The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-06
TRYING TO STEAL HIS BRAIN
.. }. Gauss, Negro Violinist. Claims
He Is an Object of Mistreatnlent.

1AOA - GA OOJocC OF M1Streatment.
Your honor. I came to see you for
the purpose of demanding that be pro-
tected IN my rights under the bylaws
and constitution of the United States !"
said Q. J. Gauss, colored, who saws his
nome IS In Lawrence, a few days ago
as he Stalked into the office of Mayor
W1lliam, Green with a violin under his
arm. In reply to some questions of the
mayor, Gauss further elucidated his
troubles. Il am an artist, sir 1 came
mere to give a series of concerts but
the negroes of Topeka are trying to
steal my brain. Why, have given at
least six concerts since my arrival in
Topeka and have made only two dol
lars. Now, you know that is not right
demand my rights under the bylaws
and constitution of our countryi"
Mayor Green told Gauss that he
would be protected in his rights in To-
peka If it took the entire constabulary
Of the city to do it. The mayor also
G. Dreaming. There Gauss told the city
attorney that these Topeka niggers''
had tapped his brain and stolen his pro-
perty. He again made a most strenuous
demand that his rights under the con-
stitution be guaranteed to him. After
propounding several questions to Gauss
the city attorney directed him to the
office of Judge J. S. West. assistant
district attorney of the United States
district court.
Judge West heard Gauss story of
brain tapping and his demands for pro-
lection in his rights to give concerts
to pursue happiness and to play the
fiddle without regard to race, color or
previous training or environment and
straightway gave him 5 the following
letter, addressed to County Attorney
J. J. Schenck: "Sir-Please see thatthe
bearer, Mr. o. ]. Gauss, is fully pro-
tected in his rights as guaranteed un-
der the federal constitution" 49,. a.
Mr.. Schemes offered to see that Gauss
was fully protected gin all his rights,
but Gauss disagreed with the county
attorney in the methods of protection
and left the court house. This morn
ing Gauss was at the city attorneys
office bright and early. He said that
the colored population of Topeka was
yet stealing his brain, the only proper
ty he had, and told Assistant City At
torney Ralston that he proposed to
camp right there in the city attorneys
office till he got protection
City Clerk c. B. Burge came to the
relief of the assistant city attorney at
this juncture and suggested that Gauss
go to Judge E. r. Sinnons and state his
case 81 won't go nowhere, no more .
fatty remarked Gauss. rive been to
nearIv every civil officer in Topeka ex-
ceptfn' Governor Hoch an I'm goin' t.
stay right here till 1 get back my
rights and MY property" The per-
suasfve Mr.. Burge, however, won Gauss
to his way of thinking and telephone
message from the court of Topeka
about noon brought the information
that Gauss with his fiddle under his
arm was then stating mis- case and de-
manding his rights.
At the hour of going to press Cover
nor Hoch had not been asked to order
out the militia to protect Gauss from
brain tapping but it probably would not
| astonish the city officials if they heard
| that the militia had been asked for.