The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-05-22
Gov. Hodges Turned Over Pris-
Oner to Nebraska Sheriff.
Fears Mob Violence in Case of
Walter BalleW.
S CHARGED WITH ASSAULT
in Hiawatha, Wanted
in Falls City, Nebraska.
Mob Threats of Lynching-
Militia if Needed.

After warning Sheriff L. L. Aldrich
of Richardson county, Neb., that he
would expect every precaution against
possible lynching in Kansas, Cover
nor Hodges today honored a requisi-
ton for the return of Walter Ballew
to Falls City, Neb., where he will he
tried for an assault on Mrs. Anna KeI-
Ter. To safeguard against possible
trouble from the Nebraska mob which
has gathered at Hiawatha. where Bal
lew is prisoner, Governor Hodges no.
titled Adjutant General Charles 1. Mar
tin to be in a position to call on the
Hiawatha militia to assist the Brown
county and Nebraska officials in pro-
tecting the prisoner against mob vio-
lence.
In view of the fact that an attack
was made on the Brown county Jail
last night by members of a Falls City
mob, it is probable that a detachment
of Hiawatha militiamen may be call
ed upon to see that Ballew is safely
conducted to the Nebraska border.
Sheriff Aldrich told Governor Hodges,
however, that he did not anticipate
trouble from the Nebraska, people, Al
though he admitted that feeling IN
Falls City is intense and that it would
the scene of the crime at this time.
There is nothing for me to do but
to sign this requisition, I guVss," said
Governor Hodges in talking to Sheriff
Aldrich. But 1 am going to expect
you to use every precaution in taking
him to place of safety. / don't want
another crime committed and reports
from Hiawatha are not the best
Ballew will be taken at once to
the Nebraska state penitentiary at
Lincoln for safe keeping. Barring
possible trouble, Ballew will be landed
in Lincoln at 1 O'Clock Friday morn
ing over the Rock Island.
Immediately after securing his re-
QUESTION, Sheriff Aldrich telephoned
to the Brown county officials to take
Ballew to Horton, a distance of IA
miles. The Brown county officials
planned to leave Hiawatha at 4 o'clock
this afternoon with their prisoner. ar
irving in Horton about 5 o'clock. At
6 o'clock Ballew will be taken over the
Rock Island to Lincoln, Neb. Not un-
til feeling in Falls City subsidies. will
the prisoner be returned to Richard
son county for trial.
Mrs. Keller, the victim of the ne
gro's attack. has positively identified
her assailant. She picked Ballew out
imm ediately when led to a cell in the
Brown county Jail in which were sew
era1 negro prisoners. A scar on Bal
lew's face, which the woman observed
the night of the attack, made identi-
fcation positive. Mrs. Keller is AZ
years old, a widow and mother of five
children. She was attacked Sunday
night while returning home from
church.
-lecause the Nebraska law prescribes
ma ximum punis hInent of but IS years,
Sheriff Aldrich explained, the people Falls
City are incensed and have demanded the
negro's life Several similar crimes have
occurred in the town recently.
10 take Ballew to Fall City at this
time" said Aldrich,'' would mean that he
would not only be lynched, but the mob
probably demand the lives of two white
men who are in Jail awaiting trial for a
similar offenSe."