The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-20
Also Declines to Deny RumOr
That She Had Left Him.
SHE DIDN'T KNOW.
Had No Hint of the TeIler's
Thefts From Bank.
Father in Law Visits SpeeIman
in County Jail.

Wakefield, Kan, Jan. 20.-Suffering
from a nervous breakdown, Mrs. Ward
D. Speelman, wife of the defaulting
bank teller, is unable to leave the home
of her parents in Wakefield and may
not return to Topeka for some time
The rumOr that Mrs. Speelman came 70
Wakefield the day before her nus
bands last theft and that the return 70
her parents followed quarrel with
her husband, is matter which the
young woman refuses to discuss.
The wife of the Topeka bank clerk
is at the home of her parents, DR.. and
Mrs andrew Pearson. When she re-
ceived the news Friday that her hus-
band was charged with embezzlement'
she collapsed and since that time mas
been unable to leave the house
Il never knew of Wards trouble un-
til 1 read of his arrest in the news
papers," Mrs. Speelman stated today to
a State Journal representative. 1t
was the first knew that he had taken
the money and don't know what ne
did with it. That's all 1 want to say
about the matter"
ssBut. Mrs. Speelman," the questioner
urged, there is rumor that your
home life was not always the most
pleasant and that you left Topeka be
cause of these things. Certainly you
want to make some statement ABOUT
mo. I don't" said Speelman's hand
some young wife, It don't want to talk
about such things at all. Those are
matters that concern me personally
and it's no ones business what we did
or did not do
Then there was a buzzing sound in
the telephone receiver that indicated
Mrs. Speelman had ended the interview
and hung up the receiver. A little later
she was again called to the wire TO
verify a report concerning the release
of a mortgage on the Topeka avenue
property, given to her by her grand
parents.
This mortgage was released the day
SpeeIman took $1,500 of the $4,000 from
the receipts of the bank. 1t was the
day after Mrs. Speelman returned to
her parents in Wakefield. Had Mrs.
Speelman advance knowledge of her
husbands intention of paying off the
Indebtedness on the home, it might
shed some light on the operations Of
the fast young bank clerk. So Mrs.
Speelman was asked about this matter.
Refuses TO Talk.
you are aware that the mortgage on
the Topeka avenue property was paid
by Mr.. Speelman the day of his ar
rest?'' was asked
Now, please, I don't care to talk
about those things at all. It is es-
pecialIy unpleasant to talk about them
just now. Besides I have nothing to
say to the newspapers about the af-
fair
That was all. Mrs. Speelman was
would not discuss the matter.
when will you return to Topeka?"
the young woman was asked.
well, that is another matter 1 can't
say anything about. 1 am not well.
don't know when l will CO."
Again there was the buzzing sound
in the telephone receiver and the con-
versation was ended.
In the little town of Wakefield there
is but one topic of discussion That's
Ward Speelman and his trouble.
Everyone in Wakefield knows Speel |
man. Still better they know his at
tractive young wife. In the affairs Of
Clay county DR. Andrew Pearson and !
his family have played an important
part. Pearson is quite wealthy and |
the family is respected and prominent |
in every part of the county.
At the postoffice, in the stores and |
the waiting room of the little depot |
people talk of Ward Speelman and his /
theft of $4,000. Because of her health |
and the belief of many people that she |
knew nothing Of her husbands crook /
ed dealing. much sympathy is ex-
pressed for the wife. Yet in the next 4
breath people recall the time when /
Margaret Pearson, just out of college, |
full of life and fun. ran away from |
home to marry the young bank clerk |
when her parents refused to consent to |
the match. Then they tell Of her am
bition for good clothes her slight 4
knowledge of the value of money and |
moralize on the trouble that followed. |