The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-07-11
DYNAMITEROR THEDEMON RUN
TEMPERANCE CRANK Nv KANSAS
BLOWS UP THREE SALOONS.
From = suburban Retreat He Writes Letters
Promising More ExplO Tells Gov.
H0ch That Hell's Broken LOose-Let-
tiers to Others-He Stole the Dynamite

lola, Kan July l0.-The Eagle saloon,
the Redlight saloon and the Blue Front
saloon, all in a row, were demolished by
two explosions OF dynamite early this morn
ing. The dynamite was exploded In the
alley on the east side OF the Eagle saloon.
The buildings we're wrecked and the plate
glass and window panes Of buildings for
blocks were broken. Many buildings IN
the vicinity OF the wrecked saloons we're
badly wrecked and brick walls we're cracked.
The damage Is estimated at 100000.
That the work was done by crank was
made clear this afternoon, when number
Of letters were received by the lola Register
from the crazy man, c. l.. Melvin, who Ia
in hiding in this vicinity, making 1t per-
feotly clear that he blew up the saloons.
Melvin is a man whose mind has been known
to be unsound for several years. He Is
temperance advocate. The letters are
addressed to Mayor Dresbach, the people
Of Kansas, the saloon men and bootleggers
OF Kansas, Gov. Hoch and the Kansas Sen
ate and House. The letters were placed
In mailbox at the extreme edge OF the
city by the fugitive. In the letter to the
people Of Kansas Melvin says,
Down with the serpent tooth OF rum!
Until that time the fair land Of Kansas
will be rent with redeyed rampant anarchy.
What an explosion there will be, my coun-
trymen, and there'll be hot time some
time tonight. We have given you but q
touch Of what we propose to do II the joints
OF this town are not closed. We will apply
the bomb and the torch without stint and
without mercy"
In his letter to the saloon men and boot
leggers of Kansas, Melvin said:
AS there seems to be no redemption for
you,you may just we'll go to hell first as last,
and we are going to send you there If you
don't cult business. and that for good, for
we are in business to stay Perhaps you will
laugh at us. just come to lola and see your
selves what we propose to do. Our organ
ization Is complete In every part OF the State
where whisky is sold openly. At a given sig
ward and you will go with it if you don't
look out, or get out.
In his letter to the Governor, he says:
We wish to inform you that hell has
broken loose in Kansas and the first shot
has been fired. Who are we and what our
mission9 Our band consists Of an organiza-
ton Of men for the purpose OF assisting
laws We believe the people Of Kansas
have had enough of this state Of affairs.
We have had enough of it, and by the Eternal
we are going to blow them into kingdom
come if they don't Joe Folk themselves
and get busy. The regulation Of the vio-
lation OF law Is anarchy pure and simple
so If you want anarchy we will give you
enough of it and the real Russian brand.
It's war to the knife and knife TO the hilt
What an explosion there will be, my coun-
trylnen!"
Melvin is being searched for tonight.
1t is feared that he may do other damage
if he is not apprehended. The dynamite
was stolen from the magazine Of the Kansas
Portland Cement Company.