The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-02-17
William SeH5


by an Associated Press report. Mrs,
sens VINO lives in Topeka with her son
Allen was communicated with. She had
received no intelligence and was entire
~ amazed to learn that her husband
hao oeen Ill according to the press dis
patches for a week or more Later in
the morning Mrs. Sells received a con-
1rmatory telegram stating that Mr..
6ells had died from a hemorrhage and
asking for instructions as to the dis
position of the body. The first tele-
gram said that death was due to
gastritis
A telegram was sent ordering the re-
moval of the body to Topeka and the
funeral will be held here and the inter
ment will probably be made in the To-
peka cemetery where his father. Allen
Sells, and his mother are inferred in
the family lot. The details of the
funeral arrangements will be left until
a later date.
William Sells was born in Iowa and
was adopted while a baby by Allen
Sells, the Snowman, and made his heir.
He was AZ years of age at the time of
his death. He leaves one son, Allen.
named after his grandfather, and a
wife. Mrs. Sells before her marriage
was Miss Effie Jean Maris of Columbus.
Ohio, an attractive and beautiful girl
well connected socially.
Wherever the followers of the saw
dust ring are wintering and to the MANY
thousand who have delighted in watch
ing the tented equestrian perform
ances of bareback riders tribute will
be paid to the memory of Willie Sells
the greatest of them all Inheritor of
the title The man who rides which
was passed along to him by John Rob-
inson, the veteran Snowman who In his
youth had established his rightful own
ership to such characterization as ex-
-
world, Willie Sells reaped world wide
fame as a top liner in his particular
field of entertainment
From the age of until he had reach
ed 26, a period of nineteen years, he fol-
lowed his chosen profession. In 1892 he
branched out as a circus proprietor
and had followed 1T with varying sue
cess ever since. At the time Of his
death, according to the best informa-
tion obtainable, he had planned to tour
South America with Lemon Brothers
circus, for which he had been carrying
on negotiations with view to owner
ship. The plans which were being per-
fected by him last fall were in a man.
ner interfered with by the financial
crisis. He had been detained in New
York since November in perfecting the
details 1t is also stated that Mr.. Sells
was about to close contract with the
lls-Forepaugh shows, owned by the
Ringlings, to manage them during the
coming season and that he had given
over his plans for taking his own show
to South America.
From time to time he had written
to his Topeka friends. but only men
toned his business affairs in a casual
manner.
''Mr. Sells was very uncommuni-
cative man." said his attorney, Archie
williams 81 practically know moth
ing of his plans though I understand
that he was conducting negotiations
for. the purchase of the Lemon shows
However, he never informed me
about it. I received a Christmas card
from his but since that 1 have had
nothing from him. He would yer,
seldom write. though he would fre.
quently send long telegram, some.
times probably 1,100 words
I believe though that that deal fel
through before he left Topeka las