The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-03-30
POLICE JOTTINCS.

Friday was an unlucky day for Wal
ter Watts. He is a negro but is not
the same Walter Watts who had a rep
utation as a jointists in former days
of Topeka. Watts, it is charged, open
ed the cash drawer of a store at SOP
East Fifth street Friday afternoon
and stole a watch and about So in
money. The store is owned and oper-
ated by Mrs. E. J. Long. Watts was
arrested last night by officer England
and held until this morning. Mrs.
Long called at the police station where
she identified him as the boy who rob-
bed the money drawer. She and Morris
Jenkins, the chief of police, then went
to the office of the county attorney
where a complaint was filed which
charged him with burglary. Watts
will be turned over to the sheriff as
soon as the state warrant is issued.
The police searched the house at 115
East Van Buren, street and at 112
Branner street Friday afternoon in
search of liquor but found nothing at
either place. They had received infor-
nation that liquor had been delivered
at both places and were told where to
find the wet goods but were unsuc-
cessful in locating the stuff. 1t was
reported that a tub filled with beer
had been taken into the place at III
Branner street where crowd had col
lected to drink it and that a 12-year-
old girl was being held in the place.
Detectives Voiles and Golf were detail
ed to raid the place but were unsuc-
cessful in finding the wet goods and
there was no girl at the place as de-
scribed. A barrel of bottled beer was
reported to have been delivered at the
other place but Sergeant Dan Garden
and Detective Anderson and Summers
were unable to locate it.
The sum of $S15.2 has been collect
ed by the police in fines during the
month of March. Inasmuch as the last
day of the month is on Sunday. the
return of money collected were made
to the city treasurer this afternoon.
A total of 153 arrests were made from
the first day of the month until this
morning. The arrests that are made
today and Sunday will be included in
the report for the month of April.
Dismissed for the want of prosecution
is the result of the findings of Judge
N. B. Arnold in police court in the case
of John Boyle, ex-member of the police
force who was arrested Thursday night
on the charge of being drunk and dis
turbing the peace 1t was charged that
Boyle beat and choked his wife in their
rooms at 80 East Fifth street. In as
much as the trouble was in their own
rooms and that she would not appear
in court to testify against her husband,
James Clark, assistant city attorney
was unable to obtain sufficient evidence
to convict Mr.. Boyle. The officers who
made the arrest did not see Boyle
abuse his wife but admitted that he
was drunk in his own apartments
A similar incident resulted in the case
of H. G. Caslin who lives on Hancock
street. The wife refused to give testi-
mony against her husband but gave
Sther testimony which embarrasse
Officer Roslander who made the arrest
Such cases are frequent in police court
Phil and Mary Chesney, who were ar
rested by Sergeant Sauls on the charge
of fighting Thursday night, were fined
$40 each in police court Friday after
noon. Sergeant Sauls appeared as the
only witness. Mary paid her fine and
Phil went to Jail. He is trying to raise
the money today.
o. w. Jaggard is a good natured
man. He halls from Bonner Springs
and that probably accounts for the fact
that he was sorry for the prisoners in
the city Jail Friday night. He was ar
rested on the charge of being drunk
and his appearance would indicate that
the charge could be proven. While in
prison before securing his release this
morning, Jaggard listened to the pitiful
plea and hard luck stories of his fellow
prisoners. He attempted to sooth their
minds by distributing his money among
them and gave each a part of his
funds.