The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-07-12

Mr.. Wilkerson resigned on the con-
dition that Col Norton be appointed as
his successor. The goVern0r, after
calling up and talking with leading Re
pubrcans of the city and county quick
Iy made up his mind that Col. Norton
was the logical and acceptable man for
the place and within a few hours after
receiving the Wilkerson resignation
announced his intention to appoint
Col. Norton to the place.
Wilkerson has been feeling blue over
the disgrace to his office occasioEed by
the fight between Deputy Ward and
Ben Johnson, but wished to protect his
friend and under sheriff, Col. Jonathan
D. Norton The rIzmor that some of
the principal agitators who were work.
ing against him intended to boost the
appointment of W. r. Eatnd in his
place. hurried the action which he m
tended to take anyway. Ills resigna-
ton carried the terms that Col Nor
ton and no other should be appointed
sheriff to fill the uneEpired term. He
says he would have refused to resign,
and would have fought the case
through court on any other terms.
The terms demanded by Sheriff Wilk-
erson were really unnecessary, as after
calling up the leading men of the coun-
ty Governor Stubbs was fully satisfied
that Col. Norton was the best man for
the place, and that his reputation was
above reproach.
Col. Jonathan D. Norton is well
KNOWN III oIlc w nee COUllly do d lAieiAA Va
business ability and unquestiCned in
tegrity. An effort was made to bring
him out in the race for sheriff last fall.
but he refused to run against Wilker-
son. but has announced his intention of
becoming a candidate for the coming
term. He has been under sheriff and
has had charge of the office work eycv
since WiIkerson's election two years
and a half ago, and although the HABITS
of the two men are l. no way similar,
they have been the greatest Of friends.
Col Norton admired WIlEerson for his
ability as an officer, ana W1lkerson
Joined many others in their admiration
of Col Norton as gentleman of ster-
ling worth.
WiIlerson Gives His Version.
Today John Wilkerson gave his YER |
sion of the fight Friday night in which /
Rem Johnson was injured. 1t is prac- |
ticsfIv a repetition of the story he told |
the night of the occurrence, with more |
of the details.
He said: FRIDAY afternoon, about |
< O'Clock I took Ward and drove to /
the Palace clothing store to purchase |
a straw hat We stopped in front of /
the store, and Johnson was standing [
there. We talked with him a moment. /
and then I told him to come in and /
get a hat. 1 bought hat for each of +
us Ward, Johnson and myself. and /
left our old hats to be delivered. AS /
Ward and climbed into the buggy
johnson said, Wait minute, I am
going your way and climbed in with I
US. we stopped in front of the court
house and I went to serve some pa
pers at the request of Attorney Spen-
Ger. Johnson and Ward were about
the court house while I gone.
When I came back saw that john
son was getting in bad shape. and
teIephoned for hack to take him
home. The hack came, but Johnson
refused to go, and the hack stood out
in front for long time. I was be-
hind my desk when the first demon
stration was made. johnson walked
me. amt you?' No. I said, 4 am for
Colonel Norton The you are
Johnson yelled. Didn't 1 work for
you last fall, you old -?'
At the same time he reached up and
grabbed the electric light, tore it
away from the ceiling and threw it on
the floor.
THAT is a plenty from you" I
said, now you have got to GO I
grabbed him around the body. but
before I got both his arms pinned
down, he hit me in the face Instead
Of hitting him. got the loose arm
and was backing him toward the
door. 1t was while I was holding
Ben that Judge Schoch came in and
saw the tusseI. am sure he saw
enough to convince him that I was
not trying to hurt Ben. Ward had !
been tagging around after Ben, beg 8
ging him to go home. He was carry | :
Ing Ben's hat and coat. On account
of my broken ankle, I was afraid of :
hurting my leg. Ward jumped in TO {
help, and I got out of 1t as soon as
I could. AS I let go of Ben, he
turned and struck at Ward who l
dropped the hat and coat and closed {
with him Ward got hit in the face.
and waded in to fight. He knocked s