davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal., 1911-08-05
Homo Comm Day.
SATURDAY.

for state fair will in part be repaid
by their proper entertainment.
The Topeka state journal., 1911-08-05
LIGHT ON BENDERS
NJ. Z. Sparks, Nearest NeighbOr,
Tells OF Their Grimes.
Certain They We're Never Cap
tured and Killed.
THROWN OFF TRACK
John, the Son, Attended Meetings
of Vigilance Committee.
When Trail Became Warm Fam
lily Left HurriedIy.
BODIES WERE FOUND.
Mr.. Sparks Says Graveyard Was
Carefully Cultivated.
Some OF the Bodies Had Long
Been Buried.
BODIES WERE FOUND.
Mr.. Sparks Says Graveyard Was
Carefully Cultivated.
Some of the Bodies Had Long
Been Buried.

Neither Kate nor John Bender, nor
their parents, Mr.. and Mrs VIM Ben
der. has ever been captured and 1 am
satisfied that none of dhe reports of
their death. which have been circulat-
ed from time to time. were founded
upon fact" is the declaration of M. r.
Sparks of Cherryvale, one of the few
surviving persons whose own familiar
ity with the deeds and disappearance
of that mysterious family entities him
to a hearing
As the guest of T H. Price in Oak
land. Mr. Sparks has been spending a
few days here. His account OF the un-
covering of the horrible occupation of
the Bender family and the subsequent
efforts to find them in many states Is
told with all the circumstance Of the
eyewitness At the solicitation of
the state Journal he> has given one of
the best detailed accounts of the dis
covery of the Bender crimes ever set
down on paper.
The Bender family moved into the
neighbOrhOod sometime N 1870 and
located a claim adjoining one which I
had taken in 1859" said Mr.. Sparks.
'I was away at the time for several
months so that when I returned
found them installed i'll their little
house i'm which they lived until they
fled the country in the latter part of
April, 1878. 1t was not until that time
neighbors became aware of their
crimes
LAS 1 look back upon It realize
that there was really little that any of
us came to know of the personal habits
of the family for while they went and
came about their usual business and
kept a little store which brought many
persons to their place in the course of
the three years they liyeG among u.s.
there was little intercourse between
them and their neighbors. In fact 7.
who lived nearest them, never entered
their house until after they had quit
it forever.
Were Not SOciable.
''Thev were evidently German peo-
pie, or of German descent. but never
as we afterward recalled. did one of
them mention any place they had pre-
viously lived Their origin has re-
manned as mysterious as their disap-
pearance, although we generally took
It for granted they had come from
some of the middle states. Kate and
John. the children. were best known.
They were young folks tie. the girl
being possibly twenty-five and John a
year or two older. Their mother was
a slight. straight woman. wiry with
sharp eyes and plain features. The
old man was powerful in build, taci-
turn and unsociable We guessed his
age at something over sixty while his
wife may have been ten Scar younger.
The Topeka state journal., 1911-08-05

il 4 "a m to h o
o
The Topeka state journal., 1911-08-05
Dr. York,s MurCler.

of the first indications OF .heir methods
The Topeka state journal., 1911-08-05

No. 4-Grave of Benjamin NJ Brown
No. Grave of H. F. McKegzie.
No. 6=Grave of DR.. VIM. H. York.
The Topeka state journal., 1911-08-05

"She was reported to have occa-
sionally exhibited her powers but l
think there was little actual founda
tion for the occasional stories of her
sPauceS
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-04-20
How the Goodness Grew

The smiths and Browns had been very
good friends.
Then one day the Smiths got an automo-
bile, a luxury which the Browns could not
afford
The Browns still liked the Smiths, but
they became rather timid about calling, be,
cause they thought the smiths might CON
slider it hint to take them out in their
automobile.
The smiths couldn't understand the cool
ness OF the Browns and thought they must
be offended about something. II they were
sure the Browns were not offended they
would have gone around and taken them
: out riding.
And then the Smiths lost their money
and had to sell their automobile.
The Browns were very sorry for the
smiths because they always liked them.
and they Thought the Smiths would appre-
eiate IL n they called. and so they dropped
HrOund ono evening.
The Smiths couldn't understand why the
Browns, AFTER remaining away as long had
called. and they thought Il was for the
purpose OF slOatins over their misfortune
Accordingly the Smiths hesitAted about re-
turning the call.
In the mean time the Browns bought
an automobile and they thought the Smiths
would appreciate a ride. so they wen,
around one evening and took them out
The smiths were very much annoyed al
thlA. because thSY thought the Browns
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-04-20
History Of Transportation

the hands of purchasers, more than ST.
500, 900 (34.30 per cent? is paying the own
ers nothing in the way Of dividends; and,
of the total amount OF outstanding stock.
81. 1873, 900 paid the owners from 1 to
per cent; 7.64 per cent of the railroad stock
of the United States is paying from 4 to
per cent; 1lS2 per cent Is paying from to
per cent; 1910 per cent, from 6 to per
cent; 1850 per cent. from to s per cent,
and 1852 per cent of air the capitalization
is paying per cent or more.
The total amount of the funded debt that
paid no interest, was $685. 100000, or EA
per cent; Of mortgage bonds that pay no in
terest, $4S7 100000 or 737 per cent; OF col
lateral trust bonds, s140O0.000. or is per
cent. In palmer words, the total amount of
funded debt that paid no returns at all,
was 7S per cent
AS closely as can be determined, there
are $4,000 stockholders in the United
States. holding either the common or the
preferred stock of steam railroads There
is a still greater number of bondholders.
so that the holders OF railroad securities
in this country closely approach 10000
people.
" About five-sixths of all the street rail-
ways in the United States are electric lines
A careful estimate shows that there are
today about 5000 miles of electric railways
in operation in this country. built at a cost
OF s. 800, 900.
1t seems fitting in closing this paper, to
illustrate and describe present-da road
way, track and locomotive standards, as
exemplified by Union Pacific practice; and
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-04-20
Jokers in an English Will

many persons in the aristocracy to believe
they would be her heirs, but when the
will was opened all those who had been
led on to hope were most beautifully left
out in the cold. Vice Admiral Sir Hold
worth Lambton, dark horse" got prac-
tically the entire estate, worth many mill
lions, while all the others were cut off
with requests about as valuable as that of
Lord "Chumley's."
The pOst-mortem jokes, howeved, were
not confined to fortune-hungry connec-
tions. The National Gallery came in for
it's when she left II the sable portrait
Of herself. by Whistler, ~ it could be
found" Up to date II has not been found
because It is supposed to be in the col
lection OF a rich American.
Another OF her benefactions was the will
ing Of her Assyrian antiquities to the
BritiFh museum, with the usual string in
the form OF a proviso that they be all kept
together in one room They possibly
couldn't all be kept together. in any event.
because quite number are spurious.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-04-20
The Girl You Don't Invite Again

She who comes to your house and tells
you such disagreeable things of the last
family visited that you creepily feel
What will she say about us?''
The girl who makes herself a burden by
exacting unnecessary services from the
maids.
The fault finding girl, who grumbles at
the weather, the dust. the cold or heat
the bad night she had and at life at large
until her hostess feels 1t is only a sense
Of decency that precludes grumbles at the
ways of the family.
The food mincing girl. A dainty appe-
title never yet proved a popularity asset
in the eyes of a hostess. She would prefer
q greedy visitor to one who does mot eat
enough to keep a birl alive"
The girl who must be amused inces-
sanity. Running amuck is not harder on
the nerves of hostess than keeping many
a modern visitor from getting bored.
\ The girl who never is on time to her
meals II the hosts can stand delay the
cook won't and few girls are agreeable
enough in themselves TO. make domestic
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-04-20
Abe Martins Views

Teller kin fail at ever thing an still
be a good pool player.
Seems IKE IN Teller that wins two err
three dollars playin' cards never wants t
work ag'in
Lafe Bud has resigned his Job at tn
sawmill cause It took too much o his
time
The more important Teller gifts around
concern tn easier It seems L git along
while he IL on a vacation.
A Teller kin have a swelled head an stin
wear a number six hat.
Lots o. folks git credit fer havin'
strong will power when Their only pig
headed.
Sometimes wrong somewhere when
Teller can't have as much as he could
when he wuE out o. work
Tn Teller that argues with himself allus
gifts tn best o f.
A friend that hain't in need IL a friend
indeed.
Tn Teller that don't advertise may know
his business but nobody else does.
Boys will be boys. an 90 will lots o. ole
men.
Tilford Moots wuE eThibitn a wooden
chain at tn pustoffios Yesterday that
showed considerable genius. He jist carved
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-04-20

(Copyr1ght, 1911, by Union Pacific Ry. Coz
Compiled by Charles ]. Lane and ID. G.
Buell. for the Union Pacific School Of
Railroading for Employes)
CONTINUED from Yesterday
When the fiscal figures OF the commerce
and industrial commission are ready, 1t Is
expected that a showing of not less than
81, 400, 100000 earned during the fiscal year
from July 1. 1909, to June 30. 1910, will be
made by the railroads OF the United
States. OF this amount, the freight traffic
will probably be found to have contrib
uted about 50 per cent, and the passenger
traffic, % per cent, the remainder being
made up of miscellaneous earnings. The
ratio of operating expenses to earnings
will probably be over n per cent.
The net capitalization of all the rail-
roads OF the United States is found to be
SlS,5OS 711,173, or s57,962 per mile of line,
and S39,730 per mile of track.
The par value of the above represents
the railroad capital outstanding, which on
the last record was S6,767.544,s27. OF this
amount, S12,s4O. O91, 462 is outstanding in the
hands Of the public 1888 III, S2s represents
the total outstanding capital as stock, of
which 5000 $4,000 is common stock, and
81, 900. $4,000 is preferred stock The re-
mainder, approximately s.. Ss4 OOO,0 OO repre-
sents what is known as a funded debt, con-
sisting OF mortgage bonds amounting TO
IS, 60 10000 collateral trust bonds sl,O76
900, 900; other bonds. debentures, and notes,
1886, 900. 600; income bonds &2SsOOO 600: equip
ment. trust. and other obligations, s612,-
OoO 0O0
OF this total capitalization outstanding in
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-04-20

According to dispatch in the Philadel-
phia North American. two continents have
been laughing at poor Lord George ''Chum-
ley" or, TO be strictly correct, Chol-
mondeley.
Not only has he saddled himself with a
wife that his predecessor couldn't keep In
order. but in adding her to his other bur
dens he has run afoul OF that remarkable
will which was the last Of the eecentricities
OF the queer and caprici0us Lady Meux.
According to this last testament Lord
George was to get $4,000 II he married "a
lady in society"
And in freeing poor Stirling from the
former Clara Elisabeth Taylor once a
chorus girl OF two continents, the presld-
ing Judge especially noted that the actress
@Was of such temperament that she and
society had q mutual aversion for each
other,
II is supposed . spirit OF revenge against
high" society inspired Lady Meux, form
sTly q circus rider, TO plan an almost
sublime joke in her will. She had led
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-04-20

Iuctions pay.
The girl who cannot effsce herself No
one wants visitor under heel all the day,
and the popular guest is she who has let
tiers to write in her room. or who Hkes
to lie down occasionally.
These disappearings must not interfere
with the plans of a hostess If the girl
is to be chemically welcome. No hostess
likes. TO feel she' is dragging her guest
from needed rest.
She who patrOnizes, who approves of you,
your home and your Riddles from such
height Of superiority that you would well
come open rudeness in preference
The girl who does not fit In. She it is
who cannot adjust herself to simple living.
and keeps an entire family on the strain
of company manners.
She who. visiting in one social circle,
boasts of friends in the same town of
greater wealth or position; or the other
girl, who visiting people of influence, per-
sists in asking her friends in another set
to call whether or not they know her
hostess.-San Francisco Chronicle.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-04-20

Surely these men don't find any pleas
ure in having nothing to do" protests
Father with much establishment
Looking for work when the book beer
signs are hung up in the windows, and the
thirst parlors oil their swing doors, is one
OF the grandest sports ever invented" ex-
plains Son. provided, of course, a chap
can keep on looking without the annoy
ance of being offered a job Gentle spring
stlrs up more hate against common or
garden toll than all the hookworms in the
sunny southland ever dreamed about"
II don't see why the weather should
make a man try to shirk his duty" puzzles
Father.
Warm weather brings on base ball and
fishing" reminds Son, both sports that
every patriotic American ought to be will
ing to neglect work in order to cultivate"
Business before pleasure is my motto"
moralizes Father. II admire the man that
can be found at his work every day in the
year"
Sure, we've got that kind in our office,
too" admits Son. the boys who never
miss a days pay nor buy a drink"
These men who are always looking fNr
work are single" Father surmises.
"Righto!" agrees Son. "A married man
has to get work because wife needs the
mazumR."
Copyright, 1911, by the N. Y. Herald Coz
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-04-20
Tabloid History Of the Presidents
April 20, 1911.
Name and Address.

Third in the list of presidents stands
Thomas jefferson, who figured during the
early days Of the first administration as
Washingtons secretary of state. It was
he who had proposed our present system
of dollars and cents, with dimes, half
dimes and a gold coin of $40 with sub
divisions such as we have now.
In May, 1885. John Jay had given
him the commission appointing him
sole minister plenipotenuary to France,
succeeding Benjamin Franklin. II was he
who penned the famous Declaration of In
dependence.
An Englishman described jefferson at his
Inauguration in these words
His dress was OF plain cloth and he
rode on horseback to the capitol without
a single guard or servant in his train, dis
mounted without assistance and hitched
the bride OF his horse to the palisades q"
This is in accord with the famous JEFF
fersonian simplicity Another phase Of 1t
was shown In Jefferson's life in France.
where he visited the peasants in their
homes when he would contrive to sit on
the bed, in order to ascertain what Il was
made Of and get a look into the boiling
pot 10 see what was to be the family
diRner."
His two administrations, extending from
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-04-20

sidled up and inspected It at short range
II was helmet shaped. Five dollars was
the most It should have cost-and That
would not have been paying at sweatshop
rates, either. II was not worth more. Two
cute wings displayed their flutteresque
diminutiveness on It. Separated from the
hat they could be bought at any depart
ment store for 3I.Ss But. being a woman,
I knew that they might have taken the
price-soaring when they perched on the
frame. And a queer little wad OF coraline
velvet was stuck. like apopleptic mush
room chemically treated, as a place for the
wings to sprout
Ten dollars should have covered the
whole cost. l wondered II II did. What
about that bOAsted economic Independence
Was she more sane than some others Of
us who earn our livings7 Was she econ
Omicaily independent OF the millinerf
May I ask a question:" I ventured.
The president looked uneasy. She knew
that question time was the fuss center OF
ciubdom But she bowed consent
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-04-20

UndOing of Mr.. Uplift
By LAFAYETTE PARKS.

This article tells about man who has
been looking for work twenty-six wears
and has not found It yet" observes Father
a. the human encyclopedia Of oWI-iike wis
dom enters for the usual hours instruction
20 his parent.
Goodness, how he loves IT," huns young
Mr.. Uplift. lazily searching for a match to
start the dope stick burning
IT would seem as though q man might
FIND work In that time continues Father
laying down the evening paper in order to
give the subject due consideration.
Not IL he saw work coming first"
hedges Son, who possesses a first-hand
knowledge Of labor evasion in all its most
subtle phases. This gink was probably
too bashful or tired to speak to work when
he did happen to spot a bunch Of the
trouble coming his way"
In all those years" says Father. "I
should think he could see some oppor-
tunity to get a good position"
Maybe there was something the matter
with his lamps" suggests Son, and he
had lost the eye Doctors address. That
will help to keep a man out Of a job some
times, especially in the glad spring time
when that tired feeling is getting i'm its
best licks"
Ihey say fortune knocks at every
body's door at least once in a lifetime"
is the hope Father holds out.
This jobless guy was probably asleep at
the switch when the old lady called"
thinks Son. 'or else his feet hurt him too
much to walk to the door. Dame Fortune
never skins her knuckles, believe me, when
shes pulling off that knocking stunt.
That's the softest bit OF work she does"
Even a poor position is better than
none" AYERS Father. Remember the
proverb Of the half loaf"
Il don't see why a gink should work a
week for half a loaf when he can get all
loaf by sidestepping work altogether"
argues Son.
II should think a man would be very
lonely all that time without any occupa-
ton" resumes Father.
Don't spill any OF the damp stuff weep
ing about it," warns Son, FOR the Out-of-
Work club is one of our very strongest
little organizations, and a member in good
standing can always find a bunch of pals.
The sunny side OF dear old Broadway has
droves of 'em. and they are all there forty
ways when it comes to sidestepping slav-
ish toll"
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-04-20

were trying 10 show off. AS this idea grew
upon them they became more and more
vexed, and finally decided not to speak TO
the Browns when they met them on the
street.
When the Browns observed this they
thought they had done something to offend
the Smiths, so they. too quit speaking, Of
course.
This attitude of the Browns, but con-
firmed the notion OF the Smiths that the
Browns had become purse-proud.
And they all lived unhappily on the same
street ever after.-Ellis o. Jones In IAfe.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-04-20
LOrett Looking CLASSIFIED Up to the Woman With the Hat

heard her at the club. And she talked
well. But her hat was even finer than
her speech.
The speech was about the economic in
dependence of woman; and the hat was
about $50! At least. estimating woman ma
ture rather than the component parts Of
the chapeau. I figured It had taken about
such a check on her economic independ-
ence" to buy II.
II glory in the economic Independence Of
woman" she exulted. II can make my
own money; and 1 can spend II! am not
a slave to any mans IDEAS Of economy. /
earned the money and bought and paid for
this hat'
II was becoming. She did look pretty as
she radiAted her triumph.
When she had finished and subsidized
gracefully into the seat OF honor, the pres
idsnt made the announcement that the
speaker would be glad TO answer questions.
That hat fixed my attention with the
snip Of the ancient mariners baleful eye
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-04-20

How much did the speaker pay for her
hat?"
The club members forgot that tea was
late The speaker wore a determined to-
en-to-impertinent-p persons ex-
preston.
Thirty dollars. II is a Paris hat. And
1 earned the money!"
A chorus OF mods that said silently
Now. will you be good?' came meward.
l was. l was satisfied, She was just like
the rest OF us. She talked with loud
noise about economic independence just
because she could earn money. But she
was no more independent of her milliner
than we, Don't we talk smartly., though!
Why. a man would think himself a slave
" he could be bamboozled into giving so
for a so hat. He pays % or q and has
two. We pay-Oh! mercy! let's not talk
about how much or how many! And let's
learn the A b of this economic tnde-
pendenee business before we so IN for ora
tOrical celebrations that make US ridiculous
10 thinkers.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-04-20
Lesson in Banking

The leading negroes Of a Georgia town
started bank and invited persons of their
race to become customers. One day A
darky. with shoes run down at the heels.
gallus over one shoulder and cotton
shirt showed up at the bank
See here" he said. Il wan NAH ten dol
labs"
Who Is yuhg' asked the cashier.
Nah names Jim Johnson. an l wants
dat ten dollars"
"Yuh amt go no money in dis here
bank said the cashier. after looking over
the books.
Yes has" insisted the visitor IT put
ten dollars IN here six months er 60"
Why, man, yuh shure Is foolish ne
intrist done ct dat up long sr so."-Chi-
casO Sketch.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-04-20

to give some recent statistics Of railroad
development.
The earthwork of the roadbed provides a
seventeen-foot base for single track and
q thirty-foot base for double track. On
this earthwork sixteen inches of dustless
Sherman gravel or broken stone (2.94O cubic
yards to the mile, furnishes a bed in each
mile of which 1850 Burnettized ties eight
feet long and 7xs inches in section, are
placed. This bed of ballast extends six
inches beyond the ends Of the ties, and
then slopes for eighteen inches to the
earthwork base. Drainage through cuts is
provided by side bitches, triangular in sec
ton; three feet wide at the top and twelve
inches deep, located one foot from the edge
CT the ballast
CTo be Continued)
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-04-20
Keep Out of Range

There lived and preached for many years
in Rhode Island Elder George Champlin,
coIored man, possessed OF much com
mon sense. knowledge of his brethren's
virtues and failings, and considerable wit.
He had many devoted admirers among
his own people. but some of them felt that
his sermons were apt to be a little too
personal and pointed. One gentle sister
was asked to demonstrate with him, and
essayed to do so.
Sister Lou Campton." said the elder
firmly when she had made her plea, when
l am preaching l shoot right at de devil.
and it's only when somebody gets between
me and de mark dat he's liable to be
hurt"
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-04-20

1901 to 1909, comprise many important dee
velopments. The purchase OF Louisiana
was a happy result of the presidents tact
and prompt action Ohio was admitted
into the union, making seventeen states in
all. Iis second term was less peaceful.
but II was Jefferson's diplomacy and his
hatred of war that kept peace between
England and the younger country
Copyright 1871 by the N. Y. Herald Coz
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-04-20

It out with penknife Monday mornln'
while his wife wuz ploughin'.
word t tn wise is unnecessary.-Abs
Martin In Business
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-04-20
Australian Wit

Breathess Customer-Give me a penny
mouse trap-quickly please; 1 want TO
catch train.-sydney Bulletin.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-04-20

War means hard tack for all soldiers
and hard taxes for all citizens.