The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-10-22
Ex-senator Reaches st. Louis
This Morning.
viii Go at Once to IrontOn
Jail.
SNUBS GOVERNOR HOCH
Mrs. Burton Refuses to Shake
Hands.
Kansas Executive Cordially Re-
ceived by Ex-senator.
IUBS GOVERNOR HOCH

AaASAS EA0cuGAF0 cordially ne"
ceived by Ex-senator.
st. Louis. NO. Oct. 22-Former United
States Senator J. R. Burton of Kansas,
accompanied by his wife and niece, ar
rived here this morning from his home
at Abilene. and surrendered himself to
begin serving his sentence of six months
in the Ironton. Mo-, Jail. Apparently
he has changed little since he was tried
and convicted a year ago in the federal
court here of having accepted 81, 500 for
services rendered the Rialto Grain and
Securities company of st. Louis, before
the postoffice department at Washing
ton in a fraud order proceeding. AS he
stepped from the train this morning he
said:
Il am feeling very well, exceedingly
well under the circumstances. had a
good nights sleep and am greatly re-
freshed this morning. Perhaps the
trees, the bluffs and nature gently look
sweeter TO me this morning than they
shall for some time, but 1 do not let
myself think about that. I expect to
go to Ironton today and begin the life
tnat is laid for me-"
After taking breakfast at the union
station the former senator went to the
offices Of his attorney, F. ". Lehman.
! and preparat tions were begun for the
OFFICIAL surrender to the United States
marshal.
Mrs Burton maintained her compos-
ure remarkably well and with spirit.
Il never was more proud of my hus-
| band than at this moment when he is
on his way to JAIL she declared at the
unios station. I know who our friends
i are and I intend to be friendly with
them, but I shall reserve the right to
say who shall be my friends"
Snubbed Governor HOch.
Mr. and Mrs. Burton and their little
niece passed through Topeka Sunday
on the Union Pacific train, en- route to
/ St Louis. where Mr.. Burton placed
himself in the hands of the officers of
| the United States court.
There was a sensational scene on
the dining car of the train before the
party reached Topeka. Mrs. Burton
! refused to shake hands with Governor
Hochs who was coming to Topeka on
the same train. and who happened to
be in the dining car The embarrass-
ing scene was witnessed by a dozen Of
the passengers who were eating lunch
| when Mr.. and Mrs Burton and their
niece uttered the car.
Mr.. Burton was in advance Of his
wife and niece when they entered
the car. Governor Hoch and friend
small tables. Burton and the governor
shook hands. Mrs. Burton followed,
{ and the governor arose from his chair
and offered his hand.
mo, Mr. Hoch," said Mrs. Burton,
removing her hand from the proximity
to that of the governor, II viii not
shake hands with you. You were not
our friend when you could have
helped us. and refuse to have any
thing to do with you now"
The rrOVprn0rs Verv gracefully
cepted the refusal of Mrs. Burton to
manifest her friendship. and after
speaking word or two of common
place with the ex-senator, sat down
and resumed his lunch.
Mrs. Burton passed on to her table
and sat down with her back to the
governor.
Mrs. Burton's reference to the failure
of the governor to exhibit signs of
friendship when they might have been
of benefit is believed to concern the re-
fusal Of the governor to make q sena-
torial appointment to suit Burton when
the latter resigned. The governor Of
fered the vacant place to F. D. Coburn,
and 1t was understood at the time that
Burton and his friends wanted the
place to go to another man. This is
the only incident that the friends of
the governor can recall which might
have fneensed the wife of the ex-sena-
tor.
In referring to the incident at the
station here this afternoon, during the
few minutes the train stopped, Mrs.
Burton said:
in that instance. know who our
friends are and am willing to be friend
! " with them. am still reserving the
right to choose my own friends
Governor HOch was asked about the
affair. He said:
Il did not notice that Mrs. Burton
refused to shake hands. Burton greet
ed me very cordially I was in some
. tr7 h1-er,
family circle. because I thought they
would feel naturally distressed.
II thought Mrs. Burton was very
much so, and also that she displayed a
/ coldness toward me, but I did not no.
tice her refusal to shake hands. I heard
her say something in an undertone but
did not know what she said, and did
not know that her remarks were direct
ed at me-"
The ex-senator looked drawn and
/ haggard, and his mouth tWitched when
he alighted from the train here ard
saw a group of his friends waiting IL,
greet him. He shook hands with D w
Mulvane T. E. Grimes. T. T. Kelly and
| their wives, while Mrs. Burton kissed
the women. Miss Maud Finley and &.
! number of newspaper men were also
present After having greeted every
/ body in his party, Mr.. Burton turned
to Kelly and Mulvane and conversed IL
low tones with them until the train
was ready to start. While he was talk
ing with his friends Mrs Burton said:
I am feeling fine I have not lost my
nerve because showed that IN the din
ing car this afternoon. I am going to
Ironton to keep house and prepare Mr.
/ Burton's meals for him. We are com
ing back to Kansas in few months
that is, If we are good. We viii get
back by next spring and then we viii
be prepared to have some fun in poll
tics"
eOn which side?' a member of the
| party asked.
"On the side Of TRUTH was the reply
Mr. Burton heard this reply and
/ glanced quickly at his wife. She con
| tinued to talk Of her trip to Missouri