davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-21
Joseph Letter and His Pretty
Wife Join Forces
In Battling Flames Of Rich
Zeigler Mine.
BOTH WORKING HARD.
Young Millionaire Leads Men
With Inspiring Energy
While Handsome Lady Provides
Coffee and Sandwiches.

Zeigler, Ill, Dec. 21.-With a stubborn
fire slowly fighting back hundreds of
men who have been ceaselessly at work
for days seeking to save the coal sup
ply of the great Zeigler mine, Joe
Letter, Chicago millionaire, and his
beautiful young wife, have joined forces
with the workmen and are personally
combating the flames. Early today
Letter and his wife, formerly Miss
Juliette Williams, of Washington. D.
C., were at the scene of the conflict
Letter was leading the workmen with
an inspiring energy, while on the fight
ing line, tired but determined was his
beautiful young wife, serving the al
most exhausted men with coffee and
sandwiches and encouraging them by
her presence.
Letter arrived at ZeigIer on special
train, hastily arranged for. Through
his presence and that of his wife hope
remains for saving the mine.
The fire started in the coal beds sew
eral days ago. Gradually the flames
have eaten their way forward, and what
was believed to be matter of small
consequence now threatens the destruc-
ton of an indefinite amount of wealth
producing mineral and the loss of en-
ployment to hundreds.
Mrs. Letter has had bandages, medi-
cines, salves, etc, brought from the
commiSsary to the mouth of the shaft
and there she has erected a temporary
were also brought into service and
when a fire fighter, singed by the heat,
overcome by the smoke, or weakened
by exhaustion, was brought out of the
shaft, he received quick and effective
treatment. In many cases this was adj
ministered by Mrs. Letter herself.
The Zeig1er mines are among the
most valuable of the Letter properties.
Their supply is practically limitless,
while great expense has been incurred
in erecting homes for the miners and
the construction of buildings and the
purchase of implements. Since its ac-
quirement, however, the Zeigler prop
erty has not been a prosperous one for
Mr.. Letter. Soon after it's purchase he
had troubles with organized labor,
which proved very expensive. These
troubles had hardly been smoothed
over before the disastrous fire came. 1t
is believed that if the flames are not
checked at the present status the mine
can not be worked for months and that
heavy financial loss has already re-
suited
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-21
ROOSEVELT'S POLICY
President Taft Will Hold Same Atti-
tude to Latin-AmeFica.

Washington, Dec PA letter of
President elect Taft made public an
nounces that he will continue the
Roosevelt policy toward Latin-America.
The letter addressed to John Barrett
of the International Bureau of Ameri-
can Republics, says:
81 have always regarded the visit of
Mr. Root to the Latin-American re-
publics and the other measures taken
at his instance to cultivate their good
will and to increase as much as possi-
BILE the extent of their commercial re-
lations with this country as one of the
most important branches of the policy
of the Roosevelt administration.
THE wonderful material growth of
the republics of South and Central
American and the progress they are
making to a higher cultivation fully
justifies, if any justification were need
ed. the special attention given by our
state department to the establishment
of firm bond of union with our south
ern neighbors. I rejoice greatly at the
cordial manner in which they receive
and reciprocate our advances.
Il expect to continue the same policy
toward LatinAmerica thus so happily
entered on by Mr.. Root and Mr.. Roose-
welt and shall count my administration
fortunate If further steps can be taken
and new measures adopted to secure a
closer and mutually more beneficial
commercial association and to awaken
a greater international sympathy than
even now obtains"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-21

senate. This claim arises out of the
destruction of the Free State hotel at
Lawrence, in 1856, by mob headed
by United States Marshal Jones, bent
on driving the New England Emigrant
company out of the state and making
Kansas a slave state. The New Eng
land Emigrant company donated its
claim against the United States to the
University of Kansas some years ago,
and DR.. Edward Everett Hale, chaplain
of the senate, is very anxious to see
the claim paid.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-21
Representative LOOfburrOW Has
Some Ideas on Fees.
Thinks Pay for Assistant AttOr-
ney Generals Excessive.
STAHL is OUT OF 1T.
Quits Race for Chief Clerk of the
House.
Senator Stillings Comes to De-
Tense of Warden Haskell.

Representative Loufbourrow of
Wilson county, in speaking of the fees
received by county attorneys and at
torney generals in the prosecution of
liquor cases, says:
This county, unfortunately, has
had in recent years not a little exper-
fence with the enforcement of the
prohibitory law. Saloons existed and
1t was seen fit to give us an assistant
attorney general in order that the Of
tenders could be brought to justice.
Under the present law this attorney
IN the case of the state VS.. Doc Ellis
was entitled to a fee of 1900. Ellis
was convicted on ffty-twO counts and
the law allows a fee of $25 for each
count. The defendant was sent to jail,
but was unable to pay his fine and
costs and was later released by the
county commissioners. The attorney
promptly sued the county, and there
is little doubt that he will be award
ed his fee according to law The
county paid dearly for this conviction.
I'm justice to the taxpayers of this
and other counties of the state, the
fee of this county attorney or the as
slstant attorney general, which ever it
is, should be limited to a reasonable
sum in all liquor prosecution cases.
1t is announced that w. w. Stahl of
Sterlin has Withdrawn from the race
Tor the appointment of CHIEF clerk of
tne next kansas house. This leaves
VIII Beck Of Ho1ton and c. A Bril-
mart of Elk county as contenders for
the place. Beck is secretary of the
republican state committe. Chair
man Dolley of that committee has al
ready been handed the speakership of
the mouse on square deal platter. If
Seek wins the clerkship will this place
not be another cog in a new machine.
when taken in conjunction with the
many other offices now soon to be fill
ed with square dealers? Any way. this
is. the question the old machine men
are asking.
At the meeting of the Missouri Val
icy Horticultural society in Kansas
CITY committees were appointed to
ask the Kansas and Missouri legisla-
lures for $4,000 appropriation
from each as a fund on which to base
q HeHtenSlve tight on the San Jose
scale Edwin Taylor of EdwardsyiIIe
=; v Hols1nger of Rosedale and A. v
wilson OF Muncie compose. the Kan
sas committee.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-21
The Last Train

Leaving Topeka for Kansas City in The
morning is the Union Pacific No. log
at S:15 a. M. arriving in Kansas City
at 1915 a. m. The afternoon train
returning is the earliest train into To-
peka at 6:15 p. m.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-21
Portland OREGON

Every night at 1885 a Pullman tour
list sleeping car leaves Topeka via the
Union Pacifis R. r. which goes
through to Portland, Oregon. without
change. There is no better way to
reach all of the great Pacific north
west.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-21

We have a few sets Roders' Bros.
Knives, Forks and Spoons; we wish to
close out at actual cost. Chas. Bennett,
optician 100 Kansas avenue.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-21

came next. Hundreds of farmers have
been putting their money into local
bonds and even the laboring people of
many big towns are investing their saw
ings in that way. Recently the me-
chanics and laboring people of Topeka
took many lions shares of big bond
issue here.
The outstanding municipal debt of
Kansas, including bonds of the state.
counties, townships, school districts,
municipalities, in fact bonds of every
public description, aggregates $36,257,-
S44. This is IA As per cent of the total
assessed value of the state.
John c. Nicholson, state agent for
Kansas on number of matters pend
ing in Washington, has departed for
New York on his way home for the hol-
idays. He expects to return when the
session is resumed, and will be engag-
ed in pressing for consideration the
claims of the state. The state uni
versity has an item of 100000 in the
omnibus war claim bill now before the
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-21

An electric reading lamp would
make a nice useful Christmas present.
We have large stock of them at rea-
sonable prices. Jordan, lis West
Eighth street
Los Angeles herald., 1908-08-03
ANOTHER MAN COMES TO THE
RESCUE OF BATTERED T. X. q.

Los ANGELES, July 27.-[Editor
Herald: l have been reading with
much interest the criticism of some of
your woman readers of T. K. G.'s opin-
ions of womens ability as lawmakers,
etc, and 1 wish to say that l agree
with T. K. G. In every particular.
Agnes H. Downing says there is no
distinction between the male and fe-
male brain. There may not be physi-
ologically speaking, but 1 think there
Is no doubt whatever that women are
mentally and intellectually the inferior
Of man. L say this impartially. not
because I am of the male sex, but be-
cause 1 think it Is an established fact.
History proves 1t. Where are the wom-
en- of genius? All our great scientific
minds are men, as we'll as our philoso-
pliers, poets, musicians, painters, etc.
When it comes to woman's law-making
abilities, where were they ever in evil
dence? Women have no executive abil-
ity compared to man, and In the states
where they are allowed to vote very
few avail themselves of the privilege.
They vote for the best looking man,
regardless of his Affiliations. Women
are incapable of deep thought and only
concerned with fashion and the pretty
things of life. OF course there are ex-
ceptions, as Miss Downing urges, but
these only prove the rule. Women love
each other too much. Whenever you
see three women talking it's either
dress or scandal, and if one leaves, the
other two commence to pull her to
pieces, especially If she has a prettier
hat than the two remaining. 1 am not
a woman hater. Mr.. Editor, but I be-
lieve nature only intended women to
become mothers and dressmakers.
r. D. NELSON.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-08-03
WoMAN's RIGHTS

W.T. OMAN'S rights formed the prin-
w cipal feature in a case at trial
W in Los Angeles There were
other features, some of them disagree
able. but the broad question of the
sphere of womankind had considerable
relevancy to other circumstances re-
yealed in the testimony. The husband,
it was alleged, usually arose before his
wife. Now, everyone knows it is
woman's right to get up first and start
the world a-going for her old man.
That has been the approved style ever
since Adam and Eve camped under the
apple tree. while the wife was dress
l. z. the husband prepared the break
fast This was outrageous. 1t es-
tablishes a precedent which might
wreck civilization. OF course Adam
wasn't worried in exactly the same way
as the Los Angeles Benedick, because
his wife's wardrobe was part of the
curse inflicted on him, and he didn't
think of it until after the fall and
eviction. But we are willing to bet
postage stamp that even IL Eve had
dressed herself in Eden, Adam wouldn't
have dreamed of infringing on her
woman's right of getting the break
fast. No man of woman born would
ever dream of interfering with women's
rights performed with cooking uten-
sils. The local hero under review not
only did the cooking but opened and
aired the beds and cared for the baby
1t was explained that his wife had
other occup tions and diversions to in
terest her. Since her husband had
shown his ability to be housewife, it
is not to be wondered that the legitimate
owner of that proud title felt she had
been crowded out of her sphere. II
we were woman, we would hate to
have a husband who arose In the morn
ing before we did. To say nothing of
other disadvantages which would re-
suit from his previousness 1t would de-
bar us from the privilege of ransack-
ing his pockets. We sympathize with
women in all their legitimate rights. 1t
is theirs to own, govern and manage
home and all that pertains thereto, in
cluding a husband.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-08-03
ROOSeveltiSn1 Is Regulated
BY the Republican Parry

to his help in his endeavors to "save
the country from the dangers of
plutocratic government?
When he was after the trusts with
a sharp stick, was helping hand lent
him by Republican congress?
On the contrary, did not the pluto
cratic senate and the Cannonized house
put obstacles in his path at every turn
of the road?
When Theodore Roosevelt appealed
to a Republican congress to amend the
antitrust laws in order to secure great
er effectiveness in the prosecution of
criminal monopolies, what was the Re.
publican answer from congress and
from senate?
What single line did the Republican
party in congress attempt to add to
the Interstate commerce law, in order
to help Theodore Roosevelt punish the
combined wealthy railroad indicators?
Not one word, not one syllable, not
one letter.
Mohammed Taft cannot point to one
single instance to justify the declara-
ton in his Koran that, in his efforts
to "save the country from the dangers
of a plutocratic government" Presi-
dent Theodore Roosevelt had 'the sup
port and sympathy of the Republican
party"
The truth is that all points he had
its most active opposition, combined
with the personally bitter antagonism
NJ ifs leadership
Los Angeles herald., 1908-08-03
the responsibility IL they yield to temp

the responsibility If they yield to temp
tation.
Whether he be boarding school
teacher or day school teacher or coll
lege president or professor, no human
being who has the responsibility of
caring for young boys and girls would
under any circumstances sanction the
social conditions provided by the free
and easy dance halls. If keepers Of
boarding schools for boys and girls
allowed their charges to dance to-
gether several nights a week, what an
uproar there would bel The teachers
would be driven out of business. But
the young boys and the girls imperiled
by the dance halls are only poor chill
dren. only workingmen's children. So
people who can see causes and conse-
Quences, and appreciate the terrible in
justice that is being done to the young
folk who frequent dance halls, must
try to excite an uproar, If uproar is
needed for the quickening of the pub
lie and official conscience on this ques-
tion. About this dance hall evil we
will create all the uproar we possibly
can, and we make no apology for our
disturbance.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-08-03
LINCOLN-RoosEVELTS

4 FTER a year of existence the Lin
IN coln-Roosevelt league can look
IA back with considerable satisfac-
tion to its origin, growth, purpose and
achievement. 1t has worked faith
fully for the emancipation Of the Re-
publican party in California from DOM
ination by the political bureau of the
Southern Pacific Railway company; is
in favor of the election of free,
honest and capable legislature, truly
representative of the common inter-
ests of the people of California; and
advocates the pledging of all delegates
to conventions against the iniquttous
practice of trading whereby politi-
cal bosses effect nominations by bar
gain and sale. The influence of the
league upon politics has been whole
some and good. and If the Repubh-
can party is to regain the respect of
the people who believe In principles
and not in interests, it must walk the
chalk line" of conduct drawn for it in
league declarations.
Knowing something about the condi-
tions In which Republicanism IN Call
fornia found itself on account of the
Vaccinations of scheming grafters
and grafters' touts, with corrupt cor
poration influences to add to the COM
plication, we believe the redemption
Of the Republican party in California
would have been absolutely impossible
without the services of the league,
and that in course Of time but for the
league the local &c. o. p" would have
perished of fatty degeneration Of
the morals. The Lincoln-Roosevelt Re-
publican league has our best wishes.
we hope it's career of usefulness may
be continued with success, and that,
in spite of opposition, it may never be
weary in well doing.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-08-03

on the investment" is absurd. That
was the argument that fooled the few
hundred inhabitants of the town of
Oakland into giving the water front to
Carpenter in 1859. 1t was also used.
with good effect, by the Central Pacific
in 1868 to induce the 10000 Oaklanders
of that year to surrender the property
into the monopolizing hands of the corr
poratfon. And now, in 1908, with a pop
ulation, urban and suburban, of 400.-
900, the Southern Pacific, through its
mouthpiece, the Tribune, is trying to
fool us with it again. The railroad also
informs us, through the Tribune that
"the city has other needs loudly calling
for attention." True, but none of them
are calling so loudly as the water front,
which, for fifty-six long years, in the
hands of Carpenter and the railroad,
has been used to keep trade, commerce
and competing railroads from Oakland
and has given her the appellation San
Francisco's bed chamber" Even tho
Tribune admits that 1.-THE improvement
or the water frontage owned by the
city is one of the necessities of the
near future" But If Oakland does not
begin to improve it now "the near
future" will see the property taken
away from us by legislative enactment
and given again to the railroad. Any
BODY who opposes the issuing of bonds
Ne siitS Time Ny TIE CITY TO Improve LH6
water front is playing, either uncon-
sciously or consciously, into the hands
of the Southern Pacific and Is doing
what he can to put on us again the
monopolistie handouts which, for over
half a. century, have kept us from
building here a great commercial and
manufacturing city. An improved
water front is the gateway of Oak
lands future prosperity. Let no man
or corporation again close and lock
that gateway against us.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-08-03
ANSWER: YES"

4 CORRESPONDENT whose letter
u has been published asks whether
"A there is in any presidential plat
form solution of the great problem
of the unemployed. The Republican
platform ignores the question, and if
anyone can discern it dinly among the
mists and platitudes of Mr.. Taft's
foggy speech of acceptance it must be
because that address leaves much to
the imaginationl
The Democratic platform, however,
indorses a number of remedial meas
ures, all bearing on this important
subject AND ALL ASPECTS OF 1T
ARE INCLUDED IN THE SCOPE OF
THE FOLLOWING PLANK IN THE
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM, WHICH
ANSWERS OUR CORRESPONDENT
SATISFACTORILY, and guarantees to
him and all others who are making
inquiries like his-inquiries which are
certainly proper, reasonable and 1usti-
fed by recent history-that the Demo-
cratic administration will concern it
self actively in the question of the un-
employed and the solution of that
problem. If the Democratic party is
returned to power the question of that.
disturbance of the natural balance be-
tween capital and labor which results
in lack of employment will be consid-
cred and studied governmentally for
the first time in American history, and
1t may be solved. At any rate, the
means of its solution will be provided.
because the Democratic platform says:
1--WE pledge the Democratic party to
the enactment of a law creating de-
partment OF labor, to be represented
separately in the presidents cabinet"
On this subject the Republican plat
form is eloquently and significantly
silent; eloquently and significantly, be-
cause the silence speaks louder than
words and has a world Of meaning.
Labor should be represented in the
cabinet Our descendants, who will
probably have more good sense than
we about great many social matters,
will look back at US with surprise and
amusement, and will say, During a
period when society owed everything
to industrialism and labor, there was
no department of labor in the cabinet,
and labor was not represented directly
in the government of the country 1t
had built up into greatness! How
strange this omission will appear to
the Americans of the future! If Mr..
Bryan Is elected president, this ma
tional defect will be remedied. An in
dustrial nation will at last have ia
bor'' in it's cabinet. If all the citizens
interested in having department of
labor in the cabinet, in order that the
great problem of the unemployed may
be dealt with in statesmanlike way,
will vote for Mr.. Bryan, his majority
will break all records.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-08-03
EXPLAINS BELIEF WHY SOME
MEN OPPOSE EQUAL SUFFRAGE

SAN PEDRO, July S1.-[Editor Her
add: Mrs. Williams asks why Ameri-
can men oppose woman suffrage. [
think one reason is that they well
know that many of their pet vices
and sources of graft would not -four
ish as they do at present. For in
stance, the saloonkeeper would not be
the power in politics he is now. AS
women are the greatest sufferers from
the saloon business, the curse of the
American nation, 1t would be strange
If she would not do all in her power
to oppose 1t. Statistics prove that nine
tenths of the crime and misery in the
world is caused by liquor, which in
flames mems passions and degrades
their souls until they are not men, but
beasts. They have the privilege of the
ballot. The blot of child slavery, as
Mrs. Smith says in her spicy little
letter, would not exist. Is 1t any Won
der that women want the right to vote
when they see the injustice and cor
ruption fiourishing throughout the
land, even in the beautiful city of
the Angels, with it's chain gang, it's
antiuuated system of handling dogs
and it's public dance halls? However,
1 do not believe in universal suffrage
for either sex. The fact that every
debauched and ignorant creature that
calls himself a man can vote is one
of the most unjust of laws. 1 would
like to see the day when only tax
payers of both sexes can vote.
M. T.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-08-03
OFFERS HIS INTERPRETATION
FOR OFFICIALS GUIDING FORCE

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 1.-[Editor
Herald: Today's Herald contains a
splendid editorial addressed personally
to Mayor Harper, calling his attention
to some of the errors of his adminis-
tration. Nearly every executive de-
partment of every government in this
unhappy land is suffering from similar
errors. 1t is SO plain that the humblest
citizen can point to half a dozen cases
of mistakes and explain how, in most
cases, immortality is condoned by Of
ficials higher in Office than those that
are known to be receiving doubtful
incomes. Mayor Harper gives the ex-
cuse that he was absent at the time
the most conspicuous exposures of his
administration were made, and that he
doesn't know what occurred in his
absence.
So II happens that 1t is up to news
papers like The Herald to point out to
the mayor what to read and investi-
gate to give Los Angeles a reasonably
clean government. Now I would like
to know why it Is that mayors, gov
ernors and the president all prove to
be citizens from Missouri and must be
shown the things that occur in their
own official families, and nearly always