The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-26
He MAY Die.
John Stark Wouldn't Consent to
Daughters Marriage.
Would Be Son-in- Law Held for
Assault With Intent to Hill.

Romance is spreading to Little
Russia and last night one of the
Btrangest and yet most brutal acts In
the history of the police was perform
ed in order to win the hand of girl.
AS a result, John Stark, an old Rus
sian laborer, is In a serious condition
at the Keith hospital and John Dagen.
a Russian of the younger generation
Il in the police station.
The whole trouble was a young,
pretty Russian girl, who had captured
the heart of young Dagen and who
had also held the heart of her father
to such an extent that he refused to
part with her.
The old Russian and his daughter
came over from the old country but
q few weeks ago an dtec settled at
once in Topeka in the Little Russia
district.
John Dagen fell desperately in love
with the girl at once and commenced
to- make love to her. The old fat1er
did not have any objections at first,
but not until the affair had reached
a dangerous stage did he find from
his neighbors that young Dagen was
not suitable as a son-in-law. Stark
took the cue at once and the next
time Dagen called on the girl he or
dered him from the house. Dagen
went, but not without words and few
exchanges of curses with the old man.
The cold reception did not cool his
ardor for the young Russian maid and
he made another call upon her. This
time old Stark grew furious and
threatened to put the young lover out
by force If he STEPPED over the thres
hold again. After a series of unsuc-
cessful spooning stunts under the
snow covered trees Dagen decided
that he must have the girl for his
wife in spite of the father.
He organized his friends and Sun
day night he purchased enough beer
for a keg party which would include
all the prominent residents of the set
Element. At first Stark refused to go
to the party. but after no had been
told in glowing words how the beer
would foam and how the crowd would
soak" until the sun came up the next
day, the thirst of the old Russian got
the better of him and he made for
the home of his would be-son-in-law
with all haste. Just as he stepped in
the door the son-in-law met him and
asked again for the hand of his
daughter, but he again refused.
The matter was apparently settled
until Stark began to feel happy from
the quenching of his thirst. Again the
young love lorn youth approached the
ice cold father and again the same an
swer-"Nol' was given.
Then Dagen and his friends Joined
forces and beat up the old laborer with
clubs bottles. chairs and everything
obtainable. Nothing would change his
opinion OF the reckless fellow and his
last word before he became uncon-
scious was in the negative.
The officers were not notified of the
incident until this morning and Chief
Eaton sent a bunch Of officers to the
scene at once. DR.. Keith was taken
nd he h. 0II T.,
serious condition He Is suffering from
conclusion of the brain and 1t is
thought that he will die from his in
juries unless he regains consciousness.
Officers Summers and James went to
the Santa Fe shops and arrested John
Dagen. the lover, and his charge was
assault in attempt to kill The trial
will be taken to the state