The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-07-10
Life Of VIM. StOItzman Is a RO.
nance of Crime.
Once Tried for Murder, Now
He's Plain Burglar.
TRIED TO KILL SELF.
Didn't Want to Come Back to
Topeka.
Was Telegraph Operator
When Tried for Murder.

The life of William A Stoltzman.
who was brought back to Topeka to-
day for burglarizing Topeka stores is
a romance of crime
Stoltzman attempted suicide when he
was arrested Sunday night in cheap
hotel on MCGEE street in Kansas City
by plunging a safety pin into his throat
Once acquitted of murder, at another
time charged with stealing a suitcase
containing bonds valued at $4o 900,
StoltZman came to Shawnee county
where he stole a few suits of clothing,
and cleverly secured c. o. D. goods
from an express company without tt e
expenditure of dollar.
Stoltzman is but 80 years old. Yet in
10 years he has faced jurieS for many
grave offenses. Always luck seemed to
break in favor of the young man. SYM
pathy alone is said to have secured his
acquittal for murder in Bourbon coun-
ty in 1903. The same innocent, boyish
face and indomitable luck aid
ed Stoltzman when he stole the valu-
able suitcase in Kansas City Il year
later. A clever trick gave StOltznan
his freedom when he embezzled pro-
perty from an express company in
Shawnee county three months ago.
Then he was arrested for burglarizing
the Afiddaugh store and Gilberg tailor
shop
When two officers arrested Soltzman
last night, the young mans confidence
and nerve seemed suddenly to leave
him. From his shirt Stoltzman took
a large safety pin and slashed at his
throat. The officers intcrfered and
only few scratches wore evidence of
the young mans effort to end his own
life. This afternoon Stoltzman was
brought to Topeka and will be tried in
the Shawnee county district court on
charge of burglary.
at just seemed that 7 couldn't go
back to Topeka and face my wife
again." sobbed Stoltzman as he broke
down in the Kansas City hotel. Il
don't know what she will think of me
after all the trouble I have had So
when 1 was arrested this time l
thought I would end it ALL
IT was Feb. 4, 1908, when jury in
fort Scott acquitted StoHzman of the
charge of numbering M. J. Morrison, a
wealthy merchant and postmaster at
PaWnee, Kan. Morrison slept in the
store and was killed by robber, who
it is believed, awakened him and
called him to the door on the pretense
that he wanted a bottle of patent
medicine. About $500 was taken from
Morrison's secret hiding place
Morrison and Stoltzman had been
intimate and circumstances showed
the crime had been committed by
lsomeone familiar with the murdered
/
were suspicious. Thirty kilograms
filed by the sheriff for transmission
were in Stoltzman's possession at the
time of his arrest.
In the crowded court room Stoltz-
mans appearance was that of mere
child. Owing to his age, sympathy
was overwhelmingly in the defendants
favor. Women and girls sat through
the long trial and these persons
showed Stoltzman numerous courte-
sizes The sympathy became contagious
and affected even the jurors in trial OF
/ the case. Stoltzman was acquitted
amid thUnderous applause.
Only a. few weeks after he walked
from the Fort Scott Jail a free man,
! Stoltzman entered the Commerce build
ing in Kansas City, where he stole a
suit case containing bonds valued at
probably $4,000. After taking the grip
to the express office where it was sent
to w A. Mills. Parsons, Kansas, -
LStoltzman walked to the bank building