The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-03-13
Ufficers Turn Attention Back
to Basic Principle.
Looking for Reasons That I'm
PEELED Platt Murderer.
REVENGE AS A CLUE.
Think Aged Man May Have Had
an Enemy.
Bogus Letters Being Sent to the
Newspapers.

was the motive that prompted the
murder of Benjamin Platt other than
tnat or robbery? officers are today
DIVIDED In their theory of the killing.
SnerlIL Norton does not follow closely
the robbery theory. Chief Jenkins be-
Iiefes tnat financial gain was behind
the Killing, but he is also looking for
any person with whom PIatt NAV have
held a difference
IT is claimed that the quiet little
Heorew made several personal enc
mics in the seven months he uas ar,
gagged in business on the North side
.. Freldberg, the son-in-law how
ever' denied that any of theese were
OF sumclent consequence to warrant
fpeIsonai narm. Everyone who has
toIoWed the case is of the opinion
mat the slayer was some person with
mnom Platt was well acquainted.
mere was no disturbance. The mur-
derer by his action showed a close un-
derstanding of the habits of the man.
NO chances were taken 1t is nroh-
dpie that the guilty person was well
aware that Platt was dead before he
leIS the store Deliberately he drag
e9u the pody behind counter, cover
ed 1t with clothing, locked the front
door, left through the little door in
the rear of the building and had sew
eral hours the better of the chase be-
lure fIatls daughter found the body.
The Business F1ourished.
Platt
MS nttle store across the river he
went about his business affairs in much
the same manner that characterized
persons of his race His little stock in
voiced nearly $1,000 on which he owed
not a dollar. Early he came to work
He carried a lunch and returned to his
nome on the o'clock car A boy who
worked In the store several weeks de-
clared that business was good. Platt
was clever salesman. He urged peo-
nd
bargain with shrewd business instinct.
some days the business ran $40 to SEQ
other days it dropped to the $40 and
$zO mark. Occasionally Platt would
bank the revenue from his business
His banking business was usually done
by S. Freidberg. the son-in-law. But
the bank account did not tally with his
supposed net sales. Platt bought mig
garoly. He paid cash for his pur-
chases. But intimate acquaintances
deny that he carried large sums of
money His bank book was seldom bal
anced. His account was dormant
With this theory it is presumed that
Platt loaned his money for short terms.
took security and kept his extra cash
working. Could the fact that Platt op-
pressed borrower have prompted the
killing? If the theory of an unexpect-
ed quarrel with supposed friend caused
the killing, then the police have spent
much valuable time on bogus clues
Ii the murder was committed by q
chance hlghWayman, it is quite prob
able that person would have removed
the SIS watch and chain Platt wore as
well as two rings valued at $75 These
would have been much more attrac-
tive to a person than a bunglesome
suit case filled with cheap under
wear and socks.
Did Not Loan Money
But friends and relatives of the
slain man declare that he had no enc
mics. that he would walk across lots
to avoid trouble. was quiet and peace
able. They urge that he did not loan
money and that he conducted a most
modest and careful credit business.
They say that his life's earnings were
represented in the little stock of mer-
chandise. the comparatively small
bank account, few dollars which he
carried in his pock and a collec-
tion of odd coins.
When Platt wanted a drink of wat
er, he would lock his front door and
go through the Henry hardware store.
adjoining his building on the south
He was never known to enter or leave
the low door at the rear of his store
This door was wide open the night
Platt's body was found. These habits
were doubtless known to the slayer
1t was Washington's birthday and the
fact that a business house was closed
did not create comment. At o'clock
Platt stood in front of his store and
talked with a friend. An hour later
his door was locked. Not until 1890
was uneasiness felt and the door
forced. Then Platt's body was found.
He had been dead since early in the
afternoon.
Joke Packages Received.
Following the flood of coins to the
county coroner and newspapers, this
fad has now reached the practical Joker
stage. Sunday afternoon a morning
paper received a plugged nickel and q
cigar check. which had been mailed oi
a Union Pacific train, sent to Abilene
and returned to Topeka.
Shortly after noon today, the State
Journal received its second consign-
ment. The letter bore a State Journal
slug line. was mailed at IL o'clock this
morning ana contained skull and
cross bone stickpin, a white pearl but
ton and a brass washer These mis-
sives are presumed to have been sent
by persons possessing a senseless wit;
but they are also weakening the theory
that the coins mailed several days ago
originated from the real slayer.
Weather Still Pleasant.
tsNe can look for nothing b1If nice