The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-07-13
NORTON IN CHARGE
He Makes No Changes at the
Sheriff's Office.
County Attorney Is Asked For
Complaint.
JOHNSON INTERVIEW.
Says He Will Tell Story on Wit
ness Stand.
Until Then Will Not Give YER
sion of Fight.
INTERVIEW.

It is well that the sheriff's office is
not crowded with business at the pres
ent time. as Sheriff Norton's first day
in office has been taken up almost ex-
cIUsively by friends and well wishers
who came in or telephoned to congratu-
late him. Ex-Sheriff John Wilkerson
started to the penitentiary early this
morning with the 10 prisoners who
were scheduled to ''go over the road"
nearly two weeks ago. Their trip was
delayed until the unlucky 18th by the
sheriff's inability to get the necessary
papers signed up. Deputy Sheriff Mon
roe is away on his vacation, and will
not be back until the end of the weak.
In regard to his arrangement of the
office force, Sheriff Norton said to-
day: Il have done nothing in that line
except toreappoint in their places, Jailer
Henry Bayliss and his assistant A. L.
Sauls. They are excellent men for the
place, and will be retained. AS to the
other deputies, have made no ar
engagements, and will not for some
time. AT present, I intend to take care
of the office work myself. There are
matters on hand which I understand
and must handle. am undecided as
to the colored deputies. Monroe, the
regular deputy, is a good man, and
so also is Charles Lytle, whom we
have kept as a special deputy since the
first of the year. / cannot keep both OF
them, and have uot decided upon the
choice / shall make an effort to keep
UP the standard of efficiency for the
office, and when my arrangements are
made, I will have a competent staff of
assistants"
It is generally understood that Sheriff
Norton intends to retain the services
of John Wilkerson for criminal cases,
and as Wilkerson is admittedly one of
the best officers in the country and
Col. Norton is willing to assume the
responsibility of the conduct of the Of
flee. no reasonable objection could be
made 1t is believed by Wilkerson's
friends that the late unpleasantness'
will have a salutary effect upon Wiki
erson, and keep him in the straight and
narrow path for long time.
An effort has been made to create
the impression that Wilkerson was
in i'll repute with the other county
officials. With one or two possible
exceptions, nothing could be farther
from the truth. While they deplOre
WiIkerson's unlucky habit, they are
almost unanimous in their praise of
him as an officer and man. The
prevailing sentiment around the court
house faVorS 'JJncle John" and they.
depIore the fact that his one weak
ness is of the character to make his
resignation necessary.
No Criminal Prosecution.
County Attorney Schenck voiced
the popular sentiment in regard to
the ex-sheriff today when he said:
There is a weak spot in the make
up of most men. In fact most men
have several weak spots. John
WiIkerson has but one, and I'M
fortunately it is the one that attracts
most attention and comment. Even
with this against him, 1 have never
known a man with more Hkable
qualities. None of his friends deny
that he drinks, or try to excuse him
in it, but they are justified In their
statement that he's a fine man. for
all that Big hearted, honest and
faithful are among the many things
to be said in his favor. AS an Of
fcer, he is, in my estimation, without
an equal. When he goes attef
criminal he gets him. and no night is
too dark or no road too long for him.
His courage is beyond question, and
so is his honesty OF my own person
al knowledge. I know of attempts to
word is good under any circumstance
or condition"
When asked whether or not com
nlaint would be issued against
Wilkerson and Ward on the charge Of
assauIting Ben Johnson. Schenck re
nIied. "a complaint has been asked,
and I have been urged to file It,
I've. nl.4de partial investigation OF
the case, and intend to make 1t
thorough one before taking any ac-
ton I'm to date, 1 have been able to
find. no evidence contradictory to the
story told by John Wilkerson- Judge
Scboch is the only man who saw any
part of the disturbance, and what he
saw was in keeping with Wilkerson's
version. Stanley Medlicott was in his
office at the time, but did not hear
or see any part of the row Unless It
Is shown to be assault, no action will
be taken"
johnson Will Push Case.
Ben johnson, who was severely in !