davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-13

tanned and no one about the state
house has been found who knows him
or in what capacity he was employed.
His employment was never authorized
by the house, and he never took the
oath of office so far as is shown by the
journal. In other words, his name ap-
pears to have been put on the pay roll
without authority by some one.
The question now arises. was Ritter a
real employe, or only a straw man? Did
a person by that name really draw the
warrants issued in his name. or is the
name a fictitious one, and was the mon
ey drawn by some party who also knew
about the Brakeman deal? Did the per-
son who made the erasures and wrote
the forged signatures of Brakeman also
make the erasures and forge the name
of Ritter for the $120 warrant?
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-13
FRAUD PILES up.
More Evidences of CrOOkednesS
in Legislative Pay Rolls.
Were "Dummy" Men Used to
Secure Much Money!
WHO is E. RITTER?
His Name Appears on Warrants
for $4,000.
No Record That Such a Man
Was Ever on Pay Roll.
Mr. Brakeman Says Harry
Parks Told Him.
WHO is E. RITTERl

State Auditor Wells is positive that
the letter which he received yesterday
containing $50 and an alleged explana-
ton of how the warrants made out in
the name of Sid Brakeman were Sc
cured. is a ruse. The person writing
the letter alleges that he entered the
state auditors Office While the clerks
were gone to lunch. that he then Sc
cured the warrants and signed the
warrant register, first with his own
name, and then erasing that. with
Blakemans
The warrants are kept in leather
case and arranged alphabetically, so
that if a person once secured the case
he could easily find the warrants. But
Auditor Wells says it was impossible
for any person to get hold of the war
rant case, for it is always placed in
the vault and the combination is
turned on when the clerks go to lunch.
Besides this, the signatures on the
warrant register are not the same as
the endorsements on the back Of the
warrants. at least this is the opinion
of Secretary of State Burrow, Auditor
Wells, Bank Commissioner AIbaugh,
and others who have examined the Two
signatures. an the endorsements on
the warrants the letters are usually
sharp at the top and the "a" is cor
rectly made 1t looks as though the
signature was written in an Offhand
manner. The signature on the register
looks as though it is la bored and care
al the TOD. the "a" lool-s like an 20"
in both instances. and the writing is
not as much OF the back-hand style as
the endorsements on the warrants.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-13
THE COFFELT CASE.
Twenty-ninth Witness Has
Been Examined at Winfield.

Winfield Kas., Nov. 1s-CaI Fergu-
son is the twenty ninth witness for the
state called in the Coffelt trial. He
was on the stand Thursday afternoon.
He went to the scene of the murder
inside of twenty minutes after its oc-
currence and has actively engaged as
detective in the case ever since. He
was subjected to a very searching
cross-examination by the defense. but
little material change was effected.
W. ]. Fox, Mrs. N. E. Brane, c. J.
Brane, Guy Marsh, Rolla Fox, c. W.
Roberts. J. A. McDermott and Allen
Brown were the other witnesses called.
Some of the states witnesses have not
yet reported. Jake Harmon went to
Bliss for a witness who lives on ranch
1O1, but came back with the report that
he had been stood off with guns and
was unable to get his man.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-13
8 02H1
6 G3I519b~~

Two singnatures of L. Ritter on the
warrant register. The second one IS
written over an erasure.
The vouchers for the Ritter warrants
are on file in the auditors office, ana
the signatures on them are apparently
the same as on the warrant register for
the $50 warrant and the same as on tne
back of the warrants themselves, but
different from the signature on the reg
lister for the $120 warrant where there
has been an erasure.
If Mr Ritter was an actual employe
of the house he will be able to clear
this matter up by coming forward and
telling whether or not he received the
full pay for the entire session, or wheth-
er somebody else got the $12O Which
was drawn in his name for the 40 days
of the session before he was placed on
the pay roll Also who~placed him on
the pay roll, and in Mhat capacity did
he server
CHECKING UPo VOUCHERS.
The clerks in the state auditors
office are today Checking over the
vouchers on file for legislative en-
ploye5 and comparing them with the
warrants drawn, as shown by the war
rant register T. > ascertain if any more
AS far they had gone at noon the
only additional peculiarities found was
in the signature of James Cotter, who
appears in the house journal as an
were drawn for Mr.. Cotter. but only
two signatures on the warrant register
resemble one another. The first time
a warrant was issued in Cottar's name
the signature on the register is James
Carter" The next time it is receipted
James Cotter by II. Coe.' The third
and fourth signatures are different
from the first and differ from one an
other, but the fifth is similar to the
third. 1t is believed that Cotter may
be some man who could not sign his
own name, and if this is correct there
is probably nothing crooked about his
warrants
In several places on the warrant
register warrants were Cancelled with
out being paid, and in case they are
so marked in red ink. This leads
Auditor Wells to believe that the
statement in the letter returning the
$50, received Thursday, that the writer
heard Speaker Pringle tell Chief Clerk
Mason to cancel the Brakeman vouch-
ers, is false.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-13
HAVE NO EVIDENCE.
Why Preliminary Hearing in
Smale Case Was Postponed.

Harveyville. Kan, Nov 13.-The pre-
liminary hearing of the persons charged
with the murder of William Smale has
been indefinitely postponed at the re-
quest of County Attorney Seaman who
thinks that the evidence in the case has
not been developed sufficiently to permit
the state to make a case.
The report that Mrs. Smale is to be
arrested is denied positively by Mr.. Sea-
man, who says that he has not thought
Of having her arrested.
1t is rumored that the officers are now
working on a clue that is entirely new
and they hint that some startling de-
velopments may be expected soon. Up
to this time the evidence duplicating the
two Chefs and William Overman is
rather gauZT.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-13
Sso& 03Gckeoo1>orI
Blakeman's name as it is signed on
the state auditors warrant register.

Blakemans name as it is signed on
the state auditors warrant register.
1t is believed, TOO, that the erasures
and the signature of Blakeman's name
on the register are comparatively recent.
The erasures were made after the other
signatures were attached on the lines
above nd below the forgery of Blake
mans name, as portions of them are
also erased.
All who have examined the letter writ
ten to Auditor Wells enclosing the $50
sent to replace that stolen in Blakeman's
name believe that the statements made
in it are false and that it is written to
cover up something else, the idea being
that when this money was returned the
investigation would stop.
This will not be the case, however.
There have been so many rumors that
the legislature pay-Tolls were padded
with the names of persons never auth
orized by the house. and also that
straw men" were carried on the rolls,
that it is likely that a thorough investi-
cation will be made
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-13
WILL MEET TOMORROW
Candidates for Judge Still on
Anxious Seat.

Washington. Nov. 13.-There are no
new developments in the judgeship
fight here today.
The delegationwillho hold meeting Sat
urday to consider the matter. 1t is not
likely they will get together at their
first meeting, although most of them
are of the opinion that an agreement
will ultimately be reached None of
them is willing to be quoted as ex
pressing an opinion of the final outcome
of the contest. The opinion of those
closest to the situation outside the dele
cation, is that the contest seems now to
be narrowed down to Johnston and
Loomis, although the friends of Pollock
are still making a strong fight for him.
Neither Burton nor Long has yet given
any intimation of his final action.
Interest in the judgeship matter CEN
ters about the meeting of the delegates
at 10 o'clock tomorrow inSenator Longs
Office, but it is impossible to foreshadow
its action. Strength of various candi-
dates remains about the same apparent
ly Calderhead introduced Johnston to
the president this morning
A Kansas City paper today prints the
following:
Senator Long has finally taken
stand in favor of Judge Pollock Un-
less charges of a personal character
make his nomination impossible Pol
locks chances for the Hook successor
ship are tonight conceded to be best. II
the final struggle it has all along beer
suspected that Senator Long would &C
to Pollock. Governor Bailey and Cyrus
Leland were for Pollock and so was
Morton Albaugh. Joseph L. Bristow
who has remained loyal to Johnston
throughout, is the only important fac
tor in the state machine who declined
to accept Judge Pollock.
Long could never explain to his sup
porters how it happened If he should
throw Pollock down. Burton would be
left suspended on limb if he deserted
old friends for new. James A. Trout
man has already prepared to present
in the failure of the delegation getting
together on some candidate other than
Pollock, charges which reflect on the
personal character of that aspirant
If they can be substantiated the presi-
dent would not appoint him, even
though the entire delegation lined up
unanimously for him. The charges are
that he plays poker and does other
things which unfit him for the Judge
ship. The friends of Judge Pollock are
indignant beyond expression They as
sert that the animus for the charges is
to be found in the dissenting opinion
of Judge Pollock in the De Boissiere
case well known to all Kansas
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-13
MR.. HINDMAN HURT.
Fell Over Obstruction Left by City
Railway.

Samuel Hindman was seriously in
jured last night by falling over an OBJ
struction in front of his store. Mr.
Hindman's nose was broken ana his
right shoulder was dislocated.
Mr. Hindn1an left his store to board
a street car. He was walking from the
front of his store at Eighth and Kansas
avenue TO cross Fl igllth street when he
fell over a pile OF ties and rails left
by tvorkmen Of the city railway, piled
on the sidewalk and in the street There
was no danger light to mark the place
After Mr. Hindman had been injured
and had been taken home a danger
light was hung o8t over the obstruction.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-13


the warrants.
The State Journal today received a
signed statement from Mr.. Brakeman, at
Leon Butler county. relative to what
he knows of the drawing of warrants
in his name. 1t is practically the same
as that published yesterday, except
little more in detail. Mr.. Blakeman's
signature attached to this statement,
his genuine signature, is entirely differ
ent from either the one on the warrant
register or the endorsements on the
backs of the warrants. His statement
to the State Journal is as follows:
I was never sworn in as sergeant
alarms in the house. did not perform
any service, did not sign any VOuch-
state, and if my name is signed to any
vouchers it was forged, and if any
money was drawn some one else got it.
Il stopped off in Topeka. on my way
to Kansas City, at 4 p. m. one day,
when the legislature was in session.
and went to Kansas City at p. m the
next day. While in Topeka I was told
by Harry Parks. whose wife was
clerk in the house. that a voucher had
been drawn in my name for $50. told
him I had not done any work and could
not draw any money. 1 did not go to
the clerk of the house, the auditors s
office or anywhere else to see about
the warrant. did Sot see any warrant
at any time, and never signed my
name to anything. did not go to To-
peka to be sworn in or see about any
lob whatever. In fact l told Steve
Brandon. who offered me the positios.
thar I could rot accept the same under
any conditions. 1 saw Mr.. Brandon
while in Topeka, and he told me the
warrant in my name had been can
celed. and I told him that was right.
that I was not entitled to and would
not draw any money from the state"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-13
SNOW IN THREE STATES
Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska Get
a Touch of Winter.

Bloomington. Ill, Nov. 13.-Snow COM
menced falling in central Illinois this
morning. the first of the season. and in
dications point to an all day storm. Re.
ports from contiguous counties show that
the storm is general
Des Moines, Ia, Nov. 13--The first snow
of the season fell here this morning. Re-
ports indicate that the fall covers the
greater portion Of the state.
Omaha Neb., Nov. 13.-A light snow
fell over the eastern part of Nebraska
early today. the first of the year.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-13
ROCK ISLAND CHANGES.
Two Master Mechanics Appointed in
Colorado.

w ". Ieeman has been appointed
master mechanic of the Colorado divis-
ion Of the Rock Island, succeeding w.
E. Anderson. resigned.
James McDonough has been appoint
ed master mechanic of the Ell Paso di-
vision in place of Mr.. Leeman.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-13

again the seat he had last year. which
is in the same row, and to the right of
him Victor Murdock will sit during his
first term Representatives Curtis and
Reeder are in the same row. and two
rows back of them is Representative
Campbell. Representative Miller will
sit directly in front of Mr.. Calder
head. So the Kansas delegation not
only have excellent seats for the most
part, but will enjoy the further ad-
vantage of close association.
LESLIE WALLACE.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-13
GOOD WEATHERIOMORROW
Football Enthusiasts May Now Rest
Easily.

Director Jennings believes and hon
estlv thinks that the weather for Sat
urday's football game will not be Sc
we're. In fact. he looks for good foot
ball weather.
The forecast sent out today is Part
ly cloudy tonight and Saturday" The
wind at noon today was east. blowing
20 miles an hour. The minimum tenn
perature this morning was SO. The
hourly temperatures recorded today by
the government thermometer were as
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-13
Mavor Sues Geary County.

Junction City, Kan. Nov. 13-Mayor
". II. Thompson of Junction City has
brought suit in the district court here
against the board of county commits
sioners of Geary county TO collect bill
of s21s which he claimed is due him for
his services as overseer of the poor of
Junction City. The case is being tried
in the term of court which is now being
held here.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-13
CLASH IN CHINA.
Russian and Chinese Troops
Meet in Battle.

Tien Tsin. Nov 1S.-It is reported here
that Russian troops marching toward
Shan-Hai-Kwan, encountered a force of
imperial Chinese troops and that fight
ing ensued, the Russians, it is asserted,
pretending that the imperial force was
a band of Chinese robbers.
Altogether over 10000 imperial troops
have crossed the frontier into Man
churia
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-13
Fire in q Coal Mine.

Shamokin, Pa, Nov. 13.-A fierce firs
is raging in the No vein of the En-
terprise coal colliery. The fire started
last night from an unknown cause. This
colliery is owned by the w. L. Connel1
Company of Scranton, and employs
500 men and boys. The employees are
fighting the blaze.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-13
Venezuelan Case Ends.

The Hague. Nov. 13-The venezue-
Ian arbitration tribunal adjourned to-
day sine die the arguments having
consider its decision and viii notify
those interested of the date of its de-
iVery.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-13
Won the Livernool cnn.

London. Nov. 1S.-Palmy Days won
the Liverpool autumn cup at the Liver
pool autumn meeting today Whistliaz
Crow was second and Bachelors Burton
came in third. Fourteen horses ran.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-13
remperatures Of Large Cities.

Chicago, Nov. 13.-Temperatures at a.
m: New York, A. Boston. 46; Philedei-
phia, ~. Washington 38; Chicago, %; Mta-
neapolis. 26; Cincinnati, 42; St. Louis. 81
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-13
A-..-~~~-

Who is the Harry Parks mentioned is
now an important point He might be
able to tell something.
IS THIS ANOTHER
Another instance in which the sigma
ture on the warrant register has been
scratched and another apparently writ
ten over it occurs in the case of a war
rant for $l20 drawn in the name of e
Ritter on February 21. Ritter's name
does not appear on the register before
this date, so it is evident that his nanls
was placed on the house pay roll be-
tween February II, the date of the third
pay day. and he was given paw from
the beginning of the session. His name
also appears on the fifth pay day.
March 3, for $50, but the signature on
the warrant register is different In
fact. the signature for the s120 warrant
register is similar in some respects
to the forged signature or Brakeman,
but it is entirely different from the en-
dorsements on Ritter's warrants
RittersF name da2s not appear in the
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-13
Weather Indications.

Chicago, Nov. 1s.-Forecast for Kansas:
Partly cloudy tonight and Saturday; var
liable winds
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-13

Brick Mason was always very care
full to report all Cancelled vouchers -
said Auditor Wells today. "If he was
told to cancel the Brakeman vouchers
I am sure that be would have done it
and also reported it at once to my
office so that the warrants could also
be Cancelled. This happened in some
other instances
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-13

Two singnatures of Z. Ritter on the
warrant register. The second one IS
written over an erasure.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-13
S19 (3QNam1~~

Blakeman's name as it is endorsed on
the warrants.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-13

Tn the allotment Of seats on the
opening day the Kansas delegation
Jared better than for a long time. All
of the members except Representative
Bowersock are well up toward the
front OF the hall Mr. Bowersock's
name was among the last to come out
of the hat. so he is obliged to take
rear SCAT and view the proceedings
from afar- Representative Scott Sc
cured Mr.. Longs old seat. next to that
of the floor leader, Mr. Payne Mr.
Ca1dx kaad was lucky enough to draw
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-13

.. m.
Hattiesburg daily progress. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 18??-1909, 1903-06-11
GENERAL CROP SUMMARY.
For the Week Ending June s.
Cotton Growing Slowly-Corn
Doing Well.

Temperatures ranged from 10 to Is
degrees below normal the first half of
he week, when light to moderate
showers were general, but the latter
part was fair and warm
Crops are becoming grassy in the
northern counties as a result of too
much rain, while in the southern por-
tiOn of the state they are generally
clean and we'll cultivated. Cotton is
growing slowly. Chopping out is
nearing completion and stands range
from fair to good, except in the lower
delta counties, where they are still
unsatisfactory, but would be somewhat
improved by a good rain. Corn is
generally doing we'll. In the southern
portion of the state the early planted
is beginning to tassel and as it is laid
by peas are planted. Late corn is
growing nicely. Dat harvest continues
with slight improvement in the
yield. Irish potatoes are making an
exceptionally good yield. Cane, mel
ons, gardens, meadows and pastures
are generally doing we'll although in
need of rain in tn extreme southeast
ern counties.
Hattiesburg daily progress. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 18??-1909, 1903-06-11
BEAUMONT BREYITIES
School Opened Last Monday-Two
White Man Happened to Pain
full Accidents.

Special Correspondence.
Beaumont, Miss, Jnuue lO.-The
public school opened here Monday
with an enrolment of thirty-three
pupils, and it is expected to number
more than forty by the close of the
week. The people have worked hard
for the school and deserve praise for
their efforts. Prof. A. M. Clarke
has charge of the school.
A white man named Johnston from
Alabama while working around a
gasoline engine at the tank at this
place today got his right hand caught
in the machinery and the fore finger
was torn off and the second badly
bruised and lacerated. 1t is not known
whether the second finger will have
to be taken off or not.
A white fellow by the name OF
Redfern from south Georgia, who is
with the bridge crew on the river, fell
today and was shaken up right badly,
but not otherwise much injured.
Work on the bridge here is progress
ing nicely. The false work is com
pleted and the steel is laid across the
river. 1t will be some time before
the bridge will be completed.
Hattiesburg daily progress. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 18??-1909, 1903-06-11
STATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
Five Members of the Body Ca1dl-
dates for Ofice-Committee
Meets July %.

Jackson, June 11.-Five members
of the democratic state executive COM
mittee, which has been called to meet
in Jackson on the 22nd Of July to ar
range for the state and senatorial pri-
maries in August, are candidates for
state office, and it is expected that
they will tender their designations,
owing to the fact that the new pri-
mary law makes the committee a re-
turning board to canvass the returns
and it would be manifestly unfair for
these members to pass en- their own
chances A new committee will have
to be elected until the state conven-
tion in 1904 to nominate delegates tC
the national convention.
Hattiesburg daily progress. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 18??-1909, 1903-06-11
ON THE SAFE SIDE.

The old farmer backed off to the
edge of the sidewalk when the we'll
dressed stranger stopped him, says
the Brooklyn Eagle. He was taking
no chances.
as your name Hiram Barker?"
asked the stranger.
What de want to know fer?" re-
piled the farmer, suspiciously.
''Lookin' fer some one to cash a
check fer YEP"
.'Oh, no.
"Mebbe you'd like to have me
change $50 bill fer YEP"
mot at ALL"
The old farmer scratched his head
in a pnZzled way.
Like as not you want me to sign
some blamed document" he sug-
gested.
mo-
"Want to teach me poker or some.
thin like that"
81 never play poker
"Goin' to try to SHOW me where the
explosion took place, then?"
''Nothlng of the sort. But if yol
are Hiram Barker l have a letter 70
YOU"
Again the farmer showed that b.
was worried.
"Stranger," he said, at last
you've got me beat. / don't know
whether I'm Hiram Barker to yo
or not. When L came to the cit
Maria loaded me up with seve
acres of advice, but she didn't sa
nothin' about q skin game with
letter IN it. Just you wait til;
write TO her an then I'll tell v
whether / am or / ain't.''