The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-04
BIC Gun IN HAND
Policeman Costello Creates Wild
Scene ON Kansas Avenue.
Drives People Off Street With
Violent Threats.
WENT INTO A CHURCH
Marched Up the Aisle Holding
His Revolver.
Is Finally Captured by Two
Brave Men.
INTO A CHURCH

A fine exhibition of police protec-
ton was given on the principal
thoroughfare of Topeka Sunday noon.
One of the "brave protectors of
municipal peace armed with assorted
Topeka whisky and a large revolver
intimidated citizens and strangers
without interference for nearly half a
day before he was finally subdned
James Costello. a new policeman
who was imported for the position
and had not lived in Topeka long
enough to establish a legal residence
at the time he was put on the force
over four months ago, gave the ex-
hibition. Costello. who was on
night beat, evidently started early In
the evening. At daylight. he was lying
on the state house grounds IN
comatose condition. A little later. ne
recovered sufficiently to take a drink
from a large bottle, IN plain sight OF
a number of early church goerS. ana
then stagger into the Church Of the
ASSum ptiOn. where services Were IN
progre He exhibited his revolver,
marched up to the front of the
church. and lay down in pew for an
other nap He was carried out by
members of the congregation. Then
he went on n rea; rampage.
1t was about 10 O'Clock when Chief
of Police Eaton met the officer and
relieved him of his club and told him
to go home. But he did not take
Costello's revolver from him. Two
hours later. the drunken ofhcer,
armed with a large revolver. was
intimidating citizens on Kansas ave-
nue. near Fourth street He held the
sidewalk against all corners, showing
his revolver under their noses ana
demanding with a string of vile oaths,
that they get out Of his way and give
him plenty of room. Walking up to
CoI oil fnc .
pointed his weapon at his breast and
told him to 'tgit." At the time, Cohen
was talking to Detective Meade, an
other member of the force. This
pointed detective. When the drunken
policeman held up the merchant,
Meade hastily adjourned to the other
side of the street. A moment later.
his attention to others, the merchant,
Cohen. crossed the street and said to
Meade:
you are a fine officer. Why didn't
you help me instead of running
away" Meade said nothing in
answer, and disappeared, either into
some building or down Fourth street. /
1t was about this time that Dick
Hull. an ex-poliee officer. who runs
a tailoring esta Adjustment near the |
Glen-Wood, crossed the street and at |
tempted to quiet the drunken police |
man. He was unarmed, and his at
tempts at persuasion failed to affect |
the disturber, who pointed his pistol |
at Mr.. Hull.
''He was very drunk" said Mr.. Hull |
afterward, but not too drunk to |
make a fatal shot at range of three |
feet. I was afraid to close with him, |
as he had. the revolver cooked and
the muzzle pointed at me-
Hull then teIephoned to Chief
Eaton at the police station. telling him |
of the condition of Costello. Eaton |
cd n inIr
Hull. ''as he laughed over the tele- |
phone"
Frank Summers, city detective. and
q man of nerve and experience. was the
thought he could pacify Costello and ap-
preached him without a weapon in his
hand. Costello had retired to D. r. |
Osborn's drug store. and after intimi- |
the rear counter. Aiming his revolver
at Summers he made, threats of killing |
Then he walked out of the store, Sum- |
mers staying close to him. and waiting |
for an opening to disarm him. Near
the corner of Fourth street. Mike Ring, |
who was for many years a police officer, |
met Summers and the drunken man. |
Summers and Ring had worked togeth- |
passed between them. An instant later |
Costello was down On HFa sfdewalk. with |
Summers on one wrist &Ed Ring on the /
other. The revolver was wrested firm |
him. and the CEOWQ OF spectators cneSE- |
- the officer and his assistant The
oartol wagon came. and Costello was
oaded like a hog, kicking and protest |
nx. Then, from somewhere in the !
,rowd, came Meade, the brave detec- |
I've who had deserted early in the game. |
Jumping onto the rear step of the pa
.rol wagon, he rode to the station.
Costello was thrown into one of the !
nner cells, after the officers had strip !
Jed him of his brass buttons as a sign |
,f disgrace. The occurrence was very
lIsuufeting to Chief Eaton. but he could |
lot help laughing over the "comicar' |
xay in which some unarmed citizens |
an or showed signs of fright when |
threatened by Costello and his revolver. |
There is a well-founded suspicion in !
he minds of some of the experienced |
,fficers that Costello is dope 1end-"
lis actions in the past have not been |
hove reproaeh, and even the Topeka |
made whisky does not usually pro-
luce a homicidal mania |