The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-28

Duy the bottle, but inaSmuch as it
was probably the only available pint
in Kirwin it was not for sale, and
upon discovering that fact he boldly
made a dash for the flask and fought
for its possession with the despera-
ton of n cowed wolf for its life. His
heroic efforts were of no avail. and
although he put up a plucky and de-
termined fight he was beaten and de-
Spitefully used.
Aided and abetted by a sprig of the
law who is closely associated with
Platt and kirkpatrick, and who is
known as the "& Co." of the Platt
outfit. and who. Notwithstanding years
of toll and study, as yet has never
been able TO pick a criminal COM
plant out of box containing it and a
half-dOzen dried herring and posi-
lively identify it, rushed to the JUS
tice of the peace and had the owner
of the flask arrested; and the owner
of the flask likewise went forth call
ing loudly for justice and had the
reverend detective arrested
The next day I received written
requests from the justices to appear
and prosecute each OF the cases, and
going to the scene of battle / discover
been able to decide who should be
prosecuted and who should go hence
I finally made the proposition to both
parties that I would dismiss both
cases or try both cases. and if my
memory serves me right il was Mr..
Platt who decided that / should try
them both First I tried the owner
of the flask. he submitting TO a trial
by the court, and was found guilty.
Next 1 tried the Rev. Jones; he de-
manded jury, was tried by twelve
representative farmers and business
men of Kirwin and vicinity, and was
found guilty.
The verdict Of guilty by the jury
threw my friend Platt into FITS from
which he has never recovered. The
next week his paper denounced me.
not however for failing to do my duty,
but for conducting a prosecution that
was sustained by the verdict OF twelve
substantial lava iding and financially
responsible citizens of the county, at
tackled me not for failing to do my
duty but for successfully doing IL
was defeated at the polls for reelection
but Brother Platt takes too much credit
was engulfed by the boss buster
wave because I, disregarding my own
interest, exerted all my efforts to elect
the Republican ticket in Phillips coun-
tv. and because of the wilful discarding
OF my votes and counting OF my OPP
ponents in kirwin precinct where
Platt & Co. happened to be in the sad
die. Retiring from office OF course
took I'D the practice of law. and have
defended any and all persons accused
of crime who desired my services ana
paid the price, and will admit that
have been able, up to date 10 prevent
any person that Platt and his gang
have started after from long anguish
ing in the confines of the county bas-
Regarding the balance of the inter
view I wish to say that it is principal
" moonshine-
PIatt and Kirkpatrick are in my
opinion only cheap notorleIy hunters
and after three years Of abortlVe at
ternpts to accomplish something, al
tempts that have been aborttve because
the gentlemen referred to have been
short on the necessary brains TO carry
their plans to a successful termination
thew at last conceived the brilliant plan
of playing the cry-baby act, and loudly
squalling for sympathy because billie
Jones hurried me-"
Regarding the tree cutting episode, L
will say that some time since the
Reverand Kirkpatrick secured TAX
deed on two lots belonging to minor
Ornbor and a moor widow. and immed-
lately took possession of the same,
plowed them up and on space luoXl4V
feet plated or drilled rows of timber,
the rows being about Is inches apart
there being several hundred. probably
about two thousand switches from
twenty TO thirty inches tail growing
upon the two lots
One dark night some one without
fear of God or man in his heart took
y pen knife and carefully thinned out
some seventy of these trees, not mu-
tilating the rest. and being very care
full not TO harm them, and two DAYS
thereafter 1 drove by the switch patch
and was not able to discern where the
az of the vandaI had fallen and where
his hand na0 Deen ECQs AAAG N4AOAC
tract being thickly covered with
worthless tangled brush, struggling
for breathing space. And thus did
some murderous villain seek to do the
abused kirkpatrick a mortal injury.
and for this cause has walled long and
ceased not. for this cause have he ana
PIatt tore their hair and beat their
breasts; while the unSympatheuc kir-
win correspondent of the Phillips
County Post lays the crime at the
door of the reverend gentleman him
self.
AS to the egging and stoning can
only saw that it was done so carefully
that the soft caresS of the eggs on the
parsonage did not disturb the SUM
beers of the occupants, and before the
cruel stones hurtled through the win
dovs of the Kansan Office, all break
able property belonging to it had been
carefully removed out of range OF the
voIley. and only its landlord suffered
In view of all these facts. the Phil
Iips County Post, concluded after a
careful examination of the circum-
stances that the wall was only a frag-
ment from the refrain CT a once pop
uIar song entitled webster Davis
Hat" once very popular in Kansas
City.
It is inconceivabIe to me how cow
ardIy whelp. who is of about as much
consequence in Kirwin. and who
creates about as much excitement
e. frTr fr1a