The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-05-05
CAN IT Be TRUE !?
Story Of Inhuman Brutality AL
most Beyond Belief.
Mr. and Mrs. Russell Arrest ed,
Confess to officers.
VICTIM NINE YEARS OLD
Little Florence Allen Runs Away,
Reveals Revolving Truth.
Parents Almost Besides Them
selves With Grief.

A heinous and revolving story of as
sault, that surpasses almost anything
on the Topeka crime calendar, came to
light today.
Henry Russell and his wife, Mar
guerite Russell, are charged with mall
treating s-year-old Florence Allen.
The Russelis live at BIT West Locust
street, in a three-room house. Both
were arrested at noon today at their
home by Sheriff A T. Lucas. Russell
has been employed by the Bell TeIe-
phone company, the Coe feed store, and
the Topeka Transfer company recently.
The two we're placed in separate
cells IN the Jail Mrs Russell swore
like a strooper, according to the officers
when placed in confinement At
o'clock County Attorney Otis Hungate
and Sheriff Lucas "sweated' her for an
hour, and she finally confessed the
whole story, just as told by the little
girl. eve have nothing further to give
out about it" said Mr. Hungate, save
that she admitted everything right up
to the handle" A confession will also
be sought from Russell.
At the Allen home, at 725 Van Buren,
street, is a broken-hearted family. The
father William B. Allen, is employed
at the Rock Island freight house. The
mother is sick with a bad cancerous
growth on her face, and is very deaf.
There are seven children.
one day, a little over a month ago,
Mr.. Allen heard that a man and wife,
named Russell, at BIT West Locust
street. wished to have a little girl in
about the work. She would also be
permitted to go to school. Mr. Allen
IS not in the best financial circum-
stances, though not poverty stricken BY
any means. He thought that it would
be good opportunity for his 9-year-
old daughter Florence. The Russells
appeared to him to be very nice peO-
T pie, and when they came to the house
they made much over the little girl.
So she was taken by them to their
home on Locust street, and sent to
Branner school.
The story of the crime was told by
the little 9-year-old victim today. She
was seated in the presence Of her father
and mother. When she had recited the
terrible story. her father rose to his
feet, and with giaring eyes almost
cried: If the law does not punish him
and his wife to the limit. I'll kill them
myself. III XIII them both, and I'll
take the consequences. The stake
wouldn't be half bad enough for either. -
Allen is a big strong man. Tears
rushed to his eyes during the telling
of the pathetic little story His wife
sat just opposite. wr1nging her hands
with grief.
Il thought that the Russells were all
right" said Alien. They acted so nice
1
They just seemed to worship her when
they were around us. I thought tho
were nice people. Russell is about q
years old and his wife about IL OF
They said they wanted my little girl
for company. I thought I was accom-
modating them when I let her go with
them. I thought I was doing a nice
thing for them, and thought maybe 1t
would be good for my little girl too.
told her that if they did not treat her
right, or if she got homesick, or any
thing at all. that she should come right
home to me. Great God. never thought
that she would be abused and maltreat-
ed in this awful manner"
Mrs. Allen swore out the complaint
at the county attorneys Office this
morning. charging both Mr. and Mrs.
Russell, Jointly, with assault, Russell
seemed to get wind of something, and
Sheriff Lucas was kept busy all morn
ing before he finally nabbed him.
DR.. Eva Harding was employed by
the county officers to make an exanli-
nation of the little girl. The doctor
lstated that bruises and decorations
which she found, plainly corroborated
/ the story of the assault.