davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-23
TAFT LEAVES AUGUSTA.
He Starts on First Stage of His Trip
to Panama.

Augusta, Ga, Jan. 23.-William H.
Taft started today for Charleston, S.
c., from which point he sails for Pan
anna on Monday His departure was
witnessed by large number of per-
sons who came to the station to say
their farewells and as the special
train moved out a cheer of good will
was given the distinguished guest,
who has become so popular with the
residents of Augusta.
Mr. Taft was accompanied to
Charleston by John Hays Hammond,
besides his assistant secretary. Wen
dell Mische1er, the secret service men
and newspaper writer's. He will be
met in Charleston tomorrow by Mrs.
Taft who will go with him to Panama.
Senator Knox and Frank Hitchcock
will also meet him there for con-
ference on matters pertaining to the
new administration. Mr.. Taft will
probably go to Charleston and be
guest of honor at a banquet there to-
night, at which he will be the only
sneaker
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-23
TEN BUILDINGS BURN.
Princeton University Has Narrow
Escape From Destruction.

Princeton. n. J., Jan. 23.-Revised
estimates of the losses by fire which
terminated in the Terminal building
early today place the figures between
$4,000 and $4,000.
The ten small frame buildings were
destroyed. The inadequacy of the
water supply caused much anxiety for
the safety of the university buildings,
but the good work of the volunteer
fremen and many of the university
students checked the flames about
100 feet from Nassau street on the
opposite side of which some of the in
stitutions buildings front. The stud ent
body, nearly all went to the fire.
Practically the entire faculty including
President Wilson and Dean Fine also
were on hand to lend any assistance
necessary. The students worked like
beavers, helping the police to carry
their goods from their stores and
homes.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-23
FOG CAUSES A WRECK.
Two Sections of Same Passenger
Train Crash Together.

Altoona, Pa, Jan. 23-In an i'm
penetrable fog, the second section of
the ST. Louis Express, westbound,
which left Philadelphia at 4:3O o'clock
yesterday afternoon, crashed into the
first section at Summer Hill, 25 miles
west of this city at 1880 this morn
ing, killing three persons and injur-
ing six, one probably fatally.
The list of killed and injured fol-
lows:
Dead.
8. D. TAYLOR, Brooklyn, N. Y;
employed by Charles E. Rung, broker
of New York.
M. J. KELLEY, a Pullman car con-
ductor; Jersey City.
CHAS. COLEMAN. coIored, Pull
man porter, Philadelphia.
Injured.
w. F. Johnson, Second and Mexican
streets, Cincinnati.
Mrs. Adam Rankin, 214 Green
street, Anderson, KY.
w. D. Kissell, fireman, Pittsburg.
-Four mail clerks, not serious.
Those killed. as well as Mr.. John
son and Mrs. Rankin, were all on the
sleeper which was at the end of the
first section.
Kissell was the fireman on the sec
ond section. He had two ribs broken
and was removed to the Altoona hos
pital. Johnson and Mrs. Rankin were
As soon as news of the wreck
reached this city, special train was
hurried to the scene, carrying rail-
road officials and all the available
physicians who could be hurriedly
summoned to the Pennsylvania rail-
road station here. A request was also
sent to Johnstown for physicians and
a special train was rushed to the
scene of the wreck. The first reports
of the accident stated that many were
killed, scores injured and the first sec
ton of the express demolished. These
exaggerated reports were in c1rcula-
ton almost up to the time that the
relief train reached the city.
The first section of the express had
been stopped by a freight which was
proceeding slowly and the fog was so
into the first. When the wreck occur
red nearly all the passengers were IN
their berths asleep, or doing in the1T
seats. The greatest excitement pre-
vailed The impact extingu1shed al
the lights and the passengers rushed
wildly from the wrecked coaches cry
ing for assistance. The point at which
the accidnet occurred is some dis
tance from a telegraph station and II
was several minutes before the rail-
road people here or in Johnstowr
knew of the accident. As soon as they
were apprised of the wreck special
trains were rapidly made ready and
sent to the scene with all possible
speed.
Fireman Kissell is the only one OF
those injured who is thought to be in
crew was hurried to the scene of the
accident and the tracks will be clear
ed for traffic. officials here state, be-
fore daybreak
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-23

and admitted swindler who lived upon
the credulity of Bohemian residents
of the western section of the city
In the Bohemian section of chicago
he became known as a charm WorK-
err and fortune teller. About nNe M
wears ago he became acquainted with
the Vrzals, who resided at 611 WesI
Nineteenth street. Martin Vrzal, the
husband and father, was milk deaier
who owned the residence in which the
family lived and who had acquired a
small bank account, his total savings
being about $4,000. All the members
of the Vrzal family were insured IN
fraternaI organizations for small
amounts, the policies varying from
about $50 to $4,000. 1t was to secure
This money that Billik is said to have
consnired with Mrs Vrzal to poison
her husband and children.
He told the police he had concocted
love philters' at the request OF the
parents. to bring about the marriage
of Emma Vrzal, that he had given
harmless medicines to the father sew
eral times and that he had obtained
money from Mrs. Nrzal on a score of
pretexts. The bodies of the Vrzal fam
iIv were exhumed from their graves in
the Bohemian National cemetery and
evidence of arsenical poisoning was
found in each body.
on July Is he was found guilty and sem
fenced to death, the execution being set
for October r.
Iudge Barnes granted Billik his first re-
sDite On November he again was re-
prieved and on November the supreme
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-23

court issued a writ of error, while it took
the case under consideration. On Feb
ruary 20, 1908, the supreme court refused
Billike a new trial ana he again was SEN
fenced to hang, April "a being fixed as the
date. On April 20 Billik was granted a
respite by Governor Deneen until June T.
: Preparations for the hanging of BilHk
were begun and on the morning of June
~ the man had peen prepared for deatn
the execution by granting him the right
of appeal to the United States supreme
court.
On October 10 the United States supreme
court rejected the plea of Billilxs attor
neys and the case was dismissed rom it's
records. The convicted mans lawyers
then made their last stand. contending
that as the date fixed for his execution
had passed, therefore he was legally
dead and must be released from custody.
The contention was denied by Judge
Barnes and on November II he again
sentenced Bil1ik to be hanged. He was
again reprieved and the final date for his
execution was fixed for Jan. 90.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-23
TO FIX 1T FOR BRYAN.
Nebraska VIII Adopt Oregon Plan of
Electing Senator'S

Lincoln, Neb., Jan. 23.-The
Nebraska house has approved the re-
port of the committee of the whole
recommending the passage of the
Humphrey bill for the election of
United States senators by the Oregon
plan. This bill will pass both houses.
The bill is intended to give w. ].
Bryan a chance to be elected senator
as Democrat leaders believe that a
preference would be expressed for him
although the next legislature which
under the present law would elect a
senator, is expected to be Republican.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-23
CONFIDENCE MEN BUSY.
Have Robbed Railway Carmen of S1O,-
OOO in Chicago Recently.

Chicago. Jan 23.-L. Ronemus, of
Kansas City, grand chief of the Broth
erhood Of Railway Car Men of Amer
lea, has asked the Chicago police to
be on the watch for confidence men
who, he says, have obtained more than
$40 600 from merchants and car men by
representing themselves to be solicitors
for the brotherhood. The men represent
themselves as obtaining money for a
hospital for broken down car men. Ac-
cording to Ronemus, they are equip
ned with false credentials.
Hear Dodge on pace That Kills" !"
Mo iestfc Sunday d. M, for men.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-23
CHEAP THEATERs CONVERTED
Made Places of Educational Value in
Chicago Slums.

Chicago, Jan. 23.-Converted from
places of demoralizing influence to
centers of positive educational value.
Such has been the evolution of the flve
cent theater on account of the re-
cent crusade, according to reports
made to the juvenile court committee.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-23
HIS LIFE SAVED.
Sentence of Herman Billik Com
muted by Gov. Deneen.
On Recommendation OF State
Board of PardOns.
FIVE TIMES RESPITED
Once When Death March Was
About to Start.
Story of the Crime and Legal
Proceedings.

Springfield, Ill, Jan. Ex-Governor
Charles S. Deneen has commuted to
life Imprisonment the sentence OF
death which had been pronounced on
Herman Billik of Chicago, who was
condemned to hang January 29 for the
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-23
Carnegie Gives 100000.

Indianapolis, Jan. 23.-Andrew Car
negie, has announced that he would
give 100000 to Indianapolis for the
erection of six branch library build
ings.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-23
BY ELECTRICITY.
A Brood of Chickens Being Hatched
Out I'm Chicago.

Chicago, Jan. 2S.-In full view of
thousands at the electrical show the
electrohen is now Matching broods of
chickens 1t is a couple of hours after
each chlcken Iousns ms way INTO tle
hut it is then just as lively as if it
were responding to the cluck of feath-
cred mother.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-23
Weather Indications.

Chicago, Jan. 23-Forecast for
Kansas: Rain or snow and colder to-
night and Sunday.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-23

For special Sunday dinner go to
Burt's, CThe New Place., 107 E. sth ST..
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-23

"The Pace That Kills" Majestic,
Sunday p. m. Free for men.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-23

After the resolution was passed, Ryan
of Brown. stated that Treasurer Tulley
bad declared to him that none of the
provisions of the law above referred to
had ever been violated during his term
of Office.
Foley of Rice. Democrat, then arose
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-23

1t Is fact that four-fifths of the
news happens during the day, and is
printed in the evening
II must frequently occur to you that
IN the modern up-to-date evening
newspaper you read today's news this
evening.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-23

Does the intelligent reader subscribe
Tor newspaper to get the news. get
II quickly and fully and accurately. or
subscribe for a paper to get a patent
natlron, or help give somebody else a
piano or automobile, listed far above
its real valuei
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-23

Continued on Page Eighto
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-23

Dear Reader:
1t seems desirable to remind the
reader OF Few things, in view of the
many misrepresentatfo now n,,t co.
ward in Topeka about this paper. the
strenuous, but generally unsuccessful.
eftorts to get the readers of the
stare Journal to stop their papers
and try something else thew don't
want.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-23

Neither are you asked to sign a con-
tract. Stop If you fail to get your
moneys worth
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-23

A good evening newspaper. such as
the State Journal tries to he
and modestly believes it is, gives Won
the news of the day at time when
you are ready for it. Formerly peo-
pie waited till next morning to read
what happened the day before. but
times have changed.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-23

Ccoasinued on PAGE Eight.)
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-23

1t is proven every day that you can
not even get all of the important news
unless you read the evening paper
Other papers, for various reasons. cut
out the news that ought to be printed.
READERS know this and will confirm it.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-23

A morning paper, if time is per-
mitted to read it at all. is generally
'skimmed;" the evening paper is read
lelsurely, carefully: there is time and
occasion to digest its contents. a most
important part of which is the adj
vertisements.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-23

The Topeka State journal covers city
news as no other paper does and is the
only paper with three reporters, all
able ones, to record the doings of the
legislature.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-23

Buy your news of newspapers
and merchandise of advertisers
both offer bargains in the best there is
to be found in the two respective lines
of news and merchandise.
Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1909-11-19

to find him gone when | returned. l
crept to the door n tried it gently.
bu it did not yield. The name plate
bank. whistled softly as l realized
that l was in for an adventure.
I went round to the rear of the
premises, opened a yard door. looked
round cautiously for a dog, ventured
to lift the latch of a back door which
led into a kitchen and-found it open.
On the spur Of the moment I decided
to enter and tackle the burglar sim
gle-handed.
Sitting down on the step. 1 drew of
my boots, grasped my truncheon and
CROPPED a way toward the front of the
premises. The rap-a-tap guided me.
The door Of the room where the man
was at work was slightly ajar; I peep
Cd through the chink and saw him on
his knees behind the bank counter.
He was working at a safe, I saw, with
the aid of a dark lantern.
"Hallo!" I said quietly. from the
center of the floor. at the same instant
turning my bull's-eye full on him.
The fellow sprang to his feet quick
ly enough. He was of the top-hatted
class, with a long black coat with fan
cy tails, high collar and horseshoe
scarf pin. His face was YER red as
he faced me. He gaped across toward
the door by which I had entered, then
he blurted out: "Are-are you alone?"
The next moment I had flown to
the street door and was wrestling with
the fastening-egress to the street
would provide me with a way Of es-
cape, If necessary. But the bolts and
things were a bit Of a puzzle-perhaps
d~esignedly so-and the thief had leapt
the counter and was upon me before
l had made much progress. He caught
me by the shoulder and jerked me
round, but I had him on the floor a
minute later. Pinning his arms to his
side l called on him to surrender.
And what if I don't?" said he.
"I1l use my t%runcheon. In a case
Of this sort, you know"
"All right. Let me get up, and I'll
explain"
NO fear. You may have firearms"
Pom my honor, there's nothing in
my pockets more dangerous than a
lead pencil"
Whereupon I felt him up and down,
rubbing my hands across his pockets.
Convinced that he spoke the truth, I
let him get up. Standing back in the
gloom, I kept his form in the glare of
the bull's-eye at my belt.
you wont believe me, constable
he said, falling back Imply into a
chair. but I'm the Of this
bank"
l grunted. Banks don't want no
managing in the middle Of the night"
I said.
Don't they? That's all you know
about 1t. l do most Of my thinking
Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1909-11-19
AN ARBOR-DAY DYL.
~~


Every human activity may be con-
sidered from the esthetic as we'll Al
the practical point of view. No espe-
cial powers of discrimination are need
ed tc enable the reader OF this extract
from the Chicago Ledger to determine
where to place each of the two men
whose conversation is reported.
The man with the benignant counte-
nance framed in side-whiskers came to
a stop and spoke genially to the stur-
I dy fellow who was planting the treo
on the lawn.
"Ah," he said, yours, my friend. Is
a noble task"
How iss it," inquired the husky in
dividual.
Yours is a noble task. Now, when
all nature is scar and disconsolate,
you are looking forward to the coming
season Of sunshine and flowers, and
are doing what you may to beautify
and gladden. the earth"
at dake a ~vagon-load of r-rich cart
for de hole ware diss dree 60"
yes, yes. Just so. I was speaking
metaphorically, so to speak. I was re-
ferring to the time when this umbra-
geous verdure should"
bliss isn't dot kind Of a dree. Diss
ISIS a moundain-ash."
Very true. And a beautiful species
T. is. I have no doubt. How splendid
it Is to realize that one may be a hum
bic instrument in the furtherance of
the plans for making glad the waste
places! In years to come you will
journey, perchance, to this spot and
gaze upon the towering monarch Of tho
forest which shall arise from the
shrub you are planting, and to your
soul will come the cheering knowledge
that It was your hands that made 1t
possible. Even next year you win
come here, no doubt, and"
"Yess. 1 gone next year unit pull
der dree ouid again II der Teller don'd
seddle his pill. He ISIS slow pay"
Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1909-11-19
onSresAma Says Harvesters There
Never Get In a Hurry.

onEresAna Says Harvesters There
Never Get In a Hurry.
Congressman and Mrs. Hitchcock.
accompanied by Miss Ruth Hitchcock
and Miss Crounse, returned recently
from a short trip to Europe, the Oma-
ha World-Herald says.
Referring to the trip, MI. Hitchcock
said: I'VE were in Germany during
the early harvest season and the work
Of whole families in the fields present
ed scenes Of prosperity and content.
ment. The work would be hard II
lone in a hurry and rush, as we Amer
leans do it. but it does not appear to
be so in German harvest fields. Old,
young Il middle-aged of both sexes
work away rather leisurely. They
stop to rest and talk or take refresh
ments often, and as a rule appear to
be having a good time. | understand
that Germany has Is, 900, 900 people
upon the land as the expression goes.
That is a large proportion Of her 65,-
100000 people.
The best part Of Germany factory
life is hat competition still remains.
1t a not been wiped out by the
trusts. as in America. The factories
are scattered all over the German en-
smoking factory cbimneys. In fifteen
years the wealth of Germany has in
creased 50 per cent. The only unfavor-
able symptom is the increase in living
expenses. The increase Is much great
er In Germany than in England or
France, but Is less than in the United
States.
Il visited the city OF Rheims in
France during the great international
flying machine contests and saw three
flying machines in the air at the same
time travelling at railroad train speed
under perfect control. l saw both the
m%onoplane and the biplane in fight
tages Of each type. The double plane
has the greatest carrying capacity, but
the single plane looks more like a bird.
is simpler and more graceful.
I'VE timed our visit to Munich 80
as to attend the great Wagner festi-
val, which is one of the musical treats
that Europe offers each year. It Is .
strange sight to see people wearing
their evening full-dress clothes at $3.50
In the afternoon and start for the op-
era. That custom, however, has its
advantages. You get home by 10
o'clock without feeling the least bit
tired, because you have two long inter
missions which afford plenty of time
for refreshments and a walk in the
beautiful theater garden. We attended
the our operas of the Niebelungen
ring and were delighted with the
splendid productions
Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1909-11-19
A Case of
Repentance

h particular beat l was patrol
ling, one night In November, was a Sc
ries of streets where Offices. banks
and chambers were pretty thickly
crowded together. All were in dark
ness, for the hour was beyond mid
night; I was calculating on another
hours strolling back and forth, with
out incident or excitement, when sud
denly I came to an Involuntary halt.
"Hallo!" 1 said, half aloud.
In one Of the offices l had seen .
light, the very faintest twinkle and
glimmer Of a light. and only for a mo-
ment. Yet l swore it was a light. al
though for a space l stood weighing
the probability that it might have
lamp, which had momentarlly sprung
into being at the angle at which I
had caught sight of it. To make sure
on this point. I went back a dozen
PAGES on the pavement. gazing on the
plate-glass window as l moved. No
reflection repeated itself. and I ap-
preached the window and hauled my
self up on the wide sill. Listen
ing. l heard the faintest Of tappings-
a rap-a-tap, rap-a-tap-that suggested
blows from a muf1ed hammer. l
dropped down again to the street. med
itating.
To sound my whistle would have
been to alarm the fellow at work with
in; to run for help might have been
Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1909-11-19
Place for the Simple Life,

IF I wanted to dream my life ava,
I would go to New Caledonia, tho
French penal colony" says Major W.
ing engineer, formerly a resident Of
this country. according to the Wash
ington Post. THAT is a country
where one can be content to sit and
dream. There is only one other place
I know Of that can equal It, and that
is Ceylon In India.
II spent several years in New Cal
edonia, where the French government
has some 1000 life prisoners. Many
Of these convicts have no hope Of ever
leaving their prison island, although
there have been hundreds of attempts
to escape for risking their lives in an
effort to get away. for they have little
to do but to wait for death, and 1t is
a sad commentary that the French
government officials have little regard
for the prisoners. These convicts are
Of different classes, of course.
1.-THE seven-year men in reality have
to remain fourteen years on the island.
Seven years are passed as convicts In
the strict sense Of the word and the
other seven as ticket of leave men.
That is, they have to report every
month OF two to the prison oficials.
Men who are sentenced for eight years
never have my hope Of leaving New
Caledonia; they are there for life.
Most of the attempts to escape have
resulted in loss of life, because It II
almost an impossibility to get away
in safety. The men who tried to -
cape used small canoes Or boats, but
In nearly all cases these craft were
wrecked before the occupants reached
land"