The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-05-15
ALONG THE PIKE
LeavenwOrth County Officials
Not to Punish Violators.
That Is, the Authorities Will
Not File Any Suits.
BE EASYON KLONDYKE
Sheriff Brown Promises Prompt
= Action on Complaint.
Major Martin Says He Called
Attorney Generals Attention.

LeaVenWorth, Kan, May 16-Tne
Times says:
That any action to be taken in re-
gard to the enforcement of the pro.
hioitory law and the suppression OF
oens Of vice said to exist in the Klon-
dyke and the vicinity surrounding the
soldiers Home. must receive its initial
impulse from persons not acting in an
omcial capacity, was indicated by the
statements made yesterday by Tom
Brown. county sheriff. Lee Bond,
county attorney. and Major w. w.
Martini. treasurer of the, Soldiers
Home. Their remarks were to the eff
fect that no investigation will be made
by the county official and that no COM
plant will be made by officers at the
When asked last night whether or
not the officials Of the Home would
reputed to be in operation in that
neighborhood closed. Major Martin re-
piled:
mo. We are not making any fuss
about 1t. We called the matter to the
attention of Attorney General Jackson
and that is all"
Are these places in operation there
now?" he was asked
They were a few days ago." he re-
piled, land I presume they are now"
Then why should not you or some
other official make complaint to the
county authorities?''
IT have no personal knowledge of
these places. No complaint will be
made by any official at the Home.
The old soldiers who visit these places
will not make any complaint"
Then. as a matter of fact, you do
not know whether there are any joints
out there?" he was asked.
mo. We see them-see the painted
windows and the like. and the men
from the Home go out and get drunk,
but We don't know just where. There
are three or four places selling liquor
or beer nowLthat is SO far as we
learn incidentally"
II have no official knowledge of any
such places being in operation in the
Klondyke," declared Sheriff Brown.
IF anybody has any information they
care to present will see that they
will get prompt attention. I am also
satisfied that Lee Bond, county at
torney, will give prompt attention to
any complaint that may be made to
him relative to the violation of the
prohibitory law or any other law"
Have you had this Klondyke matter
called to your attention by the attor-
ney general?" he was asked.
mo. never had any special COM
munica.ion from the attorney general
in regard to the situation there. /
have frequently discussed the enforce-
ment of the prohibitory law in Leav-
enworth county with him in a general
way Il
what steps II any are to be taken
to investigate the situation in the
Klondyke?" -----
None. It is not my business to be
a spotter. 1t ought to be easy enough
for Major Martin or any other official
who cares to complain of the condi-
tions there to produce ample evidence
from the Home"
There is little to be said about the
Klondyke," remarked Lee Bond. THE
only complaint received concerning
any saloons there was place said to
have been operated by one Mrs. Well
cross. and 1 understand that she has
moved away"
IF any reputable citizen comes be-
fore me and swears to a complaint I
shall issue warrant as 1 have done
In the past
MY experience with local people in
the prosecution of these cases has not
been pleasing. A man came to me
Wednesday night making complaint
that a certain woman was selling IL
quor in the northwest part of the coun-
ty. I issued the necessary papers and
phoned to the officers at the court
house that he was coming. They wait
ed for him over an hour. but he never
appeared. Today 1 asked him why he
did not show up and he confessed that
he tore up the papers and decided not
to prosecute the case"