The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-04-09
Taken From Home and Wife
May Face Court Martial.
S A MODEL CITIZEN.
Story of Adventures Reads Like
Modern Novel.
Friends Are TO Make a Strong
Effort to Free Him.

Torn from the arms of his bride of
ten months. Charles Hobbs. 1135
Brooks avenue, waits in cell at the
county jail for orders that will cause
him to be be sent to Fort Leavenworth
for trial on the charge of desertion
from the army. Hobbs was employed
until last night as a telegraph opera
tor at the general offices of the Santa
Fe Railway company. Since his mar
riage ten months ago Hobbs has pur-
chased home costing $1,80O and has
paid all but $110 on it. He has led a
model life. He carries with him a
splendid letter from L. NJ. Jones, super
intendent of the telegraph department,
and an effort will be made, on the
grounds of his excellent record, to Sc
cure a suspension of sentence for him,
if he is found guilty.
There is not a more exemplary citi-
zen in Topeka, according to those who
know him, than Hobbs has been since
his location here. Industrious and
sober he has deported himself in
manner which has brought him the
respect of all who know him. Deputy
Sheriff Ben Judkins, who arrested
Hobbs, was mis- neighbor for several
months and has only the kindest words
for the young man.
Reads Like a Novel.
Hobbs story reads like novel.
After his desertion two years ago he
roamed from city to city for awhile.
Then he went to Leavenworth where
he met the woman who afterward be-
came his wife. They were married
in Topeka at the court house ten
months ago. Happy and prosperous,
Hobbs had almost forgotten that he
was ever in the army until his arrest
last night recalled it to him.
Hobbs is more than a mere teIe-
graph operator. For nearly a year he
was in charge of one of the govern
ment wireless stations at Fort
Michaels, Alaska. Then he was cable
operator for the government at Seattle.
Only a few days after his enlistment
he was made operator at headQuar-
ters at Fort Omaha. His record was
always good, as far as could be learned
today.
Left While Ill.
Shortly after his return to the
United States from Alaska. Hobbs was
taken i'll with blood poisoning. result
ing from exposure and cold in Alaska
From the first of August until the
middle of November he lay in the bar
racks hospital, part of the time at the
point of death. It was but few days
after his discharge from the hospital
that, weakened and discouraged. he
deserted
Securing a place in the Santa Fe
general offices after coming here,
Hobbs and his bride. who was former
ly Florence Gill of Leavenworth. be-
gan working out some of the day
dreams they had dreamed. A splen-
did little home with an Indebtedness
of only $11O against it. inside of ten
months, is the result. Then came his
arrest.
Hope to Settle Case.
Because of the good record of Hobbs
there is hope. according to the Off
GERS, that he may be able to settle mat
ters with Uncle Sam and return to his
home and wife. Local officers deeply
sympathize with the young man whose
bearing, manner and speech indicate re-
finement. A letter from the Santa, Fe
officials bears witness to his good con-
duct there as well as his attention to
business.
Hobbs declines to talk OF his case.
Cant do it," he says. ''it would just
get me in bad. I am going to Leaven- |
worth and try to secure reinstatement |
or in some way settle the case against |
me-"
Every effort was made to keep the |
affair from becoming public because of
the connections of Mrs. Hobbs in Leav- |
onworth. Through the influence OF |
friends and the good record that Hobbs |
has made local officers feel that Hobbs |
may be able to straighten out the tan |
gle without serious difficulty and in or |
der that there might be no interfer- |
ence sought to protect the young oper-
atoE.