davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-27
WAS QUITE A sTAYER.
How a Pale Faced Virginia Youth
Fooled a Kansas Farmer.

Fooled Kansas Farmer.
One day last summer, when harvest
hands were a little scarce, a thin,
scrawny, weak looking piece of hui
mainly applied to Frank Strothman
for job in the harvest field. Mr..
Strothman was not much impressed by
the applicants appearance as to his
ability to do much work, but took him
on anyway. The fellow worked all
through harvest and did well. Some
time during the season, Mr.. Strothman
in getting mail out of the office for
himself and crew, noticed one for this
same young man, bearing the card of
the state treasurer of Virginia. Mr.. S.
rather twitted the man about owing
taxes or something, but to his surprise
found that the said official of the COM
monwealth was the father of the erSt-
while laboring man. 1t is needless to
state the politics, of course, or to say
from that time on. When harvest was
over the young man went his way, and
Mr. S.. heard no more until a few days
ago he received a letter from Frisco,
from Michael Carmen Harmon, which
by the way was. the young mans name.
in which he announced that with only
three cents in his pocket, he was start
ing from San Francisco afoot headed
for New York, interviewing en- route
prominent men about the political SIT
uation, winding up at his destination
few days before election, and writing
up these interviews for an eastern
newspaper syndicate. He styles him
self the peoples reporter. He stated in
his letter that he had followed the har-
vest clear through to the end, ana
wound up with $3.50 to the good. NO
doubt his articles on the political sit
uation will make good reading. for he
seems to have the right sort of stuff
to win out.-Great Bend Democrat.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-27
OPINIONS DIFFER.
System of Giving Animals to EN-
ployes Not Liked by Some Officials.

Many of the railroads having their
general offices in Chicago have had their
attention called by their employees to
the recent action of the general man
ager of the Southern railway, who pro-
poses to furnish engineers and conduc-
tors with annual passes of the road on
the basis of service. Those who have
been five years in the service are to be
given ANIMALS good over the division on
which they are employed; those having
ten years to their credit are to receive
ANIMALS good over the entire line, and
for those who have served fifteen years
their wives will be included in the privi-
lege.
The general manager of the Southern
railway is of the opinion that better re-
suits will be obtained through the
hearty cooperation of his men, but
there are many railroad executives in
Chicago who hold this action to be i'll
advised. They see in it another conces-
sion to the men, which will encourage
them to demand still more.
That these demands in the past have
frequently been unwarranted cannot be
disputed, say managers, and each con-
cession thus secured has seemed to in
cite rather than restrain other demands
It is therefore declared by these OBJ
jectOrS that to magnify the Importance
of the men by a voluntary contribution
of this sort will have a tendency to in
crease their wants. It is also thought
that with the means at hand to permit
it the men would lay off more fire.
quently for the purpose of visiting other
places and that in consequence the ser
vice would suffer.
Railroad men say that it is fairly open
to question whether the method adopt
ed by the Southern railway is wise. It
is not supposed that the simple granting
of annual passes to conductors and en-
gineers will cause any deeper loyalty
than at present.
One of the Chicago general managers
had this to say:
THE important question to which
railway managers should give their best
thought is how the personal loyalty of
are employed can be gained. It is not
annual passes to conductors and engi-
neers will produce that result, but it is
an indication that consideration is being
given to the question. There is no man
who is worth anything who does not
like to have his personality recognized.
One of the seVerest puni6hments in con-
nection with the penitentiary is that an
inmate ceases to be a man and becomes
simply number. While not carried to
any such extreme in any railroad SER
vice, there is a tendency inA railroad
operation to sink the individual in the
mass. We venture to say that an order
issued by the general manager of the
Southern railway to the effect that all
engineers and conductors would be car
ried free on any train of the system
would not be half as much appreciated
by the individual as the receipt of an
annual with his name thereon
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-27
KANSAS NEWS.
A "Get Rich Quick Scheme
That Is Sweeping Like Fire.
Southern and Western Portions
of the State Invest.
HOLDTHES SACK AFFAIR
Looks Like Many of Those Who
Buy Will Regret 1t.
A Tempting Bait Hung out by
Illinois Promoters.
HOLDTHESA AFFAIR

Anthony. Kas., Feb. 27.-The Bloom
tngton. III, '.get-rich-quick'' scheme is
cutting a wide swath through Kansas
It provides for the exclusive right TO
sell in a certain designated territory
wonderful invention for the farm
which will sell BIZ the thousands on
sight at enormous profits
The purchaser Of this secret wonder
pavs 81. 500 for the right to sell it, and
in the contract it is stipulated that ne
shall receive $3.50 from the company for
every person whom he persuades to
bloomington to invest 81, 500 in the new
invention One-half railway hotel ana
pullman expenses are paid the investor
nv Mr.. White. the promoter at Bloom
tngton. the investor binding himself
not to reveal the nature of the secret
he has bought, thus awakening curl
osftv in future investors. Since ne re-
cetves $3.50 for every buyer brought IN
each buyer in turn brings In MS 1rlehos
to "a good thing ana an enul tEs
chain is formed that is sweeping the
country and will leave many with only
the sack to hold. It may be men
toned that the wonderful secret lnVeh-
ton is a patent farm fence gate tnat
costs S12i5 and retalls Tor VA Inc
gate has some merit. but the price IS
too high and the profits are made IN
bringing in Investors at $3.50 each who
nav the 81. 500 for the right to sell the
Invention and to bring in others for
half the money.
For example, delivering six customers
to Mr. White the commission at 500
each is s.. 500. The original cost was
81 500. and there is a net profit of 3d.
600 to the steerer. No one can get into
the graft except through some one
already in, thus paying those already
IL.
Enormous crowds are pouring into
Bloomington. brought by friends to in
vest, and they in turn are back in a
few days with their friends to invest.
and thus it goes without apparent end.
Mr.. White gives names of hundreds
who have made from $4,000 to $40 900
in the last sixty days by pushing this
Invention" of his. and points out the
site of the prospective gate factory to
the doubtful ones.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-27
WANTS Se,ooo,ooo DAMAGES.
State of Texas After the Express Com
panies Under Trust Law.

Austin, Texas, Feb. 27.-Attorney
General c. X Bell and District Attor-
ney Warren Moore have instituted suit
on behalf of the state of Texas in the
district court here against the Amer1-
can Express company for the recovery
of penalties aggregating more than
Sc 600. 900 for alleged violations of the
antitrust act.
The acts complained of are the enter
ing into an exclusive contract with the
Missouri Kansas & Texas Railway
company for operating over its line
and for alleged violation of the railroad
commission law. Similar petitions are
being prepared against the United
states Express company, Wells, Fargo
& Co. and the Pacific Express company
The penalties in these cases will ag-
eregate more than $20,000.000.
If is understood that the suits now
pens1n~ AGAINST these companies. which
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-27
Bittman Left Rich Estate.

Leavenworth, Feb. 27.-It is estima ted
that the estate of the late G. NJ. Bit
man, whose will was admitted to pro-
bate yesterday, will amount to $150. 000
One provision of the will is that fam
lily monument to cost 81, 900 shall be
erected over the grave of the deceased.
w. N. Todd and John M. Gable, execu-
tors, are directed to convert all the real
estate except the homestead into cash
to facilitate its division. The estate
is to be divided into SO parts, of which
the widow gets 12-36ths in addition to
the home and personal property. Mrs.
Harriet Barth, a daughter, gets 1886,
George Bittman Barth, a grandson,
gets 2-36, E. H. Bittman, a son, gets
$685. E. E. Bittman's children. grand
children of deceased, get 2-36; a son,
Franklin Bittman. of Onaga, gets 1856;
Elizabeth Bittman, niece, gets 5-36.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-27
ABOUT RAILROAD PEOPLE.

c. w. Jones, division superintendent
of the Rock Island, Is again at his
Office after q short absence due to the
grin
East-bound train No. was two ana
one-half hours late into Topeka Friday
afternoon. The train was delayed on
the coast lines.
H. 0. Sworthwood. manager of the
local telegraph office of the Rock Is
land, is sock with the grip at his homs
in Quincy street.
L. Ramsey. chief clerk to H. e.
Byram. general superintendent of the
western district of the Rock Island
was in Kansas City Friday.
Leo Shreves. employed as a clerk in
the Santa Fe ticket auditing depart
ment. was absent from the Office Frt-
day on account of sickness.
F. c. Gillenbeclz, superintendent for
Fred Harvey. with headquarters at
Hutchinson. was visiting in Topeka
Friday with the local employees of his
company.
agent for the Santa Fee, has returned
from Mexico. where he accompanied
the Gates excursion which passed
through Topeka several days ago.
George Scott. conductor on trains No.
81 and No. 81, the Santa Fe freight run
between Topeka and Kansas City, has
resumed his duties after an absence OF
five days due to the recent death of his
mother.
Thomas E. Prout, general secretary of
the local association of the Railroad Y.
NJ. c. A, returned today from Argen-
tine where he has been attending a
meeting of all the secretaries on the
Santa Fe system.
A slight accident occurred in the local
yards Of the Santa Fe Friday afternoon.
AS train No. 81 pulled into the yards
about 3 o'clock one of the cars left the
track and was dragged several hundred
feet before the train was stopped. No
one was hurt and the wrecking crew
put the car back on the rails in a very
short time.
Local officials of the Santa Fe an
nounce that that road will run a special
train from Pueblo, Colo, to Kansas City
in order that the theatrical company
playing the Chinese Honeymoon" will
arrive at the latter point in time to play
Sunday night. The special will be conn
posed of four cars and will leave Pueblo
at 1915 o'clock Sunday morning and
will arrive in Kansas City at o'clock
on the afternoon of the same day. Ao-
cording to the schedule that has been
arranged the train will cover the dis
lance between Emporia and Kansas
City-114 miles-in about two and one
half hours. The train will not pass
through Topeka but will go over the
Ottawa cutoff.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-27
ID orp. ASSASSINATION.
Garden City Lodge Gives Banquet
and Entertains.

Garden City, Kan. Feb. 27.-F'riday
was a great day for the knights of
Pythias order of the southwest. The
eighth district which has within it's bor-
ders twelve K. P. lodges met here in
annual district meeting. Nearly all the
lodges were represented. About twenty
noon they had a general meeting at the
K of P hall to discuss general topics
pertaining to the welfare and upbuilding
of the fraternity.
In the evening the home team exem-
plified the third degree work at their
hall. It is expected that a full turnout
will be had. as it is for the purpose of
entertaining the visitors, and will be in
stuctive to all present.
After the exercises at the lodge room
closed last night a banquet was given
at the Windsor hotel to all K of P.
members present Seventy-five plates
were laid. Mayor Carter extended to
them the freedom of the city in behalf
of the council and citizens.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-27
MUST DEPEND ON MEN.
Burlington Official Does Not Have
High Opinion of Safety Devices.

1AAAAA6 NOA OAAS4d4 A~OC1 4NOb AdV0
High Opinion of Safety Devices.
"You can labor from now till you are
100 years old in trying to equip rail-
roads with every conceivable device to
secure safety and yet you will have
disasters unless you realize the great
fundamental requirement of judgment
-brains," remarked P. H. Houlathan,
superintendent of the Burlington lines
across Missouri. mo invention, how
lever efficient, will take the place of a
man with q cool head. who can reason
rapidly and accurately in times when
lives are hanging on seconds. Block
signals may become clogged and fail to
work, a telegraphic order may have a
doubtful meaning, a switch lamp may
be turned wrong, or hundred other
things may happen that would furnish
an excuse for a man to say, 1T wasn't
my fault But going down to the bot
tom of railroading, you want to i'm
press upon men who have to do with
the running OF trains that their judg-
ment is the real reliance; their know
ledge of what to do when the emer-
gency arises. You will notice from
reading accounts of railroad wrecks
last winter that some of them were on
lines equipped with every known device
to prevent just such accidents as hap
pened.
ct am not one of those who believe
men should be retired from active ser
vice when they have passed 40 or As
years. 1t requires from 35 to 40 years
to ripen some intellects into perfect
judgment. The man of 40 generally has
been tried by fire, and he thereafter
avoids the confiagration. Like the gen.
eral on the battle field, he knows what's
best to do. A younger man might take
his chances on a sharp curve or over
yard full of switches. The veteran will
begin to cut off steam at the proper
moment and reduce his speed, making
up the time on the next fair stretch.
brains are matter of development
in railroading as in everything else.
You can't find any mechanical substi-
tute though you line the track from
beginning to end with automatic de-
vices. Just as you come to rely on
mechanics instead Of men, just in pro-
portion will accidents increase. When
I'm riding ID a sleeper I rest easier if
1 know there's a man of nerve and
judgment in the cab than were the way
sparkling with signals. I'm a friend to
every possible appliance for safety, but
I'm a greater believer in q system that
relies upon human agencies as the
chief safeguard. The reason? Why,
God made man, and man made the in
ventions. The Masters work is the
better"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-27

tia one-ffth Of what We get from the
town where we will locate these shops.
1t will net you $150.Oe0 for a public
building or anything else you desire to
put it to."-President StilweIl. of the
Kansas City, Mexico & Orient. to the
people of Wichita
To insure for Wichita shops which
will mean an expenditure by the road
of 81, 100000 and an addition to the pop
ulation of perhaps 5000 Wichita busi-
ness men will invest $4,000 in Orient
securities.
Over $4,000 was subscribed at BAN
quet last night in the Carey hotel and
the balance will probably be pledged
before the day is over.-Wichita
Beacon.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-27
Married on a Fast Train.

Harrington, Kan, Feb. 27.-Neal SIAM
men, an electrician of st. Louis, and
Miss Clara Mccormick of Ramona were
married on the Chicago, Rock Island &
Pacific express, while it was making the
fifteen minute run from Ramona to this
place, yesterday. Stammen and a
clergyman were aboard the train when
it reached Ramona and Miss McCor-
mick boarded it there. The end of a
car was cleared and the ceremony was
performed while the train was going at
a rate of fifty miles an hour. The
bride and bridegroom proceeded toward
ST. Louis. where they will reside.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-27
WOMEN IN SOCIETY MERITS R'ss IS st 1Rt
A Popular Indiana Girl Writes an
Interesting Letter.

The Psrana Drug Mfg Co., Columbus, o.:
PeTHHa is indeed household blessing.
Last fan caught severe cold sOHfcH deuel.
Oped into a most unpleasant cGtGyvH of the
respiratory organs, and for oyer faCO 1CeekS
could neither enjoy my food nor enjoy TeStfsI
sleep I became steYg0Us and irritable, and
nothing looked Just right to me. Il good
ssefgh5Or adOiSed nse to try PerHaa, and int
nsedfately sent for bottle. I am very glad
indeed that did. I began to feel relief in a
soeek, and felt better than had SEA taUO
years. ''-lTaygGret HteSt0H, II27 Linden ST.
Indiana 0EfS, Ind.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-27
High School oratorical Contest.

Wellington, Feb. 27.-The annual con-
test in oratOry between the three htera-
ry societies of the Sumner country high
school was held here last evening. The
orators and their subjects were: Elliot
Willis, Cadmus society, THE Respon-
sibility of American Citizenship" John
w. Wengler, Gladstonia society, 1.-THE
Rule of the Demagogue;'' Robert Dey,
Literati society, United States the
World Power" The first prize was
awarded to Elliott Willis. and the Sec
ond to John w. Wengler. The winner
will represent the school in the state
contest of county high schools.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-27
a Burning at Garnett.

inson, about so years old, who lived
with her son, Harry Hutchinson, was
probably mortally burned Friday after
noon. 1t is supposed she fell against
the stove. Her clothing was afire when
her daughter-in-Iaw reached her. Her
face and neck were burned.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-27
IN wAeaENER's OFFICE.
Important Meeting Held in Regard te
Central Branch Extension.

What does this mean? A meeting of
the directors of the Denver & Kansas
Northern railroad was held at the Of
flee of B. P Waggener last night. Those
present were w. w. Caldwell of Con-
Ps7,zs e. IF rron .atle-ii Podeers ~
Beloit, and E. w. H. Lake of Atchison.
This is the company which took out a
charter a few weeks ago, for half a
dozen lines in Kansas, but which were
taken to mean a movement for the ex-
tension of the Central Branch to Den
yer. An Atchison director upon being
asked by a reporter for the particulars
of last nights meeting, said, with a sort
of knowing smile, that 1t had no signif1-
cance.-Atchison Globe
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-27

jured on railroads in the United States.
Other casualties not the result of train
accidents bring the total to 10o pas
sengers and GIG employees killed and
2.68S passengers and 11,474 employees in
jured. The total number of persons
killed during this quarter shows an
increase of 1S1. and the number killed
in train accidents shows an increase
of so over the number reported in the
preceding bulletin. The total number
of collisions and derailments was 3,063
Q,765 collisions and 1928 derailments).
of which 251 collisions and 40 derail-
ments affected passenger trains The
damage to cars. engines and roadway
by these accidents amounted to s., 49,
376
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-27
MUST RAISE $4,000.
Orient VIII Get Another Bunch of
Wichita Money.

IF put in an exclusive Orient town
and not in Wichita. the shops will be
worth $750,O0O to US. We could get
that out os a townsita in an exclusive
Orient town. Shreveport. La. gave
$500 900 outright as a gift for the shops
of the Kansas City, Pittsburg & Gulf.
eff Wichita feels that the shops are
not so important we will return to you
every share Of stock subscribed: you
need not vote one cent in bonds and
we will make Wichita division point.
if you will free US from the promise of
putting the shops in this city.
More than that. we will give Wich-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-27
UNION PACIFIC BEATEN.
Federal Court Jury Gives Lumber
man Verdict for SO, 800.

Kansas City, Mo-, Feb. ga jury
in the federal court in Kansas City,
Kan, returned a verdict awarding
Frank P. Lucas. a lumberman of Wa
Keency, Kan, a judgment for $500
against the Union Pacific Railroad
company. On March is, 1902, a spark
from a Union Pacific engine started a
fire which destroyed Lucas lumber
yard. The verdict was for the full
amount sued for. Lucas was represent
ed bv L. G. Boyle and w. F. Guthrie.
A. l.. Berger and N. H. LOOMS repre-
scented the defendant
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-27
Accused of Stealing Hides.

Leavenworth, Kan, Feb. 27.-William
Sullivan and Charles Crabtree, young
men from Independence, Mo-, arrested
here Wednesday night. were taken to
independence. They are accused of
stealing green hides and selling them
in Kansas City. An effort will be made
to convict them of burglary.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-27
Claims Fraudulent Divorce.

Leavenworth Kan, Feb. 27.-Mrs.
Catherine Waldvogel of Milwaukee, be-
gan suit here to have a divorce that
was granted her husband set aside on
the ground that it was obtained by
fraud. Carl Waldvogel. who is a vet
eran and inmate of the Soldiers home,
secured a divorce here eight months ago
by alleging that he had been cruelty
treated. The wife was not present to
make a defense. Mrs. WaldvogeI al
leges that the husbands wants to avoid
paying her half his pension money, that
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-27
THEIR LAST DAY HERE.
All R. I. General officers, Excepting
Attorney, Moved from Topeka

Rock Island will have left Topeka to
be located in Kansas City Saturday
night, when H. E. Byram, general
superintendent, and E. Rope, superin-
tendent of motive power, transfer their
office forces and fixtures in a private
car to Kansas City. They will be sta
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-27
Barton County Prosperous.

Great Bend, Kan, Feb. 27.-Barton
county, the banner wheat county of
Kansas for 1903. shows a condition of
prosperity perhaps unrivaled in the
world. With a population in the entire
county of 1850 men, women and chill
dren, the deposits in the eleven banks
in the county aggregate the sum of
81, $50, 600, or $166.66 for every man, wo-
man and child in the county. OF this
amount, three banks in Great Bend have
on deposit about $3.50, 900.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-27

Leavenworth. Kan, Feb. 27.-The po-
lice last evening found the body of an
old man in the alley back Of the Bap-
fist church. There are no evidences
of foul play and it is thought the old
man died of heart disease or some other
aff1iction. An examination Of his per-
sonal property revealed the fact that
he is Fred Woehner. an old resident of
this city. The remains were taken to
Sections undertaking establishment I'M
der instructions from the coroner, who
will probably hold an inquest today
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-27
Railroad Fatalities.

A bulletin Just issued by the inter-
state commerce commission shows that
during the months of July, August and
September. 1903. there were go pas
sengers and 220 employees killed and
], 66S passengers and 1914 employees IN
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-27
MISS MARGARET HUEsToN.
DecoIIete Downs and catarrh.

Miss Blanche Myers. 3120 Penn street,
Kansas City, Mo-, writes:
During each of the past four seasons
I have caught a severe cold, when sud
denly chilled after an evening party,
the result. One bottle of Peruna cured
me and shall not dread colds any more
as I did. "-Blanche Myers.
Miss G. Nolan. 202 E street, N E.,
Washington, D. c., writes: I have been