The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-03-27
He SWOOPS DOWN
Chief Stahl Makes a Long De-
Iayed Raid.
Finds Disgraceful Situation on
Lower Kansas Avenue.
WHOLESALE ARRESTS.
Two Girls Under Is Found at
VansciVer Resort.
Finds Conditions Worse Than
Had Been Pictured.
WHOLESALE ARRESTS.

Chief of Police Stahl made a move
toward the closing of the dives on
lower Kansas avenue Saturday night,
by raiding the restaurant-joint at
4O01k Kansas avenue and arresting
20 people. 1t was a move that should
have been made long ago.
The chief has threatened the dives
which women were allowed to pa
tronize. and at least one of the places
took him at his word. The "Owl''
restaurant has barred women for sew
eral days, and a sign, Positively no
women wanted here" has been hang
ing on the front door, but the place
at 400 Il failed to heed the warning.
When Chief Stahl and a squad of
officers raided the place Saturday
night they found, admitted Chief
Stahl today, that conditions were
even worse than they were painted in
the State Journal story which was
branded as Campaign literature
Three women, in an advanced state OF
intoxication. were holding the atten-
ton of about % men. Part of the
crowd were drinking at a rude bar,
and the rest were standing about or
sitting at tables. The room was so
full of tobacco smoke that the officers
could not see plainly, and they think
a few of the guests escaped by the
rear. Some of the things seen and
heard by the chief are unprintable.
Two of the girls found in the place
were not more than IS years of age.
Everyone in the building, with the
exception of the lunch counter man in
front, was arrested on a charge of be-
ing found in a disorderly house."
three wagon loads. Only two out of
the % had money enough to put up a
cash bond of $25- The other -27 spent
the night in jail
the gang found in the place." said
Chief Stahl this mOrIhng. "I had
warned those restaurant men that
intended to arrest them all the next
We did not catch Hank Vansciver,
the proprietor of the place, and
hear that he got married Saturday
night and was away on that account
he was running the lunch counter in
front" While admitting that the con-
ditions found were SO vile that he was
shocked, the chief failed to state his
reasons for denouncing the story of
crime and vice recently published in
the State Journal as a WilIfuI mis-
statement and Campaign talk
The raid Of the Van Solver place will
do much toward relieving a condition
which has put lower Kansas avenue on
Some of the men arrested Saturday night
gave fictitious names but their right
could ascertain them. Following is the
black list:
Charles Thompson, alias Mckay: John
Reich. Walter Morgan, f. NJ. McWhin-
ney VIII Richards. Owen Saunders, Clyde
Cooper John Ellis, alias H Lam bert:
John Cuff. Fred Ogden, Claude Moore c.
A. McFadden. alias J. Cooswald; Frank
Owens. William Root. Lewis Elliott, Paul
Wood. E. Strawn, Hugh O'Connor, B. 8.
Shaw. f. NJ. Hamilton, Gertie Thomas,
Helen Carter, Mamie Harlow, J. B. King,
alias r. Stumbaugh; JNhn Anderson, Wal
ter Going, alias W. Goehling, and J. ].
Atchison.
The alleged house of i'll fame at 631 Quin-
cy street was raided Sunday night. 10
sic Thompson was charged with keeping
the place Stella Burton and Helen Ev-
ertts and J. H. Vilot and B. w. Kasy
were found in the place.