potash when it was suspected
even then that cyanide OF potash had been
used.
Second only TO the discovery by the chem
ist of the exact nature OF the poison used TO
commit the murder is the work thai the
police are. doing to find out how much
money there was IN the pcckctbook that
Robert WestphaI declares he found where
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-12-14

I tell stories of the most conflicting char
ac.er.
The boy is the most monumental liar
that ever lived" said Captain Reynolds.
He has contraGicted himself in almost
every important point of his various stories.
| and it is impossible to tell which of his
statements are true.
Although detectives questioned him for
over an hour. they could secure no new
lead in the case. He still sticks to his tale
of having poured a few grains of brono
| se,zer in the beer glass. but he will not
tell US what he did with the purse that
contained the money that he used 10 buy
the bicycle"
Separated from all ~companionship. the
Westphal boy sat around the rooms OF the
Children'S Society all day. hardly opening
his mouth TO speak. Unless questioned he
remained silent. though when iBterrOgated
his answers were quick and generally very
definite.
DETECTIVE MfLLER'S STATEMENT.
Shortly after the detectives had exam
ined him Detective Miller said emphat-
ically:
We may as well drop the suicide
theory once and for all. This is Il case Of
murder. whether We find the evidence that
will enable us 10 convict or not Leyh
was killed by having poison put in his
beer, and that is all there is to it" Mem
hers OF the police force were convinced
that Leyh had committed suicide.
The partial report OF the chemist who
has been making the analysis of the beer
and the contents of Mr. -Leyh's stomach
said Coroner Williams shows that his
death was due to cyanide of potassium.
TIE poison ia in the beer in very large
quantity. II is in the glass from which
ieyh drank. 1t Is in the stomach. And an
odor of peach kernals. which is the dis
tinCtive odor of cyanide of potassium. can
be detected In the brorao bottle that was
on the shelf of the store.
The exact amounts used by the person
who put the syanide there is not definitely
known yet. but the quantity is so large
that II shows n novice did the work.
Il shall not hold the inquest in this case
for another week. when I hope to have all
the evidence that 1 need TO work on"
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-12-14
Kelly Openly Expresses On the Floor of
the House His Absolute Horror
of Combines.

meaning IF this cdange Of front? wan. 70
get TO the bottom Of this thing. Ehe bill
can't be revived now"
Delegate Lehman: a vote to reconsider
is in order. Mr.. Speaker. l demand the
vote"
PASS MEASURE UNANIMOUSLY
Vote shows al entire change OF fron: in
the combine. Every member who voted
asains, the hill sas BOW solid in It's favor.
The measure passes by unanimous vote
Then came Kelly. denouncing obstruction
tactics. and pointing out that he and ais
fellows. charged with forming a combine
10 defeat the public interes. had suffered
great injustice: that after due deliberation
they had found that the bill promised well
for the city. 50 they hearkened 10 the voice
Of the people whom they represented
Later. when Kelly was expelled from the
c,moiae. his contamination Of that form
Of piracy knew To bounds. He became
Kelly the Virtuous. the Champion of the
People. until Joseph W Folk hove into
prominence.
This was part Of the aftermath of the
last act in the House chamber First was
tie Lehman birthday party. when Kelly
distributed the dough" The hearts of all
nineteen We're male happy that night by
the $50 present
In course Of time came MurrelTS flight to
Mexico ana his return Then was Robert
son. he OF the piSICl. confronted 10y Muir
reii. and Robertson .peached,' but did not
use the pistol. Then came the wholesale in
dictIuents VI the nineteen and keiiy's visit
to Europe Ant, finally, keiiy's return il
long-fiowing overcoat and immaculate at
tire, to take his place in the prisoners
dock. no lCnSer to laugh at Tamolyn's faint
hearted. but prophetic, warning uttered at
a combine sitting.
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-12-14

C
Jefferson City, No, Dec. 13.-Congressman
Champ Clark ard Walter Williams, late
editor of the Columbia Herald. are collabo-
rating in the preparation of material for q
book that will be Issued about n year hence
that will deal exclusively with the interest,"
ing events in the early history and develop
men of Missouri and will treat at much
length the various characters that have
contributed SO much to the interesting his
tory OF the State.
They have decided to call it THE Missouri
Sketchbook," that title being one best
suited TO indicate the character Of the pub
icat!on. Both men have been collecting ma
terial for years about the many humorous
and novel characters that are so numerous
in the various counties of the State and
they have secured a wealth of the choicest
material that is now being put in shape by
both men.
The book will be made up entirely of
sketches Of the early settlers and their
descendants, following up the interesting
features OF the pioneer as shown in the
lives and doinss of their descendants.
Clark's breezy and interesting style Of
story telling and the wealth of humor he
has developed with the stories he has been
telling for years as the product of the people
Of Pike County are well kncwn, and this
material, handled as he and his able associ.
at5 are able TO handle II, ought to make one
Of the most interesting volumes of the year.
The pIan Is TO have the book come out
mot much ahead Of the opening CT the
worlds Fair at ST. Louis so that they will
have the great opportunity of the Fair to
help them sell the publication. They believe
sa Is a wide field for the sale of u a
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-12-14

combine member That is a good bill
| We have to have light in this city of ours
II we fail to act the city may be left in
darkness. That would be a public disgrace
and calamity, Therefore. 1 suggest that We
name a modest sum for our votes in this
matter. L suggest that We demand only
s10). go"
Usughter)
Second member: MY colleague has
spoken correctly in stating that this is an
important measure. but 1 am of the opin-
ion tina while he is modest in naming the
figure mentioned. he is not modest enough.
To be practica! I don't think well get
slUo. 900. Let us be reasonable. move that
our price be s75.co9-that"ll keep us for a
while"
Speaker: M. samblyn. glad to see you
with US. Wha: is your opinion on this mat
ter?"
Tamblyn. who is a new member. and visi-
bly, embarrassed: II think $1,000 a fair fig
ure. But. gentlenIen. have you no fear in
talking so bluntly as this? Are you not
afraid that the Whole thing will come out
one of these days and that we'll all so to
the Penitentiary for bribery" loud
laughter
NO FEAR OF PRISON.
Member: danger Of that. We've got
too much pull. Nobody would dare prose-
cute US"
George Robertson, showing a pistol: MI
Tamblyn. if anybody were to peach on
us. I'd be the first to Kill him with this
gun"
Other members: "Robertscn's right;
traitors shall meet a traitors end"
Speaker Murre!I. tapping loudly: Come
to order, gentlemen. We have business to
discuss"
First Member: Il move that my sI0o. 900
proposition be put to vote"
Vote taken by ayes and noes. and ayes
carry
Speaker: THE next order of business
then, is to elect an agent to act for Us
Member: Il wish to put in nomination
MIR. Helms"
Nomination seconded. and, though on
posed by Gutke. Helms is chosen.
Speaker: 'Is there no other new busi-
ness? No? The meeting of the honorable
combine is then adjourned"
Scene 2 would properly be laid in the
House of Delegates chamber. Immediately
after the above parliamentary session.
Ctiitf pli W. IT 10 CNiS TepDEteu Dy aI-
Tamblyn. Combine members. Including Mr.
Kelly, argue against it eloquently. 1t goes
down to defeat by combine vote. Delegate
James Fl. Cronin. now Justice Of the Peace.
denounces combines in no choice language,
and Delegate Charles F. Kelly states in the
hearing of reporters that no legislator could
be expected TO vote for q bill unless he con-
scientiously believed it a beneficial and sat
isfactory measure. He, Kelly, was not con-
WINGED that the Weisbach street lighting
would compare with the arc-light system.
SCENE OF SECOND ACT.
Act II could be laid in the caucus room as
before. The meeting is called to order with
the usual solemnity. After minor matters
are taken UP. Helms is called on 10 report
concerning the 100000 deal. He reports that
he saw the representative of the company
desiring the franchise, who can be termed
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-12-14

tWeEty-eisht members Of the House who
profited off tn- Central Traction deal.
MONEY WAS PLENTIFUL.
It was easy" money. Three thousand dol
lars apiece cut of the Central Traction bill.
500 apiece from the Burlington bill. SJC
apiece frCni the Missouri Pacific bill. s. 80
apiece from 'he lighting bill. $1,000 apiece
FOR the Cnior. Market bill. to say nothing
OF the Council members whose prices were
higher. even to s5e.1p Uthof. Then there
were the innumerabie bills for small privi-
!eses. which are Swallowed into nothinSness
beside the franchise measures.
And the story might be termed The Vir-
;uous Mr.. Kelly 1t has To do with the
iiShting bill He expressed openly on the
io6r of the House lis absolute horror of
combineS- re was a man of the people. and
was elected by the people 10 a responsible
position: therefore he deemed thu opera;ions
Of combines outrageous.
According to infol nation received from
reliable sources. The history of the lighting
measure is Ike q play. the proceedings he
ing a dramatic travesty OF legislation, as
the public cuncsiveS it. The bill was not
in fact passed by the House in open sss-
sion. These regular sittings were but a
kind OF The real legislating
~ fN0S~ w " lHt IlDuSS meetings.
when the combine went into caucus. 1t was
at such a caucus. in October, 1893, that a
price was placed on the fighting bill.
This can be called Act /.
PROCEEDINGS OF COMBINE.
Scene. anteroom to the Chamber of the
House of Delegates. Nineteen chairs and
speakers table. Enter the Einetecr.I
Speaker f. e. Murrell. president, rappirg
gavel. Til honorable couoiue will come
to order"
tThe combine members take seats, with
the exception of ON. who tries the door TO
see that It is safely iccked.l
Speaker Murrell: 1t is unnecessary to
cali the roll or read the minutes of the last
meeting. There are several old matters
pending. How about that - switch bill.
Our agent Will report on that bill"
Agent: Have to report that - has con-
scented 10 our request for $3.50 for the privl-
lege. and now have the money"
Combine in unison: Cough up
Session suspended to divide the money.
Speaker raps for order.
Speaker: ANY new businesso"
julius Lehmann: Council bill No. A. pro-
riding for a ten years lighting contract, is
awaiting the action of the House. as doubt
less you all know. The question is, gentle
men. what is it WORTH
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-12-14

| Charles +. Kelly became the shining light
Of the nineteen Kelly was commissioned
to take back thu patty s2J.Oo. with the
ultimatum that whatever might be true OF
the combine. they were not cheap"
SCENE IN COUNCIL CHAMBER.
Act III. This was the grand finale. The
scene is in the House OF Delegates Cham
her. evening Of November 70. The ls2iSl.-
tors arrive early. hut il is evident that
they are to have an audience. Standing
about are groups of excited citizens with
ropes that are a silent threat. At : o'clock
The Boss strolls il. 1t is his first visit
to the City Hall at night in many 2 long
yea.
Speaker Murr-ll is about to take the
chair. when he - hurriedly called to the
phone in the clerks Office Other combine
member saunter Ito the phone" Outside
the citizens are muttering vengeance
against this. their chosen band of ~Iesis!a-
tors, while the latter are haggling over
the price. Kelly reports that $500 is OF
fered. No decision is reached. The caucus
aGjourns, Speaker Murrell again takes his
seat to preside over the lower house OF
lawmakers.
He raps the gayel loudly. The citizens
are all attention. The BOSS holds coH-
versations in low tones over the lobby rail-
Ing with Members at the desks.
The Boss" TO Kelly: "Forty-seven thou
sand five hundred dollars. no more. no
less"
Kelly: THE boys stick ont for sI5.9r"
The regular order is begun. Cembiner
Schneider has a little bIis" to put through.
Il is disposed Of. Other Delegates have
new bills which are referred to committee.
Speaker Murreli: THE Committee on the
Board of Public improvements measures
Will report"
Tambiyn IS the chairman of this commit
tee. which is the one having the lighting
bill in charge. But he makes no move.
There is more E,rttsring on the part of the
citizens. and \ general riot seems imminent.
Matters seem at boiling point The Boss
again whispers. "Forty-seyen thousand five
hundred dollars. last chance
The combiners interchange cabalistic
signals by mods and slanceS. Delegate Leh-
mann rises.
lehman: 81 move that the vote on Coun-
Gill Bill No. a be considered
Kelly: Il second the notion"
The Boss (scto voce): Il thought III &c.
EN-"
Delegate HoItcamp: Il thought that bill
had been defeated last Friday. What's the
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-12-14
TambIyn Sounded Note of Werninu Three
Years Ago, but Was Laughed at
by Fellow Members.

The testimony at the various Doodle trials
held thus far pieces together tales Of the
methods o. municipal piurderers. which. If
not proven. would not lie believed. and
which demorstrlte that profits in the
Legislation business" as in legitimate Ell
Payments nowadays. are the result only OF
thorough organization.
TIL adventures of Ali Baba's band Of
forty thieves are no more remarkable than
the auddci'Y of the combine q nineteen in
the House OF Delegates or 1870. The emol-
Uments ac"ru!ng TO the latter were probably
greater be'ause of their modern methods.
OF That House bit six remain who are
not under the ban of Indictment or convic-
tion. These are John p. Sweeney. James II.
cronin. Fred C. Zachritz. Lafe Sturderant.
Charles ". Holtcamp. John ]. Rurke.
This is the roll of horsr. though it leaks out
that Sweeney and Cronin would have liked
10 share in the power and the glory Of the
combine, but were refused the honor.
The events and incidents of the careers
in boodlery Of this nineteen have been only
hslf-told. The Julius m birthday
party. at which the $500 d Delegate was
distributed for the lighting bill. is known,
but not the preceding chapters in which
$500 a piece or a round S1eDy go was sought.
CENTRAL TRACTION MEASURE.
An interesting story. thus far untold. has
to do with the Central Traction measure.
Delegate Ritter was the accredited agent of
The House Combine of 1898. As a substantial
incentive to look favorabIy on the railwa.
consolidation bill. Ritter procured S75.r0 10
be distributed among his fellows. He got
It IN the afternoon, went TO his home. then
grew fearful that he would be held I'D on
his way to the House of Delegates Com
b.ne room at the old City Hall. He called
in a couple Of friends to help guard the
luc-e.
Meantime his compatriots. waiting for the
COIN grew anxious. 1t was whispered
that Ritter had skipped" Hurried action
was thought necessary and IA
was sent to Ritter's house. The COMMITTEE.
entered and started upstairs. Ritter and
his friends thought that the robbers had
come. and met the Delegates with clubs
ana f1sts. A free-foT-all ensued in which
serious bruises were sustained before the
identity Of the intruders was discovered. |
Then all was made up and s., 600 apiece was
distributed all round.
subsequently five other House members. |
not In the combine. got wind of the mat |
ter. and threatened to 'squeal.' They, too, |
got their 5000. making twenty-five ont of
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-12-14
TO DECIDE MOTION TOMORROW
Snyder's Appeal for New Trial
Viii iie UiSunspd Of.

Judge Neil Ryan yesterday instructed
Deputy Clerk EDWARD Chamberlain 10 III
form counsel for the State ami defense that
he will render tO-fuOrrow morning his deci-
sion on the motion for Il new trial. which
was filed in the case OF Robert VI. Snyder.
The jury in the Snyder ease on October
decided that the defendant was guilty OF
bribery in the Central Traction deal and
fixed his punishment at five years in the
Peniteutiary.
Boyle. Priest and Lehman. Major William
Warner and Morton Jourdan defended
Snyder. Circuit Attorney Folk and his as
sistants. Andrew c. Maroney and c. Orrick
Bishop. prosecuted the defendant.
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-12-14

phal'S hands an hour after the time he
said he threwN away
The police believe that much more than
so. which, the boy says. he used TO buy
the bicycle. was in the purse.
Robert WsStphal has admitted that he
bought a pair of gloves for which he paid
$50. He told the police that he had used
some of his own money 10 make this latter
purchase
Tho whole trouble with the case lies in
the fact that WestphaI. who seems to be
the only person able to furnish any definite
information regarding the circumstances at
tending the old mans death. continues 10
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-12-14

A mock trial will be held h. the boy
students OF the East ST.. Louis High School
January 2. 1873. The High School Grand
Jury has indicted Hiram Freeman on a
charge of murder. He Will be defended at
the trial by Colin Cross and Keiso Cannady.
RAYMOND McClellaad and Thomas Samuel
will be the attorneys for the prosecution.
alfred Renard. assisted by an East ST.
Louis lawyer. will act as Judge.
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-12-14

twerty-eight members Of the House who
profited off ttl- Central Traction deal.
MONEY WAS PLENTIFUL.
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-12-14
Committee Will Report.

At the regular meeting Of the South
Broadway Merchants Association Tuesday
evening. December IS. at Loebiz.s Hall.
Broadway and Geyer avenue, the festivity
committee Will make a final report Of the
street fair and carnival.
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-12-14

the old man fell after drinking the poisoned
beer.
o CONTRADICTS HIMSELF.
The lad says positively the purse con-
tanned only S21.1S. and that after taking
the money out he threw the purse away.
A boy named Louis. who knew Westphal
We'll. said he saw the poCkstbook in West
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-12-14
Circuit Attorney Folk and Central
Figures in Passage of Doodle
Measures.

The Boss" and that The Boss" had alb
s~clutely refused to pay such q large sum.
The discussion as TO the value Of the fran
chise recpened. and finally the figure was
reduced to sIs.G1. and this time Guike was
commissioned IN do the collecting.
Gutke's mission and its upsh0t would 10
for a separate scene and ~iniects a little
comedy. Gutke reported at a combine meet
ing that he had not been able to get $500.
but had secured Seb.GO. which he produced.
Get out. Gutke." cried his brethren in
boodiery. How much have You sobbled?'
Gutke endeavored 10 explain that he had
been as astute in the matter as man could
be. and that the hest he could do was
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-12-14

He thought a bird in the hand
worth two in the bush. SO had brought
the money along. The meeting almost
broke up in a row, but the end was Gut
ke's dethronenent from the responsible
position as agent" Then 1t was that
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-05-13
OPENING AND CLOSING MAILS

Northern mails, week days, close at 80
and 10 As @. On. and 10, 2 40, 40 and
z 90 pm. Open at s 90 a. M, 10 90 m
and 80 p. m. On Sundays Northern mails
close at BOP. m. ind 20 p. m.
SOntnsrn mails via Charlottesville, close
VI go and 10 45 8. m. and 2 40 and
S65 p, No. Open at 8 90 a. m. and 2 80
and 4:30 P. NJ.
Southern mails, via Richmond, close 81
10 40 a. m. and 2 40 and 90 p. m. Open
st 8 a. n. and 1 and p. IN.
Manassas Division mails close ut 7 so G. N
and As p. m. Open at IL O0m.
Alexandria and Round Hill mails close 81
7 80 a. m. and p. III. Open at 8 90 =. m.
and co p. m.
Chesapeake and Ohio calls close at 2 As
.. m. and z 55 p. m. Open st 8 90 a. m. and
Washington mails close at 7 so and 10 As
q. m, and 15, 2 40, 6 40 and z 55 D. m,
Open at 8 90 a. M, IL 90 u. and 4 90 p. m.
and 30p.m.
Ohaos Hours-Opan at 8 90 9. IN. Close at
60Op.m
sunday HOurs-Opsn st 100 E. m. Closs
at 10 on a N.
Carr ara schsduls-Collectioh made on
aside rOutes-6 30 and 10 90 .. m. and
8 90 srd 80 p, m. Full route--6 30 q. m.
Nnd 30 P. m. Sunday collection 90 D.
-. Cerriers' window open Sunday 8 90 q. m
and close 10 00Am.
Doll eTies made 90 a. M, 1 90 p. w., and
Il N.
AL tail should be in office ten minnie,
hefeys aUr indicated fni cioSinR