The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-11-24
He FINDS NO CLUE
Matheny Black Hand Letters
Still a Mystery.
Competitor Indignant at Stories
Given Out.
SAYS HE DOESN'T KNOW
Asserts That He Has No KnOwl-
edge of Letters.
hrs. Bliss viii Not Order Ma
theny to Yacate.
SAYS HE DOESN'T KNOW

For some reason the police have not
shown much interest in the Matheny
Black Hand case although the series
of threatening letters now number four
and plain clothes men have on several
occasions been called on to solve the
puzzle Detective Voiles and other
members of the force We're urged to
investigate the matter, but failed to
call on the principals in the case.
Not only has Matheny himself been
warned not to continue his business at
1O0112 Topeka avenue. but Fred Snow,
the druggist, was warned not 10 PER-
init Matheny to use MS telephone, as
there was trouble ahead for the clothes
cleaner. Then came letter to Mrs
Bliss. owner OF the Bliss flats and the
building in which Matheny's shop is
housed This letter told the woman to
order Matheny to vacate-
ont in the neighborhood where
Matheny plies his trade, there has been
mystery surrounding the affair
which no one seems able to solve.
Matheny himself says he has no enc
mics and that he can account Tor the
letters N no other way than that they
came from some Jealous competitor
This theory has been generally accept
ed by people who have followed the
case.
When the story of the Black Hand 5
letters was first printed in the state
Journal w. NJ. Vaughn, the proprietor
of a .lv~I establishment, at once De
nOunced the Matneny theory ana ue-
clared that he had never made an Ell
fort to jpiu1e his competitors business
Il have been here two years, Vaughn
declared today, as he discussed the
matter and I don't know TINS man
Matheny when see him. / nave never
tried to injure his business; ana these
stories have lost me any NUMBER OF
Then Vaughn was asked for a theory
as to the letters. The clothes cleaner
was wroth and on the fingers OF ms
hands he counted the customers who
had left his shop in the last few days
II am not accusing anyone vaughn
replied. 3ut if those letters We're ever
really sent then my guess IS that they
came right from someone on the cor
ner.- Indicating with his niger the
neighborhood in which Matheny's shop
Is located and further. vowed
Vaughn. they were sent TO hurt me
and knock my business.
Then the visitor produced a letter
that had been sent through the mans
and Vaughn examined It closeiy- re
didn't change his opinion bit he
only stared wild-eyed at the now emp
tv clothes racks and continued 70
charge that he knew nothing OF the
scheme.
Mrs. Bliss Not Frightened
Mrs. Bliss was asked about the let
ter which she had received she was
sure the general opinion was good ana
that some competitor wanted Matheny
to move.
but it doesn't worry me bit,
said Mrs Bliss land / don't Intend
to order Mr.. Matheny to Vacate.
Someone is trying to scare him ana
intend to stand right by MN ana !.
necessary to suffer the consequences
Fred Snow still held high opinion |
of Matheny He reiterated his state
ments that his neighbor could use the
telephones in the drug store whenever
he desired: and that the letter which
he received wouldn't change MS fela-
tions in the least.
AS for Matheny and his wife, they
are both wOrried-or seem to be
but seemed relieved when Mrs. Bliss
sent word that it wouldn't be neces-
sary to move the shop.
4 have tried to think of someone
who might want to do me some
harm" Matheny told a visitor, but !
can think of no one and there seems /
to be no reason, other than that some |
competitor doesn't want me here-
Natheny Denies Story.
Matheny vas emphatic in his denial
of the Vaughn theory
sSuch a thing never entered my |
head" the man declared. land L am
honestly using every effort to find the
guilty party.
Vaughn made much the same state !
ment He was willing to donate six
months rent to have the mystery |
cleared and would probably increase
the amount if it was settled at once I
Vaughn is a colored man and stands !
high with his people. AS for Ma
theny he has lived in Topeka almost
his entire life and there seemed to be /
any number of people who were will |
Ing to swear by him.
While visitor was in Matthew's shop |
this morning telephone call came for |
the cleaner. 1t was from a Topeka physi- |
clan, who offered financial assistance. if |
necessary. to find the persons who were |
sending the letters
You can count on me-" the man at the |