The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-04-11

ings. In this statement I wish to say
as little as possible upon the dead. But
it must be remembered that those who
are living have their lives to live and
the rights of the living are greater
than the rights of the dead. There was
no truth in the charges brought by the
plaintiff in that proceeding against the
defendant and myself The charges
were absolutely denied under oath and
counter charges had been made and in
a short time the case would have been
quickly tried before a referee and set
tied
The relations existing between the
plaintiff and the defendant had been
strained for some time Twice he had
unjustly attempted to make her leave
home. My wife and myself had taken
her side in the controversy that arose
between them and she had consulted
me for legal advice and protection
During this time the man himself was
in intimate relations with a woman
whom he desired to marry. For that
purpose it was necessary to be free
from his wife He discovered the fact
that his wife knew of these relations
by gaining access to the safe deposit
vault where she kept her papers,
through forging a written order over
her blank signature and purloining the
keys from her.
Being thus apprised Of the evidence
against him. he determined to antici-
himself in order that he might have
the appearance of being the injured
party, and out Of the vindlctiVenesS ana
desire to injure me as much as possible
he made me a defendant in the action
His allegations We're properly denles,
and the issues would have been square
ly met when his death occurred at the
hands Of some unknown woman whom
he had invited to his house at mid
night Nothing more unfortunate couiG
have occurred for everybody involved
! as the entire matter necessarily became
public. and if the truth could have aD-
Deared the harm would not have been
! so great, but truth and yellow journal
ism are at opposite poles and cOnse-
uuentIy a mass of lies. fiction and inn
aginatiOn was published which had no
4 possible basis in fact. but for the sake
Of those most concerned some of these
MISREPRESENTATION must be taken up
and met
..First-In reference to the office
which I was alleged to have maintained
in EllicOtt square. That office was
leased and furnished by me under an
arrangement with another man, whose
name can be given, to enable him to dc
a collection business. Shortly after thai
arrangement he received an offer of n
salaried position in another position
which he desired to accept / arranged
therefore to release him. and no busi-
ness was ever done in the Office. nor
was it ever used as meeting place lis
any manner. as so falsely and unlustiy
indicated.
"second-In reference to the alleged
statements of a New York detective
agency, whose main business seems to
have been to give their clients secrets
to the public I desire to say that, with
out knowing what arrangements were
| made with them by any person. any
statements on the part of such agency
/ tending to reflect in any way upon
either myself or any other person in
VOlVed, are unqualifiedly false and have
no basis in fact. They are made up of
4 those unfounded statements of this class
doubtful value that even in the courts
/ it is now almost held that the presump-
tion Is against their credibility.
''Third-During the pending of the di-
( vOrce action it became necessary for me
! to consult with the defendant in refer
ence to the course to pursue For that
/ reason it was necessary that a meeting
should take place here in New York,
or at Atlantic City, but in such cases,
as can be absolutely proven. these meet
/ circumstances IS to absolutely negative
any other idea than the purpose of
( transacting the affairs relative to the
! divorce action.
Finally, it may be said that the
crime is as great mystery to the
writer as to anyone. Terrible nOt0riety
and publicity has been brought upon
I people more especially women who
/ have entirely undeserNed it, and great
wrong has been done all concerned,
especially to the family which has suf-
fered and must suffer most. For that
Z we must thank the spirit of yellow
/ journalism. which does not hesitate to
I violate every principle of truth honor,
I chivalry, justice and sanctity in those
| effcrts to make news and sell papers,
/ which make that style of journalism
one Of the sickening things of modern
ciNiliZa ton