davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-12
BACKUS INQUEST IS ON
Coroner Hogeboom Investigating the
Death of Married Woman.

The inquest to investigate the cause
of the death of Mrs. Ed Backus,
which occurred six weeks ago, was
begun before Coroner Hogeboom at
the court house at 2 o'clock this af-
ternoon.
Mrs Backus was reported to have
committed suicide at the Backus
home near Indianola by drinking car
bolic acid. The reason for her taking
her life was said at the time to be be-
cause of her husband paying atten-
tions to a young girl named Lille
Mcmillan. A few days before Mrs.
Backus committed suicide it was re-
ported to her that her husband had
attended the flower parade in Topeka
and had driven about town with the
Mcmillan girl. The story of the sui
Mrs. BackuS drank carbolic acid when
she went to bed. When her husband
went to her room she told him what
she had done. That night the hus-
band notified the neighbors and a
physician was summoned. The next
day Mrs. Backus died.
There was no talk of an inquest
until Backus and the Mcmillan girl
were married on July s. Since then
the neighb ors consulted with Coroner
Hogeboom with the result that he had
the body exhumed and an examina-
ton of the contents of the stomach
made. There is some talk of prose-
cutting Backus for criminal neglect
toward his wife. Ed Backus's mother
lives in Oakland.
Ed Backus was the first witness
examined. He was Unconditional and
gave a clear statement. He said the
Mcmillan girl had worked caring for
the six children in the family for
eight months. He said he is 3S years
old. The Mcmillan girl whom he
married is 16 years old. He said he
married her so soon after his wife's
death to have some one to care for
the children
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-12
NATIONAL CONVENTIONS.

While national conventions this year
showed no disposition to shorten their
session, when it came to balloting the
nominations were made on the first
roll call.
As far back as 1868 the Democrats
had twenty-five ballots. while the Re-
publicans nominated Ulysses S. Grant
by reclamation. Four years later
President Grant was renominated and
the Democrats ratified on the first bal
lot the nomination made by the So
called Liberal Republicans after sew
eral ballots In 1876 the Democrats
had but two ballots and selected Sam
ueI ]. Tilden, while Rutherford B.
Hayes was nominated by the Repub-
leans as a dark horse" on the sew
enth ballot. In 1880 the Democratic
convention took two ballots. while
James A. Garfield was nominated on
the twenty-sixth voting.
In 1884, the Democrats nominated
on the second ballot a candidate in
Grover Cleveland, who proved sue
cessful. while the Republicans could
not pick a winner in four ballots. In
1883 the Republicans were more for
tunate in selecting Benjamin Harri-
son on the eighth ballot In 1892 Mr..
Cleveland was chosen on the first bal
lot and the Republicans likewise need
ed only one ballot to select their can
didate. In 1896 w. ]. Bryan was NOM
mated on the fifth ballot. while the
Republicans nominated Mckinley on
the first ballot, but not by acclama-
ton. In 1900 the Republican con-
veEtion at Philadelphia, the Democrat
ic convention at Kansas City and the
Populist convention at Sioux Falls
unanimously on the first
1oa Hot
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-12
CAMPAIGN OPENS.
Judge Parker VIII Give 1t Much Per-
sonaI Attention.

Esopus. n. Y, July 1.-THE return
here of William F. Shehan from the
st. Louis convention yesterday marks
the opening of the national Demo-
cratic campaign, which will be large
ly conducted from Esopus. Actual
plans for the campaign have not been
completed, but it is probable that
Judge Parker, will remain at Rose
mont most of the summer and fall
His friends say that Judge Parker
will advise on all questions of impor-
lance which may come up during the
campaign. Judge and Mrs. Parker
will dine with Mr.. and Mrs. Sheehan
this evening unles the Ulster county
Louis today, decides to come to
Esopus from Kingston and serenade
the judge. Mr.. Sheehan expects to
entertain many political visitors at
his summer home Atwood, between
Esopus and West Park.
Judge Parker will answer person.
ally all congratuIatory kilograms and
messages. He spent several hours in
this work today.
This afternoon Judge Parker ex-
poets to entertain Supreme Court Jus
tice Charles Mclean and Mrs. Mclean
of New York city Judge Parker was
routed out of bed at 1 o'clock this
morning by one of his coach horses
getting loose from the barn and gal
Looping around the barn yard. They
were unable to find a lantern and Mr..
McCausland finally brought a candle
from the house. This dim light made
it difficult to locate the horse, which
continued moving around the barn
yard. After 10 minutes the horse was
secured.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-12
GLOBE SIGHTS.

LFrom the Atchison Globe.1
Old saying: Those who can, do; those
who can't, teach.
When a very rich man dies who has
been fairly good all his life, where does
he go?
In man, that which is called con-
science is largely a fear that he may be
found out.
AS good a pistol as ever killed boy.
can now be had at the hardware stores
for two dollars.
When a woman looks particularly tough
she wears the tails of her shirt waist ON
the outside.
A certain good doctor didn't have much
of diploma. The Lord gave him a IL
ploma-" an admirer said.
They tell of a young man who was ed
ucated so much that he finally had all the
native sense educated out of him.
People are already plying a certain set
of children. They are to become step
children soon, but they don't know 1t.
Bill Trower, who lives at Shannon,
wears a straw hat that looks like a sun
bonnet. People call him Sunbonnet Bill.
1T is a wonder to me-" said Doc Nor
rison. ''how worthy useful men are to
develop out of the useless boys of these
days.
Don't ever grieve to death if you can
help it Such a death is very unsatisfac-
tory to the doctors, as it affords them
nothing to cut out.
Do not believe the stories heard about
big salaries; you have told stories of tins
kind yourself and know how unreliable
they are.
Here is a new one: If a Dutchman met
Liberty on. the streets of New York. what
would he say to her? Answer: Statue.
(Chart: Is that your
There is mulatto boy in town who
to force him into the colored schools Ot
course the boys call him BLACK
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-12
HIDDEN DIAMONDS.
Woman Had Gems Worth $4,000 Con-
ceaIed on Her Person.

Stockton. Cal, July 12.-Diamonds
worth about $1,000 have been found
upon the person of Martha Ellison
Sabin, arrested here yesterday with
Henry ]. Kendall and charged with
a Chicago diamond robbery. The wo-
man objected strenuously to being
searched but finally permitted the
wife of Jailer Benjamin to search
her.
Mrs. Benjamin found the gems in her
stocking and corsage. There are four
rings with diamond settings. One is
worth $500, two are worth 5000 each and
there is a small one valued at 500.
There are also nuInoer of brooches,
pins and other jewelry with magnificent
diamonds set in them.
The jewels answered the description of
some of those stolen in Chicago. Nendal
is still in jail unable to secure 5000 bail,
but the woman is out on 5000 cash bail.
The two were held on a fugitive warrant.
To-day. however, Chief of Police Walker
received a telegraphic warrant and
officer is now the way here from Chi
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-12
TWO BROWNE
Twenty-eight Houses Swept Away by
Water i'm Oregon.

Portland, Ore, July ia special 20
the Telegram from Fossil. in Wheeler
county, gives meagre particulars of a
cloudhurst accompanied by loss of life
and great damage to property near
Mitchell in Wheeler county, last night.
Mrs. Bethune, aged 80 years, and Mar
tin Smith, 81, were drowned. Twenty
eight houses in Mitchell were destroy
ed and in addition several large barns,
one containing 80 horses, were swept
away.
A terrific rain storm occurred in
the mountains back of Mitchell, caus-
ing Bridge and Mill creeks to become
bank full and overflow the low lands
along their courses. The two creeks
unite several hundred yards above
Mitchell and the converging of the
waters created a wall of water 20
feet high which swept down toward
the town in a mad rush, destroying
everything before. Mitchell has a
of about 200.
During the past ten days eastern
Oregon has been the scene of many
Farms have been food
ed and great damage has resulted.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-12
1900 OUT.
Packing Houses in Chicago Have a
Deserted Appearance.

Chicago. July 12.-One after an
other the big packing houses grew
deserted looking as the employees with
drew after cleaning up work on hand.
1t was said that the last of the men
would not be out in the various houses
until perhaps 1890 tonight. At p.
m. the total number who had already
quit work was estimated at 1900. No
negotiations or conferences were held
today preceding the Inauguration of
the struggle.
No definite arrangements have been
made by any of the packers for the
hiring of nonunion men. Five car loads
of cots, however, have been distributed
among the various plants. These beds
were ordered last week when a strike
seemed imminent. Notwithstanding
these preparations the packer were
caught in a measure unprepared. The
secrecy observed by the union men pre-
vented the packers from stopping ship
ments of cattle AS result the yards
are we'll filed and train loads arriving
hourly.
The stock yards commission houses
at once began wiring to all shipping
points advising cattlemen to hold their
stock until further notice. 1t Is ex-
pected that the receipts tomorrow will
fall off heavily. The packers say there
is fresh meat enough in Chicago to last
about ten days.
There are few small packing houses
in Chicago that are not affected by the
strike but they can supply only an in
significant part of the demand.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-12
JAYHAWKER lots

Lebanon is to have two basketball
teams.
Bloody Alley at Great Bend is being
renovated.
The editor of the lola Derrick has given
his employees another raise.
One cherry tree at Everest furnished 12s
quarts besides what the birds got.
An Emporia business man is in court
sidewalk.
At public rat killing at Westmoreland
70 of the varmints were slaughtered in
about an hour.
Meade's claim to fame is a baseball
southwest Kansas.
An Atchison father has been compelled
to send his Broth of a Boy to the re-
form school, He was always in the SOUP
A Topeka street car conductor says
some of the coins he receives are so mutt
lated that he can't make head or tail OF
them
Since Bun Adams was nominated it's so
quiet around the FL Dorado Republican
office that chickens roost on the front
door steps.
Clay county statistics show that the wo-
men live longer than the men, Possibly
that's because they have no one to talk
them to death.
Bucklin citizens are paving around
under the ruins of the late fire, hunting
for the foundations. They propose to stay
with the town.
The tobacco dealers of Jewell City have
eye for the welfare of the small boy.
All save one have agreed not to handle
cigarette papers
A number of harvest hands too proud
to beg and too honest TO steal" have been
chased from Great Bend They were also
too lazy to work.
There's nothing in Friday being a hoo
doc party of Yates Center women
caught 81 fish on that day without the
aid of seine or net
There are many old maids in Jewell
City that they got together and gave a
show The receipts were SIS. which will
be put in the gum fund
Last Saturday the temperature here I'm
Topeka registered about 60, while on Sun
day it crept over 100 Like the rest of us,
the thermometer has its ups and downs.
The Democrats do not expect Mr. Par
ker to carry Kansas, but the excuse is
not given that it is because his photo
graphs resemble those of Senator Burton.
A Mcpherson county farmer has had
his barn destroyed three times by bolt
from the skies. This dispels the theory
that luck and lightning seldom strike
twice in the same place.
Several years ago one Salina man
loaned another a ten dollar bill. The
money has not been returned vet. but the
lender is satisfied the borrower is under
everlasting obliga tions to him.
1t was "A Concordia man that bought
money that was to pass as quickly as IN
Gle Sam s. In this connection it seems ap-
propriate 10 remark that the fellow that's
green is always done up brown.
The first thing a Latonia man did after
digging up six potatoes that weighed nine
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-12
BANKER His ANGEL.
Crippled Trapeze Performer Cared for
by Rich Man.

New York, July 12.-Louis NJ. Gard
ner, of Milwaukee, Wis, a trapeze per-
former, whose back was broken three
years ago by a fall during an exhibition
in London, has arrived mere. He is be-
ing taken back to MS old home after
having been treated by the best Euro
pean specialists who, however, save no
hope for his recovery.
Gardeners fall in the London circus
was witnessed by a well known rich
banker of New York. The performer,
although badly stunned for a moment.
was so cool over his misfortune that
the banker became interested and gave
directions that a nurse be employed
and the young man treated regardless
of expense. His directions were fol-
lowed and during three years past every
effort has been made to patch up the
injured spine but the surgeons finally
declared that it could not be accom-
plished and advised sending Gardner to
his home in Milwaukee.
An agent of the banker was at the
pier when the steamer arrived to direct
the handling of the stretcher upon
which the cripple lay.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-12
QUAKER REFLECTIONS.

IFrom the Philadelphia Record.1
1t takes more than club to kill time.
Done to a turn-a popular air on a
street piano.
An author may be wrong, even when
he is all write.
Vacation time draws near. and Russell
Sage is still unmuzzled-
Happy is the man who has no acquain-
lance with bill collectors.
Some men are so exclusive as not to
be on speaking terms with their own 'Jp-
portunities.
The people of Niagara Falls
Have pride enough for all,
Which seems quite natural, for pride,
Doth go before fall.
Il always pay as l CO. remarked the
reformer. That's where you're foolish,
said the practical politician Il always
get a pass
The man who says nothing
And simply saws wood
May some fine day patent
A new breakfast food.
Wigg@"Scribbler says that before he
has a metropolitan hearing he is going
to try his musical comedy on the dog"
Wagg-"He has no fears of hydrophobia,
eh?
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-12

The voice of Wall street regarding
the political situation, speaking
through Henry Clews, is as follows:
stocks have shown more activity and
more strength than for a long period
PROFESSIONALLY a large share of this
improvement was due to the political
situation, or. in other words. to the
disappearance of various vagaries from
the political arena. The return TO
political sanity is one of the most en-
couraging features of the times; the
whole country will benefit by the
change. inasmuch as a sane and strong
opposition is likely to have a saIutary
effect upon the party in power. 1t is
a long time since political conditions
have been so stable and satisfactory,
although, as usual, there are ques-
tions urgently requiring legislative re-
lief. Ever since Mr.. Bryan's advent
the country has been more or less
under the fear of radicalism, but this
apprehension is now likely to dis
appear, and one of the most insidious
and dangerous movements in our po-
litical history has become a thing OF
the past. 1t is no slight gain to have
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-12
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR
IFrom the New York Press.1


1t takes will power to let your wife have
will of her own.
Every girl knows perfectly well that
eyes are made to see with when there are
no men around.
When a woman discovers her first wrin-
kle she goes on a still hunt to see if she
can acquire reputation for having a fine
mind
It's very hard for a woman TO under,
stand how her husband is not elected
president when he knows how to put Up
all the awnings without tearing them
AS soon as man gets to be elected
village school trustee he begins practicing
up on his speech accepting the nominal
ton for president of the United states.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-12
Archiouette Arrives.

Archiquette, the old Carlisle and
Haskell Indian, who has been playing
left field for Leavenworth this season.
joined the Saints this morning and
appeared in the right field this after
noon. Luettke. also from the Orioles
and a second baseman, will be here
Wednesday, says Archiquette. The
management states that it has a right
fielder coming from Bedford, Iowa,
and a left-handed pitcher from jack
sonville, Fla. President Tom Sheard
will go to Junction City this week to
see why Core, who has just been dis
charged from the regular army and
who is a catcher with a great reputa-
ton, does not come here. Core was
ordered to report in Topeka week
ago
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-12
DAVIS WEALTH.
Democrat Candidate for Vice Presi-
dent Worth $6,OOO.OOO.

Cumberland, Md, July 12.-Ex-Sena-
tor Henry G.. Davis, of West Virginia,
who is the Democratic nominee for the
vice presidency, built the Davis hospi-
tai in Elzins, at a cost of nearly $780,
900 as a. memorial to his son who was
drowned while cruising on the African
coast. With Senator Ellkins he found
ed the Davis and Elkins college, Pres
byterian institution in Elkins, that Will
shortly be dedicated. He was also in
Strumental in the erection of the Davis
Memorial Presbyterian church in Ell
kins.
Mr.. Davis is known as 1.-The Father
of the West Virginia Central Develop
ment. Since the sale of that road he
has given his undivided attention to the
building of the Coal and Coke railroad,
a corporation capitalized at SO, 000, COO,
the work on which has been pushed
without the protector borrowing a cent
or floating a bond. He is also at the
head of the Davis Colliery company,
formerly the Junior Coal company,
which operates an extensive area, with
coke ovens in the Roaring Creek sec
ton of West Virginia, and which will
be traversed by the Coal and Coke rail-
road.
Recently the Coal and Coke roads be-
gan to run trains out of Elkins 10
point 25 miles south the road having
been completed that far. 1t will De u
year before the line is entirely COM
pleted. 1t cuts West Virginia in nalf
from north to south, and will place
lie capital VI Tic STATE, AOO
miles nearer Baltimore and Washing
ton by rail. 1t will also greatly shorten
the route from the east to the Ohio
river. The line will connect with the
West Virginia Central in Elkins.
The short route west will be via the
latter point. The road will be
powerful ally of the Wabash. which,
it is predicted the latter will event.
ually absorb. 1t will touch both the
Wabash and the p. & o. in Philippi,
and the Chesa peake & Ohio and the
Kanawha & Michigan in Charleston.
1t will also connect with the Camden
Branch of the B. & o. 1t will prove
a great developer of a section of al
most inexhaustible resource. The
system, with branches, will be about
800 miles long and is owned outright
by ex-senator Davis. He owns about
100000 acres of land, largely in Ran
dolph, Braxton, Kanawha, Marion
and Webster counties. Ex-senator
Davis wealth is conservatively esti-
mated at $6,o00,000. During the
Civil war. long before he obtained
prominence, Mr.. Davis made consid-
cradle money in selling horses and
mules to the government.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-12

The Second ward has had the most
cases. as might be expected because it
has the largest population. The report
does not indicate very clearly that a
sewer tends to reduce the number of
fever cases.
Mayor Bergundthal and the two doc
tors who attended the meeting were in
dignant at the report which appeared in
the morning paper, which set forth that
typhoid was feared in the First ward.
and that there was only hope" that
an epidemic might be averted. Dr.
Plummer said this morning:
I'VE are getting pretty tired of nav
ing it said that North Topeka is un-
healthy. The reports show that it is
the healthiest part of town. We don't
need any sanitary reformation over
here and. we don't need to boil our wa
ter and all that. Last year after the
food we had only one case of typhoid.
Our soil is so sandy here that we have
the best natural drainage. over across
the river where they have clay. soil is
where the typhoid fever gets in its
work"
Mayor Bergundthal said: There is
no danger of an epidemic in North To-
peka. I called DR.. Menninger's atten-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-12
"Reminiscences from state Journal

TWENTY YEARS AGO TODAY.
The Democrats of Topeka met at
the Windsor hotel to celebrate the
nomination of Grover Cleveland for
president of the United States.
w. r. Elliott secured d patent on
q cannon loading device
Sam Radges returned from the
Democratic convention at Chicago.
TEN YEARS AGO TODAY.
Many thousand people attended the
Populist rally at the city park at
which Governor David H. Waite of
Colorado made a speech.
Anti-liquor crusaders met at the
council chamber to petition Judge
Hazen to call a grand jury to inves-
tigate the drug store joints Evidence
and prosecution and finance commit
tees were appointed with the follow
ing members: 5. B. Bradford, NJ. T.
Campbell, H. III. Fowler, Rev. c. NJ.
Sheldon. Mrs. L. f. Thorpe. z. F.
Hilton, Samuel T. Howe, H. C. Bow
man, A. B. Jetmore, and Mrs. NJ. E.
Perine-
Pay day for the Santa Fe strikers
was postponed a week
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-12

LILIES OF HEALTH and BEAUTY.

In a recent interview with Mrs. Lily
Laugtry, she very wisely said
UThe fact that I believe in the superior
force of mind over matter does not blind
me to the truth that the foundation of every
successful life is good health; that the key
stone to physical beauty is perfect physical
health.
IA sick woman cannot be beautiful
woman, nor can she be anything but what
we English call poor spirited woman.
ITO great extent woman's beauty is
measured By her vitality-by her health:
Soap, Plain, Nourishing Food Lots of
Fresh Air, and a Happy, Coutented Spirit
there, as you say, honest and true is
my working rule for youth, youthful spirits
and youthful looks
One great secret of youth and beauty for
the young woman or the mother is the
proper understanding of her womanly sys-
or old, should knoz0 hevseLfa and her phys
ical makeup. A good way to arrive at this
knowledge is to get good doctor book,
such for instance as "The Peoples Common
NJ. D., which can readily be procured by
sending twenty one cents in one cent
stamps for papeT-bound volume, or thirty
one cents for cloth-bound copy, and ad-
dressing DR.. r. v. Pierce, Buffalo, N. Y.
vDr. Pierce's Favorite Prescription can always
be relied upon to cure when everything else
fails" writes Mrs. DR.. Nielsen, of 43o7 Langley
female troubles, diseases in their worst forms.
suffered for years with liberation, intense
pains and dreadful backache, which untitled
me for my work Finally grew i'll had to
keep to my bed. In this extremity used Fa-
vorite Prescription for three months and then
1 was well. Only those who have passed
through such a siege of sickness 1 have will
understand how much value DR.. Pierce's Fa-
voTite Prescription
DR.. Pierce offers $500 reward for any case
of Leucorrhea, Female Weakness, Prolap-
sus, or Falling of Womb which he cannot
cure. All he asks is a fair and reasonable
trial of his means of cure. No substitute
for WFavorite Prescription offers 80 much.