The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-11-02
Illinois, before return

visit to Topeka, when she would make
it. would be purely in the nature of a
personal visit, and could have no con-
nection with the affairs of the First
National bank. She had many private
business matters to adjust there, she
said, but they could wait until such a
time as she could care for them
properly.
It was possible, she announced. that
she would take up her residence in
Topeka again, as she could not help
regarding herself as a Kansas Wo-
man, the happiest years of her life
having been spent there, but that, she
added, was, of course. for the future
to decide.
Story OF His Death.
Mr.. Devlin went direct to the st. Eliz-
abeth's hospital when he arrived in Chi
cago, as he always made that his head
quarters. He had given literally to the
sisters in charge. The following is the
report of the death sent out from Chi
| cago:
At II o'clock yesterday morning he
sat in his room talking to his wife and
daughter, Blossom when that look
which his family had learned to dread
spread over his face and he sank to the
floor, moaning and twitching.
This is the last time, DEAR he Whis
pered to his wife.
DIR. A. f. Kramps, 76 Union place, was
summoned. The doctor is an old friend
of the Devlin family and he knew that
the end had come. They did what they
could to soften his pain and he appeared
to recover a little from the shock by
noon. At Z o'clock in the afternoon,
however, while all his family were about
the bedside, he suffered another hem
Orrhage and drifted into an unconscious
ness which did not lift until his death
at 2 o'clock this morning.
The announcement of the death this
afternoon was a surprise to many Of
aware that he had returned from his
European trip. and at first it was not
believed. The name of the hospital was
Incorrectly reported and many inquiries
were made at the newspaper offices and
at police headquarters, to learn the
truth. The oublica ton this morning
that a member of the A1afia in Illinois
had been sent to kill Devlin in Topeka
and that the emissary had arrived there
the day after the banker had left for
Europe, complicated matters and there
were rumors that the man had met Dew
lin on his return to this country and
had accomplished his purpose. But
these stories were soon set at rest when
the death was located in st. Elizabeth s
hospital
/ A delegation of Devlin's former friends
in Spring Valley arrived tonight and
will accompany the body to that place
! tomorrow. He was the first mayor of
/ Spring Valley and the funeral will have
a peculiar significance for the mining
town. Through his efforts millions were
invested there and the population in
4 creased many fold.
Incidents of Devlin's Life.
Mr.. Devlin's father was a miner and
he himself was in the mines when a
boy. The way he got into the Toluca
( coal fields is interesting. His father
was living in La Sale but one day a
German who had been looking around
told him Of what he had found over
near the To1uca HeldS. Devlin's faith
er went over there ana between the
German and himself they uncovered a
good mine. They sold one-third in
terest to another party. This party
endeaVOreds to buy the Germans one
third interest after a while and offered
him $4,000. Devlin and his father
/ wanted to raise some capital and pur-
chase the third interest themselves
The German gave them 80 days in
hustled around but were unable to
raise all Of the money. The German
was favorable to them and gave them
so days to raise 900, for the other
party had offered to raise their bid
from $4,000. Finally in this man
ner the German disposed of his share
to the Devlins for $4,000. J. J. Hill
had furnished the backing. Hill was
introduced to Deylin by John H,
Finerty. This was c. J. Dev1in's entry
into the Toluca fields.
Marshall Field of Chicago. ]. J.
HILL the railroad nagnate and Judge
HORNE of Chicago as well as George
r. Peck and John H. Finerty were
some of the intimate friends and as
isociates of the former millionaire coal
operator.
Il never knew him to go to a
theater in his life" said an intimate
friend. HE never took any amuse-
than anything else. He always seemed
to be ready to eat. When we were
off on a trip he would rush around, If
he had the time, and hunt up a restau-
rant
Mr.. Devlin never belonged to q. Sc
cret society or fraternal organization
he never had the time. HE applied
for membership to the Knights Of Co
lumbus,'' said one man. But he
never found time to be initiated. He
wanted US to take him in without
initiation but we could not do that
.eHe had an inexhaustible fund OF
humor,'' said P. 7. Monaghan.
sfrTe was always talking and listening
or telling a story. He was full of good
humor He was this best coal operator
that ever had the pleasure of meet
ing. He understood everything. from
top to bottom. There was not anything
with which he was not fully acquaint-
ed If he had kept his attention con-
fined to coal he would have become one
of the greatest men in the west. He
was a man for details and kept track
Of the minuteSt details.
1t is stated that George R. Peck and
J. ]. Hill will lend their influence and
backing to the underwriting company
which is being contemplated for the
Devlin properties Mrs. Devlin will
carry out the intentions of Mr.. Devlin.
said a personal friend of the family.
He was deeply wrapped up in the
j Catholic church. He wanted all of his
men to belong and surrounded himself
with empIoyes who were of that de-
nomination He however, was not big
oted and did not require them to be-
long to the Catholic church. he simply
wanted them to belong to some denom-
ination. Religion moved him and his