The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-28
HE REPLIES To PLArr.
". c. Bissen Discusses the Kirvvin
Situation

Sept IS. 1904
TO the Editor of the State Journal.
In your issue OF September "a, 1904.
! find on the eighth page. under scare
head OF He Fights Back" an inter
view of Ferry L Platt. alleged editor
OF the Kirwin Kansan. a statement
concerning the Joint war in Kirwin,
In the course Of which interview ne
takes particular pains to go after me.
In justice TO myself and the city of
Kirwin, I desire 10 answer the charges
against me, and explain conditions as
they exist in kirwin today.
Speaking Of the saloon war and the
Populations which resulted from it Mr.
P1atr said.
The trouble started about two years
ago when the kirwin Kansan attacked
w. G. Bissell, at that time county at
torney for neglecting to prosecute the
joints We beat him for reelection
and he at once became attorney for the
joint keepers and has been keeping up
the night against law and order
When was elected county attorney
of Phillips county, Kan, and took
charge OF that Office in January, 1901,
Kfrwin had several joints 1 proceeded
against the keepers and at the end OF
the second term or court mad sueceeo-
ed in convicting the four men who had
prior TO that time been engaged in
running joints in Kirwin, and not an
open joint was operated in the city 10
was in Office
Unfortunately for Phillips county and
the city Of kirwin, shortly prior TO my
election, the congregational church
made mistake that II has had abund-
ant cause TO regret. in calling J. L
Kirkpatrick to the pastorate. shortly
after his coming Mr. Platt bought out
the Kirwin Independent, changed It's
name 10 the kansan. and the two
planned a Joint campaign that was
destined 10 become historic
Although Phillips county was and IS
as peaceab quiet. respectable ana
Iaw-abiding community as can be
found within the confines of the state
Of Kansas, and Kirwin is as pretty, re-
spectacle and law-obeyinS a village
and populated by as good a class OF
citizens as any town is blessed with.
the TWO worthless referred TO planned 10
become the Parkhursts of Kansas, the
Saint Patricks OF Phillips county and
the he-Carry Nations of kirwin-
They in company with some deluded
followers. who have since left their
company. and many Of whom now at
tempt TO deny that they were ever as
ISOLATED with them, raised a couple OF
hundred dollars, and hired disruputa-
bic tramp who answered to the name
of Hook Bill" TO act as spotter, and
going before a justice Of the peace in
Kirwin township who was then in SYM
patty with them, but who has since
Quit their company, had some fourteen
citizens in all parts Of the county ar
liquor law.
This man Hook Bfl'' disposed of
his evidence, stole a team of one of
the brothers and linked out" and
these cases fell through for want of
evidence
Chagrined by this abortive attempt
to win nOtOriety. they adopted another
plan There came strOlling through
the city of Kirwin poor. half-baked.
hslf-stsrved and detected specimen of
humanity who claimed to be a travel
ing preacher. and to whom the $50
reward offered for the arrest and con-
fvctfou OF a joint keeper undoubtedly
looked good. and he girded about his
emaciated frame the robe of holy in
quisitiveness usually worn by the Rev
kirkpatrick. and doubtless stimu-
lated by one or more of the little white
powders with which that gentleman
IS won't to retire behind the door and
refresh himself during a booze prose-
cution. sailed forth to do and dare
for the cause and the money Failing
to ind a joint within the confines of
Kirwin. and after fruitlessly travers-
ing the alleys for hours. he discov-
cred a couple of gentlemen in a liv-
cry barn refreshing themselves with
sups from a pint bottle Whereupon
the reverend gentleman attempted to