The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-04-17
Sheriff Kiene Walked Aisle of
Car With That Infant
Is q Cute Baby, but 1t Was Hun
CRY Last Night.

Having last night paced the aisle OF
a train with a bowling baby insistently
demanding it's bottle, Sheriff Kiene to-
day looks rather worn. The duties OF
a sheriff are multitudinous. The pref
test, plumpest, bluest-eyed baby i'm
aginable was given away by it's par
ents, and lost in Kansas City. Pro-
baton Officer Rooney conducted q
personal detective agency, and located
the six-months-old boy by a lost tele-
phone number. At present the baby,
bathed and immaculate, lies asleep in
a crib in Mr.. Kiene's home. And the
Law is looking for its parents, charged
with a grave crime
The baby's name is John Edward
Spencer. It's parents are Mr.. and Mrs.
Ed Spencer, wanted on charge of
white slavery. 1t was they who in
duced Mary Thompson, a high school
girl, to leave Topeka, she declares, re-
sulting in her forced marriage with
Elmer Nelson and a hideous life on
the road. Having disposed of the
baby, the Nelson's and Spencers
tramped from Kansas City to Topeka.
Mary and Nelson are in the Shawnee
county Jail. A warrant is out for the
Spencers.
On Thursday Mrs. Spencer's father,
John Terrey, of East Topeka, sought
the office of the probate judge. Where
is the baby?" he wanted to know.
llC P1OOdtlOA OluCGT was sum-
moned to make a hurry trip to KAN
sas City. 1t had been learned that
Mrs. Spencer had given the boy to
a Mrs. McCane. reported to live at
sos East Ninth street, Kansas City,
Mo.
Rooney Wanted Female Help.
I'D like to take my wife," request
ed Mr.. Rooney, who has no children
and regarded three hours with a slip
perry baby as an untold horror The
Rooneys and the sheriff left on the
next train.
The search for thezlost baby began.
Mrs. McCane was not at home. In
TACT, she had moved The probation
OFFICER was directed to her sisters
in basement of the Lenore hotel, 1923
East Eighth street. No one there
Cross examination of the porter re-
vealed the fact that someone had tel
ephoned Mrs. McCane. asking her to
call certain telephone number for
news of her sick baby. Mr.. Rooney,
after long search. discovered the
slip of paper upon which the porter
had scrubbed the number. Central
located the house. Mr.. Rooney went
thither. He journeyed to 1916 Forest
avenue. The person who answered
the door was evasive-couldn't give
any news of Mrs. McCune.
A baby cried, and Mr.. Rooney step
ped in the vestibuIe. THE McCune
OdDy Is mere, lSn't IL ;! I'm an Of1lCer,
you know" said Mr.. Rooney, perhaps
I'd better step in
The five hours hunt was over. Mr..
Rooney took the baby, tucked it under
his arm, disregarded Mrs. McCune's
remonstrances, and departed for the
Savoy, where he met the sheriff.
kiene and the Baby.
The baby was hungry and sleepy
and cross. He scowled at the sheriff,
kicked the probation officer, and
walled in the arms of the probation
officers wife. Both the officers have
little to say of the return trip to To-
peka- Sheriff Kiene admits having
given John Edward his bottle, but de-
MES walking the aisle with him. Mr..
Rooney declares he did everything
mere man could do.
When the officers and the bowling
infant reached Topeka, the sheriff said
he would take the baby home. 1t was
placed in one of the Kiene children's
cribs and captured all beholders
Its custody will be settled in the
probate court 1t may be adopted.
given to its grandparents, or placed
by the Judge. Meanwhile it enjoys life
at the Kienes.
Its a fine baby now" vouchsafes
the fatherly sheriff, Come over and
see it, Maybe I'll take him myself.
He's a good kid. was only up twice
with him last night