The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-04-26
He HIT JELTz.
Negro Editor Explains How He Was
Assaulted.

Assaulted.
Colonel Fred Ledger Jeltz. the col
ored editor of the State Ledger, is
wearing a face suited for the mastica-
ton of clover hay, and a thick layer
of wrath. He was assaulted, beaten,
bruised, bunged up and buffaloed by
one Joshua Burts, also colored- Burts,
who is a young colored man. says that
Jeltz inSulted his wife. He says 1ur-
Their that Jeltz is in the habit of in
sulting women. Burts appeared at
the court house this morning and
asked for a warrae1t for Jeltz. When
he didn't get it he announced that he
was going to beat Jeltz up some and
pay his fine. Seeking out the colonel
he made good the first part of his
threat-he beat the editor of the
State Ledger severely. Then he came
down to the police station, told the
jailer what he had done and asked the
privilege of giving himself up. you
had better wait till you are arrested
remarked the jailer, and went on
making entries in the work book.
''All right" replied the avenger,
but you can find me whenever you
want me-
MRS Burts also called on the city
attorney and told her story. She said
that Colonel Jeltz met her on the
street, and asked her if she wanted
some work. She said she did, and
went with him to the editorial rooms
"
the colonel tried to ingratiate himself
in her affections. She told her hus-
band, and he did the rest.
Colonel Jeltz was able to rub one
side of his chin with hand this morn
fng. The rest of his face was too sore
to touch.
Col. Jeltz was found this morning at
ter the encounter at the State Ledger
building, where he was busily engaged
in his editorial labors. He said;
This dastardly attack upon me,
made, as one might say, almost when
my back was turned, by a contemplate
individual from the dark ages, can not
dim or reflect upon my honor and repu-
tation in this city which is too we'll
known to require or need any further
refutation than 1 am able to give upon
my unsupported testimony. 1t is ray
word against the word of this woman,
and the county attorney refused TO
take her word when she applied to him
for a warrant for my arrest There
but US two. and I consider that the
people of this city will consider my
standing in the community; will con-
slider the fact that have been making
the history Of this country, standing
for what believe to be right without
fear or favor.
LAS one gentleman to another, I can
say to you that this whole affair DC
Cured because I have money. Some
of these people know have money,
and they come here day after day try
ing to hold me up.
Il don't know this black man VINO
assaulted me this morning, but firm
" believe that he was a coal HEAVIER or
something. 1 had just come out of
the drug store down below here, where
I had purchased a cigar. Without
word of warning, this black ruff1an,
who, think is this woman's man, at
tackled me unexpectedly. Being entire
unprepared to resist, he succeeded IN
striking me on my jaw, as you VIII
doubtless observe that my jaw is at
present somewhat swollen and discol-
ored. Having recovered from the hrSt
shock of surprise and indignation,
seized the contemplate dog, hurled
him to the ground, and threw myself
upon him. 1 had him by the throat
and was just about to kill him by dash
ing his head against the pavement,
when a lot of white men who were
standing near by seized me and tore
me away from him.
INV brave dog, which, however,
has never been trained to fight, gave
me valuable assistance. He sprang at
tore nearly all his clothes off.
''Will I swear out a warrant for the
arrest of this man2 I suppose in the
interests of public decency 1 should
MY reputation is beyond question in
this city; this affair has not withered
or Wilted a feather But my family
must be considered; I have wife
and daughters; with them I must
confer before announcing to the pub
lie any decision in the matter. They
are very unwilling to become involved
in any litigation, and 1 may defer to
their wishes, and allow the public to
assert its inherent and righteous pre-
rogative of administering between US
candid Judgment as to our merits
and demerits.'
In the next issue of the State
Ledger it is likely that Colonel Jeltz
will have some editorial comments to
make on the outrage. 1t is a case
which almost warrants the publica-
] ton of an extra edition.