The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-03-27

ON A ROCKY ROAD
w. B. Davis Must Wait for a
Liquor Permit.
Mrs. Ida Dan of Seabrook Rises
i'm Opposition.
SCHENCK In THE WAY.
County Attorney Will Take a
Hand in Permit Question.
Repudiates Action of His Deputy
i'm kuntz Case.

A dramatic episode occurred today
| in the probate court in which a new
| antagonist of the demon rum was
| introduced into the local arena.
| Mrs. Ida Dan, member of the Chris
| tian church, resident of Seabrook, and
a conscientious and earnest follower
| of Carrie Nation, was the principal
| figure in the drama enacted before
| the probate judge.
| The occasion was the hearing OF
the application of w. B. Davis. for a
| permit to sell intoxicating liquors at
No. S34 Kansas avenue.
Mrs. Dan, armed with a Bible, a
half dozen tracts on the evil of the
use of tobacco, and a copy of a re-
cent newspaper folded to expose
prominently to view an article con-
tanned in a press dispatch from San
Francisco chronicling the murder of
an aged mother through the drunk
enness of a son, was on hand early
for the hearing. Before the time set
for the hearing she stood on the
court house steps facing Fifth street
with an open Bible in her hand, ap-
parenty in meditation or prayer.
She entered the office of the pro-
bate judge and asked if Mr.. Davis was
present. He was pointed out to her,
and she drew a chair up near to his
and began an earnest and impaSsioned
appeal to him to allow the manly and
finer. instincts to govern and abandon
the business of selling liquors.
Davis sat through the speech with
an immovable face and refused to be
drawn into an argument.
Don't you know that 1t is wicked
TO sell the stuff that makes men take
the lives of others?'' said Mrs. Dan,
addressing her remarks to Davis
Don't you know that there are wives,
sisters, sweethearts, mothers who love
the men that are permitted to ruin
their lives by buying liquors in just
such places as you propose to con-
duct? Don't you know that unless
you change your course that you will
lose your soul?
At this juncture County Attorney
Schenck, who had come in with the
attorney for Davis, announced to Pro-
bate Judge Pro Tenn Williams, that he
desired to oppose the granting of the
permit to sell liquors as asked for in
the application.
"I should like to have this case set
down for hearing next Monday said
Mr.. Schenck, "at which time I want
to introduce arguments and evidence
opposing the issuance of the permit"
MAY I be heard?" Mrs. Dan in
terposed at this moment.
1.-The case is not up for a hearing
at this time" replied Mr.. Williams, to
whom Mrs. Dan had addressed her re-
quest
Attorney Magaw then asked that the
hearing be held this week on account
of the fact that the present permit ex-
pires tomorrow, and that the stock OF
LIQUORS would be subject to seizure II
the new permit was not in force as
soon as the other expired
''I will have to argue a case in dis
trict court tomorrow, replied Mr.
Schenck, land the gamblers case
and Saturday is motion day again in
district court, so I hardly see how we
can reach this before Monday For
the benefit of Mr.. Davis, however, 1
hot hn aftnrnAU'G
office will not take advantage of MI
Davis in this matter till after the hear
ing Monday
1t was settled in this manner.
When the case was disposed of Mr.. |
announced that he also in
tended to oppose the issuance of Ii
cense to sell liquor as applied for by
the Postofice drug store, and that he
intended to begin action to cause the |
license of w. r. Kuntz of North To- |
peka to be revoked.
81 had no official notice of the fact !
that there was an application from |
Kuntz for a permit" said Mr.. Schenck.
The probate clerk stated that one /
Of the assistants to the county attor- !
ney knew of the issuance of the permit |
4 week ago, and sanctioned it's issu |
ance.
Schenck.
''wen, no one in my office has been
delegated authority to approve any
permit, and hereafter I desire to be
informed of ell applications, and I will
ook after them personally declared
he county attorney.
This ended the matter. and as the
participants were leaving the Office
Mrs. Dan endeavored to induce every
me to read the article about the
drunken son numbering his aged moth
II. Most everyone had read 1t.
Mrs. Dan then tried to corner the
f1
lis duty in the matter of preventing
he issuance of the liquor permit. He
pleaded business and made his escape
soon after, however, Mrs. Dan, accom-
panied by Mrs. z. w. Gilmore, went
o the county attorneys Office to talk
With him. Mr.. Schenck was in his
private office, but was called to the
telephone. As he came out Mrs. Dan
rave him a tract concerning the evils
# the use of tobacco. He told her he
vas not fighting the use of tobacco
lie was smoking a cigar at the time.
lie asked her to talk to the assistant
county attorney. Mr.. w. z. Atchison.
ST was surprised when they pointed
nut Mr.. Davis to me-" she said. as she
at waiting for Mr.. Atchison to be at
liberty to talk with her. HE is such
fine looking man. If Mr.. Davis was
s good as he looks he could be of
-reat help to his fellowmen. I am
orry to see such a big. strong man
n the business of selling liquor. 1t
snt manly. and IL isn't right. nope
o see the time when people will not
"a allowed to sell liquor, and. in fact.
hope to see the time when it can not
e made"
Mrs. Dan did not at first seem to be
ware of the fact that County Attor-
ey Schenck was making a record at
losing the joints. This she said, was
er first effort in this direction. :.
MOTHER STORE BURGLARIzED
raft Brothers I'm North Topeka the
Latest Victims.