davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-11-20
Twelve Men Lose Their Lives in
a Sewer Ditch
Is Result Of the Explosion of a
Gas Main.
BY FIRE.
Water Main Burst and Fire and
Water
Gushed Side by Side From the
Same Hole.

New York, Nov. 20.-Twelve men
are reported to have been killed by
the explosion Of a gas main in an ex-
cavation at Gold and Front street,
Brooklyn today.
The explosion tore the street to
pieces for rods on either side, and the
IL men who were working in an ex-
cavation for a big sewer pipe were
buried by the debris which fell in
upon them and are believed to have
been smothered or burned to death in
the fire that followed the explosion.
Samuel Trout, who lived near the
scene lost his life in attempting to
save a woman who was passing
through Gold street at the time of the
explosion and fell into the trench
Trout was caught by the flames from
the blazing gas main and roasted
alive. The woman was dragged out
of the trench and saved by a boy.
The workmen were digging a
trench through Gold street for the in
stallation of a SO inch sewer pipe.
The excavation was to be nearly
forty feet deep, and as the laborers
removed the earth the walls had been
shored up by large timbers. With
Charles Schiffmeyer, a city inspector
of sewers overseeing the work. the
men were working at the bottom OF
the trench when an accumulation of
gas from a main which had been ac-
the work exploded with tremendous
force. The supporting timbers were
ripped away and the high dirt walls
toppled over on Schiffmeyer and his
men, A large water main also was
broken by the force of the explosion
and a perfect torrent OF water began
to squirt up through the mass of wreck
age. Almost side by side with these
geysers roared the flames from the
gas escaping from the broken main.
Firemen and workmen from the city
water department and the gas com
pany worked desperately together in
an effort to check the flow of gas and
water and to relieve the men who had
been imprisoned. There seemed little
hope, however, that any Of those who
had been at work at the bottom Of the
trench could have escaped death.
Their bodies are believed to be bur
led under tons of earth.
The explosion was followed by
scenes of intense excitement. Every
building for blocks around had been
severely shaken. A large Roman
Catholic church and parochial
school received nearly the full force
of the shock. In the immense crowd
which flocked to the scene were
mothers who feared that their little
ones in. the school building were in
danger.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-11-20
UP TO ARCHBOLD.
He viii Complete the Story of
the Standard
begun by John d. Rockefeller
ON Witness Stand.
TAX EN- FROM CHAIR
" hen He Had Reached Period
OF the Early SOS.
He Chats With Reporters on
Preservation of Health.

New York, Nov. 20.-The last Quarter
century of the wonderful DEVELOPMENT
OF the Standard Oil company probably
VIII not be touched upon at ell in the
testimony of John D. Rockefeller the
maker of the great corporation, in his
testimony in the governments suit to
dlssoIVe the sO-called trust Until
moment before the adjournment yes
terday there had been no intimation
| that Mr.. Rockefeller's direct narrative
OF MS connection with the oil industry
from 1860, until the present time. would
De interrupted. He had told in greatest
detail of the early days of the business
ana with almost equal explicitness of
the various steps in his company's
growth and development from that
time until 1882. At that point how
ever, almost without warming his
counsel called Mr.. Rockefeller from the
stand and announced that the direct
examination of the witness had been
completed. Today when counsel for the
government begins the cross examina-
ton, 1T is believed he will be forced to
conf1ne his questions to the compara-
lively early period described by Mr.
Rockefeller in his story. 1t is likely,
however, that the cross examination
viii be searching one. The disap-
'pointment which came to those who
had been following the story of Mr..
Rockefeller which came with the sud-
den termination of his unfinished mar
rative, was somewhat tempered by an
announ cement bv the Standard Oil
lawyers that the history of the big cor
poration's later years will be related by
John D. Archbold
During an intermission Mr. Rookie
feller chatted with the newspaper men
about the care of his health. He said:
when was a young. man used to
work day and night, but never forgot
that I had a stomach You can work
long hours if you be careful about
what you eat. 1 was always careful
about what I put into my stomach,
and today I have cause to be very
grateful for it. I never felt in better
health than today. as a result of rig
idly adheringz to a policy Of a care
full diet when 1 was a boy. I advise
anyone who wants to keep his health
to do the same thing. Then when you
young men get to be 20 years old you
will be able to keep up your work.
"I never felt better in my life than
I do now. For the last 20 years have
kept out of doors as much as possible
and to that practice. coupled with
careful diet I attribute my excellent
health
Asked if sitting in the witness chair
giving testimony for such long per-
iod tired him, he replied:
mot in the slightest. 1t has not
begun to grow irkSOme VET
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-11-20
BURNT UP HER TIMBERS
Storm Tossed Ship Uses Her Frame
work for Fuel.

Port Townsend, Wash, Nov. 20
Stripped of every fragment of frame
work that could be used for fuel, the
British steamer Craigvar has arrived,
27 days from Yokohama. Captain
Edmunds reported that in addition to
a shortage of coal the steamer
passed through gales that continually
threatened her destruction. Three
days ago the bunker supply of the
steamer was reduced to less than a
ton of coal, sufficient only for three
hours steaming under a slow bell,
with only slight hope that the plank
ing and superficial work of the YES
sci should furnish sufficient steam to
bring the steamer into port. The
meager supply of coal was reserved
for any emergency that might de-
velop while the steamer was driven
by heavy gales. The destination in
Puget Sound of the Craigvar was
Tacoma. Her fuel supply was such
that a course to Seattle was made for
rebunkering. So difficult was the
sustaining power with the wood fuel
to defend the vessel in the high seas
that three passengers were obliged to
aid in the work of reducing frame
timbers and planking of the ship to
furnace blocks.
Captain Edmunds contends that
had his bunker supply taken at Moji
been of fair grade his long passage
from Japan could have been accom-
plished without misadventure, despite
the gale.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-11-20

templates again entering the field of
politics in New York city of which he
so long held sway, he has positively
denied. 1t is expected that Mr.. Croker
will remain in the United States about
six months and it is likely that por-
tion of that time. at least, will be spent
in southern California or some other
section of the country where the winds
of winter are less severe than in New
York
The old Tammany leader had as com
panions on the voyage across the ocean
his daughter Helen, his nieces, Mrs.
Bowman and Mrs. Benjamin Bewellet
and the latter's husband. Mr.. Croker
especially requested that no demOnStra-
ton of any kind be made by his friends
in this city upon his arrival and in
compliance with his request his recep-
ton down the bay was quiet one. Mr..
Nixon, one of Mr.. Croker's closest polit-
ical friends, and who himself once held
the reins of power in Tammany, was
waiting at the quarantine station, how
ever and he was one of the first to
Chamber up the side of the big liner.
There was a warm exchange of greet
ings and then the old Tammany chief
told his friend that he had waited
breakfast for him and hurried him
away to the dining room, where they
breakfasted together.
This visit of Mr.. Croker to America
is the first he has made in four years.
His last journey home was sad one
as he had been hurriedly recalled to at
tend the funeral of his favorite son,
Frank, who had been killed while driv-
ing a racing automobile at Omonde
Beach, Fla.
The leaders in the Croker Old
Guard" had planned to charter a tug
boat and go down the bay to meet him.
They were endeavoring to obtain per-
mission to take him from the steam
ship at quarantine and bring him
ashore as their private guest.
The nature of these plans reached
Mr. Croker and he cabled back at once,
forbidding any demonstration either on
the pier or on the steamship. He de-
cIared that he desired to land quietly
and to go direct to the Democratic club
where he will occupy his old quarters
during his stay in the city.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-11-20

Charles H Moore, reelected; cashier,
James I. Bradley, Sedan, Kansas.
The new cashier was the first re-
ceiVer to take charge of the affairs OF
the bank for the government imme-
diately after its close. Three new d1-
rectors for the bank were named and
Dr. Woods was elected chairman OF
the board of directors, which position
he accepted. The new directors are:
John Kelley, Kansas City: j. T. Brad
ley and w. I. Kemper. w. B. and Ed
ward RidgIey announced that they in
tend to make Kansas City their future
home. No announcement was made as
to their business intentions. Mr. CUTS
left for his home in st. Louis.
In statement to the directors and
shareholders, issued by the Ridgleys
and Mr.. Cults, a resume of the bank s
business since its reorganization IN
March, last, following its failure in
November, 1907, is given. 1t is shown
that under the mana cement OF the
Ridgleys, the deposits have increased
from $11, 100000 to SIS, 100000; that
the gross earnings have shown a
steady increase each month and the ex-
pense has as steadily diminished.
The retiring officers say they are
resigning rather than prolong any
contest for the control of the manage
ment in a way which might injure the
business of the bank" and in closing,
say, 1--WE wish it abundant success"
When the bank was reorganized, w.
B. Ridgley resigned the position of
comptroller of the currency to become
its head. He named Mr.. Cults, who
acted as receiver for the bank, as vice
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-11-20
CAMEL THREW HIM.
GovernOr-elect ShaIIenberger Sustains
Broken Leg at Shriner Initiation.

Lincoln. Nov. 20.-As the result of a
strenuous initiation into the order OF
the Mystic Shrine, Governor-elect
Ashton c. Shallenberger today is
laid up with a broken leg. Dur
ing the process of being put through
the secret ceremonial, by which candi-
dates are inducted into the organization
he was blindfolded and slid down an
inclined plane, landing heavily at the
bottom. His injury was sustained in
that manner. The governor-elect was
not able to pick himself up and mem
bers of the order assisted him. At
first, he and his friends thought his
hurt was nothing more serious than d
sprained ankle or possible dislocation
but it developed on medical examina-
ton some hours later that the fibula of
his left leg was fractured an inch or
so above the ankle.
Although he suffered great pain from
the accident. Governor-elect Shallen-
berger did not leave the scene of the
festivities for some time afterward. He
even made a speech at the banquet
table, rising from his chair to deliver
it. He was conveyed in a carriage
from the Masonic lodge rooms about 2
a. m. to the Lincoln hotel, where
surgeon attended him. The leg was
placed in a plaster cast and MI Shall
lenberger was relieved OF tne pain TO
some extent, without the use of
anesthetics. He was able to eat
luncheon before retiring.
Another version of the accident says
that Noble Hans Boegh. chief camel
driver, had allowed the camel on which
the unfortunate candidate was riding.
to break his lead strap and run madly
about the desert, throwing his rider
three times to the ground, the last time
leaving him in condition which made
it necessary for two OF his comrades to
raise him to his feet.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-11-20
WANT THAT $500.
Many Responses to Psychical SOciety's
Orange County Proposition.

New York, Nov. 20.-Attracted by
the $4,000 offer of the Metropolitan
Psychical society of this city to the
person who can count a number of
oranges without seeing them, a man
in Oakland City, Ind, comes forward
with the assertion that he is ready to
make good by auto-sugg gestion and
claim the money.
DR.. L. S. Trusler of the Indiana
town has written to the society, telling
of the claims of the man for whom he
stands sponsor, saying that he is ready
to count oranges when information as
to their location is supplied.
Where they are makes no difference
to the mysterious man, it is said, but
he must have them located before pro-
ceeding. To add interest to the test
he proposes to do the counting while
asleep. The society has replied to the
offer. requesting that a number of
preliminary tests be gone through, to
determine the subjects powers and
good faith in the matter. Hundreds
of offers to try for the $4,000 are re-
ceived by the society daily.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-11-20
GO SLOWLY, SAYS HILL.
And Do Not Put Too Much on Taft's
Shoulders.

New York, Nov 2O.-While in
clined to view the business and in
dustrial outlook optimistically James
J. Hill, chairman of the board of
directors of the Great Northern rail-
road who is in this city, declares
that matters must move slowly. He
said:
Things are moving forward all
over the country, but it is not well to
move forward too rapidly and we
must not put too much on Brother
Taft's shoulders at once. A good deal
of work remains to be done. Mr.. Taft
cannot do it all. Several millions of
people must cooperate in doing it.
New construction" he continued,
whether in new roads or branches, is
going to be carried on conservatively.
Railroad managers are going to look
into propositions of new construction
much more closely before they
authorize extraordinary expendi-
tureS''
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-11-20
RlDGLEYS ARE CUT.
j. t. Bradley Made Cashier of Bank
of Commerce.

Kansas City, Nov. 2O.-William
Barrett Ridgley, president; George T.
Cults, vice president, and Edward
Ridglev cashier, have presented their
designations to the board of directors
of the National Bank of Commerce of
Kansas City, and they were accepted.
DR.. w. S. Woods, the ex-president of
the bank, and his associates. imme-
diate1y assumed control, having re-
Gently gained control of majority of
the stock of the institution.
Immediately after the designations
of the Ridgleys and Mr.. Cults were ac-
cepted their successors were named.
DR.. w. S. Woods of this city and presi-
dent of the bank before its failure was
unanimously elected president, but re-
fused to accept the office. He said he
preferred that some one else be
chosen. A committee of three from
the board of directors was named to
choose the new president. Among
those prominently spoken of for the
office is J. w. Perry, vice president of
the National Bank of Commerce of ST.
Louis. The officers named in addition
to DR.. Woods, were: Vice presidents,
w. T. Kemper and Joseph J. Helm.
both of this city; second vice president.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-11-20
STATE RESTS.
Completes Its Testimony in the Trial
of Lamphere.

Laporte, Ind, Nov 2O-The state
rested today in the trial of Ray Lam
phere accused Of the murder of Mrs.
Belle Guinness and her three children
by setting fire to her house, after the
defense had finished the cross exami-
nation of Deputy Sheriff Anstiss. The
deputy testified to admissions alleged
to have been made by Lamphere fol-
lowing his arrest.
The state laws great stress on two
points in the testimony of Anstiss, first
his statement that Lamphere had ad-
mitted he would not deny having seen
Mrs. Guinness kill Helgelein: second,
Austiss' statement that Lamphere
would not take the stand, but now
Iamphere's lawyers find that unless
their client is placed on the stand the
Admissions said to have been made by
Iamphere to Anstiss can not be con-
troYerted.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-11-20

president, and his brother, Edward
Ridgley as cashier.
James T. Bradley. the new cashier
of the National Bank of Commerce
of Kansas City, who is to succeed Ed
ward Ridgley, lives in Chautauqua
county, Kansas, and has been a ma
tional bank examiner for the past
three or four years He came into
prominence shortly after his appoint
ment when he assumed charge of the
affairs of the failed First National
bank in this city. Mr.. Bradley was,
generally Speaking, unknown in Kan
sas at the time of his appointment,
but he made good in his public work,
and was often mentioned in the
southeastern part of the state last
winter for the Republican guberna-
toriaI nomination.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-11-20
CROss-EXAMINAToN.
Rockefeller Is Taken i'm Hand by the
Government AttOrneYs.

New York, Nov. 20.-Mr. Rockefeller
was again on the witness stand when
the hearing was resumed today His
cross examination was at once begun
BY Frank E. Kellogg, the special as
sistant district attorney.
Mr.. Kellogg said that the cross ex-
animation would not be confined to the
period between 1862 and 1882, concern
ing which Mr.. Rockefeller gave evil
dence on his direct examination, but
would cover also subsequent develop
ments which were connected directly
with those of the period described by
Mr.. Rockefeller.
In response to questions about the
hazardous nature of the oil business,
owino- to the possibility of failure of
supply Mr.. Rockefeller said that the
production of crude oil in the PennSyl-
vania field had steadily increased from
1862 to 1900. Mr.. Kellogg read fSNres
from an official report showing that
the Pennsylvania field reached its
highest point of production in 1900. Mr.
Rockefeller denied that the supply of
crude oil had always been ample and
asserted that it had f1uctuated, but said
that the supply is larger now than
when he was actively engaged in busi-
ness. He was asked about the develop
ment of oil fields in Ohio and Okla
homa but said that he knew little
about them. as they had been actively
worked since he retired from business.
He described the drilling and produc-
ton of oil as of the character of a min
ing business. He said it was the policy
of his company to pay for its oil at the
wells and that the larger part of the oil
it refined was purchased from the pro-
ducer.
Business Has PrOspered.
''You have been prosperous since
the beginning?" asked Mr.. Kellogg.
"Do you consider business
hazardous that on an original invest
ment of $67.0O0.000 paid dividends
amounting to 1891, 100000 and had
left a surplus of $300.OoO,00O O?''
"I do not consider the amount OF
money made determines whether the
business is hazardous or not, said
Mr.. Rockefeller.
He was then asked about the trust
agreement of 1882 and whether the
trust certificates did not show value
of S7O.00O,000 and that the stocks
held under the agreement had an ac-
tual value of $55,710,69S.
Mr.. Rockefeller said he believed
Mr.. Rockefeller then asked
whether the stock certificates issued
thereafter were for stock dividends or
for additional properties acquired, but
John G. Milburn, of Mr. Rockefeller's
counsel objected on the ground that
this was not within the scope of Mr..
Rockefeller's direct testimony. Mr..
Rockefeller replied:
"I suppose so.
jected, Mr.. Rockefeller said that a
stock dividend of $15.O00,O00 was paid
in 1886, and that the sock of the
company was then $9s, ,S2S.OOO.
Then up to the present time there
has been issued $13.310,000 for cash
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-11-20
CROKER RETURNS.
Old Tammany Boss Once More
on American Soil.
Denies That He Will Again En-
ter Political Field.
FIRST IN FOUR YEARS.
Last Visit Was to Attend Funer-
al of His Son.
He Probably Will Spend the
Winter in California.
FIRST IN FOUR YEARS.

New York, Nov. 2O.-Richard Croker,
who for years directed the destinies of
Tammany Hall before he retired to lead
the life of country gentleman at
Glencairn. his big estate in ireland, has
returned to New York merely as Wis
itor, he said. to see his old friends and
renew old acquaintances. That he con-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-11-20
Weather sun Pleasant.

The weather man promises the
Washburn football team a fine grade
of weather for tomorrow. The fore
cast says fair and warm weather,
which will mean the same kind we are
enjoying today. Today has not been
as warm as the preceding days of the
week, but is just about right to make
everybody happy and enjoy prosper
ity- The wind today is three miles an
hour from the northeast. The follow
ing are the temperatures-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-11-20
SHIPPING IN GOODS.
E. d. Giles & Company Receiving
Goods Every Day.

Yes. we ARE shipping in goods for
our coffee and spice trade ONLY. We
will positively quit business. Attend
Giles auction sale and buy china, Jap
anese goods and bric-a-brac at one
half less than the goods cost Giles.
623 Jackson Street.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-11-20
TMo Days, strike ENDS.

ChiIdress, Tex. Nov. 20.-Four hun
dred boilermakers on the Denver rail-
road have returned to work after going
on strike two days ago. The men walk
ed out demanding 10 hours pay for
hours work. The management COM
promised.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-11-20
FUND OF $780, 900.
Was Subscribed for the Republican
National Campaign.

New York, Nov. 20-A campaign fund
of 81, SOC, 900, contributed to the national
Republican committee in the recent
campaign will be shown when the list
of contributors is filed at Albany, next
Monday, according to the New York
Evening Post 1t was said that there
are $1,000 names on the list.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-11-20
weather Indications.

Chicago, Nov. 20.-Forecast for
Kansas: Fair and warmer tonight
and Saturday.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-11-20
IT'S DOORSCLOSED
Grant HOrnaday's Bank in
Hands of Receiver.
Malicious Reports Cause Run.
Says President.
DEPOSITS WERELARGE
Over Seven Hundred Thousand
Dollars the Amount.
Had No Connections With Kan
sas State Banks.

Washington, Nov. 2O-Comptroller Of
the Currency Murray today appointed
James D. Bradley, bank examiner, as
receiver of the First National bank of
Fort Scott, Kan. This action was ta-
ken upon receipt of a telegram from
President Hornaday asking that a re-
ceiver be appointed owing to the run
on the bank which has lasted two days.
The bank has a capital of 100000 and
according to the latest report had a
surplus of $25,OO0
One of States Oldest Banks.
Fort Scott, Kan, Nov. 2O.-The First
National bank of Fort Scott, one of the
Oldest banks in the state, closed it's
doors this morning. The bank had de-
posits of $702, 900. The closing followed
a run on the bank yesterday, when de-
positors withdrew $56.000. Grant Horn
aday, the president, in a statement this
morning, stated that the failure was
the result of malicious reports spread
by enemies of the bank He said that
the banks assets exceeded the liabili-
ties by 1927, 900 and that the depositOrs
would be paid in full.
The depositors number about 1000,
many of them small merchants. The
bank was organized in 1870 and the Of
fiCers at the time of closing were Grant
Hornaday, president; F. A. Hornaday,
cashier, and Charles Love, vice presi-
dent. Its correspondents are the Ma
tional Bank of Commerce, New York;
Central National bank of St. Louis and
the First National bank of Kansas
City.
A crowd of depositors gathered about
the bank building this morning, but
there was no demonstration.
st. Louis Bank o. IA.
St. Louis, Nov. 20.-At the Central
National bank it was said that the
amount of the account due was incon-
siderable and that it was amply secur
ed.