davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-15
ON TWO MEN.
Fire Marshal Wilmarth Places
Blame of Big Fire.
They We're Criminally Negligent
and Should Be Arrested.
MIR. A Y SAYS NO.
Would DO No Good to Prosecute
Watchmen.
Vaults Open Show Papers and
Books Uninjured.
MR.. DAVIS SAYS NO.

"The blame for the Saturday fire
rests directly on the shoulders of those
two men who were employed by Park
hurst-Davis to watch that building.
They are crimina1ly negligent. and
should be made to suffer for it."
This is the attitude taken by Fire
Marshal G. 0. Wilmarth, and it may
result in the criminal prosecution of
Wilcox and Scott. the two supposed
guardians of the property who were
found down in the office on the first
floor while the fire was raging in the
three floors above them.
Shortly after the building was con-
structed," said Fire Marshal Wilmarth,
Il mad elevator traps up it in every
floor, which were supposed to be shut
down at night. 1t was the duty of
somebody to shut down these traps.
Not one Of them was shut. The building
was open from top to bottom"
W. H. Davis said today: Il don't ex-
pect to prosecute these men. 1t would
avail US nothing. We are going right
ahead and doing business"
When asked today whether or not it
would be necessary for the city to buy a
steam fire engine, Chief Wilmarth said:
Il am not ready to ia what the city
should do, but some action will have
to be taken Immediately. This condi-
ton can not be allowed to continue.
The engine which we have is % years
old. 1t was fixed III a few months ago
by the Santa Fe, and the repairs cost
the city only $46; a merely nominal
expense, all the work being done free.
But it did not make the engine worthy
of dependence. After it was put in
service Saturday morning it threw wa
ter out of itself so badly hat the engi-
neer had to cut the stem down to IS
pounds. We now have the engine back
in the shop again, trying to get it in
better shape for service"
SHAW SAYS ENGINE IS NECES-
SARY.
Jesse Shaw, superintendent of the
city w~aterworks, said today:
whether the city buys the water
works or not, it is my opinion that a
steam fire engine of late improved pat
tern should be purchased for use in the
business portion of the city. The city
should not rely on direct pressure for
big fires. There is too much danger OF
bursting mains"
do you think that under ordinary
conditions the water plant can furnish
as good pressure as it used to furnish?'
was asked
Il am willing to stake my reputation
thai it could said Mr.. Shaw emphat-
ically. That plant is able to furnish
good pressure, and I know 1t. 1t has
not been in perfect condition since the
flood, as we have freely admitted
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-15

down in the ruins which may be fit for
some use. Hundreds of big washtubs.
granite iron buckets, watering pots.
and other things of similar nature,
seem to be In fairly good state Of pres
erVatlon, though u~nsaleabIe.
-VAULT. PROVED ALL RIGHT
Inls morning the door of the hreproof
were found to be in just as good condition
as they We're before the fire, except for
the moisture caused by the sweating of
the walls of the vault.
Even the combination lock on the door
worked all right. One of the heavy bolts
at the base of the door, however, had
proken' and 1T was necessary to use
siedge hammers to get into the vault.
There was a great quantity of letter
MES, books, papers and other valuables in
the vault, and they are being removed as
neeoed TO a temporary office which has
been loaned to ParkhurSt-DaVis company
in the freight office of the Rock Island
railway in the passenger depot.
The Mccormick vault was also in good
CONDITION. and the Santa Fe railway has
oIIered the Mccormick company the use
of its old round house as a storage ware
house for new goods which are coming
in.
MORE DYNAMITE.
Saturday afternoon, after using four
sticks of dynamite in a futile attempt to
blow down the northeast corner of the
Parkhurst-Davis building, the menacing
pinnacle was pulled down by means of a
heavy wire cable and block and tackl
A big Manila rope was broken three times
in trying to pull over the corner before
the cable was used.
This afternoon some. more dynamiting
will be done in an effort to raze other
walls which are liable to fall.
Pieces of brick blown out of the wall
by the dynamite Saturday flew across the
street into the front windows of the lit
tie buildings there and did considerable
| damage.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-15
IS NOT RUDOLPH.
L~eavenworth Convict Says He Is Not
the Union Bank Robber.

L~eavenworth, Kas., Feb. 15.-Before
steps are taken to have Charles Cor
ney, who was said to have been iden-
titled at the Kansas state penitentiary
Saturday as "BilI'' Rudolph, the
escaped Union, Mo, bank robber. par
tdoned by the governor of Kansas, so
that he may be tried in Missouri for
the murder of Charles ]. Schumacher
of the Pinkerton forces, he will prob
ably be shown" to people who knew
Rudolph. George Collins, R~udolph's
partner, is in Jail in st. Louis awaiting
his execution on March IL for partici-
patton in the Schumacher murder. The
trial of Rudolph would doubtless mean
hanging for him. It is the wish of the
pen1tentiary officials, as well as of the
Pinkertons, to have the identification
of Gorney absolutely complete, as his
life depends upon it.
Gorney, while he tries to talk as lit
tie as possible about himself and his
history, states quietly but emphatical-
ly that he is not Bill" Rudolph. War
den E. B. Jewett and other officials of
the penltentiary have not finally de-
cided that the prisoner is Rudolph, al
though they are inclined to think tina
he is. Warden JeWett says that no
steps will be taken to have Gorney
pardoned or removed from the prison
until the Identification is established
beyond a doubt.
A reporter talked with Gorney. or
Rudolph, in a cell at the penitentiary.
The prisoner showed an inclination to
eVade questions to a certain degree.
but to all of them he finally gave an
swers in a quiet tone Of voice.
dolph, N'
7 talked to the officers about that Fri
day, he replied evasfvely.
again. N
No said Gorney.
We're you ever at Union, Mo. % Cor
No, I have never been in Missouri. ex-
cept in Kansas City, and then I passed
through the state coming from St. Paul.
Gorney said that st. Paul was his
nome his parents, he said, are dead.
and are buried in the country near that
city He said that he had no hrotbers
ana no sisters The PRISONS record book
showed, however, that Gorney had given
me names of Clarence Gorney and Tom
Gorney OF Eaton, Mimi, as relatives.
Just before the prisoner was sent hack
TO ms cell he was asked If he cared to
make a statement about himself or about
the report of his Identification. He re-
pHed that he did not. He was again
asked If he was Rudolph.
NO. he replied. "They haven't anv
proof that I am" '
Gorney is a countryhed looking Young
man, rather tall and bender. The record
book SHOWS. that he was born December
D. 1919, but does not say where. His
father, the book shows, was a native of
Sweden and his mother of Minnesota
According to the book he went TO school
six years in all, and this is the first time
in prison. W
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-15
4 ON TUESDAY.
State Temperance Union Members
Coming.

At the Office of the State Temperance
union it is believed hat the unions
annual convention this week VIII be
fully attended. During the past month
many inquiries and expressions OF in
terest concerning it nave been received
from various parts of the state.
The convention begins at 1870 tomor-
row afternoon and closes Thursday
night. President F. D. Coburn is eX-
pected to be present through the entire
three days, arriving from st. Louis to-
day for this purpose.
One particular feature of the con-
| vention is the giving of prominence to
phases of the temperance reform, John
G.. Woolley, the famous Third Party
Prohibitionist, and DR.. I. N. McCash, OF
| Iowa, an eloquent leader of the Anti
Saloon Leauge forces, between which
and the Third Party people some fric-
ton has at times existed Both OF these
men, however, have broad sympathies
and believe in the united effort of all
temperance people,
The day sessions of the convention
will be held in the First Methodist
church and the three evening meetings
in the Auditorium. Tomorrow night
William Allen White, Emporia; Rev.
c. A. Finch. Topeka; d I. F. Gar
yer, Topeka; J. w. B~reidenthal, Kan
| sas City; H. S. Lewis, Hutchinson, and
Mrs. Margaret Hill McCarter, Topeka
will speak on 1.-THE Kansas Situation
respectively from the points of view OF
the editor, the minister, the lawyer, the
business man, the young man, and the
mother.
Wednesday evening will be devoted
to John G.. Woolley's address on "The
Main Chance of a Prohibitionist," and
Thursday evening to that of DR.. Nc
| Cash on "Civic Conscience"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-15
The Fire Racord

This morning the fire department
was again called to 900 Quincy street,
the home Of W. H. Spendlove, whose
niue son Willie was burned to death
last week. This time MI.
himself burned his hand quite badly.
He was down in the cellar mixing
paint and the paint caught fire. He
burned his hand in extinguishing the
property.
Sunday evening, at 8 o'clock, the
nome OF Rev John Trezise at 1885 Clay
street, was totally destroyed. The fam
lily was able to save a piano, and there
VAS $ooo insurance on the house. The
fire originated from a defective fue,
Rev. Mr.. Trezise is a retired clergy
man.
At 2;S0 this afternoon, the residence
OF w. c. Garvey, at 919 Fillmore street,
caught fire from SCOT on the roof. The
damage was slight, and the fire was ex-
t1ngu1shed by the use of Chemicals.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-15
REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS.

NJ. E. Casey and husband to H. H.
Eastman, IS, 500. NV Il 35. IL. 16.
In matter Of the vacation of Davies
addition:
J.. c. McFeeters and wife to S. H.
Howe, $1z5, lots ITO. 112 and ia Ohio
avenue, Highland Park subdivision.
j. w. Dill and wife to same, $125, lots
II, Is and Is Pennsylvania avenue,
Highland Park subdivision.
c. W~orthington and wife to c.. L
Worthington. 81, part NV Il %. IL. II.
J. H. Meyer and wife to c. Weis-
bender. $3.50. e " NV Il 1, 10, II.
H. E. Disbrow and wife to A. G. Dis
brow, 81, part lot POP Tyler street
A. G. Disbrow to H. E. Disbrow and
wife, 81, part lot 200 Tyler street.
S. B. Nauman and wife to w. w. Gill
more and wife. $500 part new u II.
IL, 16.
D. S. Hubbard and wife to L. T. Nell
son and wife, 81, part NV u 81, Is, Is.
J. French and wife to L. ]. Hamilton,
81. lot 425 and north half 423 Quincy
street, Paramore's first addition.
The Topeka Railway Co. to The
American Trust Savings bank. $780,
900. See record.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-15
ABSOLUTE DENIAL
That Japenese Used Wei Hal
Wei as q Naval Base.

London, Feb. 15.-Foreign Minister
announced in the house of
lords TODAY hat he had received a
cable message from the commander-in-
chief of the Chinese station giving an
absolute denial of the report that the
Japanese fleet had been allowed to use
We Hal Wei as a base OF operations
against Port Arthur. The commander
in-chief added:
"Wei-Hai-Wei did not know opera
tons were proceeding until I notified
them. In fact, Wei-Hai-Wei's first d.
rect knowledge of ~belligerent proceed
ines was the visit of the steamer Flu
Ping to report the circumstances of her
being fred on when leaving Port
Arthur.
1.-The air is full Of baseless rumors,
obviously deliberately c~oncocted."
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-15
POLICE JOTTINCS.
Judge Hamilton a Terror to
Wife Beaters.
Oscar Brown Made a Record for
Brutality.
GIVEN A HEAVY FINE.
Whipped Wife and Knocked
Down His Child.
Starts to Fight officers But
Changes Mind.
GIVEN A HEAVY FINE

1t has been demonstrated by the po-
lice court that it is far safer to swat
a total stranger han for any man to
scramble the countenance and change
the expression on his better half. Judge
Hamilton seems unable to become rec
onctled to the fact that a mar needs a
little exercise once in a while, particu-
larly If he never works, and that his
wife is frequently the handiest substi-
tute for a punching bag. The court
has firmly refused to endorse this sys-
tenn of physical culture, and when oc-
caSion presents itself, always permits
his a~ntipathy for the ~e-bea to be-
come visible to the naked eye. The
new era ideas of the court were very
unfortunate for one Oscar Brown, a
labor-nit residing at 300 Leland street,
who was brought in by the gendarines
yester cen for mistreating his wife.
1t seems, from the evidence this norm
ing, that Brown has not labored since
Christmas, and instead of swearing off
on New Years, started in the night be-
fore, and has carefully avoided drawing
a sober breath since that time. Sunday
afternoon, being intoxicated, he mis-
took his faithful wife, who has been
compelled to put up with him for II
years, for a spring chicken. Throwing
her down he proceeded to pick her, re-
moving the major portion of her cloth
MS ny liz A1G0-dI4O-IdIlCI SySlSIA1.
Then kneeling playfully on her neck
he sent the 2-year-old baby after the
butcher knife. The infant could o
get the weapon SO he sent the second
sized child after the axe. The little girl
aged II, ran into the room and begged
him not to kili her mother. He inn
mediately knocked the child down,
cutting her lip and making her nose
bleed. Getting possession of the axe he
chased the half naked woman out into
the yard, and threw the coal bucket at
the little girl, who was trying to wash
the blood from her face. Officers who
! called to relieve the situation found Mr..
Brown in bed. he had hastily retired
upon the approach of the dark carriage.
The officers broke in, and with joyous
accord jumped on the form of Mr..
Brown, who had risen and recOupled
himself to h axe. After breaking
some of the furniture they bore Mr..
Brown away in triumph and the hood
lum wagon.
"Ha hum" said the court his morn
ing, as his front hair stood out an inch
beyond its average 1T would give me
great pleasure to give you about five
years at hard labor" Then followed a
few remarks in which the word "con-
temptible'' was used. For want of
something better I viii give you a fine
of $50"
Logan Justice received s25 worth of JUS
is a fresh negro, who desired to dine yes
terday at a chilli joint on East Fourth
street. 1t seems that the other occupants
of the place did not desire him as a GUS
toner, and cast him out. Justice unlim-
bered a razor and prepares to return, but
one RObb. an empIOye in the chill mill,
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-15

but they had heard a noise in an alley.
So they stood at the end of the alley
herding the noise, which was produced by
the rotary movement of a night watch
man who was going his rounds. The
people of the north side find 1t necessary
to hire night watchmen to protect their
property and these watchmen frequently
disturb the regular policemen.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-15
wheat Touchad a Dollar-

New York, Feb. 15.-Wheat touched
the dollar mark here today for the first
time since June, 1898, after the Letter
corner. The rise was accompanied by
a simllar rise in corn and oats. Coffee
and cotton, on the contrary broke
heavily. There has been a rise of 7I
cents a bushel in the price of wheat
since January.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-15
Defaulting Cashier surrenders.

Kansas City, Mo, Feb. 15.-Lee De
ford, the defaulting cashier of the Bank
of Altamount, which failed last month
following his disappearance. when q
warrant was issued for his arrest charg-
ing him with using $1,000 of the banks
funds, surrendered here today. Deford,
who is a member of a prominent family,
says he spent the money in speculation.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-15
Judge POLLOCK Returns,

Judge j. c.. Pollock of the United
States district court returned Sunday
from Catalina Island, Cal, and Is in
Kansas City today conducting court,
which was adjourned there about thres
weeks ago on account of his illness
The business Of the court was resumed
where it was left off. The docket is set
with cases up to March 2. After the
session is concluded in Kansas City the
Wichita term will open. The April
term will be held In oTpeka-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-15
MASONS ARE HERE
Nearly All the Higher Branches
Meet In Topeka.
Grand Council Royal and Select
Masters This Morning.
MANY ARE TO BE HERE.
Seven Hundred Masens Expect
ed to Participate.
Cryptic Degree Is to Be Con-
ferred Tonight.
MANY r TO BE HERE.

At 9 o'clock this morning the most
iIlustrious grand council of h Royal
and Select Masters of Kansas, Masonic,
gathered in the Masonic building on
jackson street for a business session of
the t~hirty-sixth annual assembly.
At 8 O'Clock this afternoon the most
exalted grand chapter of Royal Arch
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-15

ters O. E. S. are invited to be present at
Masonic hall at 4 o'clock on Wednesday
afternoon to meet the children from the
Masonic home at Wichita, who will be
their guests.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-15

threw up e~ntrenchments and kept up a
hot battery fire of tea cups and other
bric-a-brac which Justice was unable to
face. About this time a bunch of cop
pers blew in, and he was facing a charge
of carrying concealed weapons. The
price was S2.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-15
DEATHS AND FUNERALS.

Frederick Kleinfeldt. an uncle of Mrs.
Mark died at the Union Pa
cifc hotel this morning aged 81 years.
Union Pacific hotel at IL a. m, Tues
day. The body will be taken to Salina
for burial.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-15

A very drunk female whom Mrs. Thorpe
identified as Hattie Andrews late of the
lice last night way out at Eighteenth
and Harrison. She was sinking fast and
bottle of Demon Rum was concealed in
her ~starboard sock. but the most of her
cargo of spirits were stored in the hold.
She was unable to appear before his
Honor this morning.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-15

one. Kansas City, Denver. ST. Louis,
st. Joseph, Lincoln, Omaha, Sioux City
and Council Bluffs will be here in force,
as well as teams from a great many
other towns in the association.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-15

The patrol wagon was called to the
north side last night by the glowing Of
6cers stationed there. Oh, no; they didn't
have anything to send back in the wagon.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-15

with the goods on him. After they got the
valentine back they did not desire to do
anything more to little Esoen. So the po-
lice tied him loose.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-15

Logan Justice received $25 worth of jus
tice in police court this morning. Justice
is a fresh negro, who desired to dine yes
terday at a chilli joint on East Fourth
street. 1t seems that the other
of the place did not desire him as a GUS
toner, and cast him out. Justice unlin-
one Robb. an employee in the chilli mill,
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-15

Realizing that the police department
was getting so musty hat a good po-
liceman on the force was looked upon
ualiy subjected to the eagle-eye, also OBJ
jecting to the kow-tow system, Thomas
J. Meredith, who has been a good officer
and attended to the business on hand,
Jumped his job yesterday. Meredith care
fully backed away from his star and elm
seryile employment. The few other good
policemen on the force would gladly fol-
low suit if profitable employment were
not so scarce.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-15

Little Eben Cooper had a longing in his
heart for a valentine which he saw In
Zercher's window. So he just took it
and vamoosed. But those connected with
the store gave chase and took little Eben
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-08-19
FAINT HOPE FOR
HOAR'S RECOVERY
Senator'S Chief Trouble Is With
Left Lung Control May
Mean New Lease.

Worcester, Mass, Aug. 19.-Senator
Hoar's condition showed a slight inn
proyement today. He passed a COM
Portable night, according to his ply
sicians, and was resting quietly at 9
o'clock this morning. Later General
Rockwell Hoar gave out the follow
ing statement:
'"The senator has had. g, conforta-
BILE night and is holding his own, tho
he is,v very weak. The chief cause for
anxiety is trouble with his left lung,
which caused his prostration at the
end Of last week. This, however, de-
velops but little, and il it can be con
tro1led and he can retain his strength
for the next two days, there will be
ground for hope"
At noon today lockwood Hoar is
sued the following bulletin:
'"The senator is asleep and has had
a fairly comfortable day. He is hold
ing his own"
Senator Hoar is suffering, it is be-
lieved, from a postomatic congestion
Of the left lung due to impaired heart
action and the belief is general thai
chances for his recovery are less Their
they were early this morning. Doc.
tors who have had similar cases say
| that the general breaking down Of the
senator physically with the conges
ton of the left lung is a bad omer
and they say that his chances for re-
covery are very slight unless the lung
| clears Immediately.
The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-08-19
ANOTHER SEIZURE AT CHI-FU
Japs Take Possession of Steamer OPP.
pOsite the Entrance.

Washington, Aug. 19.-The state de-
partment has received a cablegram
from Chi-fu, dated today, the sub
stance Of which is as follows:
This morning seven Japanese de-
stroyers entered the harbor. Oppo-
site the entrance they met an un-
known steamer entering and took pos
session Of her., Two Japanese cruisers
are outside the harbor."
leave in doubt one Of the most I'M
portant points connected with the
seizure. namely the exact spot at
which it occurred, whether without
or within the three-mile limit. Naval
officers familiar with the harbor of Chi
flu state that there are two entrances
from opposite directions, and 1t Is in
ferred that the Japanese squadron APP
preached thru one of these entrances
to find the unknown steamer coming
7 thru the other. The impression here,
lEeonseuuently, is that the seizure oc-
| Cured within the Chinese territorial
| waters.
The incident is regarded as an evil
dence of determination Of the
Japanese naval officers to dis
regard niceties in dealing with
Chinese neutrality. Coupled with the
reported refusal Of the Japanese gov
eminent to release the Ryeshitelni
also seized in Chi-fu harbor, it is
thought that the seizure indicates thai
! while the Japanese may not assert the
right of seizure in the internationa
port Of Shanghai, they will not hest
4 tate to attack and cut out any Rus
sian ships that lie in Chi-fu harbor
| provided they are not dismantled tc
/ the absolute satisfaction Of the Jap.
anese naval officers.