The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-18
Child Birth Prevention Worst
Form of Law Violation.
SENTENCES TWO MEN.
Pleaded Guilty to Selling Pro-
hibited Medicine.
G. II. Flintham and DR.. /. L.
Meyer the Culprits.
Let Off Easily on Account Of
Families.

1T is one of the worst phases of any
violation of any law. It is so absolutely
wrong to prevent the birth of children
to obstruct the ways of nature. Some
times It is done to cover up a crime
and sometimes, and to the greatest ex-
tent, just because the children are not
wanted. It is hard to have to say it,
but it is true that the American people
are too much addicted to this practice
In such words Judge Pollock of the
United States district court this morn
ing denounced the business of DR.. I. l.
Meyer and G. H F'Iintham, both of
Hiawatha, who were brought before
him on pleas of guilty, to having used
the mails for the purpose of giving in
formation that certain articles and
things could be used to prevent the
birth of children.
When sentencing prisoners Judge Pol
lock frequently talks to them from the
bench concerning their offenses, but he
seIdomed seemed more wrought up and
direct than this morning.
Because both of you are married
men and have children at your homes,
shall not invoke the penitentiary Of
Tense continued the court. ITO send
a man to the penitentiary, who has a
wife and babies, throws upon them a
blight which even the rest of their days
cannot seal over. This is why I am
1GIlGuL-lL Is IOI your wives ana your
children, much more than for either Of
you. I shall fine you each $100 and the
costs of this case"
Both men Immediately paid their
fines.
The federal grand Jury which recently
met in Topeka preferred indictments
against both men. They are residents Of
HiaWatha and educated men, Dr. I. L
Meyer was trained in his profession
abroad and has a good practice at his
14-4Eg for
mer Topeka man, and one of the organ
izers OF the Knights and Ladies of Sc
curity. About a year ago, according to
the story told by the officials, Meyer
and FIintham started company at
Hiawatha, called the Vita company, to
manufacture medicine and to give out
Information concerning the prevention
of the birth of children.
They organized a large concern. It
is said that a Hawai- tina. preacher took
stock in it, but after finding out that
it was of questionable character with
drew. A secret service man went into
their plant at Hiawatha one day and
hearing of their use of the mails to dis
senninate this information, reported
them to the federal officers and they
were consequently indicted last week.
After being informed by the govern
ment officer that their practice was IL
legal specifically SO far as the use of
the mails was concerned, they abandon
ed their business.
Charles b Ennis, charged with man
slaughter in that he supplied the mutt
neering. prisoners at Fort Leavenworth
in 1901 with revolvers, with which they
shot Guard Waldrupe and injured
number of others, pleaded guilty before
Judge Pollock this morning and was
sentenced to three years in the federal
penitentiary and fined $1,000. Ennis. who
is quite a. young man, has served eight
years in the penitentiary for stealing
not more than 800 worth of stuff at
different times.
w. L. Nautilus, soldier from Fort
Riley was sentenced to the prison at
IeaVenWorth for one year for rifiing a
mail sack. He had been in the habit of
carrying mail for the officers. One day
he asked the mail carrier to permit him
to carry a mail bag to the depot. The
officers say that he had information
that a money order for $3.50 was in the
bag He cut the sack open and secured
the money order and cashed it. To
Judge Pollock this morning he stated
that he was drunk when he rified the
pouch.
The peculiar instance of a 15-year-old
boy before a federal court was enacted
before Judge Pollock this morning,
when Charles W. S. Rogers confessed
to cashing a money order belonging to
some one else. He worked for a farm
er near HOlton. One day the rural
route carrier left letter addressed to
Mrs. Rogers, knowing that some one
by the name of Rogers worked at the
place The boy received it, erased the
'ss'' from the word Mrs" and tried to
cash the paper. The postmaster at
Holton refused him howevec. He was
indicted by the grand jury last week.
Judge Pollock sentenced him to three
years at the reformatory at Washing
ton, D. c.