davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-26
Recommendation for sRem.
edy" Before Next Legislature.
CARRIES NO INSURANCE NOW
State Is without Money i'm Case
of Conflagratfon.
Plans for the Rehabilitation of
Damage Buildings.

The creation of a state fire insurance
fund to be at the disposal of the execu-
tive council in emergencies for re-
pairs to buildings damaged by fire or
storm. will be recommended by w. E.
Davis, state auditor, in his report to
the legislature next month. Mr.. Davis
points to this as the only remedy for
delays such as have been occasioned
in obtaining funds for replacing pub
lie buildings such as the state twine
plant and the building at the Pittsburg
State. Normal school which burned
within the past two years.
While he mentions 100000 as the
amount to be appropriated for this
fund. the auditor thinks that perhaps
it should be larger. In discussing the
idea today he said:
least amount we ought to consider for
such purpose, and it might prove
Inadequate in case Of serious con-
fiagration at the state house or in any
of the larger state institutions. l have
figured on the cost of insurance, were
the II millions of state property covered
by insurance policies. Its cost would
be a tremendous burden. 1t is against
the policy of the state to place it's in
surance with private corporation, and
so long as it carries it's own insurance
| it should be prepared for loss. The
money should be where it can be used
Immediately when needed. The neces-
| sity of waiting until session of the
legislature can be called, the expense
of special session and the alternative
of borrowing money on unsecured loans
from bankers as is occasionally done.
are all unbusiness1ike. The state should
be in a position to start Immediately
upon the work of replacing burned
buildings
Form Of Insurance.
1
per cent, which is said to be the in
surance rate on some of Topeka's most
| nearly fireproOf business buildings. il
would cost the state not much less
than $60, 900 a year to insure the $12.-
100000 of buildings which 1t uses al
its several institutions. AS matter OF
fact the age and inflammability OF
many of these buildings would put the
insurance rate SO much higher that
were the state paying a premium OF
insurance with q company engaged in
that business, the annual cost would
approximate the amount suggested by
Auditor Davis as an emergency fund.
In his annual report he will say:
II again call the attention of the
legislature to the advisa bility of pro-
or damage of state buildings by fire
or the elements, where there is imper.
ative need of replacement.
ITO convene the legislature in extra.
ordinary session not only adds greatly
to the cost of the rehabilitation OF
destroyed or damaged structures, but
the delay occasioned by such proce-
dure Oft-times adds immeasurab1y tt
the discomfort and Inconvenience O1
the inmates or students.
"A fund of 100000 under the con
troll of the executive council to be usei
only in case of emergencies of the
above character would be a business
like provision, since the state carrie!
its own insurance risks"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-26
enter HER HOUSE
Six Men RanSack Home of Elfz-
abeth Schroeder.
Insulted Her, She Says, Then
Took All Valuables.

Six men entered the home Of Mrs:
Elizabeth Schroeder at 2 o'clock Christ
mas morning and after they had bull
lied and insulted her, she alleges. they
went away taking with them several
OF her valuables.
Mrs. Schroeder lives at 213 East
Third street. Her story was substan-
tiated by four residents of the same
house, Harvey WilkerSOn. Albert Snow.
Julia Shaw and Ellen BOle.
She says that about two hours after
midnight Christmas morning, several
loud knocks at her door aroused her.
This is the law" shouted several
voices and she Gays she believed them
to be officers.
When she opened the door, according
to her story, they pushed her rudely
aside. Later they ransacked the house
and she was powerless to defend her.
self. She alleges that one of the men
insulted her to an astounding degree.
The men are alleged to have carried
away two ladies gold watches, one ten
dollar bill, one dollar bills, a silver
dollar and some small change. a plain
gold band ring and other pieces OF
Jewelry.
This morning she took the matter up
with the police. She later swore out
complaint in the court of Topeka
against Will White. alias Rooster
White, and five John Does, charging
them with the robbery.
Mrs Schroeder is an elderly woman
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-26
HOLDING The line
Russians Repeatedly Repulse
Massed German Attacks.
Fighting in Poland Is Rapidly
Approaching a Crisis.

Petrograd, Dec. 26-Resisting con-
stant day and night attacks along the
rs mile front from the Vistula south
ward to OporznO, the Russian line
before Warsaw continued to hold to-
day The banks of the Bzura and the
Rawka rivers which the Germans have
Vainly endeavOred to cross are lined
with bodies of the enemy.
Massed attacks upon strong Russian
positions have been repeatedly re-
pulsed. but the efforts of the Germans
continue and strong counter attack
is being directed against their line
along the Pilica river. While the Ger
mans are directing their main assault
between Sachaczev md Skierineiwice,
the Russians are endeavoring to pierce
the enemy's lines along the Pilica.
Only at one point along the Bzura
river have the Germans been able to
and with reinforcements which have
been hurried to that region the enc
my is expected to be hurled back. 1t
is generally believed here that the
fighting in Poland is now rapidly ap-
preaching a crisis. General Francois
is endeavoring to resume his march
from Mlawa in the north. Following
the defeat of the Germans in that re-
fering serious resistance and have par
TALLY succeeded in assuming the Of
fensive.
Only the success of General Francois
or the breaking up of the Russian line
before Warsaw at an early date can
save Field Marshal Won Hindenberg
from being forced to retreat from the
Polish capital for second time
Heavy artillery has been brought up on
the main line of the German attack and
the battle west of Warsaw has assumed
enormous proportions.
In Southern Poland and Galicia the
Russian are now declared to be gaining
the advantage. After having withdra wn
thirty miles east of Cracow. the army
operating in that region has been rein
forced and the siege of that fortress is
expected to be resumed within few
dayS
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-26
Temperatures of 80 to 40 Be.
low in New York.
THE COOLEST IN FIVE YEARS.
Is Reported From Peoria, Ill
18 Degrees Down.
The Dec. 26 Record Is Broken
in Philadelphia.

From Omaha, Neb.. to the Atlantic
coast zero weather prevailed today in
the wake of a cold wave which origi-
mated in Manitoba, Canada and swept
southwark and eastward. Cold weather
records were shattered in many points
where Official weather reports are
maintained and crossroads weather
prophets had ample chance to discuss
remarkable performances of the mer-
curry.
Very cold places were: Charles City,
Ia, "a below; La Crosse. Wis, "a below: !:
Peoria, ILL.,, IS below; Davenport and
Des Moines. Ia, IA below; Devils Lake.
N d., 10 below; St. Paul, % below;
Green Bay, Wis, Is below.
Telegraph and telephone companies
reported many "cold weather breaks
due to the contraction of the wires.
Chicago Jared better than its outly-
ing suburbs because Of a protecting
curtain of fog, but none the less ex-
perienced it's coolest morning with the
mercury at below, though it soon
went up to above.
Washington, Dec. ga cold wave
held the country from the Mississippi
river to the Atlantic coast in its griT
today and broke December tempera-
TContinued on Page TWo,1
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-26
COrnice of Destroyed Macferran
Home Falls on Men.
HOME AND CONTENTS 4 LOSS
Fire Companies Work at 5 Be.
low Zero Temperature.
Took Four Hours to Bring the
Blaze Under Control.

Joseph r nlon. fire chief. was rem
dered unconscious and Harry Hopper.
chauffeur for the chief. was injured
and two other firemen narrowly es-
capped with their lives in fighting q
fiye in the residence Of William Mac
ferran, 412 Greenwood avenue, which
was discovered about o'clock this
morning. The house, large two
story frame structure OF thirteen
rooms, is total loss. Practically all
the contents of the residence were
a. 20 destroyed.
With q temperature of five degrees
below zero the fire was difficult to
fight. The firemen worked four and
one-Quarter hours. When they re-
turned to the fire stations the ice
which had frozen to their clothes was
chopped away with axe. before their
coats could be removed.
Chief Hanlon was taken from the
scene of the fire direct to his home
and is under the care of a physician.
He received a blow on the head and
shoulders. His injuries are not i.
iieved to be dangerous. After recov-
ering consciousness the chief con-
TC0nt.nued on PAGE TWo.1
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-26
MOVING DAY AT NAC0
Maytorena Is Retiring Out OF Range
OF the Carranxa Gums.

Naco. Dec 2e.-Governor May
torena, with his Villa forces, began
retiring today out of range Of the
guns of the Carranza garrison at
Nacc. Sonora. Official reports to
Brisadier General Bliss, commanding
the United States forces here, show
that the Villa forces have removed
their machine guns, abandoned their
front trenches and are preparing to
retire to the Lain Maytorena camp,
eleven kilometers from Naco.
a statement made Thursday by May
torena to Brigadier General Hugh l.
Scott, chief Of staff Of the army, who
Is negotiating for a cessation Of Mexi-
can warfare along the international
boundary.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-26
DUE TO BAD WEATHER
Austria Explains Retreat of Her Army
From Servia.

Austro-Hungarian embassy from Vienna
today announced that the Austrian EN-
peror had expressed his thanks to Presi-
dent Wilson through Ambassador Pen
field for the American Christmas gifts
distributed yesterday among the children
of dead soldiers. The dispatch also ex-
planned the retreat from Servia as the re-
suit Of bad weather and names Archduke
Eugene as chief commander OF the Balkan
Austrian forces.
"OMn.cial comminiQue asserts that troops
after q victorious advance retreated from
Servia on account Of bad weather, un-
beaten and with unbroken courage Our
losses were enormously exaggerated In
the Carpathians our attacks continue to
gain ground" said the dispatch.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-26
FROZEN TO DEATH
Aged Negro Found In His Shack
in Topeka.
Christmas Brought Grim Gift
to Andrew johnson.

Andrew johnson, "a years old, q negFo
was found frozen to death at his littlo
shack at the foot of Topeka aveuuo
this afternoon. The body was brought
to Bomgardner's chapel.
A colored man named Mcdonald. em-
ployed by the city street department..
tried to rouse him at his house ti31D
noon. Failing to do SO and fearing that
something was wrong. he reported t.
the police. Sergeant A. L. Sauls ana
Officer J. L. Pugh went to the place
and discovered the body of the aged
negro. He was lying on the bed u
the one room, with his clothing on
johnson must have died Christmas day
or early last evening.
Theslas seen Of him was at 10 o'c1oc3<
Christmas morning when he went out
in his yard to get some wood. ThG
wood was found in the house. but n
fire had been lit. The old man Il. b.
lieved to have laid down for . ~
after bringing in the wood. ~
The occupation OF johnson Was til
Of rag picker. He lived Z miseraho
existence in the shack. The house ~
made out OF TIN and wood and S9oG1
| thing that Johnson could hay hio hnD1
on. According to nejghbofs, the ~
has q daughter living in Kansas CT
| and q son In 1Gf1siBsippi. He Wan 4
| old slave and took the name Of d
master at the close Of the Civil war.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-26
FIRING ON METZ SMITH IS NAMED
French Are BOmbarding Outer
DefenSeS of the Fortress.
Their Lines Have Been Ad-
vanced by Bitter Fighting.

Paris Dec. 26.-The outer defenses Of
the fortress of Metz are reported today
to be under fire from the French ar
tillery. An offensive movement started
early in December against Metz is de-
clared to have resulted in advancing
the French line beyond the village of
Arnville and through the forest Of
Leprietre. Only by extremely bitter
fighting have the French lines been ad-
vanced and the Germans cleared from
the heights within range of the outer
forts, but French guns are now de-
clared to have been brought up for the
bombarlment.
There was little cessation Of fighting
along the front during Christmas day.
In Belgium the Germans made several
attempts to regain positions lost dur
ing the last weeks fighting. but all
were repulsed The British, French and
Belgian commanders endeavored to
give their men every possible OppOr-
tunity to celebrate Christmas but min
ing operations and the bombardment of
the German line proceeded throughout
the day.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-26
TRUST men HERE
Nearly Three Millions Repre-
sented i'm Topeka Today.
Officers and Attorneys in State
Wide Conference.

Officers and attorneys for the eight
trust companies of Kansas with as
sets aggregating nearly three million
dollars $40. .262.11, according to
the 1914 figures-held conference
this afternoon at the National hotel
with a view to discussing questions of
general interest relative to the de-
velopment of the trust business in the
state.
The following concerns were repre-
sented: The Banking trust company,
and the Kansas Trust company OF
Kansas iCty. Kan; the Farmers State
Savings Bank and Trust company and
the Perkins Trust company of Law
renee; the Prudential and the Central
Trust companies of Topeka. and the
First Trust company, Wichita.
The trust companies of the. United
States have shown remarkable
growth in the last few years, and
Kansas has not been tagging behind in
this general development. The trust
concerns of the country have assets
of nearly six billion dollars.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-26
STOCKS GO DOWN
Steady Declines Mark Weeks
Trading on n. Y. Exchange.
Reduction of Penn. Dividend.
Has Depressing Effects.

New York. Dec. 26.-The second week
Of renewed trading in stocks was
marked by further steady declines
throughout the line, many shares SELL
ing under the closing range of July 30
last when the exchange found 1t neces-
sary to suspend operation because of
the war.
In the course Of this weeks dealings
which frequently denoted foreign and
domestic liquidation, number of is
sues of speculative and investment i'm
portance descended to the low or mini
mum quotations established by the
authorities. These included United
timore & Ohio, while Others Of equal
or greater value hovered about their
minimum prices
On Light Offerings.
1t was regarded as especially signifi-
cant that declines were effected on
the only stock to come out in large
amounts Despite the safeguards
against short selling the short in
terest is active and contributed
in large measure towards the shrink
age Of values.
Among the unfavorable factors was
the reduction of the Pennsylvania
company's dividend. which directly af-
fects the earnings of the PENNSYLVANIA
railroad and gives rise to conjecture re-
garding the stability of its own divi-
dend and policy. This was seen not
only in the heaviness Of Pennsylvania
shares but the abrupt decline of other
securities Of the same class.
The decision cf the United States
Steel corporation to maintain the ex-
isting wage scale. for time at least,
because of the better outlook and easier
money tendencies. including reduced
discounts, failed to exercise much in
| fluence on the constructive side.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-26
Judge Of Rocks County Court to
Be Executive Clerk.
GOvernOr-Elect Capper Makes
appointment Today.

Arthur Capper, governor-elect. has
appointed Judge Charles w. Smith of
Stockton. Rocks county, his executive
clerk. The appointment. which has
been accepted, is especially fitting and
commendable. The position carries
with it detailed duties in connection
with paroles and pardons coming be-
fore the governor. Judge Smith is a
Kansan of fine reputation and ability.
He is just closing his twenty-sixth year
as Judge of the district court of his
district. He was candidate for the
nomination as one of the six for JUS
tice of the supreme court. but was not
selected. The family will move to To-
peka. Mrs. Smith has been active in
the Women's Federation. She and her
husband are graduates of Kansas uni
versity.
In the two appointments Mr.. Cap
per has announced, that of Charles
Sessions as private secretary. and
Judge Smith as executive clerk, he has
been most fortunate in his selections,
naming men of ability and standing
who cannot prove otherwise than ac-
4. ceDtable
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-26
find NO revolt
Reports of Uprising in the Phil
ippines Is Discredited.
Officials Do Not Look for Any
Serious Trouble.

Washington. Dec. 26.-Officials Of
the insular bureau of the war depart
ment in the absence of official advices
today from Manila inclined to the
view that the reported rising there
was not serious Earlier in the week
Governor Harrison reported he could
find no basis in Manila for accounts
Of a threatened revolt. Brigadier-
General Frank Mcintyre, chief of the
bureau of insular affairs. in view of
renewed reports of trouble in the
Philippine capital. called for a full
report of the circumstances of the
Christmas eve disturban es.
Officials said today there was at all
times more or less disaffection among
a restless element in the Philippines
and that shrewd native leaders did
what they could to capitalize such dis
content. They profess not to believe
that anything like a rising of serious
proportions is imminent in Manila or
elsewhere through the islands.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-26

The mercury again went on the
toboggan Friday night and this morn
ing the government thermometer at
Topeka registered five degrees below
zero while the instrument at the
home of s. D. (Sunny) Flora. the
local weather observer, on the West
Sixth avenue road read minus nine
degrees. This represented the diff
ference between the temperature on
top Of the Mulvane building and that
within four feet of the ground
The minimum temperatures de-
grees-which occurred at six O'Clock
this morning, was 2 of a degree lower
than the previous record for this
season-4.7 degrees which was re-
corded December 16. This is the
third time this month that the tenn
perature has been below zero.
The average temperature for this
month has been s.4 degrees below
normal. In the coolest December
known at Topeka-that of 19O9-the
temperature was 80 degrees below
normal Another day or two of zero
or near zero weather would bring
this month down below the record of
1909.
The cold weather record for this
date was not broken at Topeka. In
1892 the temperature was 10 below
zero, which is the low mark for De-
cember in % years. The highest tenn
perature for December 26 was so in
1908.
The temperature for the twenty
four hours ending at seven O'Clock this
morning was twenty-four degrees be-
low normal.
There is still more than seven
inches of snow on the ground. The
stage Of the Kaw river today was 35
feet.
Coal piles in Topeka Easements and
sheds are diminishing rapidly, and the
local dealers are doing a brisk busi-
ness.
The forecast: Snow flurries in the
eastern portion of the state this eve
ming; partly cloudy tonight and SUM-
day"
Shippers forecast: Protect 36 hour
shipments north against temperature OF
5 degrees; west. to 10; south and east
10 to 15-'' This indicates that the
weather will not be quite so severe al
Topeka Sunday.
| ture between o'clock this morning
grees. The temperature for the day
The wind was twelve miles from the
southeast this afternoon.
Second Coolest at AtckisOn.
| Atchison, Kan. Dec. 26.-This wa.
the second coolest morning of thu
winter with a temperature of five and
one-haf degrees below zero.
Seven Above at Hutchinson.
Hutchinson, Kan, Dec. 26.-Th,
| thermometer registered seven degree!
| above zero last night
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-26
IS FREE TO FIGHT.
Rumanin Obtains Permission to Enter
the European War.

Paris, Dec. 26.-The only obstacle to
Rumania joining the forces of the triple
entente. according to the Figaro. was
the lack of guarantee from Bulgaria
regarding that country's neutrality. The
Figaro learns from q good source, 1T
says today. that these guarantees have
now been obtained as a result of the
joint action of the triple entente pow
ers at Sofia with the further undertake
ing that in the event of Bulgaria de-
Gliding to intervene in the war 1t would
be against the enemies Of the entente.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-26
New Worlds Bowling Record

Sioux City, Ia, Dec. 26--What is
said to be a new worlds bowling rec
ord was made by Darrell Hamlet of
Sioux City. today. when he rolled the
last ball in a 24-hour endurance con-
test. Hamlet bowled ia games and
knocked down 2O.045 pins. an average
of 175.8 pins. The best previous "a
hour record. 20 games, was held by a
Los Angeles, Cal, bowler.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-26
schaper BrotI,ers Bankrupt.

St Louis Mo-, Dec 2S--An fnvOluntary
petition in bankruptcy was filed in the
federal district court here today against
the Schaper Brothers Mercantile company.
Edward L. Schaper. president Of the COM
pany was appointed receiver. The attor-
news for the company said the claims
against 1t would aggregate about 500. .0e0.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-26
Eour Nofches on his Gum.

Fort Worth, Tex, Dec 26.-Bob
HclloweI, whom brother police off,
GERS call the ''gamest officer in Tex
as" died here today from the effects
of old wounds. He killed four men
during his police career. He had been
a member of the Denver. Col. Fort
Worth and Waco police forces.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-26

Weather Forecast for Kansas.
Partly cloudy tonight and Sunday
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-26
Went to 5 Degrees
Below Zero Today.
For Six Hours Thermometer
Hung Below Shfver Mark.

*BeloW zero.
Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-03-20
W. M. SCOTT & CO..

THE SOIL IS RICH. The climate:
Abundance of rain. yet no deluge;
abundance of sunshine, no drouth; long
growing season without oppressive heat.
as in many other sections. Splendid
shipping facilities. Modern social fea-
lures Good schools, from primary grade
to classical universities; good churches,
good stores, good neighbors, all are here.
section. not to mention the rich farm
land on which you can make a generous
living. SIS and 800 an acre. InveS-
tigate this before the price goes up,
like that of other rich farming dis
tricts. Bagiey- Sewell Realty Insurance
Company, Newman, Ga.