davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1912-03-22
CROPS BENEFITED;
FRUIT UM|NJURED
A Slow Rain Saved East Texas One
and a Half Million Dollars.
[By Associated Press.1 ]

Abilene, Texas, March 22.-Rain and
melting snow here during the past
twenty-four hours. Crops, except small
garden plants, we're benefited. The
fruit crop is late and unhurt.
Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1912-03-22
No Damage at Brenham.
(By Associated Press.l

Brennan, Texas, March 22.-The eff
fects Of the norther here was miti'
gated by rain before arrival of freez-
ing temperature. There has been no
damage to crops in this section.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-03-16

ty who think along the same line.
"Fact is" explains Campbell, II
believe a state engineer, Thoroughly
competent man. should have charge
and supervision of all the civil engln-
eering done for the various counties
and the county engineers should work
under his supervision"
]. A. Campbell, the youngest man
on the Republican ticket two years
ago, led away right at the head of the
list of majorities. Jack was justly
proud of that showing. But no man
can become dead in earnest and do
things, especially in q county office
without mourning somebody's crit1-
cism. Campbell expected that ana
got what he expected. Nevertheless
he has made good as county surveyor
and is in condition to render still more
valua BILE service to the county for two
years longer. Campbell will announce
later, his candidacy for the renom1n-
alton for county surveyor. He viii
doubtless have no opposition.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-03-16

you re going somewhere and know ex-
actly where. Well, you have done
Your best at impersonating Colonel
Jonathan D. Norton. That's the way
he goes all the time and he has a pat
ent and copyright on all the improve
ments. Cut off the Colonel part of
his name that's past perfect history.
He's sheriff now of Shawnee county
and everyone who comes in contact
with him officially knows it.
People like Sheriff Norton because
he minds his own business, is on the
Job and when the colonel goes after
man he gets him if he is to be found.
That's his business In the office or
out he is jovial, treats those who hap
pen to be in his custody with proper
consideration.
His popularity over the county is in
manner reflected by an article APP
pearing in the Dover Weekly Herald:
Sheriff Norton is announced as a
candidate for sheriff for the second
time which will probably be his last
appearance in public life officially.
Sheriff Norton has dignified the
office, and by his strict attention to
business and his gentlemanly deport-
ment has merited. the favor and es-
TEEN of every citizen of Shawnee
county.
Sheriff Norton is much better
than he was two years ago. He is en-
titled to a second election by all rules
of custom and fair play.
From reports that are being re-
ceived from all over the county in
his favor, his friends feel justified in
claiming his nomination by a large
majority"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-03-16
WORKED THEM OVER TIME.
Bob TasIcr Has Ability of Getting
Results Where Others Fail.

Bob TasIScr Has Ability of Getting
Results Where Others Fail.
A year ago last fourth of August,
along late in the evening a tall. gaunt
old boy, just convalescing from a ter
rible operation was seen to go from
one primary polling place to another
pick up a candidates cards that had
been cast aside by the voters arrange
them methOdically, dust the Shunga-
nunga sand and the Santa Fe soil from
them, put them carefully into his
pockets and hustle out to distribute
them to late voters agin. Bob Task
er worked his cards over time and
won in a walk.
But that careful. close calculation,
careful conservative system of Bob's
has stood him well in hand in the dis
charge of the duties of the office or
Register of Deeds of Shawnee county.
No one tries harder to be an eff
cient officer and succeed better than
Tasker. He assumed the duties OF
Register of Deeds after having many
years of clerical experience all well
done. Tasker has been accurate in
his records and accounts. When the
special auditors examined his records
and books they found them in spien-
did shape and his accounts correct to
a cent.
Yes, Tasller is serving his first
term in public office and will ask
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-03-16

good wherever he is placed These
varied lines of active public life have
given Judge Dana a state wide ac-
quaintance and reputation.
Judge Dana looks like a Scotch
man, sounds like an freshman, works
like Philadelphia lawyer, gives the
Green Mountain state edit for his
existence, Kansas, Shawnee county
and her citizens praise for the sue
cess he has achieved. Judge Dana
has presided over the district court of
shawnee county for eight years and if
anyone has any criticism to make of
the manner in which he has discharg-
ed his official duties, few people have
heard them. Judge Dana came to-
Kansas in 1897. began the practice
of law under the firm name of Tillot-
son & Dana, later with the late Judge
A Bergen. For several years and up
to the time of his election to the
Judgeship he was the attorney for the
Merriam Mortgage company.
Years of general practice and con-
nection with active business enter
prtses has given Judge Dana a big,
broad conception of the application
and regulation of law upon property
people and their personal privileges.
So much for the civil side of life
and litigation. A judge cannot in
struct or find for all litigants or free
every offender but if any Violator of
the laws, either fragrant or technical
from whom the law and society has
demanded restitution, has bewailed
the chastisement measured out by
Judge Dana, such complaint seldom
goes farther than the miscreant's own
mind
Judge Dana has made and is an
able Judge" said T. F. Doran. This
is evidenced by the fact that his de-
cisions in the district court are almost
universally confirmed in the supreme
court when taken there. In all his
rulings Judge Dana is fair"
Topeka has many lawyers and all
No opposition to his nomination has
been voiced
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-03-16
OH. THAT OLD ASSESSOR.
But Somebody Must Be County As
SCISSOR and Stand the Criticism


If there is a piece of land, a house
and lot, or shanty that Sam Haynes
doesn't know about, somebody put
their hand and go to the head of the
class. Assessor Sam knows every
hummock and hill of Shawnee county,
knows who ownes land where cuckle
burrs will grow, can definitely locate
by metes and bounds the farms so
rough and rocky and poor that one
can't raise a disturbance thereon. AS
SCISSOR Sam Haynes has a fair running
idea of the money it requires or ought
to take to build a cabin or a castle,
that's his business. He has lived a
long time in Shawnee county and
ought to know valuations and he
thinks he does.
Regardless of that knowledge,
Haynes of all county officers, barring
the county commissioners is CON
verted into a goat for more people
than anyother. But somebody must
do the work and Haynes does the
best he can. instructs his assessors
and deputies fairly and that is about
all anyone can do.
ITO him that hath shall be given
unto" but if the gift is in Shawnee
county Sam Haynes or one of his dep
uties will assess a tax against it for
sewer sidewalk, pavement, city, coun-
ty, general, school, special. superflous
spontaneous, but sure. Haynes can't
help that though. This much must
be said for Haynes he tries to do his
duty, be square with ALL. use good !
and keeps right ON saving |
wood Haynes is serving his first cleo |
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-03-16
sIMMs THE DEMOCRAT.
Apparently the People on the North
Side Forget His Party Affiliations.

Apparently the People on the North
Side Forget His Party Affiliations.
Just because Frank SimmS stood up
for and worked for his constituents
on the other side of the river while
he was in the council they decided he
was the man to hold the throttle on
the expenditures of the county and
moved him UP a notch, made him
county commissioner and if there are
enough voters in Shawnee county
sharing the same opinion as those on
the North side they will make him
sheriff this fall
No, street He has not announced
himself in the press but nevertheless
he has his ear to the grass roots,
that is when the snow is off. Simms
served as county commissioner from
the first district for years. was elect
ed again two years ago. His one hob
by after honesty, is good roads, and
the business men in both city and
country are realizing the benefit good
roads are to everybody.
Democrat as he is and has been all
his life. he has worked with the two
Republican commissioners in exacting
that records and accounts of the coun-
ty officers be rigidly and conscien-
tiously audited and reported. "Hew to
the line, let the chips fall where they
may" is the motto of Simms.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-03-16
Believed Him to Be the Man TO
Watch Out for County's Interest.

L have tried to learn upon what is
sue or special proposition, James c.
Sinner was nominated and elected
county commissioner from the Third
district and I have gotten this
far. He used to own feed
store and coal business down on
South Kansas avenue, sold full peck
of oats, 20 pounds of corn to the BUSH
ell two thousand pounds of coal to
the ton and guaranteed it to burn or
money refunded. The people liked
him for such dealings, that's ALL
Twenty years of these methods built
a strong business and a good reputa-
ton for Sinner
Because of the fact that improved
roads had been confined to a small
territory in his district Sinner decid-
ed to make the race for commissioner
with the hope of a more equitable
distribution of this road improvement
Citizens of his district say he has &C
complished that aim and give him
credit for it.
On the county board. Sinner has
stood for the same honesty he prac-
ticed in his own private business and
has stood shoulder to shoulder with
the other members for economy in
county expenses. He will ask for re-
nomination to the office in August and
depends entirely on the efforts he has
made while in office to merit the sup
port of his friends in the third.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-03-16
ONLY A BooKkEEPER THAT'S ALI
The County's Hired Man to Do the
Eigurin'. Mr.. Zimmerman.

Inc COuntyS Hired Man 10 DO 1ilc
Ffgurin'. Mr.. Zimmerman.
When Sam Zimmerman comes up to
the counter in the office of the county
clerk, leans over close to you, hands
over a bit of paper with the amount
of your taxes thereon and begins tell
ing you that, 'bein's as it is you" etc,
remember the smile and the twinkle
in the grey eyes are genuine, but the
talk is con, it's politics for Sam.
Yes, the turkey side as well as the
buZzard's will be told in this story.
While Sam plays the c string over
time maybe, he doesn't neglect his
work to do it. Sam has surely proven
himself one of the most competent
county clerks Shawnee county has
ever had. Only at tax paying time
does the public mind turn toward the
county clerks office and realize that
someone does some accurate figuring.
use good sound judgment in the dis
tribution of the cOunty's expense
among the taxpayers.
Mistakes in the county clerks Of
flee means money to the taxpayers. No
doubt the fact that errors seldom if
ever occur is probably why Sam Zim-
norman is county clerk today and
why many voters have insisted that he
ask for denomination in August.
Conversation about tax levies, as
sessments county records and such
are painfully dry. The careful system
of bookkeeping Zimmerman has orig
mated is equally devoid of humor.
While Sam is justly proud of his
methods it doesn't matter much to
average man just so long as he does
be considered along that line that de-
mands careful thought. Were the
county offices originated to appease
the ambitious political aspirants or to
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-03-16

paper work, graduated from Dart
mouth, attended the Boston Law
college and then came west to Kansas
where fellow can really exercise his
energies and abilities and amount to
something
tain Hamilton tell this story of Whit
comb. He's the man to do it, any
way:
Judge Whitcomb came out here
along in 1857 began the affable gen
tleman and senator of Shawnee county.
His first employment was with the
law firm of Douthitt, Jones & Ma
son. Later he was associated with
Frederick D. Fuller representing the
Kansas Loan & Trust Co.
When the Kansas Trust com
pany became too heavily burden
ed with it's real estate loans and
was forced to liquidate, Judge
Whitcomb was appointed receiver for
the company. Here began Judge
Whitcomb's actual work of settling diff
ferences and Strengthening out finan-
cial entanglements.
THE Trust Company of America
was made the holding company and
for five or six years Judge Whitcomb
handled the business of the company,
adjusting and settling its affairs.
Eight years ago partnership was
formed by Whitcomb and myself I'M
der the firm name of Whitcomb &
Hamilton. ending with the appoint
ment of Whitcomb to the bench. He
has had a varied experience in the
practice of law. He has been con-
nected with some of the largest cases
in the country and has worked just
as hard on the case with a two dol
lar fee as the one with a two thou
sand dollar retainer.
II sincerely believe Judge Whit
comb is in the proper place. He has
splendid education, exemplary hab
its. harbors no malice and has no dis
position to punish. Those Qualifica-
lions make an ideal judge according
to my way of thinking. Judge Whit
comb has served as judge but one
year, will ask for the nomination on
the Republican ticket in the August
primaries and truly I don't believe
there is a particle of opposition to
him. He is a square Judge
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-03-16
FRIEND OF THE CHILDREN AND
TEACHERS.
A Welcome Visitor in Every School
in the County.

III the County.
Correction and county superintend-
ents used to be the dread of the writ
er of these storiettes. Later in life
kind, affa BILE and educated. Yes, the
superintendent are all right and one,
John F. Eby, superintendent of pub
lie instruction of Shawnee county, has
the o. K. of practically every one with
whom he comes in contact either So
cially or officially.
Superintendent Eby is strong ad-
vocate of grading and raising the
standard of the country schools to
the highest possible rank. His Off
cial hobby is to increase the efficiency
of the teachers of the schools in the
country to the place where they may
train the pupils in the same manner
and to the same high degree as may
be gained in the best regulated city
schools.
Mr.. Eby believes in practical edu-
ton. Such education as will be of
every day use to the boys and girls
after they have grown to manhood
and womanhood.
Mr.. Eby believes that Shawnee
county should rank amongst the fore
most counties in the state, education
ally, as well as in every other way.
And the people, not only of Shawnee
county, but of the state in general,
have confidence in his ability. This
is shown by the fact that he is presi-
dent of the Shawnee County Teach
ers' association. vice president of the
Northeast Kansas Teachers associa-
ton. and an officer in the Kansas
State Teachers association. which
meets annually in Topeka
Mr.. Eby's wide acquaintance with
school people and his broad expert
ence with school work, generally,
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-03-16
HE'S A sTICKLER FOR SALARIES.
Gets One Himself and Wants Other
County Officers to Receive Some
thing Definite for Their Services.

thing Definite for Their Services.
Four years ago when E. L. O'Neal
began campaigning for county COM
missioner from the Second district he
outlined policy-prOposed things of
vital interest to the taxpayers of the
county, chief of which was his adj
vocacy of flat salary for all county Of
ficers, and all fees earned to be turned
into the county treasury.
While nothing definite has been ac-
complished along this line, it is not
O'Neils fault that actual results have
not been obtained. To back up his
faith in the principle of flat salaries
for all officers and to do all that
could be done to see his ideas carried
out he had a new fee and salary bill
introduced in the 1909 legislature, but
like all other bills of that kind it fail
of passage.
O'Neil did not promise that such an
adjustment would be made. 1t was
not up to him to make it, but rather
the Legislature.
That was four years ago, and O'Neil
stood alone on the proposition. But
now that it has become popular
clamor every candidate for office ia
vors the plan.
The methods he proposed regard
ing the letting of contracts for county
work and supplies have met the APP
prevail OF the other members of the
Board and the public in general. Com
petitive bidding for contracts. favor
ing home enterprises. whenever con-
sistent has been followed out with
satisfaction to all.
No member of the board is more
ardent champion of good roads and
bridges than O'Neil. His answer to
some loose charges that tin bridges
are being built in this county, is that
new bridges erected at Richland, Wa
karusa. Dover, Central Avenue, two
near Meriden, two near Willard. and
many others have abutments strong
enough to carry any Santa Fe train
that runs, and superstructures heavy
enough to carry brick and concrete |
floor systems, and he says he is will |
ing to have them investigated by any |
expert on bridge building.
Mr. O'Neil wants to see Shawnee !
county send men to the legislature |
who will work for quadrennial assess
rnent of real estate, quadrenniaI cleo
tions four year terms of office, 1
to the Juvenile Court
law, and flat salary for all officers. !
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-03-16

This line of entertainment became
monotonous. Slowly and surely, like
the elevator, the line moved on. turned
acute corner, headed always into
the door by the dormant hoist. fiat
tening itself into pushing, protesting
platoon against the counter in the
county treasurer's office
Same thing happens every December
and June, has for years and always
will. But wait a fellow is rather
proud to be seen in that line, evil
dence of property ownership, inclina-
ton 10 pay his part of the county's
expense and prosperous enough to
pay it. Now, then, it's a painful OPP
GRAFTON, this paying of taxes and
there's no anesthesia given the patient
thing is sure after the worst has been
done, the receipt and Matt Weight
mans smile gives the convaIescent
new hope and ambition to live on.
Matt can't help smiling. it's chronic
yet contagious. People don't mind
paying their money 50 badly to such
a man. He has taken splendid care
of the funds entrusted to him, has
applied them and Shawnee
county citizens are satified so far as
Matt Weightman is concerned.
While Matt his been in the treasur-
ers office but little over six months he
has proven equal to the job, careful.
conscientious officer.
Seems a peculiar arrangeT ent that
he should he compelled 70 ask for re-
nomintfon before he has barely be-
come acquainted with mis- Official dr.
ties. but such IS the case. Weight
nan will nave no contender for his plaza.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-03-16

OF pllng up costs against the county
which We're unnecessary. Simon knows
law enough to make a good county
attorney and his fellow barristers
agreee that he has made good in the
office.
He has bull dog tenacity enough to
keep fright after task if he thinks he
is on the right track, until it is COM
pleted. just between you and me 1
don want Simon hunting up and pro-
duclng evidence against this depart
ment, as some say, for past acQuain-
lance proves how methodically and
cautiously he attends to details in eV
cry case he tackles. Laying aside
stories and mems prejudices County
Attorney Simon has a record made by
himself that speaks plainly of his ac-
compllshments since his adminiStra-
ton began
A county attorneys efficiency may
be discovered from his record in court
and how is this? Out of fourty- one
trials Simon has won thirty-two,
batting average of $50 per cent. He
has run up against only seven acquit-
tails and two hung juries. Simon has
won every liquor case he has tried be-
lore jury and also scored the first
conviction in liquor felony case. The
county treasurer's office shows the re-
celpt of more than two thousand dol
lars in liquor fines as a result of these
prosecutions.
Simon has won nine out of the ten
cases argued in the Supreme Court.
Call this luck? No, those who know
him say it is the result of legal learn
ing harnessed with energy and ability
and driven by a man who has a con-
Sclentious regard for his official oath
and believes himself to be a public
servant accounta BILE to the people.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-03-16

for denomination i'm August. He win
doubtless make his formal announce
ment soon. Since being installed in
his new office Bob has been constant
ly on the job except for a few days
when teetsy, tiny Tasker demanded
his attention at home.
Bob Task er feels so grateful to the
people of Shawnee County for his
election to the office of register OF
deeds that he will do his dead level
best every day of his incumbencv to
merit the confidence they have placed
in him. He has accurate and efficient
assistants in the office and the work
is done promptly. Tasker will have
no opposition for denomination.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-03-16

the finest man in the whole creation.
They have just come from the judges
office, he has performed the most sa-
cred of all ceremonies. Two left ventri-
cles surge in unison and that happy
couple doesn't care if the whole world
knows it,
Such cerem onies and PROCEEDINGS
are the judges common daily duties.
Judge Schoch makes no mistakes
however, in these matrimonial mat
tiers. Time and again the present pro-
bate judge has extended fatherIy ad-
vice instead of the coveted license
Don't think, however, that the pro-
bate judges only duty is the happy
one of legalizing- marriages. During
Judge Schoch's incumbency he has
passed upon hundreds of wills. pro-
bated and settled estates represent
ing hundreds of thousands of dollars
and up to the present no one has
questioned a motive or a legal action
Of the probate judge.
It requires lawyer of ability,
wide experience, a sense of absolute
JUSTICE and big, broad minded man
to be a probate Judge.
w. F. Schoch has met and filed
each of. these requirements While
Judge Schoch has made on exemplary
official. he has gone even farther and
surrounded himself with most ac-
commodating and efficient assistants
as we'll
Much vitality important business in
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-03-16
FROM THENCE COMES wHIrCoMB
Has Made His Home and Success in
the JaYhaMI1er State. Though.

Has Made His Home and Success III
the Jayhawl1er State, Though.
The good people in Vermont raise
dairy cattle. skim the cream closely
sell the butter, feed the Blue John
to the abies and develop thereby
some of the strongest most useful
citizens in the land. Five I call to
mind now, will never be effaced from
my memory. Ethan Allen, Seth War
ner. Admiral Dewey, Judge A. W.
Dana and Judge George H. Whitcomb,
presiding Judge of the Second division
of the Shawnee county district court.
Eyes, peculiar coincidence, quite
true remarked Captain clad Hamil-
ton, that both our district judges
should be Vermonters. But they are.
Captain Clad thinks he knows Judge
Whitcomb and doesn't stand back on
saying so. And if after eight years
intimate association with lawyer. his
partner says he is all right. there
must be something to the statement.
YES, Whitcomb was farm boy
back in Vermont. lived near Wood
stock, Admiral Dewey's old home. He
worked his way through Tilton acad-
envy in New Hampshire. doing news