The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-04-24

las and parliamentary fippancy, and
more attention to common decency
and common sense, there would be
a better chance for him to earn his
beggarly three dollars per day"
Sprouts socialists teachings over
! flowed in many paragraphs in tune with
this:
IF our state officials are as wise as
they ought to be. and are really in
earnest about protecting the citizens
of Kansas from the blacklist, most
corrupting, debasing frauds of these
times, they will drive every life inSur-
ance company from the state after at
taching their funds and applying them
pro rata to the policyholders
The closing paragraphs of Sprouts
book were written March 20, 1911.
In conclusion, he says:
cit is awful to live in a worldly
doubt and uncertainty, but it is bet
ter than not have lived at all. Ac-
cording to Rev. Scoville, 1 am convict
ed of an objectionable sin; however,
If I should say 1 believed what I do
not believe, I would be a liar and a
hypocrite. No man can help what he
believes, but he can avoid being a
hypocrite.'
Sproul lived for many years on a
time engaged in business with his
brother. 1t is probable that the man
Will be buried at the little town of
Bogue, near where he was visiting.
far as is known had no immediate
relatives in Topeka.
Arranged for a Coffin.
]. F. Sproul was prepared for death.
March % he made a contract with
Hawley & Steele, an undertaking firm
at 118 East Eighth avenue, for a coffin
and all other necessary funeral ar
rangements, even designating direc
tiOnS concerning the disposal of his
body. He made this contract about
the time of the death of Robert Nc
Ginnis, who was found dead in his
two room bachelor quarters on Ninth
about the time that H. B. Dickinson
went from the Throop hotel to the
state hospital and died suddenly with
an attack of pneumonia.
Mr.. SprOul was considered an eccen-
trio character in some conditions. He
is not known to have been married
but owned considerable property. He
was injured while on one of his farms
in the western part of the state when
windmill fell and struck him. This
effected one of his eyes and appeared
to worry him. He roomed at 81 East
Eighth avenue and informed MessrS.
Hawley & Steele, the undertakers,
that he had suffered an attack with his
ing spell, a day or two before he ap-
peared and wanted to make the con-
track.
Upon appearing at the undertakers'
office on East Eighth avenue he told
MessrS. Hawley & Steele that he feared
he would be stricken suddenly or that
he might be killed or meet with sud-
den death. On this account he wanted
to make advance funeral arrange
ments that the cost be taken from mis-
estate and that the funeral charges be
not excessive.
After making these arrangements he
retired to the sample room and picked
out coffin which he wanted used and
directed in the contract the cost of it
and maximum allowance for all other
expenses. He desired that his funeral
expenses not be any greater than was
necessary that as much as possible be
given, as an inheritance, to children Of
his brothers.
In making the contract, which WIS
signed in the presence of a notary
public, he directed that his body be
sent to Edmond Kan, in care of o. A. |
Sproul or other brothers, who might
be living. Edmond is in Norton coun- !
ty, where he is reported to have owned |
one more farm and also is reported |
to have owned farms in Graham
county. He had money on deposit in |
have when he made the contract, but |
he did not say how much or what |
bank or banks. He also is reported |
to have held a number or excellent |
mortgages as security for loans on
real estate which he had made.
He was about 60 years old and had |
peculiar habits. He was negotiating |
for the purchase of the property at 311 |
East Eighth avenue when he made the /
contract for his funeral arrangements. |
Messrs. Hawley and Steele were ac- |
quainted with him and believe that i'm |
aginary troubles caused him to commit |
the rash act more than anything else.
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