davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-04
CALL IS OUT.
National Banks Are Required to Make
Il Statement.

Washington, Dec. 4.-The comp
troller of the currency today issued
call for a statement of the condition
of national banks at the close of busi-
ness, December )
The following telegram was today
forward to the managers of all clearing
houses by Mr.. Ridgeley, the comptrol-
Ter of the currency:
Report of conditions called for Tues
day, December 3. Instruct all clearing
house banks to report clearing house
certificates as follows:
ION face of report below item 10 un-
der resources or below item % under
liabilities as Clearing house accounts
of net balance On back of report be-
low item x in schedule of loans and
discounts show total amount of clear
ing house certificates taken out by the
reporting bank and the total amount
on hand
New York Expected 1t.
New York Dec. 4.-The call for a
statement of the condition of national
banks was not unexpected in financial
circles here. Only four of the five calls
required by law each year had been
made and in the natural course of
events it was anticipated that the fifth
and last call could not be much longer
delayed. 1t is felt here that it will ex-
ercise a beneficial effect on the situa-
ton, inasmuch the banks Gus
tomarily try to prepare for a call by
increasing their cash and when the call
has been made this cash is automati-
cally released The belief also prevails
that the statement resulting from this
call will show that the cash reserves
of the country banks are very large,
and that when this fact becomes pub
lie it will tend to rapidly restore conf
ten the resumption of currency pay
mentS.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-04
BIG JOB FINISHED.
The Oliver Grand Jury Returned 440
Indictments in 100 Days

San Francisco, Dec. AFTER having
met on one hundred separate days on
which lis sessions were held, and hav-
ing returned 400 indictments involving AT
persons, the Oliver grand jury, the moot
noted in the city's history made it's
final report to Superior Judge Coffey
and was discharged from further SER
vice by the court.
OF those who were yesterday indicted
by the grand jury Edward Graney of
the so-called fight trust, ex-Supervisor
G. E. Duffy and Luther Brown. all put
up bonds today Graney's bond was In
the sum of s45.oO0. Duffy's $4,000 and
Browns $4,000.
James Coffroth, another member of
the fight trust, has his bond ready for
presentation and W. S. Britt, the third
member is in the hospital, said to be
critically i'll. Nothing has been done in
regard to his arrest.
No bail will be required OF former
Mayor Eugene Schnlitz and Abraham
Rueff, as they already are in custody,
but the warrant of arrest will be served
on Schmidt as matter of form.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-04
TO BREAK BROWN WILL.
Mrs. Bradley viii Sue for Share OF
Dead Senator's Estate.

Salt Lake City. Dec. 4.-Now that
she has been acquitted on the charge
of murder, Mrs. Annie M. Bradley,
through her attorney and in behalf of
her children, will bring an action to
break the will of the late Senator
Brown whom she shot to death in
washington Her friends here say
that such a course has been contem-
plated ever since the will was opened.
The contest will be based on the writ
ten acknowledgment of Senator Brown
that Mrs. Bradley's two sons are his
own.
In his Will Brown expressly dis
avowed the paternity of the two chill
dren and stipulated that, even II they
were his children, they should receive
nothing from his estate.
The greater part of the estate,
amounting in all to some s50,00U,
was devised to his son Max and his
daughter Alice.
The attack on the will which has al
ready been admitted to probate Will
not commence until Judge Powers re-
turns from Washington.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-04
SHOT HER DOCTOR.
The Patient Then Blew Out Her Own
Brains.

Detroit Dec. 4.-Dr. J. A. Attridge,
aged SS years, and his patient, Mrs.
John B. Griffith, aged 35, were taken
to hospitals last night from Mrs. Grif-
fith's romo in the Boycourt apart
ments. S1S Randolph street. both sh OF
through the head and in a critical
Harper hospital several weeks receiv-
ing treatment and had just been re-
moved to her rooms under the direc-
ton of DR.. Attridge when the shoot
ing took place. Mrs. Grifith's sister,
Miss Stella Wade of Holly, Mich, ha d
complied with her sisters request to
leave the room, when she saw DR..
Attrfdge rushing from the bedroom
after her and saw him fall to the
floor in the dining room as the first
shot rang out. AS Miss Wade ran to-
ward the street to call for help she
heard the second shot.
When neighbors entered they found
Mrs. Griffith lying in bed with a re-
volver near her and her brains
pierced by a bullet. DR.. Attridge lay
wounded in the dining room. The in
jured woman's husband said that he
and his wife had had trouble because
of DIR. Attridge's attentions to Mrs.
Griffith, but it is said the couple had
effected a reconciliation while Mrs.
Griffith was in the hospital for treat
ment. When Mrs Griffith had been
returned to her home, she took ad-
vantage of a momentary absence of
the attendants to get out of bed and
secure the revolver which had long
been kept in a bureau drawer in the
bedroom.
The Grifiths came here four years
ago from Bergen, N. Y, where it is
said Mrs. Grifith's father keeps a
hotel. DR.. Attridge is bachelor.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-04
Delegates Present From Every
State in the Union,
MANY OTHERS THERE.
Representing Trade Associa-
tiOns and Civic Bodies.
Opening Session Begins With
Prayer by Bishop CranstOn.

Washington, Dec. 4.-With every
state in the Union, as well as Alaska
and Hawaii represented and with the
broad object of promoting the improve
ment of inland waterways, the Nation
al Rivers and Harbors congress began
three days convention here today.
Delegates from subsidiary organiza-
tions, from trades associations and civic
bodies, all seeking expressions of their
views on the national policy regarding
the work of providing navigable streams
and deep water harbors to accommo-
date the shipping interests of the coun-
try and of the world, mingled with the
individual delegates and formed part
of the gathering that crowded the BAN
Quet hall of the New Willard hotel
where the meetings are being held.
The programme for the meeting in
cludes addresses by Secretary Root, NJ
Jusserand, the French ambassador,
Baron Speck Won Sternburg, the Ger
man ambassador, Chairman Knapp or
the interstate commerce commission,
President Finley Of the Southern rail-
way, former Postmaster General Chas.
Emory Smith, numerous senators, rep
resentatives, governors of states, may
ors of cities and other prominent
speakers.
The convention was formally opened
at 10 o'clock this morning. Representa-
tive Joseph E. Ransdell of Louisiana,
presided and J. F. Ellison of Cincinnati,
officiated as secretary. The session be-
gan with prayer by Earl G. Cranston,
bishop of the Methodist Episcopal
church.
Before the congress formally conven-
ed President Roosevelt was presented
with a silver mounted gavel by the
Upper Mississippi Improvement asso-
citation. Mr.. Ransdell, in opening the
congress referred to the work of the
national administration in promoting
trade relations between American and
foreign countries, particularly those
countries lying to the south of the
United States and referred in compl1-
mentary terms to the achievements of
Secretary Root in promoting those re-
lations. He then presented the secre-
tary of state.
Secretary Root was received with
great applause, the delegation rising to
greet him..
ut is a pleasure" said Secretary
Root, ito extend to you the hearty
sympathy of the administration in your
great work. 1t has been a subject of
much misunderstanding and depreca-
tion and even of derision. Our people
are so busy that the inhabitants OF one
section Of the country understands lit
tie of what is going on in other Sec
tiOnS."
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-04
TO HEAR TRICKETT.
He VIII Address Chicago Law and
Order League Next Sunday.

Chicago, Dec. A series of meet
ings to be addressed by reformers Of
national repute will be held under the
auspices of the Chicago Law and Or
der league for the purpose of arousing
support of the Sunday closing move
ment This plan was made public by
President Arthur Burrage Farwen.
The first meeting, which will be
held next Sunday, is to be addressed
by Governor Hanly of Indiana. He
will tell how to curtail the liquor
traffic.
Governor Folk of Missouri, who put
the lid on Sunday saloons In st. Louis
and Kansas City. will speak at a big
meeting in February. and ex-Mayor
Jones of Minneapolis, has been invited
to tell Chicago audience what he did
to the saloons OF that city. @. W.
Tr!ckett. assistant attorney general of
Kansas, will address & meeting next
Sunday in the First Methodist Episco-
pal church of Englewood.
A personal appeal for funds for the
campaign will be sent in the form of
letter to 1000 representative busi-
ness men.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-04
BODY FOUND IN CREEK.
Mystery of Cashier RanL1n's Disap-
pearance Is Solved.

Lawton, Ok. Dec. 4.-With the head
and shoulders floating above the water,
the body of d. r. Rankin, missing
cashier of the defunct Merchants and
Planters bank has been found by
Preston Tice All Kie, a 15-year-old In
dian boy in Cache creek, two miles
north of Lawton.
Rankin disappeared on November z,
Immediately after the bank was closed.
1t is believed that he committed sui
eide either by throwing himself in the
water or taking poison and then fall
ing into the creek.
Rankin owed the bank s., 100 on an
unsecured note and the accounts were
1862 O3 short. He carried $4,000 life In
surance made payable to his wife. He
made a will shortly before his death
conveying his other property to his wife
nd three babies.
Rankin was q prominent church man,
being superintendent of the Methodist
Episcopal church south Sunday school
at Lawton. and teller Of the Indian
conference of that church embracing
Oklahoma and Indian Territory. He
came to Lawton from Chattanooga.
Tenn, six years ago. He was well
known over the new state, having last
summer made the race for the Demo-
cratic nomination for state treasurer.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-04
HARD COAL GOES UP.
Independent Operators Take the Lead
inAdvancing Prices.

Philadelphia, Dec. 4.-Several of the
independent anthracite operators after
attempts to induce the Reading and
some of the other big anthracite COM
panies to take the initiative in further
advancing the prices of steam sizes of
hard COAL have raised the price from
Is to 25 cents a ton at the mines.
The Reading so far has declined to
make any further advance in the price
of these sizes, one of the reasons as
signed being that the last advance of
25 cents a ton made some weeks ago.
had not yet become operative in many
instances where previous contracts
were concerned With the expiration of
most of these contracts, on January 1,
this advance will become general and
unless some falling off in the demand
is indicated by that time, it is probable
that an additional advance will be made
before the Reading makes any new
contracts.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-04
Big Battleship Leaves League
Island Yards
For the Naval Rendezvous at
Hampton Roads.
FOLLOWS
The Georgia and the Maine the
Next in Order.
The Brooklyn Reaches the
Yards From Norfolk.

Philadelphia, Dec. 4.-The battle
ship Kansas sailed from the League
Island navy yard today for Hampton
Roads to join the fleet which is to sail
for the Pacific. The crew of the big
warship assembled on deck as the bat
tleship left the navy yard wharf and
returned the farewells of the sailors
who remain at the navy yards. The
men of the batt1eship Kearsarge,
which sails tomorrow, repeatedly
shouted to the men of the Kansas,
''We'H catch you before you get
there
I'VE guess you won't" came the
chorus reply from the Kansas.
The Kearsarge is scheduled to sail
at s o'clock tomorrow morning and
will be followed a few hours later by
the Georgia. The battleShip Maine
will sail Friday.
The cruiser Brooklyn, towing the
monitor Miantonomah, arrived at the
League Island navy yard today from
Norfolk
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-04
A Woman Tries to Blow Up a
Governor General.
Kills the Horses and Wounds
the C0acSman.
In DYING CONDITION.
Hurler Of the Bomb, Herself
Fatally Injured.
The Intended Victim Escaped
Without a Scratch.

Moscow, Dec. 4.-An unsuccessful at
tempt was made in this city today upon
the life of Lieutenant General Guers-
chelmann, governor general of Moscow.
He escaped death only by a narrow
margin.
A woman hurled a bomb at the gen
eraFs carriage while he was driving in
the Lefort quarter of the city. The
horses were blown to pieces and the
coachman was seriously wounded. The
governor general, however, came out of
the explosion untouched
The woman was so severely initiated
by her own bomb that she had to be
removed to a hospital She is in a
dying condition
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-04
FORD IS ACQUITTED.
Jury Stood Nine to Three in His Favor
on First Ballot.

San Francisco. Cal, Dec 4.-Tirey L.
Ford, general counsel Of the United
Railroads, was late last night acquitted
OF the charge of having brfbed former
Supervisor Jennings Phillips to vote for
an overhead trolley franchise.
The case went to tho jury at o'clock
and the verdict was reached at 10:40.
reporting to the court at HOS.
On the first ballot the jury stood Q for
acquittal and for conviction. Several
more ballots changed 1t to IL for ac-
quittal and for conviction. The sixth
ballot was unanimous for acQuittsL
This was Ford's second trial. In the
first trial the jury was unable to agree
on verdict. The present trial was be-
gun about seven weeks ago. but was
interrupted a month by a series OF
special holidays called to protect the
banks during the financial stringency
During all the holidays the Jurors
were kept together Under the custody of.
deputy sheriffs.
the series of graft prosecutions. In
the other two cases. those of former
Mayor Schmitz and Louis Glass. vice
president of the Pacific States Tele-
phone and Telegraph company convic-
tions resulted. 49,
A demonstration of prolonged ap-
plause of 75 or 100 spectators followed
the verdict. Friends surrounded Gen
GTdl OTQ 10 OIICT THEIR
and the defendant with tears In his
eyes and too much affected by the re-
suit to speak clearly, stepped across
the aisle, shook hands with the Jurors
and thanked them in husky voice.
Patrick Calhoun also asked to be ta-
ken to the members of the jury and
thanked them for their verdict.
General Ford gave the Associated
Press the following statement:
II can not say that the verdict was
unexpected for ] knew no case had
been made or could truthfully be made
against me. 1 have an abiding faith in
the justice and fairness of an Amerf-
can jury when acting under the law
alone, guided by the facts and unsway-
ed by influences which should never
find a place in an American court. I'm
der the peculiar conditions now exist
ing in our city ii is greatly to the credie
of the 12 men who have just rendered
their verdict that they have the cour-
age to do exact and even justice to
falsely accused fellow citizen. My sin
cere and heartfelt thanks are joyfully
given to the host of friends who knew
me and knowing me. realized that but
one result could possibly follow fair
trial"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-04

been maintained at almost normal. The
drain on the mains so far today has
not been noticed and it is not expected
that there will be any difference to-
night With fair weather there ought
to be no further trouble until the
pumping station at Scipio is completed.
However should there happen to be a
sudden drop in the temperature there
Is no telling what would happen
How Supply Is Received.
AT the time of a previous gas short
age few weeks ago, there was a coal
famine in Topeka Since that time
however there has been a great deal of
coal shipped into Topeka and there is
now enough on hand to supply the de-
mand.
Relief is expected both in Topeka and
in St. Joseph when the new compressor
station, now building at Scipio, Kan,
shall be completed. Two hundred men
are working night and day to complete
the plant and it is expected that it will
be ready for operation December 25.
All of the gas used in Topeka and
eastern Kansas and in Kansas City and
ST. Joseph is piped from Petrolia, Kan,
100 miles almost due south of Topeka,
a trif1e east. and 156 miles from ST.
Joseph. The gas leaves the wells at
300 pounds pressure and reaches the
compressor station at Petrolia at 100
pounds, where it is compressed to 300
pounds. 1t reaches Scipio, forty-five
pounds, where it will again be COM
pressed to 200 pounds for the journey to
Topeka, Kansas City and ST. Joseph
The pipe line from Petrolia is dou-
bic line to Ottawa, where one sixteen
inch line diverges to Lawrence, thence
west to Topeka. A second sixteen-inch
line runs east and north from Lawrence
to Leavenworth and Atchison. AT Kick
apoO a line diverges to ST. Joseph.
sixteen-inch line continuing from Otta-
wa runs to Rosedale, where is located
the regulator station that supplies Kan
sas City. An auxiliary line reinforces
the main line from Olathe to Kansas
City.
Material Late. Says Mcdowell.
Charles K. Holiday. president of the
Commercial club, this afternoon over
the long distance telephone. told the
State Journal of an interview which he
had this morning with J. c. Mcdowell,
the president of the Kansas Natural
Gas company. Mr.. Mcdowell says that
the trouble is caused by the nom
arrival of material which was to have
been delivered early in the summer. AS
soon as the new pumping station is
there will be no further
trouble for over so years, according to
Mr.. Mcdowell. The attitude of con-
fidence in the ultimate success of the
present plans among the consumers
along the lines is very much apprecia-
ted by the Kansas Natural Gas COM
pany, according to Mr.. Mcdowell.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-04

manager of the local gas company, this
afternoon. 1T is a great deal better as
compared with yesterday. Today ev-
erything seems to be nearly normal
and this is encouraging, especially since
the day time affords the greatest
draught on the supply. There is now
full pressure in the city mains. There
long as the pressure can be maintain
ed up to six or seven ounces there will
be no shortage felt. Unless there is
another sudden drop in the temperature
the supply and pressure in Topeka will
be pretty close to normal.
I'VE cannot offer any hopes for per-
manent relief until the Scipio pumping g
station has been completed. 1 was talk
ing with the chief engineer of the Kan
saS Natural Gas company yesterday
and he says that although he has a
large force of men working in both day
and night shifts the work of the new
pumping station will not be completed
before Christmas. Until that time there
is but one thing for US to do and that
is to place our hopes on the clemency
of the weather. After Christmas there
Will be no shortage in the supply. There
are literally oceans of gas in the Kan
sas gas fields and the supply seems in
exhaustible. All that is lacking is the
adequate means Of conveying the gas
to consumers.
The Kansas Natural Gas company
ting the Scipio pumping station COM
pleted. According to the agreement
with the contractors the material was
TO have been delivered by June L. AS
the deliveries were only completed
Nov. Is, it is very easy to see where
The blame lies.
THE conditions at ST. Joseph
where they are manufacturing gas are
different from what they are in To-
peka. The distance to St. Joseph is
responsible for the condition that pre-
vail there. 1t will not be necessary to
resort to any such means in Topeka.
Inere seems to be a misunder-
standing among the local consumers
as to the registration of the gas used
py our meters. 1t is rumored that the
low pressure registers as high on the
meters as high pressure, but this is
entirely wrong. A meter is merely a
measure which measures the gas as it
passes through. 1t was also reported
in morning paper that air was being
pumped into the mains in order to in
crease the pressure. If we mixed air
in gas the consumers would not be
able to use 1t. Air and gas together
will not burn but instead are apt to
cause violent combustion which of
course is unsafe"
The gas situation in Topeka last
night was bad. In the western part
OF town conditions were especially
bad. Potwin was entirely cut off from
the supply and the residents of that
part of town were unable to cook their
suppers. The furnaces went out and
fire would not burn in the CRATES
which were piped for gas Potwin is
the last part OF town to be supplied IS
1t is the last part of the local dis
tributing line. In the western part
of town last night 1t was impossible
to secure enough gas even for light
ing purposes. Candles and coal oil
lamps had to be used. The grocery
stores in many parts of Topeka re-
mained open after supper in order to
supply the demand for candles and
lamps.
Today the gas supply however has
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-04
YOUNG COUPLE MURDERED.
They Were Poor and Motive for KILL
ing is Mystery.

Des Moines, La. Dec. 4.-Mr. and
Mrs. Damwinkle. a section hand and
his wife were found murdered in their
beds at Fairport, a small town in the
eastern part of the state early today.
Their skulls were crushed and their
bodies were bruised and mutilated, in
dicating that the murderers had used
a heavy instrument. Considerable
mystery surrounds the murder. Dam
winkle is poor man and lived in a
very small cottage. The motive could
not have been robbery. The victime
were aged % and 20 respectively.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-04
Hope for Good Weather, Says
the Topeka Manager.
Y AS Low LAST NIGHT
Today Conditions Appear to Be
About Normal.
St.JOseph Resumes Manufacture
Of Artificial Gas.

The inadequate pressure of natural
gas in Topeka gives special interest to
the announcement that the gas COM
pany at ST. Joseph, Mo-, has resumed
the manufacture of gas for home con-
sumption The plant for manufactur-
ing gas was fired UP Tuesday and last
night manufactured gas was mixed
with the natural gas in the pipes.
Situation in Topeka.
''The gas pressure in Topeka today is
much better than it has been for two
or three days." said L. G. Treleaven,
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-04
WILL NOT TELL TAFT.
He VIII Remain in Ignorance of His
Mothers Condition.

SOhOAtAOA-
Worcester, Mass, Dec. 4.-The con-
dition of Mrs. Louisa NJ. Taft has be-
come so grave that her son was sent
for, and he arrived last night from
Watertown, Conn. A family confer
ence was at once held as to the ad-
visibility of informing Secretary Taft,
that he may hurry home. His mother
is unconscious, growing weaker daily
and the attending physicians say her
death can be expected at any time.
Horace Taft announced after the
long conference that no message
would be sent to Secretary Taft.
No Change in Condition.
Millbury, Mass, Dec. 4.-There was
harrly any perceptible change in the
condition of Mrs. Louisa Taft, mother
of the secretary of war, according to
the physician who is attending her She
has been in a semi-conscious condition
for nearly a week.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-12-04
Wichita case Continued.

The supreme court has continued
until March the custer case of the
state versus the city of Wichita. This
is the case in which testimony is now
being taken at Wichita. Assistant At
torney General John Dawson repre-
asked for a continuance. He said the
the state had taken most of its evil
dence. and that the defense was ready
to bezin.