The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-01-26
LOOT THE BOOTHS.
Souvenir Fiends Play Havoc at
MidWinter Exposition.
Spoons, Glassware and Dishes
Are Disappearing.
MAY BE SOME ARRESTS.
Manager Brigham Determined
to Stop the Pilfering.
Attendance Continues to In
crease Every Day.
NAY BE SOME ARRESTS.

Somebody IS going to get caught if
he doesn't look out.
Souvenir fiends some people call
them thieves, are stealing things from
the exhibits in the Midwtnter at the
Auditorium. Practically everything
that can in any manner be concealed.
and that is lying on the counters is
being gathered in by these pilferers.
One exhibit has lost just exactly two
dozen spoons this weeK Another
place has lost eight GLASSES. Cups and
saucers have disappeared with re-
markable regularity. Even some gela-
tine dishes have been packed away.
And this is not mentioning the pack
ages of commodities being advertised
which have been stolen. About these
the exhibitors do not care SO much,
although some of them might natural
~ feel resentment against people who
feel that so cent pound packages of
coffee 30 cent pound packages Of tea,
cakes of butter, boxes of eandYssfiQw-
ers and other things can be taken as
souvenirs of the occasion.
Secretary Brigham today inaugu-
rater q system to head off this petty
thieVing. I'VE simply won't stand for
it, he said this morning. Probably
most of the people who are doing it,
take it as a matter of fun, but they
need to have d change of heart on the
subject. We are going to get after
these people and the first one caught
will be dealt with in a summary man
ner. No matter whether The person
is of high or low standing, L shall at
once swear out warrant for his or
her arrest, and the case will be push
ed. We are having more trouble this
year than usual with this class of
people"
rowdyism ?" was asked Of Mr.. Brig
ham.
"OnIy just few he answered.
Occasionally we ind a person not be-
having just right and we at once show
them the door"
Remarkably good order is kept at
the Midwinter. and it something that
people appreciate.
That "the coat doesn't make the
man" was eminently exemplifed last
night in the Office of Ralph Brigham,
secretary and general manager of the
AIidWinter fair.
A little urchfn about 10 years old,
whose clothes looked as if they had
been used to mop up Kansas avenue.
whose hair was a matted mass of I'M
6empt tangled curlss whose face had
asumany different cOl0rs of dirt as a
Sunday supplement has ink, was
brought into the Office by one of the
guards at the big fair.
Mr.. Brigham said the guard,
sthis little fellow helped me this after
noon out back of the Auditorium with
some of the work of cleaning up. I
think that you ought to let him see the
show for it..
Mr.. Brigham looked the boy over
and thought him just about the most
unpFomising sort that he had ever laid
his eyes on. But he finally made UP
his mind to let the boy go inside any
way.
rTj,o 1-o,,,7e~efe,r. ,xro1IraI into tho T,ie
hall with a smile on his face that was
little less than a sunrise. He started
right in to have the best time in the
world. For about half an hour he was
Obvious to the rest OF the world.
Then he slowly trooped back into
Mr.. Brigham's office and walking up
to the secretary said: Say, mister, /
got a brother at home and he's Grip
pied. If it is all right with you, I'll go
out and not see the rest of the show
and the acts, and let my brother come
in my place on Saturday afternoon
The dirty torn clothes, the unkempt
hair the smeared up face, all melted
away from Mr.. Brlghamss eyes. He
saw the real making of a gentleman in
the little chap.
You just bet your life" said the
secretary. You go in now and see
the rest of the show and then you
your brother and see the show again,
and III arrange for you both to sit IN
reserved seats. You are my kind of a
boy
Business is still picking up in the
way eff attendance at the Afidwinter.
On Thursday 1855 people paid admis-
sions. against 1850 last year. Records
are being smashed in u manner that
threatens to make the attendance
mark for 1906 something to bank on
for years to come.
Saturday is children's day at the big
Il
to the youngsters. The exhibitors are
planning to serve them especially.
isss5 -
NEW SEVENTH HEARD FROM