The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-11-05
host OF Garnishment Suits Filed
Against Parkers.
Amusement Company Tied Up.
at Chanute.
TO THE RAILS
Employees Take PrOmptMeasures
to Secure Pay.
Claim Wages Amounting to
Thousands Due Them.

Chanute. Nov. 5.-Extreme measures,
In the form of log chains and padlocks.
were resorted to to prevent an alleged
attempt OF the Parker representatives
from moving their carnival train out of
town. A small sized riot was threat
ende about midnight. when employees of
the stranded carnival were tipped off
TO the fact that the Parker representa-
tive had filed a redelivery bond to pro-
tect the Santa Fe and intended rum
ming the train out of town to Abilene.
Emergency measures were hastily
adopted and six deputies sworn in by
Constable Hall. with instructions to pa
troll the train and prevent any attempt
coupling it to an engine. The perform
ers and other employees composing the
troupe, all OF whom had suits for
wages pending, were appraised of the
purpose of Parker and docked to the
scene from all directions, camping
angrily about the train until the attor-
ney for the plaintiffs conceived the
idea OF claiming the train TO the rails,
which was done.
c. s. Denison, who is here represent
ing the interests Of the Santa Fe, de-
ciared the road had no intention of al
lowing the train to be moved out, but
o. J. Briley, attorney for the stranded
employees. is equally certain that 4
train crew was called at 1890, at and
at $3.50 o'clock.
In filing a bond with the railroad
company in the garnishment proceed
ings, Reynolds & Urick, the Parker
representatives overlooked the attach
ment proceeding of the merry-go-round
engineer, and 1t was on this case that
the train was chained to the steel rails
In the morning a long list of attach
TVaur n11F1fc tn
5000. were issued by Attorney Briley
and under an order from the court the
entire contents of the train were UNI
loaded. All hands composing the troupe
gladly turned to- and assisted in the
unloading process. which was not COM
pieted until afternoon. The wagons and
cages were rolled to side streets, where
they are still standing, but If the claims
Of the employees are not settled shortly,
they will be stored at the fair grounds
until December 7, when the first case is
set for trial. Justice Groome has ar
ranged to commence court December 7
at . O'clock and call one case every
hour continuously until the entire panel
has been disposed of. As there are
thirty-one cases issued by Attorney
Briley. the hearing will occupy four or
five days.
This morning fourteen additional
suits were filed with Justice keller by
Smith e. Brobst, these being principally
by the performers and for amounts of
500 and 5000. 1t is estimated that
Parker has outstanding accounts of ap-
proximately $4.125 in Chanute. of which
$1,000 is indebtedness to employees, 1915
to the Santa Fe and $3.50 to hotels and
restaurants. The troupe is being fed
from various sources today the Eiks
and Eagles contributing literally to-
wards food for the bunch. The band
IS giving short street concerts and col
TIL urI-4N
She performers are arranging a series
of benefit performances at the theater
commencing tomorrow evening.
Tt Is reported that Parker has a habit
of allowing his troupes to go stranded
at the close of the season. thus evading
the payment of several thousand dol
lars of wage claims. Heretofore he has
always been able to move his trains out
of town, leaving the troupe holding the
SACK, but it seems that in this instance
the prosecuting attorneys have been
too clever for him. Sympathy is gem
orally with the troupe, the people who
stood idly about watching the unload
Ing process unanimously expressing the
hope that the employees would get their
money.
Reynolds and Urick, the Parker rep
resentatiVes, went to Erie this after
noon, where they will file a replevin
bond in the sum of $1,000 with Clerk of
the Court Null. Under this bond Park
err will be entitled to move his train
and attractions out of town, unless the
plaintiff, the employees. can give a re-
delivery bond in a similar sum, a mani
fest imposibility.
The present whereabouts of Mr.
Parker. the owner of the shows. and
AL. Myers and A. H. Barkley is un-
known. 1t is claimed that the latter
two gentlemen had some kind of a
lease upon the shows. The fact that
4shaxr arc NOT in the eftu rnaLas a. i,,o
possible to get personal service in the
suits, which are being filed. Word
reached the ears of the stranded en-
ployes last night that Mr.. Parker was
hiding in the city, but a searched failed
to locate him.