The Topeka state journal., 1905-10-24
over is CENTS.
An Old Soldier Creates a Stir at
Federal Building.
Made Officials Believe He Was
Being WrOnged.
SECURES A WARRANT.
He Has a Man Named Widner
Arrested.
Gave Accused Pension Papers
for Safe Keeping.
SECURES A WARRANT.

Practically the entire force of gov
ernment officials in the federal build
ing were on Monday afternoon in
veigled into helping settle trouble that
arose over a loan of fifteen cents.
A picturesque sort of an old man,
with a big nose and long gray hair
his clothes consisting primarily OF
hickory shirt and big 1baggy blue over
alls, marched into the United States
marshals Office and wanted to see
Frank Flenniken, the chief clerk.
"AIl right" said Frank; I'm the
man"
MY name is Lewis c. Williams"
ventured the visitor. "A feller up
here on Sixth street between Kansas
avenue and Quincy, named Widdle,
has got my pension certificate and he
won't give it up. I want it, but l
don't want to make him no trouble.
HE can't hold it, said Mr.. Flen-
niken; but why won't he give it up z,
Il owe him fifteen cents" retorted
Williams.
That doesn't make any difference, :"
said Flenniken you Eoas see the at
torney down stairs about it"
Williams found Mr.. Deans stenog-
rapher in the Office He told his tale
of woe there. The stenographer wrote
a note to Widdle, telling him that un-
less ne surrendered the pension GER
tificate that he would get into trouble
Williams went off with the note.
He wasn't gone more than ten min
utes when he came back eXcftedly,
exclaiming- Il handed him this note
and he read it. Then he threw it on
the floor and kicked it out on the side
walk, and still refused to give up my
papers"
tifully besmeared with big gobs of
mud and sidewalk filth. It showed
evidences of l-aving been kicked
Another idea struck Williams about that
time. He knows Pension Commissioner
Metcalf and bore down upon nm win
his story of grief.
.-Metcalf didn't give me no satisfac-
ton" he remarked as he came back into
the attorneys office I got to have them
papers and I'm goin' to have en-.
The stenOgrapher suggested that he see
United States Commissioner Williams. So
that worthy was appealed to. While VII
liams was busy trying to find the statute
grew impatient and marched back TO me
attorneys office and began to tell the
story of his troubles there again
Il went over to see that feller you told
me about" he said. He pulled down
some old dusty books and began lookin
for something. didn't have time to watt
while he was tuning Commissioner
Williams appeared. He had found the law
and at once fixed up warrant for Wild
dies arrest, which Williams swore to-
Frank Flenniken served the paper on
WlddIe, whose name he learned was Wid-
ner instead w ny, Wldoner coutdn
read" said Flenniken. He told me that
Williams had brought his pension certifi-
cate to him and after borrowing Is cents
for his breakfast, told him to keep the
papers, and that If he came back after
them while he was drinking, to throw him
! out of the house rather than return them.
Widner runs a rooming house on the
north side of Sixth street, between Quin-
cy and Kansas avenue. He was doing
Williams kindness He handed me the
papers at once and told me the story of
the matter. I think the United States
/ commissioner ought to dismiss the case -
Meanwhile Commissioner Williams holds
! the certificate. The case will come up for
a hearing in a few days