The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-02-25
CLUE ENDS IN AIR
Joe Small Satisfies Police He Is
Not Murderer.
Released Last Night After Be-
ing SWeated by Officers.
HE LEFT NO TRACKS.
Assassin Evidently Planned
Escape Carefully.
Police Still Say They Will
Get the Man.

The Platt murder is still a mystery.
Joe Small, the negro who was held
for investigation on suspicion Friday
morning, was released in the evening,
as not enough evidence could be OBJ
tained to detain him longer. He is a
brother of Ewing Small, formerly on
the police force here, now in Pasa-
dena, Cal However, the police are
still optimistic as to finding the mur-
derer
Last night a promising clue showed
up and the detectives are still follow
ing it. The officers started on the case
with practically nothing to work on,
as the clues left behind were meager
indeed.
The guilty man is still thought by
the police to be negro. The theory
that one of the Mexicans who traded
in the store is the slayer is not cred
tied much on account of the Mexican's
propensity to use a knife in killing.
This crime was committed with blunt
instrument, according to indications.
Platt's skull was crushed in thirteen
different places, indicating that he was
stunned with a blow from behind and
then beaten to death.
Then the murderer evidently dragged
him from his chair upon which he had
been sitting at lunch, and behind the
counter. Drops of blood On the chair
seat and a trail of blood leading from
the chair to behind the counter cleary
show this.
The brute then locked the front door
from the inside and escaped by way
of the back door, No tracks were left
said: ''It is thought the murderer had
come down from the sky, killed the
man and went up again.
In mystery it is as great as any in
the records of Topeka. It also resem-
bleS the Cohen murder at Wichita An
aged shoemaker was found dead with
his skull crushed at his work shop.
The crime was also committed in day
time. The murderer left no tracks, but
was soon afterwards apprehended.
In the Topeka case the police are in
vestigating all rumors of any negro
store Wednesday afternoon. These re-
ports come into the station at ali
hours Interest in the case seems to be
on the increase. People are constantly
calling up the station and sheriff's Of
flee to ask if there is anything new on
the murder
Perhaps this is partly due to the
fact that Mr.. F'reidberg has offered a
reward of $1O0 for the capture of the
murderer. The Woodman lodge of North
Topeka has made an offer of $25. Sher-
iff Norton and County Attorney Simon
requested Governor Stubbs, through his
private secretary, David Leahy, to Of
fer the customary state reward Of
$3.50. However. it will be not DONE The
fund OF 81, 500 appropriated for the pur-
pose each year is practically exhaust
ed
The last reward. still unexpired had
to be cut down to $3.50 to come within
the amount on hand for the criminal
reward, accordin~ to Mr.. Leahy. The
money is used not only for the rewards
for capture of murderers but for other
criminals. 1t usually has a 80 day Of
fer If the 80 days during which the
$3.50 mentioned is offered expires before
the Platt murderer is taken that sum
will be likely offered for the apprefen-
sion of his slayer.
Benjamin Platt was struck down, rob-
bed and murdered at his store 819
North Kansas avenue, Wednesday af-
ternOOn.