The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-01-20

Notices from some untraceable
source were sent out yesterday to the
witnesses notifying them that their
presence would not be necessary at
the hearing, and for this reason there
were but a few of them present, and
those who came were prompted by
curiosity as We're number of other
spectators. including a number of
young Thrapp's classmates from the
high school and Washburn college.
Attorney Galen Nichols, for the
plaintiff, announced to the court that
the defendant desired to waive a
hearing, and much to the disappOint-
ment of the spectators the defendant
was not called upon to plead.
Thrapp sat well back and just in
side of the railing beside his father
and brother-in-laW, c. Z. Philley,
who came over from St. Joseph to be
present at the hearing, and was ap-
parently one of the most disinterested
Of the spectators. The stiffness of the
court room was broken by the hum
of whispered conversation as each
new arrival enquired of some friend
as to the location of the defendant
around whom the interest centered.
After Judge McCabe announced
that the bond would be $1,000 for the
appearance of the defendant at the
April term of the district court, as it
has been since Thrapp was released
the day following the crime, William
r. Thrapp, the father of the boy,
arose and walked to the office of the
clerk of the court, closely followed by
his son, where the appearance bond
was Taade out. Father and son re-
mained in the office while the bailif
telephoned to J l. Van Houten, the
gran dfather of the defendant, that the
bond was ready for his signature Mr..
Van Houten came to the court house
at once ana placed his signature on
the document which viii give the
youth his freedom until his trial in
the district court next April.
In the corridors of the court house
were number of acquaintances of
young Thrapp, apparently most OF
them classmates, who were too timid
to enter the court room and face the
defendant Among these We're several
youns ladies who refused to reveal
/ their identity ana who left the court
house as soon as it was announced
that the defendant would not take the
stand IL his own behalf
Young ThTarT stea dfastly adhered
to the instructions Of his attorney and
refused tc make a statement or in
any way discuss his case.
The crime for which Fred ThraDD
is bound over to the district court is
one of those unexp1ainable affairs
with which community is sometimes
called to deal.
On the evening of the 18th of the
present month class play was being
given in the high school, many of the
characters being masked. Just as the
play had started. young Thrapp,
masked much after the style of those
participating in the play, stepped in front
of the ticket taker, Arner .Robenson,
and thrusting a revolver in his face,
commanded him to throw up his hands.
| Robenson was dazed for a moment and
l thought that the IObber was some
member of the cast attempting to play
/ joke on him and did not realize that
/ he was being held up until the youthful
bandit began to fill his pockets with
the proceeds of the sale of tickets taken
at the door. Then he half arose and
struck the revolver which was pointed
at his head and grappled with the rob
! Der at the same time calling for as
I sistanee. One of the students, who at
this moment happened to be passing,
rushed in and the fight began to dis
arm and capture the hold-up.
During the fight for the possession Of
/ the revolver it was discharged several
/ times. one of the bullets taking effect
/ in the f1eshy portion Of the leg of Arner
Robenson who first grappled with the
highwayman. Several of the teachers of
l the high school, hearing the shots and
/ the noise Of the scuffle rushed to the