The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-07-22
Young Farm Hand Fails to Re-
turn to Friends.
William Denny Seeking Violin
Dealers When Last Seen.
FOUL PLAY is FEARED
Shawnee County Farmer Asks
Officers to Search
For Workman Who Was Last
Seen July 6.

The three weeks absence of William
Denny from the home of w. ). Ropln-
son, who lives miles northwest of the
city. has aroused Mr.. Robinson and the
neighborhood and has caused them to
believe that he has met with foul play.
Denny came to Topeka Saturday, July
g. with Charlie Jackson and Earl Tay-
lor and left them on Laurent and
Kansas avenue to be gone but few
minutes and he has not been heard of
since that time
Denny was a young man, about 70
years old. He was tall and presented
favorable appearance. He came TO
North Topeka from Oklahoma about
eighteen months ago and has been
working for w. S. Robinson on the
Page farm northwest of the city about
a year. The young man did not have
any bad habits, that are known to his
friends, and his disappearance cannot
be explained.
since coming to North Topeka and
while working for Farmer Robinson,
the young man was alone in the world
Mr. Robinson knew nothing o. him but
he needed a farm hand and just hap
pened to find Denny. Denny's services
he continued to work.
He was slow to make friends, accord
ing to Robinson, Mr.. Denny's relatives
were dead or living in far away places.
country.
After staying some time at the Robin
son farm he told hem of his private
affairs, in part, and this was enough
to convince them that he was one in
whom they could place confidence.
With this assurance the Robinson fam
lily began to take an interest in the
young man.
He was we'll liked by the young peo-
pie of the neighborhood and accepted
as one of them.
Saturday, July 6, he came to Topeka
with Charlie Jackson and Earl Taylor,
two young men of the neighborhood.
He brought a violin with him and said
he wanted to trade it for another. He
told his friends he was going to the
place of Charles Small, a second hand
dealer at 904 North Kansas avenue to
make the deal. That is the last seen
of him. His friends walked around
on the street while waiting for him,
and then gave up the wait.
Mr.. Small does not remember the
affair. He did not even remember
having a conversation with such a
man and could give no information or
Denny. He did trade sviolins with an
acquaintance some time ago but the
acquaintance is not the man referred
This is the only violin deal that ne
has made or discussed within the last
month and he does not know the. man
named William Denny, he says
Robinson reported the absence OF
Mr.. Denny to Sheriff Norton July 3,
which was three days after he disap-
peared. He also reported the matter
to the police but neither have peen
successful in gathering Information
that will explain the mystery. 1t is
thought by the people of the neighbor-
hood that the sheriff's force would m
yestigate the affair but it is contenoeo
this was not done.
Nv Robinson said today that Denny
did not have any love affairs that he
Knew of and gave the fair sex little
attention. ..,,,r,,,r~
Of the Robinson home which Mr..
Robinson estimates to be worth $50
ar $40. Denny had about $40 in
money with him when he started te
Toneka.