davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-18
DRINKS ACID, DIES
Mrs. ). 8. SprOat, Wife of Farm
er, Suicide.
Ill Health Believed to Have Been
the Cause.
WAS TIRED OF LIFE.
She Had Often Threatened to
Kill Herself.
Deadly Drug Taken Into House
WAS TIRED OF LIFE.
Deadly Drug Taken Into House
With Medicine.

Lulu Sproat committed suicide today
when she drank a quantity OF carboic
acid at her home three miles north and
west of Topeka The woman was the
wife of j. s. Sproat, well known Shaw
nee county farmer. Poor health and
dependency was the cause of the sui
eide.
For several years the woman had
been in poor health. She had frequent
ly threatened to take her own life and
recently the husband hid his revolver
to prevent her execution of the threat
A few days ago a small bottle OF car
bolic acid was taken into the house
with a package of other medicine This
the woman drank shortly before noon
when her husband went to the mail
box quarter of a mile distant
AS Sproat returned to the house he
found his wife standing in the small
pantry with the bottle in her hands. he
seized the bottle, but the woman had
drank the contents. She died an hour
later. The woman's brother william
Hulzle was in the house when Sproat
started for the mail. He walked out
of the house for a few minutes and in
his absence his sister drank the poison
A search for the empty bottle was made
this afternoon by Coroner Bomgard-
ner, but it could not be found
Mrs. Sproat was 39 years old. With
her husband, she had lived in Shaw
nee county more than 16 years. Sew
eral years ago Mr. Sproat bought a
small farm northwest of Topeka and
the family had made this place their
home since 1904. Since the birth of
her son, Dewey Sproat, 8 years ago
the woman's health has gradually
failed. Her parents died a rev years
ago and the loss of these relatives
weighed heavily on the woman's mind.
On numerous occasions she had told
her husband and brother that she ex-
peeted to kill herself and her actions
had been carefully guarded. A Few
days ago when she recovered from a
brief sickness, she renewed her threats
w. H Bomgardner, county coroner,
visited the Sproat home this afternoon.
It is not believed that an inquest viii
he held
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-18
To MARCH ON PEKING
Four Thousand Troops Sail To-day
From Woo Sung.

Shanghai, Jan. 1S.-Four transports
conveying four thousand repu blican
troops chiefly infantry and artillery,
sailed today from Woo Sung for Chi
Flu Several other transports are ly-
ing at Woo Sung prepared to depart
Tor the same destination with further
detachments.
This is the beginning of the plan
OF campaign drawn up by the repub-
ncan commanders for an advance on
Peklng. The plan as arranged is that
hVe columns shall advance stimuli
taneously from Chi Flu, through Shan
Iung, Ho Nan Hupeh and Shan 81, all
converging on the capital.
Americans Expected Tomorrow
Peking, jan 1S.-The United States
troops from Manila are expected to
arrive on board the transport Logan
at Chin Wang Tao tomorrow morn
ing Captain J. H. Reeves, military
attache of the United States legation
has gone to Chin Wang Tao to meet
them and will accompany the main
body of the Fifteenth infantry and
other details to Tien Tsin, where a
large warehouse has been rented for
quarters.
A detachment of $50 men will pro-
eeed directly from Chin Wang Tao to
act as guards along the American sec
ton of the Peking railroad from Tang
Shan to LanchoW, which hitherto has
been patrolled by British troops
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-18
VOTE DOWN SECESSION
United Mine Workers VIII Stay With
the Federation.

Indianapolis, Jan. 1S.=A resolution
providing for secession from the
American Federation of Labor and
charging that Samuel Gompers, John
Mitchell and other labor leaders were
Sin the grasp of the capitalist class
through the influence of the National
Civic federation was defeated in The
miners convention today. The con-
vention adopted instead a resolution
instructing the miners delegates to
the next meeting of the Federation of
Labor to urge organization of workers
by industries instead of by separate
crafts and general cooperation of
unions in strikes.
John P. White of OskaIoosa, Iowa,
was reelected president of the United
Mine Workers by a majority of
45,42412 over his opponent, Thomas
L. Lewis of Bridgeport, Ohio, accord
ing to the report of the teIlers made
to the convention this afternoon.
White received 1O4,O151 Il votes to
Lewis 5S.591.
Frank J. Haynes was reelected vice
president by a majority of "a, 1924 over
Samuel Dasco of Illinois Secretary
Treasurer Edwin Perry was not op-
posed for reelection.
Delegates elected for the American Fed
Grafton of Labor convention as announced
this afternoon were s follows:
Joh Mitchell, New York; John P. White
Iowa; Thomas L. Lewis, Ohio; Frank J.
Hayes. John H. Walker and Duncan Nc
Donald, Illinois, and VIM. Green, Ohio.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-18
ON HIS RECORD.
DIR. Mcfarland Relies on His
Past Reputation
To Establish His Innocence Of
Charge Against Him.
WILL TELL HIS STORY
To the Grand Jury When He
Gets to Pittsburg.
Says He Loved the COe Girl as a
Daughter.
WILL TELL HIS STORY

Greenville, Tenn, Jan. 1S.-'As to
my lllly-v---e or guilt my friends will
have to judge for themselves from my
past record" declared Rev. DR.. w. D.
Mcfarland today before the arrival of
an officer VINO was to take him to Pitts
burg to answer a coroner charge that
he was responsible for the death of his
former secretary. Elsie Dodds 80
''I am expecting an officer to. reach
here from Pittsburg today" he con-
tinued. 4 will tell my story TO the
grand jury So far as I knew, Miss
Coe was a good girl. She was like
child to me. 1 loved her as my own
daughter"
DR.. Mcfarland declined to say
whether he had been in Pittsburg this
month declaring it was ''nobody's busi-
ness but my own" Mcfarland admit
ted he knew Rollin Mcconnell, said to
have been mentioned in Miss Goes dy-
ing statement as having been respon-
sible for her condition. Mcfarland is
held in jail here. The confinement ap-
pears to have affected him consider
ably, according to the jailer. who says
the minister is nervous and sleeps lit
tie. Dr. McFarland's wife is in a hotel
here and probably will accompany him
to Pittsburg.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-18
BROUGHTBACKLIFE
Three People Asphyxiated Are
Saved by 'PulmOtOr. -
Resuscitate Persons Whose
Hearts Have Ceased to Beat.

Chicago, Jan. 1S.=By the use of a
remarkable invention of German SCI
enlist, the lives of two women and a
little girl were today restored after
they were unconscious and dying from
aSphyxiatiOn.
Called the "pulmotor," the machine
is the property of the Comm OnWealth
Edison company, which has offered 1t
for free use whenever required. Ply
sicians say that a mechanical appar-
atus has been devised which will call
back persons who have actually en-
tered the gates of death.
Mrs. Laura Slender, 2422 Thirty
fourth place, her 4-year-Old daughter,
Mildred, and Mrs. May Cook, 2l26
West Harrison street, were the three
whose lives were saved
Mrs. Cook was preparing to do some
washing and had placed a boiler on
her gas stove when Mrs. Slender and
the child arrived. She thought she
turned off the gas burners while she
proceeded to entertain them, but one
was left open and unlighted-
Before they realized their danger
all were overcome. First the child tel
to the floor unconscious and as Mrs
Slender rushed to pick her up she too
fell to the floor. A moment later as
Mrs. Cook was trying to call for help
her senses deserted her.
Thus all three were found by Mrs.
Anna Baker, who occupies the flat on
the floor above and who smelled gas.
Mrs. Baker called a nearby drug store
and one of the clerks telephOned the
Commonwealth Edison company.
Seven minutes later an automobile
dashed up to the house at racing speed
and A S. Touch and P. J. Romberg,
empl yees of the company, entered the
house with the apparatus.
DR.. A. II. Carter was working fur1-
ousIy with the three unconscious fig
ures, having been summoned from his
office He had given each an fnjec-
ton of strychnine and was trying to
produce artificial respiration
Quickly the apparatus was at
tached to Mrs. Stender's face. While
one operator pumped oxygen into her
lungs the other was drawing the gas
from her lungs with another part of
the machine.
In less than minute her chest be-
gan to heave and in less than five min
utes all three were not only alive, but
were entirely conscious and talking to
their rescuers.
All three declared that with the ex-
ception of a feeling of dizziness they
noticed no i'll effects
t*They were not dead said DR.. Car
ter. last night, but they were uncon-
scious and in bad shape The machine
is wonderful. This was the first time
I have seen it tested. but I am aston
ished and delighted with it. If ap-
Dlied before rigor mortis sets in I be-
Iieve it will resuscitate persons whose
hearts have ceased to beat and who
are really dead"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-18
RECORD NOT GOOD
Violet BuehIer VIII Be Turned over 10
Chicago Humane Society.

New York, Jan. 1S.-Violet Buehler.
the young girl who ran away from
home in Chicago and came to New
York to earn her own way and see
life, will be given in charge of The
Chicago Humane society, under The
decision of Justice Olmstead of the
children's court here today. Detective
Sergeant Koerner Of the Chicago de-
tective bureau submitted a report fur
nished by the Chicago Humane so-
ciety. stating that the child had bad
record in that city. The girl probably
viii be taken to Chicago today.
Mrs. Buehler. Violet's foster mother,
declared she had no knowledge of any
of the incidents related in the report,
but said she was willing to have the
girl taken in charge by the society.
With reference to the reported in
heritance that the girl would one lay
receive. Mrs. Buehler said that nn
uncle of the child, Frederick Rothser,
who is a wealthy retired restaurant
keeper, was believed to intend making
Violet his heir. but when he learns OF
this escapade of the girl, Mrs. Buehler
said, he probably would change his
mind
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-18
TODAY IN CONGRESS
T,oriu1er Inquiry Goes Over Till Mon
day-StephensOn Matter Up.

Washington, Jan. 1s.-senate in session
2 o n
, Lorirner senatorial election inquiry ad-
5ourned until Monday afternoon. Judic-
iary committee arranged to hear Attorney
General Wickersham on the Tobacco
trust next Monday
Elections committee considered report
on inquiry into election of Senator
Stephenson of Wisconsin.
Indian committee report Gamble bill to
open 2.3SS, $50 acres of unalIotted Cheyenne
river-Standing Rock Indian lands in Da-
kota.
House met at noon
District of Columbia appropriation bill
considered
Rules committee renewed inquiry into
International Harvester company and
shipping combines
Interstate commerce committee heard
DIea for free tolls for American ships
through Panama canal
Military committee agreed to Hay bill
for partial reorganization Of army.
Henry bill for changing date of inau<-
11rs ton and assembling of congress report
by judiciary committee with prospect Of
Secretary N1acveagh urged appropria-
fiorl for printing more currency paper to
meet shortage of small bills and provide
ssclean money
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-18
BANKS MUST OBEY LAW
The Comptroller VIII See That Legal
Reserve Is Maintained.

Washington, Jan 1s.-Ccmptrolle of
the Currency Murray today took steps
to compel all national banks of the
country to maintain their legal reserves
The law regulating the reserves, the
most dr. Istic in the national bank act
never has been strictly enforced it IL
said
The national bank examiners now Will
report all banks whose reserve are con-
tinually below the legal limit While
most of the banks maintain proper re-
serves, there are some which have dis
regarded the law for ten years Under
he statute the comptroller is author
lied to appoint a receiver for any bank
that fails to hold its legal reserve or to
caH on the attorney general to revoke
the charter.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-18
Paving Blunder Leaves Many
Families Without Water.
Plumbers Having a Slight Rest
After Busy Week.
PRESSUREIS TOO HIGH
The Service Pipes Suffer as a
Consequence.
Commissioners Are Considering
Cutting Down the Pressure.

There have been many frozen water
pipes in Topeka as a consequence OF
the cold The freezing has not been
limited to plumbing inside OF residences
but service pipes and even water mains
have been frozen.
In order to protect the water service
pipes over the city and to stand be-
tween the water consumers and the
plumbers in the laying of services. the
board OF city commissioners IS con-
templating the passage OF a rigid or
dinance reducing the fire pressure and
requiring plumbers to be more careful
in their duties.
Commissioner Miller is behind a nro-
Ject to do away with the high. fire
pre- after an alarm of fire He
thinks It would be a great saving to
the city to maintain a certain pres
sure at all times and leave the work
of forcing water into the air many
stories TO the fire department steam
ers.
Breaks the Pipes.
Commissioner Miller is authority for
the statement that when hydrant ls
turned Off under fire pressure the i'm
mense volume of water stopped sud
denly, backs up in the pipes and In
nearly every case, bursts service pipe
This Is a heavy expense to the pro-
perty owners. 1t occurs after every
fire in the residence district and many
times in the downtown districts.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-18
JOINT INVESTIGATION
House and Senate TO Unite I'm Probing
shipping Trust.

Washington, Jan. 18.-It was indi-
Gated today that the proposed inquiry
into the Atlantic. Pacific and South
America shipping combines. Instituted
by Representative Humphrey Of Wash
ington in the house. would be made
joint congressional investigation. as
President Taft had expressed the opin-
ion that the treaty relations OF the
United States with other nations might
be involved.
committee today he thought discrimi-
nation in rates against American pco-
pie by foreign controlled and subsi-
died transportation lines was bound
to involve American treaty relations
and for that reason the senate should
be recognized in the investigation
which he said was bound to be pro-
lOnged and worldwide.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-18
TAFT GOING NORTH
President VIII Begin His 1912 Travels
Tomorrow.

Taft will begin his 1912 travels to-
morrow with trip to New Haven to
attend a dinner of the chamber of
commerce and a meeting of the Yale
by way of New York.
He will spend Friday in New Haven
and after the Yale corporation meet
ing Saturday will go to New York.
where between Z p. M and midnight
when his train leaves for Washington,
he is scheduled to attend three ban
quets, that of the New York Bar as
sociation, the Society of Geneseo and
the Twenty -Four Karat club.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-18
CHARGES NOT PROVEN
Committee Investigating Stephenson's
Election Gives Him Clean Bill

Washington, jan 1S.-The Hepburn
subcommittee which has been investi-
eating the election of Senator Isaac
Stephenson of Wisconsin, today unani-
mously agreed on a report which holds
that the charges Of corruption and
bribery made against Senator Steph-
enson have not been proved The re-
port will be made to the senate COM
mittee on privileges and election.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-18
MILL OWNERS YIELD
Strike at Lawrence, Mass, Likely to
End Soon.

Lawrence, Mass. Jan. 1S.-An early
settlement of the strike of the IA. 900
textile mill workers in this city was
looked for today by officials who have
assumed conciliatory functions. The
strikers insist on the abolition of the
bonus and premium system and II IS
said that mill owners may concede
this point. The demand for double
pay for overtime may be abandoned.
The mill owners are understood to
have agreed to grant the strikers
original demand for the payment Of
56 hours wages for the 54 hours work
which is allowed under the new law.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-18
TAFT ABOUT TO ACT
1t Is Believed the President VIII Com
mute Morse's Sentence.

Washington, Jan. 1S.-President TAFT
it is believed will today commute the
Is years sentence of Charles w. Morse
While the White House and depart
nent of Justice are retIcent it is learned
on good authority the president was
about to act in view of the serious
physical condition of the former
banker.
The report Of Surgeon General Tor
ney of the army on Morse's condition
was laid before President Taft today.
1t is said the conclusion reached was
that Morse's condition was desperate.
]. A. Finch, pardon attorney Of the de-
partment of justice, held a long confer
ence with the president today but de-
clined to discuss the matter.
He Has Sinking Spells.
Atlanta, Jan. 1S.-While varying re-
ports concerning the condition of
Charles w. Morse have emanated from
official reports to Washington and from
his friends and legal advisers. it is
practically the same as when he was
transferred from the. federal prison TO
the army hospital at Fort Mcpherson
six weeks ago. He has had several
sinking spells which necessitated the
use of stimulants but. according to civ
ilian physicians he has been in no i'm
mediate danger of death. His re-
mova1 to Hot Springs. Ark. ordered
last week was postponed owing to his
physical weakness.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-18
ALL ARE STRANGLED
The Men Who Attempted to Assassin-
ate Yuan Put to Death.

Peldng.' Jan. 1S.-The three men who
were arrested after the throwing OF a
bomb at the carriage of Premier Yuan
Shi Kai were put to death today ~
stranglinE-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-18
STRONG FOR A STRIKE
British Coal Miners Vote 1850 70
1891.

London. Jan. 1S.-The ballot taken by
the coal miners of Great Britain. the re-
suit of which was officially declared this
afternoon, was overwhelmingly in Havor
of a strike for a fixed minimum wage
ae actual figures were
For. 445,S01; against 115, 81.
Notices to quit work doubtless VIII
bring about a national stoppage OF coal
mining on March l.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-18
JUMPS ONTO GOMPERS
Senator Hepburn Makes Fierce Attack
on Labor Leader.

Washington. Jan. ia sharp attack
on President Gompers. of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor. was made In
the senate today by Mr. Hepburn OF
Idaho, who protested that a communi-
cation from Mr.. GOmpers should not
be received by the senate. He said that
no communication should be accepted
from that source after the revelations
nade in the MCNAMARA case.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-18
BY LANTERN LIGHT
Millions of Dollars in Securities Re
moved Prom Ruins.

New York, Jan. 18.-Millions Of dol
lars in securities were taken from the
vaults of KouDtze Brothers, bankers,
in the burned Equitable building dur
ing the night and removed to the firm S
new vaults The building was sur
rounded by policemen and the banking
people worked under the lights Of Ian
terms and the glare Of searchlights.
The securities were unharmed-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-18
MORE LAND FOR HOMES
over Two Million Acres to Be Opened
in the DakOtas.

washington, Jan. 1s.-The 2,34o, $50
acres of remaining unallotted lands on
the Cheyenne river and Standing Rock
Indian reservations in the Dakotas viii
be opened to settlement under two bills
by Senator Gamble, favcrabIy report
ed today by the senate committee on
Indian affairs. The Gamble bill to ex-
tend payment for lands on the open
portion of those two reservations for a
year also was fsvorably reported.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-18
crusade Against Fortune TeIlers.

New York Jan. ia crusade against
fortune te1lers, crystal gazers and palm
readers is now under way by the police
and several local soothsayers unable
to forsee coming police raids. have been
caught in the net Deputy Police Com
missioner Dougherty says he intends to
drive all persons who pretend to have
second sight out of town
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-18
WOMEN IN POLITICS
Fifty Thousand Irish UniOnists Ask
British Sisters for Help

Belfast, Ireland, Jan. 1S.-Fifty thou
sand women mem bers OF the Ulster I'm
ionists' association. today issued a fiery
manifesto to their sisters in Grea
Britain to aid them in defeating the
home rule bill.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-18
WILSON IS SILENT
He May Make Statement ON Harvey
Case Later.

It -troit, Jan 18.-Governor Wood
row Wilson Of New Jersey. who
reached Detroit shortly after noon to-
day, positively refused to discuss the
statement given out last night by
Henry Watterson with reference TO the
Geo. b. Harvey case. He said he might
prepare Il statement on the matter lat
er IN the day
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-18
THE WEATHER RECORD

The following are observations of the
United States weather bureau for the "A
nours ending at Z o'clock this morning,
giving the high mark yesterday and the
lowest point recorded last night:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-18
WeatIaer Forecast.

Chicago. Jan. 1S.-Forecast for Kan
sas: Generally fair tonight and Friday
Colder tonight
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-18

Sign minus q indicates below zero.
T. 3. JENNINGS,
Sectional Director.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-18

(Continued on Paee Two.)
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-04-11
ONE LONELY join 7
That Is All Rev. Robert Norris
Can Recall.
Fails to Locate 80 Others for
Grand Jury.

Many of the things which Rev.
Robt. Norris had in mind when he
told the State Temperance Union of
40 Topeka joints, slipped the min
ister's mind this week when he was
invited to tell the federal grand jury
of his liquor crusades. Norris recall
ed just one lone joint where he had
bought liquor and as to the other
80 places, the preachers mind was
dim and hazy.
For the greater portion of a half
day, Norris testified under oath before
the federal grand jury in session here
this week. 1t is stated that Norris
was confronted with a speech made
last fall and by newspaper interviews
in which he declared that 40 joints
were operating wide open in Topeka
and that he had visited and bought
liquor in all of them.
Now 40 real active jOintists in To-
peka. would mean several hundred
dollars to the government in license
fees. With the assistance of evidence
of direct sales, the federal officers u.s.
ually succeed in convincing the joint
ist that he should buy a stamp. Hence
Rev. Norris was called to tell of his
experiences in Topeka's underworld,
where the states money was shed
freely and without question.
He Has Forgotten Them.
Yet Rev. Norris had little informa-
ernment. He advised the grand jury
that his information had been turned
over to the governor and county at
torney and the matter formally dis
missed from his mind Members of
the jury took hand in the examina-
ton of the witness, but the name of
only one vio1ator of the law was fur
niShed. 1t was a lively days session,
but the Topeka minister had no in
formation for the government crusade
against the joints.
The summoning of Rev. Mr.. Norris
is said to have been under considera
ton for sometime and was announced
several weeks ago by the State Jour
nal. At the time Rev. Norris denied
the statement. When the jury re-
ported for service Monday, however,
the minister was in the corridor of
the federal building waiting to be
called. He did not go to the stand un-
til late Wednesday afternoon and his
testimony was among the last heard
by the grand jury.