davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal., 1908-03-16
W. R. MUSGAT DEAD.
Well Known Snowman Follows His
Friend, William Sells, to Grave.

With joke on his lips big hearted,
whole-souled William r. Musgat, the
general agent for the Sells & FIoto
shows fell dead in his apartments in
the Windsor hotel, Denver, Col, Satur-
day. He followed his friend and CO.
worker, BILLY" Sells, to the grave less
than month intervening between the
death of the two worldwide known
showrnen-
When the news Of the death of his
friend and companion, Billy Sells
reached him in Denver, Musgat start
ed for New York Immediately and &C
companied the body to Topeka where
he attended the funeral, one of the
most sincere mourners at the bier of
the dead Snowman. He fingered In
Topeka after the funeral for a num-
ber of days with his friends for he
had an extensive acquaintance in this
city.
It's pretty bad" he said, to one of
his acquaintances, referring to the
death Of his friend, but it's coming
to all of us and there is no telling
who will be the next, but Billy was a
young man and it seems he should
have lived many years longer, but that
is not for us to say
He returned to Denver a week after
the Sells funeral and complained of
feeling i'll, though he was making pre-
parations to go on with his show work
of the season. He was in his room at
friends, a Denver policeman, Coleman
Bell, and picking out photograph, not
his own, he turned to his friend and
jocularly said, Don't you think that
looks like me?" Before his friend
could reply he fell over on the bed
and was dead before physician who
had been summoned could arrive.
BILLY" Musgat was born in Fond du
Lac, Wis, As years ago, and was just
the age of Billy Sells at the time of
his death and had been identified with
the show business for more than a
quarter of a century.
J. G. Elliott, of this city, probably
knew the dead Snowman better than
any one else in Topeka, for it was he
who gave him employment in this line
of work 25 years ago when with Full
ford & Lytle he organized the New
London Circus and Menagerie in To-
peka-
"Musgat came to me when we were
organizing for the road" said Mr.. Ell
lott, "and asked to be given work of
any kind, and as we were Quitting
and likely to need men I placed him in
the cook tent. Later learned that he
was a harness maker and he made all
of the harness for the show for the
next season.
Later when we sold out Musgat went
to Billy Sells as a part of the show
and Sells made him chief of the cook
tent, but there was something ikeable
about the fellow and he and Sells soon
came to be boon companions and he be-
came confidential man for Sells. When
Sells and F'loto placed their show on
the road two years ago Musgat went
with Sells in the same capacity, though
later he was made general manager OF
the show.
'sI never knew a better whole-souled,
companionable man than Billy Mus
eat. He was man among men, al
ways sober, and an 1ndefatigaDle
worker and a man who could be relied
upon at all times. His friendships were
of the intense kind and I think that the
shock Of the sudden death of his friend
and companion, Billy Sells, was largely
responsible for his untimely DEATH"
The Topeka state journal., 1908-03-16
ALPHA CLUB TO GO.
Only Ten Members OF the Famous
Organization Left

New York, March 16.-After an ex-
istence of nearly half century during
which time it entertained some of the
greatest Republican politicians in the
country, the Alpha Club is about to
pass away and soon will be only a
memory to the few members who have
remained faithful to the hast. When
the club was started in 1861, at 73S Fifth
street, the neighborhood was inhabit-
ed by Americans who were engaged in
the Shipbuildfng yards at the foot of
Fourth, Fifth and Sixth streets on the
East river. The United States iron
clad ram that was sold after the civil
war to England was built at the foot OF
Sixth street by William H. Webb and
a picture of the ship hangs on the walls
of the old club in company with one OF
the schooner yacht America, that won
the famous cup. AS the foreign ele-
ment moved into the district, the old
members moved away or died, so that
gradually the membership has dwin-
died until only ten are left
Among the famous men who have
visited the Alpha Club and made
speeches there in it's palny days we're
President Abraham Lincoln, President
Chester A. Arthur, President James A.
Garfield and James G. Blaine.
Among the various relics belonging to
the club is portrait of Henry Clay,
done in 1910 for the old Wing party, and
a clock which has licked away On the
walls of the club from the first day it
came into existance.
The Topeka state journal., 1908-03-16
WONIAN'S THEATER.
Dne for Her Exclusive Entertainment
Planned at Des Moines.

Des Moines, Ia, March ia wo-
mans theater, wherein performances
will be given exclusively for the en-
tertainment of the feminine sex, will
be a novel feature in Des Moines if
the plans of Miss Lillian H. Matthews
of this city are carried to a successful
elimination.
Miss Matthews has charge of the
associated charities work and IS spe-
ciaI officer of the juvenile court. She
believes a theater should be maintain
ed for girls with performances such as
will give them a right idea of life. she
has interested some prominent and
wealthy men in the philanthropic
movement, and there is strong poss1-
bility of her plans maturing in the
near future.
Much of the incorrigibility in our
girls" says Miss Matthews, sis due to
the conception of life they get by visit
ing some of the theaters in the city
where weired melodrama and disgust
ing burlesque is the feature. There
should be a theater for girls alone,
where the admission would be so reas-
enable they would go there in prefer
ence to the other theaters. Such plays
should be presented as would reflect
the better sentiments of life, and be
clean and moral. The stage generally,
especially at the socalled popular
priced theaters, is badly demoralized
and does not furnish the best educa-
tion for the minds of young girls"
The Topeka state journal., 1908-03-16
MATHER DECLINED TO SERVE.
Crane 8 90. to Handle Kansas Read
ing Circle Books.

At the meeting of the state reading
circle board Friday, ]. E. Mather of FL
Dorado, declined reappointment as
manager of the state reading circle
work and the George w. Crane book
house of Topeka was selected as man
ayers It is the business of the man
ager to keep on hand a supply of the
approved books, so that these books
may be ordered from him by the coun-
ty superintendents.
The reading circle unanimously pass
ed a resolution endorsing the efficient
service of Mr.. Mather during the time
ne has been manager of the reading
circle, and complimenting him on his
excellent Judgment in handling the
work of the teachers and pupils read
ing circles.
The board did not announce the Sc
lection of books for the pupils read
ing circle. 1t will complete the adoption
of the pupils books about the middle
of May.
The Topeka state journal., 1908-03-16

and the unpulverized portion, and
sent them up to DIR. Crumbfne. She
also sent along the name of the
grocer who sold it. and the name of
the Chicago firm which made the
ginger snap. DR.. Crump1ne will turn
the evidence over to the federal pure
food authorities, and the Chicago fac
tory will doubtless hear of it.
ct have heard it said,'' remarked
DR.. Crumbine this morning, "that it
Is the custom in big cracker factories
to sweep up each day from the floor
the flour, sugar, dirt and everything
else that has collected, and save this
mixture to use in making ginger
snaps, because ginger snaps have a
dark color and n1ottled appearance
from the spices which makes it diff
cult to detect impurities. I didn't
suppose such stories were true, but
this ginger snap in my possession
seems to prove that it is.''
Such a discovery is l1aple to injure
the ginger snap trade in Topeka and
the North Topeka Ginger club should
investigate
The Topeka state journal., 1908-03-16
1T WAS HIS OWN COAT.
How q Smooth Swindler Worked a
Topeka Pawnbroker.

A joke on a pawnbroker seems to
make remarkable hit with the public,
and here is the latest: Gordon broth
ers, pawnbrokers located at Fifth and
Kansas avenues, are the victims of a
smooth trick. A man came into their
store Saturday night, picked up the
elder Gordon's coat, which had been
care1essly thrown on a pile Of pass
me-downs," and asked, What will you
give me on this?" After carefully in
specting the seams and texture Of the
garment, Gordon said that he would
advance $5 on the coat. The deal was
closed, and the stranger walked out
with the five-bone note. Later, when
ready to put on his coat and go home,
Gordon discovered that he had been
picked
The Topeka state journal., 1908-03-16
PLAN NEW SCHOOL LAWS.
State Educational Commission VIII
Meet on March 10.

State Superintendent E. T. Fair
child has issued a call for a meeting
of the state educationar commission
for Thursday, March 10, at which
time the commission will discuss the
revision of the Kansas school laws,
and the kind of legislation which is
desired from the next legislature.
This state educational commission
is body specially appointed by Gov
ernor Hoch, at the request of the
State Teachers association, for the
purpose of improving the state school
laws It consists of the following:
E. T. Fairchild, chairman; J. w.
Gleed, Topeka; L. A. Lowther, En-
poria; w. D. Ross, Peabody; R. F.
Knight, wichita; A. j. Stanley, Lin
coin; w. S. Pate, Cherokee. All of
these except F'airchild and Gleed are
county superintendents.
The Topeka state journal., 1908-03-16
Items for the East Topeka column ma!
De telephoned tc Ind. phone gill

Items Tor the East topeka column may
De telephoned tc Ind phone GILL
Miss Kate Alsdorf has returned
from Horton. Kan where she has
spent the past four weeks the guest Of
her brother, Mr.. Fred Alsdorf and
family.
Mrs John Rosen of 204 Branner
street fell Sunday and broke her
ankle.
Little Harriet Berry of POI Branner
street is under quarantine with scarlet
fever.
Mr.. ]. D. Wilson spent the day yes
terday with his son and wife, Mr.. and
Mrs. Harry Wilson of Lawrence.
Mrs. Charles Horn of 221 Lake
street spent Saturday and Sunday with
her son, Mr.. w. L. Horn and family
of Kansas City
Mr.. George Powell and brother Will
lie of Berryton spent the day Saturday
the guests of their sister, Mrs. A
Luthey of 230 Chandler street.
Mr.. S. NJ. Evans and little grandson,
Marion Thompson, spent the day yes
terday with his sister and husband,
Mr.. and Mrs. Rhfnehart, of Maple
HILL
Mr. Clarence Luthey went to Berry
ton Saturday to spend this week with
his grandparents, Mr.. and Mrs. Frank
Powell.
The sewing society of the Mistletoe
club, which was to have met Wednes-
day afternoon with Mrs. John Rosen
The Topeka state journal., 1908-03-16
GINGER CLUB, TAKE NOTICE.
Work Here for the New North To.
peka Organization.

The attention Of the North Topeka
Ginger club Is respectfully called to
the following facts:
DR.. s. ]. Crumbine, secretary Of the
state board of health. today received
from a woman living in a Kansas
town, a ginger snap of most wonder
full architecture. This ginger snap
was purchased by the woman from a
grocery store in her town. AS she
was getting ready to eat it, she OBJ
served that it sparkled as though 1t
was set with diamonds. Investigation
revealed that it was full of pieces OF
glass, about the size of a pin head.
When part Of the ginger snap was
pulverized, the astonished woman col
lected from the debris the following
souvenirs:
One shoe nail.
One long, coarse hair.
Three small pebbles.
-Four large pieces Of glass.
Innumerable small pieces Of glass
Miscellaneous collection Of dirt and
rubbish of various kinds.
The woman packed up the pull
verized portion of the ginger snap
The Topeka state journal., 1908-03-16
Potato Growers Forming a Trust.

New York, March 16.-As a result
Of a meeting held by several hundred
Long Island farmers, it was stated
that an association for handling practi-
cally the entire potato outpnt of the
per annum, would shortly be formed
Sentiment at the meeting was, it Is
stated. strongly for closer watch over
the output on the part of the farmers
who declare that as the growers have
no means of keeping in touch with the
markets most of the output is shipped
to New York, thereby overcrowdins
the market and depressing prices
There will soon be, it is stated another
meeting of the farmers to perfect the
organization of their so-caIled trust
and decide upon plans for syndicate
handling of orders.
The Topeka state journal., 1908-03-16

owned by the United States. She will
really be revenue cutter. under con-
troll of the revenue cutter service Of
the treasury department, but her spe-
cial work will be that of destroying
derelicts and other distractions to
navigation, and she has been designed
to keep the ocean in all kinds of
weather.
The new ship will be known as the
Seneca. She has been built under an
appropriation of $250,O0O made by the
last congress. She will be 224 feet
long, "a feet beam, 10 " feet draught
and have a displacement of /, 400 tons.
She will have triple expansion engines,
and her speed will be about IA knots.
The Topeka state journal., 1908-03-16
[|SAAE!KS

General Manager J. E. Hurley. has
returned to Topeka after having been
in Newton on a business trip.
Archie Pavey Of the local tlcKet ,.t
Office is spending today in Kansas City
on business
Engineer James Thomas has re-
turned to work on runs Nos LOB ana
106 between Topeka and ST. Joseph
after having been off for some time.
Engineer II. P. French was in his
Engineer Link Gallety was on runs
Nos. 107 and 108 between Topeka and
St. Joseph yesterday in the place OF
Engineer Andy Veriin who LAID ON 49,,
Conductor Tom Verlin is running on
runs Nos 81 and 81 between Topeka
and Argentine in the place of Conduc-
tor James O'Byrne who is laying off.
Engineer G. w. Wilcox has returned
to work on runs Nos. IT and 1S be-
tween Topeka and Newton after hav-
ing been off for a few trips. Engineer
Hurst of Newton was in his place.
Conductor E. c. Brown of Argentine
has returned to work in freight SER
vice after having been Off for several
days on account of sickness
Engineer George Furman is on the
Marceline runs between Topeka and
Marceline in the place of Engineer e.
A. Connolly, who has been taking the
place of Enigneer w. c. Wheeler.
The accomplishment of the great
works Of any age; the building of the
houses, the mills, the railroads. the
ships, and everything that has fur
thered mans happiness and advance
ment, has been done by the savers.
The spenders carried up the bricks.
Don't say again that you are going to:
This time do it. Make your initial
deposit at the Y. M. G. A. today, or at
the bank, Sixth and Kansas avenue, In
the evening. Three per cent CON-
pound interest. -Four per cent on cou-
pOn time certificates.
Engineer Ed Ash was running on
the Kansas City plug runs yesterday
| in the place of Engineer VIII Rain
who was off.
c. T. Mcclellan, division superintend-
ent of the eastern division. is in To-
peka today on business
Today is the regular pay day for
the employees of the shops and yards
The checks are being cashed as usual
at the Railroad Y. M. G. A.
s. w. Everett and F. Minor of the
electrical engineering department,
spent yesterday on a pleasure trip to
Newton
General Superintendent F. G. Fox
left last night for a trip of inspection
over a portion of the eastern grand
division.
Conductor Jesse Howes was on the
Kansas City plug runs yesterday In the
place of Conductor Harry Griffin who
Fireman Bonar of Newton has
bumped Fireman n. F. Fouch off runs
Nos. 1 and between Topeka and
Newton. Fireman Bonar has been
working as extra switch engineer at
Newton and has been reduced to the
position of fireman on account of the
decrease in business.
Brakeman McMurtie, who has been
laying off on the Kansas City plug
runs for some time, has returned to
work and has relieved Brakeman Har-
per who was running in his place.
Fireman Noah Fouch has been as
signed to runs Nos. 100 and 110 be-
tween Topeka and Kansas City after
having been bumped off runs Nos.
and 2 between Topeka and Newton.
Engineer Kowalski of Emporia Is
running on runs Nos. and in the
place of Engineer Harry Pearson who
| is laying off.
James Larkins, a switchman in the
| local yards, has returned to work
The Topeka state journal., 1908-03-16
HIS LUCKY DOLLAR.
Charity BAH Ticket Draws a Three
Story House.

New York, March 16.-Bernard
Satsky, an expressman of Newark
took one dollar to the congregation
Anse Russian temple to give to the
rabbi for charity.
You might as well enjoy your
charity he was told. use the dollar
to go to the charity ball of the con-
gregation tonight. It will be just the
same"
Satsky went to the ball and before
he started for his stable afterward he
heard that the coupon on his ticket
for the ball was the one that had
drawn in a rattle a three story dwell
ling house in Prince street, unencum-
bered by mortgage.
The Topeka state journal., 1908-03-16
LAST OF THE TUNNELS.
1t Is Expected VIII Be Comected
During the Day.

New York, March 16.-ImportAut
stages IN the further progress OF con-
Meeting Manhattan Island with the ter
ritory beyond the East river will be
reached this week. Today, 1t is ex-
pected that the ends Of Tube A. the
last in the series of, the four Pennsyi-
vanfa tunnels now being built under the
river will be connected. By the middle
of the week the Long Island City sec
tion of the new BlackweIrs Island
bridge will be Joined. The connection
on the Manhattan end of the bridge
was made last week. The Pennsyi-
vania tubes are SO far completed that
their engineers say that were the de-
mand made, the four could be put In
readiness for train service by early
summer.
The Topeka state journal., 1908-03-16

Of 204 Branner street, has been In
definitely postponed on account OF the
illness Of Mrs. Rosen.
Mr.. and Mrs. L. Luthey of e3k
Chandler street spent the day yester-
day with friends In North Topeka
Mr.. Jake Alsdorf has gone to Hor~
ton, Kan, to visit relatives.
Mrs Willis Carr of Kansas City has
returned home after a visit with Mrs.
J. r. Stitt of 232 Chandler street
Mrs. L. Enoohs of Granville is VISIT
side.
Mrs. DIR. Hammond of 1920 Clay
street entertained the Maccabee hive
No. 26 this afternoon.
A new class for teachers training
will be organized at the Christian
church Tuesday evening.
The Topeka state journal., 1908-03-16
Metoalf Wants a Gift Law.

Washington, March 16.-An effort
will be made at this session to have
congress enact a bill recommended by
Secretary Metcalf authorizing the ac-
ceptance and care of gifts presented to
naval vessels. Nearly every vessel has
some gift or another, largely, however,
silver service, given by the states or
cities for which the ship is named.
The cost of these articles, as far as
figures have been obtainable, amounts
to half million dollars. The legisla-
The Topeka state journal., 1908-03-16

after having been off for several days.
Engineer E. e. Smith is laying of
for few days.
Fireman C. ". Slanker has been as
signed to runs Nos. los and LOG be-
tween Topeka and st. Joseph.
The Topeka state journal., 1908-03-16

morning is the Union Pacific No. 106
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 D.
The Topeka state journal., 1908-03-16
Asleep Forty Days.

Los Angeles, Mar. 16-This is the
fortieth day on which Mrs. Beulah
Hawkins, the woman who has been in
a trance at the county hospital has
been asleep. Many believe that the
woman will awaken today, which will
make her sleep Of the same duration as
the one several years ago. It has been
suggested that if the woman sleeps over
the forty day limit that she will die.
The Topeka state journal., 1908-03-16

ton is desired particularly because OF
the questions that may arise as to the
status of these gifts in case of their
loss by theft or otherwise.
The Topeka state journal., 1908-03-16

Makes blood and muscle faster than any
other remedy. Gives health, strength and
vitality. HOLSTERS Rocky Mountain Tea
towers above all other remedies for MAX
ing sick people well, and well people
weller" Sc. Tea or tablets. Fred T.
Walker.
The Topeka state journal., 1908-03-16
DERELICT DESTROYER.
First One Owned by United States to
Be Launched March 1S.

Washington, March 1.-THE New
port News company will launch on
March Is the first derelict destroyer
The Topeka state journal., 1908-03-16

EVERY LITTLE BIT ADDED TO WHAT
YOU'VE GOT MAKES JUST A LIT
THE BIT MORE" Every cent and
every dollar that you save ON these superb
The Topeka state journal., 1908-03-16

Items for the North Topeka column may
be left at the Petro & Woodford drug
the North Side reported at her home,
Ind. phone GILL
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1908-01-16

An amateur astronomer writes or the
"lady In the moon" 1t Is II very beau
tiful face seen in profile and uplifted,
as though In proud dlsdain Of thing,
terrestrial. The curve OF the throat IL
exquisite. and indeed the entire outline
is maryelously lifelike. The moon
lady may best be observed through II
small opera glass when our satellite II
at half. At that time the tip of the
chin about touches the terminator-
that is, the dividing line between the
light and dark portions Of the lunar
surface. Most people can recognize
the man In the moon. Well. the hair
OF the lady. in which can always fan
cy | see Il spray of orange blossom,
forms the man's left eye. the nose and
mouth his nose. and the chin and
throat the mans mouth"
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1908-01-16
Ton Slow to Be n Soldier.

In a room on the top floor OF large
factory a boy was amusing himself by
going through the bayonet exercise
with a long handled brush III lieu OF Il
rife. His boss. coming quickly upon
him, gave him box on the ear FOR
wasting his time. The sudden blow
caused the lad TO lose his balance and
fall down the hoist shaft. but fortu-
nately he kept his bold on the brush.
the handle OF which. getting across the
shaft broke his fall and enabled him
to grasp the chain, down which he slid
In safety The boss WAS horrilled at
the erect OF his action and rushed
breathless and gnspug with fear d"M u
the eight lights Of stairs to the base
ment. expecting To find II mangrd
body for which he would have To ac-
count. He was. however. just In time
to see the lad drop on his feet un-
harmed. so. recovering his self pos
session and his breath. be exclaimed:
Want to be soldier. eht Well,
yOur re too SLOW for that. Why. man. |
can walk down all those stairs quick
err than you can fall down the hoist
haft."-London Answers.
The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1908-01-16

There are social distinctions In Cuba
based upon color. There IL not one
but several color lines. though these
are not eternal. hard, fast and uD-
changea BILE. AS In the United States. In
Cuba social life IL run largely by
social clubs. There are In almost ey-
cry town and village negro clubs. two
or three grades OF Dulatto clubs and
white clubs. In one and at Its func-
tons May appear the husband. exclud-
ing the wife: In another. the wife.
but not the husband: In a third. their
children. but neither the father nor
mother. To the world this will appear
Incredible. almost incomprehensible.
Here II Is convention. fixed. settled, ac-
copied and operative. These distinc-
tons. however. run but for 4 lifetime.
Army and Navy Life.