davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-10-06
SLAIN AND BURNED
Horrible Murder Comes to Light
in Decatur County.
Hrs. Renken, Lonely Widow
Killed and House Fired.
MYSTERIOUS NOTE.
One Found in lard Placing
Blame on NeighbOrs.
Governor HOeh and Commission
ers Offer Reward.

Details of what seems to have been
horrible murder at the town of
Traer in Decatur county came to light
today when a letter was received at
the Office of Governor Hoch asking
that a reward be offered for the arrest
and conviction of the person or persons
who killed Mrs. Rehken. a widow, and
burned her body in her own house to
hide the crime.
Governor Hoch issued a proclama-
ton today offering a reward of $3.50
for the purpose desired, and the coun-
ty commissioners of Decatur county
have offered another $3.50. It is ex-
pected that the county will also hire
detectives and set them to work on the
case.
The crime was probably committed
during the night Of September 27. Mrs.
Renken lived on a farm and was ac-
customed to stay alone in her house.
Her nearest neighbor was a family
named Schultz. About clock in the
morning, when the Schultz family got
up, they discovered that Mrs. Renken's
house was burning, and apparently had
been burning for some time, for it was
nearly consumed. They hurried to the
place, and were unable to find Mrs.
Renken. AS soon as possible other
neighbors were summoned, and an in
vestigation made of the ruins. The
remains of Mrs. Renken were found in
the ruins of the house.
1t was supposed for a time that the
fire was accidental, and that there had
been no foul play. but later on a note
was found in the yard, purporting to
have been written ana signed by Mrs.
Renken, In which she accused two OF
her neighbors of entering her house at
night, and after a prolonged disturb
ance, during which she managed to
write the note and throw it out doors,
of having murdered her. It is believed
that this was a ruse adopted by tbs
real murderer to throw off suspicion.
The letter which was received by the
governors office today was as fol-
lows:
ION Thursday, the 9th of September.
the house of a widow who lived in this
county was burned. The fire is sup
posed to have started about midnight
AS soon as 1t was possible for an in
the widow, Mrs. Renken, was found in
the ruins. Those who were present be-
came suspicious of foul play and after
an investigation, found in the yard q
note purporting to have been written
and signed by her accusing two neigh
bors of being response BILE for her death.
This and other circumstances satisfy
the neighborhood has wilfully murdered
Mrs. Renken.
The verdict of the coroners jury was
that she had been murdered by parties
unknown. Her relatives are few anG
are unable to make proper investiga-
is no doubt that a thorough investiga-
ton made by q competent person will
result in the conviction of the person
on whom suspicion rests.
IL. M. PARKER, County Attorney.
y. W. RAILsBACK, Sheriff -
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-10-06
hanging NOT ENOUGH.
Crowd Is Dissatisfied and start Out to
Burn Dead Negroes.

Mobile, Ala. Oct. 6.-Two hundred
masked men met Sheriff Powers with
the two negroes charged with assault
at Richardson's Switch, three miles
north Of Mobile, on the Southern rail-
way, took his prisoners from him and
hanged them on the spot. No others
were hurt. The negroes had been taken
to Birmingham for safekeeping and
were being brought to Mobile for trial.
Tremendous crowds surrounded the
railroad station during the morning and
when the report of the lynching Of
the negroes was received the greatest
excitement prevailed. The crowd was
apparently dissatisfied with the method
Of lynching (hanging) and the mob has
departed for the scene with the declar-
ed intention of burning the bodies.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-10-06

to each other as they were is unac-
countable. They were altogether DIFF
ferent in their general demeanor.
Fritts was very studious and was a
bright boy and quick to learn. He had
all who knew him. Lyle was in debt
when he left but nothing Of this sort
has been advanced against Fritts
F'ritts' connection with Washburn
dated back to 1903. The fall of that
year he came to Washburn from his
home in Springdale, Ark, and entered
the first year of the academy. He
went to Washburn during the first
term and left at the beginning Of the
second semester in February follow
ing, for Eureka. Kan, where he at
tended the Southern Kansas academy
at that place. The following year he
returned to Washburn but did not fin
ish the year. He re-entered school a
year ago, but left shortly after the be-
ginning Of the second half of the year.
His brother, Louis B. Fritts, gradual
ed from Washburn in 1904. He was a
leader in college affairs and was an
active worker in the college Y. NJ. c.
A. He is now a missionary and is
teaching In a college on the island Of
Ceylon- Young Fritts was popular
among the boys of the academy by
whom he was affectfonately called
LITTLE Fritts''
His friends are still hopeful for him
and say that he will show up before
long. The family of Guy Lyle are
less worried about his disappearance
and believe he Will eventually return.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-10-06

There is a belief among his friends,
however, that is somewhat credible
and throws q little light upon his ae-
lions. Another student of the academy
with whom young Fritts was particu-
larly friendly left town few weeks
before under very peculiar circum-
stances. Guy w. Lyle of the same
class severed his connections with
Washburn short time before the
naidwinter examinations after making
a poor record in his class work Lyle
left suddenly during the first week in
February and did not leave any in
formation as to his destination It
was afterwards learned that he had
gone to Valley Falls from here and
then to Usage City, where he was said
to have been selling views. It is known
that after his departure F'ritts received
several letters from him. Fritts and
Lytle had often talked of going out to-
Rether some time with this end in
view, of selling views to pay their way
through school. The fact that they
were very friendly and that they had
often planned such a trip. together
with the fact that after Lytle's de-
parture the two were IN communica-
ton with each other lends color to the
belief that they are together If they
are alive. Guy LytIa is a son Of Mack
LytIe. a wealthy farmer living near
Dover.
The probability OF the two students
being together would serve to offset
any fears Of foul play, especially when
it is a well known fact that there was
q strong attachment between the two.
Just why the two should be 50 devoted
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-10-06
KIMMEL IS DEAD.
A Jury in the Federal Court Has So
Decided.

St Louis. Oct. 6.-In the United
States circuit court a verdict has been
rendered by the jury in the case of
George C. Rankin. receiver for the
First National bank of Niles, Mich,
against the New York Life Insurance
company for s7,736, insurance on the
life Of George A. Kimmel former
president OF the Farmers State bank
Of Arkansas City. Kan. who mysteri-
ously disappeared in 1898, finding in
favor of the plaintiff. Interest was also
awarded, making the total amount
$8.915.5O.
The suit was Instituted to legally
decide whether kimmel is dead or is
an inmate Of the Matteawan asylum
for the criminal insane in New York.
On March Is, 1898. Kimmel took out
an insurance policy on his life to be
paid on his death to his sister. who Is
now Mrs. Edan K. Bonslett of 593
Sixty-fifth street Chicago
Kinmel mysteriously disappeared
several months later. The New York
Life Insurance company declined to
pay the amount Of the policy until
Kimlnels death was proved.
Receiver Rankin, to whom the
policy was transferred on a loan, filed
suit alleging that Kimmel had died
August I. 1898, and that Kimm el 8
sister had furnished the insurance
company with proof of his death.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-10-06

He was most Jealous along this line
while discharging his duties as county
attorney and in connection with this
his name ca me to be Identified with the
original package fight which aroused
SO much attention. Liquor dealers en-
deavored to evade the prOhibitory law
bv having liquor sent into the state
and sold in original packages. when
if was claimed could not be opened in
the attempt to secure conviction Mr..
WEIGH after hard fight which was
waged through to the highest courts
nut the supporters of the original pack
age to rout In connection with this
fight figures a connection which Mr..
TVelch had with the local lodge of
EgEt<s Just before his election to the
Office of county attorney the lodge was
ORGANIZED here and Mr.. WEIGH was
one of the charter mem berss but never
became an active member. and prac-
tical5v Withdrew because his predeces-
sor In Office was starting proceed ings
AGAINST the order in the prohibitOry
fght and Mr.. WEIGH realized that in
taking the Office he would have to
carry on the work and probably be
arraved against his lodge members
He was Interested in the Masonic lodge
and one of the charter members also
OF that order in Topeka.
His position among his fellow law
vers was httingly recognized by his
election to the presidency of the Shaw
nee county bar, a position he held at
the time Of his death.
The funeral of the late r. b WEIGH
will be held at 8 p. m. Monday after
noon from the First Methodist church.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-10-06
TALK ON CUBA.
The President Confers win Root, Ma
COON and Bel.

Washington, Oct 6.-secretary
Root and Governor Magoon were in
conference with the president at the
White House today 70 rsome time, the
purpose being to instruct the governor
relative to his treatment of the Cuban
question when he assumed office at
Havana General Bell, chief of staff,
who is leaving Washington this after
noon with Governor Magoon for Ha-
vana by way of Tampa, also called on
the president It is now stated that
there is no present intention of de-
parting from the program originally
outlined for the dispatch of troops for
pected that some of the troop ships
will be leaving Newport News for Ha-
vana. Whether or not other detach-
ments in addition to those originally
ordered to Cuba will be sent, it is now
declared, will depend entirely upon
Secretary Taft's report upon condi-
lions there
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-10-06
DEMAND AN ELECTION
County Attorney of Harvey County
Files NIandamus Suit.

A petition for an alternative writ of
mandamus was filed today by Ezra
Branine. county attorney of Harvey
county to compel the council
men of the city of Newton to call a
special election to select a councilman
to succeed L. T. Smith who resigned
as councilman from the Fourth ward
of that city
The writ is directed against E. C.
Lewellen. r. F. Gum, R. P Barger,
Isaac Kinney, CASTOR Boyd. c. F.
Nissen. J. c. Johnston and J. T. Axteu.
The petition for the writ recites that
L. T. Smith resigned as councilman
about the first Of September. A coun-
Gil meeting was called for September
when an ordinance calling for a spec
ial election was presented. The cleo
ton was to be held to elect L. T
len, Barger, Quinn and Kinney voted
against the passage of the ordinance.
Again on October 4 a council meeting
was held and again the erection ordi-
nance was presented and the four
coCncilmen voted against its passage.
No election could be called by the
mayor. The county attorney asks that
the councilmen be required to call the
election at once so that the Fourth
ward Of the city of Newton may have
proper representatives in the council
The court issued an alternative writ
which is returnable October 10 at. 2
p. m.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-10-06
BRIDGE COLLAPSED.
Twenty-Five High school Students
Hurled Into the Stream Below.

Menominee, Mich, Oct. 6.-Whle a
party Of twenty-five students of the
OcOnto, Wis. high school were stand
ing on foot bridge at Oeonto Falls.
Wis, today, watching the falls, the
structure collapsed, hurting the whole
party forty feet into the stream.
William Ballou aged II years, was
killed and Niga Sentil Hazel Denizen
and Frank Donlevy seriously injured.
Prof. Newcomb. the Instructor, was
badly hurt. and several others were
slightly injured The bridge is 200
feet long, but the water in the stream
other students had left the bridge just
before it fell
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-10-06
DROP OUT OF SIGHT
Two Nashburn Boys Who Cam
not Be Found.
William Fritts Went Out to
Sell Views.
GUY LYLE ALSO GONE.
Supposed That the Boys Went
Together.
GUY LYLE ALSO GONE
Letters of Inquiry Received
From Fritts' Parents.

An announcement which was made IN
chapel at Washburn college by Dean
McEachron, the acting head OF Wash
burn during. the absence of President
Plass has created no little excitement
among the students Of the institution.
It was an announcement inquiring for
information as to the whereabouts of
young William Fr1tts of Springdale,
Ark, a student of the academy at the
college last year.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-10-06

Newport News, Va, Oct. 6.-The new
and powerful armOred cruiser North
Carolina was successfully launched to-
day from the yards Of her builders, the
Newport News Ship Building and Dry
Dock company. in the presence of 10.o00
people. The ships sponsor was Miss
Rebekah Williams Glenn, daughter Of
Governor Glenn of North Carolina who
was present with his staff and an es-
eort of prominent North Carolinians.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-10-06
TO SAVE COAL LANDS.
The President Decides to Withdraw
Them From Entry.

Washington. Oct. ct is under
stood that the president has finally
made up his mind to withdraw all Of
the coal lands not already taken up.
from entry under the land laws of the
United States. The expectation is that
he will by a special message. request
congress to change the statutes. but
that mean while he will himself tenn
porarily withdraw the coal lands from
further entry
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-10-06
LABORER KILLED.
Three Others Seriously Injured in a
Santa Fe Wreck.

wichita. Kan. Oct 6.-santos Car
ella was killed, Francisco Fuscho fatal
~ injured Jose Cisnaros and Cudals
Heidanz seriously injured at Valley
Center, Kan, early this morning. Santa
Fe freight train ran onto a switch on
which Is bunk cars for the ballast1ns
gang stood. The men We're asleep un-
der cars when the freight colIided with
them
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-10-06
WEATHER IS JUST RIGHT.
Mercury Almost Reaches the 20 Mark
This Afternoon.

The weather today is very fine for
this time Of year 1t was rather cool
this morning but towards noon it warm
ed up considerably so that it became
very pleasant. It will be fine weather
afternoon.
The weather tomorrow viii be about
the same as today. It will not. how
ever, be as cool tonight. The wind to-
day is ten miles an hour from the west.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-10-06
WEIGH PASSESON
Prominent Lawyer and POliti-
clan Dies at Midnight.
His Death Was Due TO Acute
Bright's Disease.
HIS EVENTFUL CAREER.
Made Brilliant Record as County
Attorney.
President Of State Normal Be-
fore Coming to Topeka.
HIS EVENTFUL CAREER

R. B. WEIGH died last evening at mid
night at his home, sol Fillmore street.
Of uraemic poisoning caused by acute
Bright's disease. Up until two weeks
ago he was apparently in the best OF
health and was actively engaged in his
practice Of law. on Monday Of last
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-10-06
TiIIotson case Dismissed.

The case Of D. G. TiIlotson. charged
with assaulting W. S. Glass and ap-
pealed from the city court where he
was assessed 800 and cost, was dis
missed in the district court this morn
ing, the parties interested IN the case
having reached an amicable settle
ment-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-10-06

seillaise"
There were many minor accidents on
the great crush leaving the finish lire.
The times OF the cars that finished
the ninth round. in addition to the five
which finished the race were:
Navarro. italian, 292s5S 3-5
Cagno, italian, 306.2S As.
Leblon, American, 312:26 2-5.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-10-06

The services WILDE in charge of Presi-
dent Joseph H. Hin of the Kansas
State Normal of Emporia. The body
viii be buried in Topeka cemetery.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-10-06

WeI5
the above order with the exception of
13. which the superstitlous autoists
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-10-06
Weather Indications.

Chicago, Oct. Forecast for Kan
sas: Fair tonight and Sunday: warmer
tonight.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-10-06

(continued on Page ls.l
The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1906-07-05
IELEPHANTlNE ELECTRICITY.
Utilization Of the Huge Animals in
India to Run Electric
Dynamos.

II is proposed by an enterprlsing
Anglo-indian to utilize the labor of ele-
plants in operating the dynamos of an
electric lighting station. He writes to
Engineering Nondon) that his plan
involves working the animals six
hours a day for this purpose, and he
asks whether anyone can tell him how
much electric energy an average ele'
plant can produce in this way and
the cost Of necessary machinery. En-.
cheering seems inclined TO treat the
rise TO various arrangements for pro-
proposal with levity. Says Cosmos
(Paris). in note on the correspond.
ence:
Engineering. In its answer, re.
marks that the equivalent OF the me
chanioal power Of the elephant Is
doubtless known in India. but no data
on the subject can be found in Euro
pean textbooks: perhaps II may be re-
lated to that OF the horse into the ratio
OF their respective weights. II adds
that a central station run by a file OF
elephants continually turning a wind
lass or treading heavily on inclined
planes would be rather a painful spec
tacle. Outside OF these methods. how
ever, the English paper does not see
how the enterprising promoters Of this
plan could make the energy Of the ami
mails available. II can hardly be sup
posed that the elephants could be
trained to project water through their
trunks against the buckets OF Pelton
wheel; and besides We have no means
of calculating the force OF such a jet,
and could not conscientiously recon-
mend the method At this particular
time when animal strength is being
everywhere replaced by mechanical
motive power. to the great advantage
OF our friends the domestic animals.
the idea of hitching elephants to dy-
namo is al least queer Let ms hope,
for the sake OF these sympathetic
pachyderms, that the humor Of the
editor OF Engineering will ward on
from them this cruel burden.
The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1906-07-05
Magnetic Wells.

The term magnetic wells has been
applied to wells whose castings attract
and hold iron objects. says the Eiec-
trical Review In the study OF under
ground waters much interesting infor-
nation concerning these magnetic
wells has been obtained by members
Of the United States geological sur
vey. A report is now in preparation
in which some Of the magnetic features
OF these wells are described and the
causes OF these phenomena discussed.
and the officers OF the survey would be
pleased to receive additional data on
the subject from drillers. well owners
and others who have knowledge OF
wells Of this character. Usually only
small objects, such as nails. are attract.
ed by the castings. but occasionally a
we'll Is found in which the magnetism
is sufficient to hold hammers or
wreiches. Information Is especially
desired concerning the size OF objects
attracted by the castings, the method
used in sinking the wellths nature Of
the materials penetrated. and the
length Of the casing"
The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1906-07-05
ELECTRIC LAMP LIGHTER.
Device by Which an inaccessible
Kerosene Lamp May Be Easily
Lighted

A device for lighting a ruby lamp
is here shown, in which a spark from
jumpspark coil vsporizes tie oil
and ignites Il. The ruby lamp (A)
is mounted on a board OBJ. somewha.
larger than the base Of the lamp.
Two binding posts &C and D) are
placed on the board and connected to
the secondary OF the jump spark coil
(E). A wire is fastened to binding
post Cd and soldered TO the lamp at
+. The wire co Is inclosed in a piece
OF rubber tubing, such as is used for
insulating in automobiles. and the ex-
tremiiy so located that II will nearly
touch the wick. The spark from the
vibrator would spoil the plate II the
jump spark coil we're put IN the dark
room. so it should be put outside, or
placed in a box. in such a waJ that
no light will fall on the plate. A
The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1906-07-05
SEEDING PASTURES.
How One Man Handled His Land
After Prairie Grasses Had
Been Fed Out.

My experience Is not very exten-
Eive. but I Will say that seeded
prairie pasture after the prairie
grasses had been fed out, with one
part Timothy, one part red top and
one part blue grass I found that the
timothy and blue grass took good on
the high ground and the red top took
best on the low ground found. too.
that after about three years the blue
grass had crowded everything else
out. even the weeds 10 a cerain ex.
tent. II takes blue grass about two
years to get a coed start But the
red top did fine on low ground the
FIRST year. II we're going 20 seed
pasture for cattle horses and sheep.
especially II the land had been under
cultivation. | should SOW two parts red
clover. one part timothy and one part
blue grass. and on low lands 1 would
put one part timothy and one part red
top. for the reason red top does best
on low ground. | End In my pastures
on the high. dry knobs that IN June
and July. when the weather Is dry
and the sun Is hot, these knobs dry
ont and give little or no feed. hence
my reason for sowing red top on the
for stock durlng the dryest part CT
the season. aud. too. there Is always
a heavy growth around the sioughs or
low places that make ine grazing dur
ing the winter months when Il Is not
covered with snow. Now. continues
the correspondent OF Farmers Re
view. my reason for sowing timothy
ara clover Is that the clover helps to
slade the timothy and blue grass after
she harvest has been taken of, and II
the timothy and blue grass get good
start