davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-14
DIDN'T STAY dead
Burned to Death and Collected
$500 Insurance.
But Is Seen in Life Later and
Placed Under Arrest.

Plainview. Tex. Dec. IA. a.
Morgan was under arrest here today
because he burned to death last
month. The trouble with Morgan. Of
ficers say, was that he didn't stay
dead
Morgan came here last summer and
took out $500 life insurance in two
companies. on the night of NOvem-
her his ranch house burned and it
was reported that Morgan was killed
by the explosion of can of gasoline
he was trying to save. A quantity of
bones We're found in the ruins.
Morgan" was buried by his lodge,
which made up purse of $500 for
his widow" and the insurance conf
Panies came across with the coin. He
was seen in Sweetwater yesterday,
however. and promptly arrested.
Tardy investigation revealed that
the bones which had been buried were
those of a calf. 1t was identified as
having belonged to a neighbor. Now,
Morgan not only is charged with arson
and fraud, but with cattle stealing.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-14
men THERE
Publishers Urged to Attend
Conference at Washington.
May Be Outnumbered by Manu-
facturers Is Warning.

Washington, Dec. 1.-THE federal
trade commission has issued an appeal
to the newspaper publishers of the
United States to either come to Wash
ington, or be represented at the con-
ference among publishers and manu-
facturers and jobbers of news print
paper to be held here today, in an
effort to solve the paper shortage
problem.
The commission intimated in it's
acted promptly they would be outnum-
bered by the manufacturers who are
coming in large numbers. The news
pint paper manufacturers association
hastened to telegraph every paper
manufa cturer in North America to
either come or be represented at the
conference. The commission an
nounced that its members will person.
ally supervise the conference. On Sat
urday the commission plans to ratify
plan for distributing the available
supply of news print paper among
publishers in an attempt to prevent the
suspension of several newspapers
The commissions announcement
says that publishers may telegraph in
structions as to what course to pursue
in the arbitration negotiations to Geo.
E Hossmer. chairman executive com
mittee, the National Editorial associa-
ton; Courtland Smith. president
American Press association: Frank
Glass, vice president American News
paper Publishers association. or other
publishers at Washington in care of
the federal trade commission.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-14
Recent Supreme Court Decision
Worries Assessors.
Sales Notes Held in Another
State Are Not Taxable.
TO LEGISLATURE FOR RELIEF
State Sees Tremendous Loss in
the Tax Returns.
Larger Cities Will Profit Thru
Home Office Pay.

Taxable property totalling millions
of dollars may be lost to the state ana
local assessment districts under the
decision of the supreme court In the
kimbaH Piano company case In TINS
decision, the court held that safes
notes in possession of the parent Of
flee in another state are not taxable
in this state, tho the security is here
and the notes are recorded with the
local register of deeds. The state may
go to the legislature for relief.
Scores of large foreign corporations,
with offices in Kansas towns, VIII
escape the bulk of their taxation under
the ruling in the piano case, according
to opinions today by members of the
state tax commission. 1t is impossible
to estimate the loss in asseSSable prop
erty, commissioners stated, altho in
dependent estimates are to the effect
that it will doubtless reach several
millions of dollars annually. The opln-
ion, as interpreted by tax officials. is
that sales notes and accounts of local
companies are assessa BILE at the parent
office.
Many of the big corporations doing
business in Kansas will pay compare
lively small taxes in the state or in
the counties and towns where branch
stores or offices are maintained, it is
said. Large Kansas corporations. with
principal offices in Topeka, Wichita,
Hutchinson and other towns, will pay
the bulk of their taxes in the towns
where main offices are located. Where
parent offices are in Missouri, Illinois
or other states, the taxes from sales
accounts will go to other states. This
account has previously been assessed
| in Kansas and has yielded millioIe OF
dollars to the assessed valuation of the
state.
| Many Will Escape.
Large machinery compan nies, such
as the harvester companies, automo-
bile and engine companies. will escape
! lC,or, tir,,,ad a.. o., q, )
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-14
Make FRANCE DRY
Premier BRAND Announces
Prohibition Decree.
Heated Fight ConfrOnts New
War Council in Chamber.

Paris. Dec. 14.-Total prohibition
thruout France of whiskies. brandies
and liquors has been decided on by the
government. This is shown by the
text in the Journal Office today of
Premier Brands declaration yester-
day before the chamber of deputies on
the subject The premier said:
1.-The government will ask you to
give it the faculty of solving by de-
crees all questions of interest in re-
gard to the national defense which the
laws-are too slow to regulate. A par
ticularly grave question which can be
regulated only in war time, the solu-
ton of which involves the life of the
country and its salvation; is the total
suppression of the consumption of
alcohol
The premier's remarks were greeted
with loud applause from many of the
benches. Deputy Mayeras interjected: !:
I'm the army also ?"
Yes, in the entire country" said the
premier.
The use of the term alcohol in this
connection is understood in France to
include such beverages as absinthe.
which already has been suppressed !;
whistles, brandies and liquors, but not
wines or beers.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-14
SHUCKERS THE MAN?
Independence lawyer May Succeed
Judge F1anneIly.

Charles D. Shuck of Independ-
ence may be appointed district Judge
in Montgomery county to succeed
Judge John r. F-annelly, who re-
signed this week to become an attor-
Il J for the Prairie & Gas COM
pany. The appointment of Judge
Flannelly's successor may not be an
nounced until next week when Gov
ernor Capper returns from a trip to
Washington, where is attending
the conference of governors.
In Kansas political circles Shuckers
is regarded as a strong candidate for
Judge Flannelly's place. He went to
Independence four years ago, follow
ing several years of ssociation with
the state board of control. He has
been active in political affairs in the
state and leaned toward the Progress
sives when T. Republican party
smash up came in 1912. Shuckers's s
hone was formerly in Chautauqua
county.
Several ether candidates will prob
ably be advanced for the Montgomery
county judgeship. Thomas A wag-
staff, candidate for the gubernatorial
nomination against Stubbs in 1910,
has been mentioned, a1tho he has not
announced his candidacy for the
place.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-14
HE'S FAKE HEIR
Teddy Slingsby Denied Estate
Worth $5OO,OOO.
House of Lords Declares Amer
lean Child Is Adopted.

London, Dec. 14.-Curly headed lit
tie Teddy" Slingsby. for months buff
fetted between wealth and nameless
poverty, was sent from the portals of
the house of lords today, held by that
body to be penniless founding lf the
streets of San Francisco and not the
young English gentleman that his par
ents have claimed him.
The house of lords, upon presenta-
tion of the case of Teddy dismissed
the appeal from a court of appeals
decision that he is not the legitimate
son of Mr.. and Mrs. E. H. r. Slingsby
and heir to a Yorkshire estate. The
respondents in the case were unheard
In 1915, the child was established
as legal heir of the Slingsbys by the
court of probate and divorce. Two
younger brothers of Slingsby MAIN
tanned the child was the son of Lillian
Anderson and was adopted by the
Slingsbys that he might inherit the
Yorkshire estate. Advertisements, al
legged to have been inserted in San
Francisco newspapers by Mrs. Sling
shy, seeking a newborn baby, were in
evidence
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-14
Plans Escape From Shawnee
County Prison.
SALT WATER LETTER HIS IDEA
Pointed Out System of Writing
Without Detection.
He Damages His Wilson Ap-
peal for COmmutatiOn.

Willie White, federal hang-prisoner
now in the Shawnee county jail, didn't
help his appeal to President Wilson
for a Communication of sentence when
he wrote a letter to a negro friend
planning his escape from the local
jail. That letter is in the hands of the
officials in Washington, D. c., along
with his application for commutat1on
to a life sentence.
The letter was written to a negro
named Jack, whose last name has
been withheld by federal officials.
Part of it was written with pen and
ink. 1t contained nothing of impor-
tance-except the recipe for reading
that portion written with an invisible
fluid. White slipped up when he gave
the directions for reading that part of
the letter he wished to reveal. But he
believed his letters were not opened
and that there was little chance of dis
coVery.
White was scheduled to hang at the
federal penitentiary at Leavenworth
tomorrow. Two weeks ago outsiders
made an effort to secure a commuta-
ton of sentence. Governor Capper
added his efforts and President Wilson
granted a thirty-day reprieve. Under
the present arrangement White will be
hanged by the United States Marshal
o. T. Wood some time in January.
his application for a Communication to
life imprisonment.
The Letter in Full.
The letter which fell into the hands
of federal officials and tipped them
off to the fact that White was plan
ming to break Jail Immediately upon
, receipt of word that his sentence had
been commuted, reads as follows:
Topeka, Kans.
''well jack how are you. and family
! hope you and wife well I am getting
long letter this time say it is all wright
for you to write to me as my mail is no
/ open when you get this yetter after yol
read this side turn this side of this Pape
! you will see what is on the other sid
| don't burn it well look to here from yo,
soon Well how. are all of the boys-giv
| Maxwell an davie my regard well / ges
| WmWhite to jack"
After holding paper over lamp, a.
instructed, the following letter cam,
out on the other side:
''say jack if you haven't sent those thing
! TO that number don't send them there sent
/ will get them all o. X. say jack / won
use them till here from you. as soon a.
yo can tell Bell to let you no and yoI
telephone me as soon as You can and
| want to be redy- jack when you writ
write the same way with tooth pick an'
use salt water for ink and l can read /
! tell me any thing you want to no DANCE
! get good ones for this is chilled steal d,
this for me say jack 1 written to jone
/ lawyer to give you my Purl handle piste
I you go and get it at once and get box o
+, carteges l will try to get there as sooI
as l can. as soon as Bell gets word tina
/ this sentence is cut down to life have hin
| call you up at once and you call up tn
county jail and let me no..
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-14
SNOW OVER STATE
Little More Than an Inch in
Topeka in 12 Hours.
Fair and Warmer Tomorrow
Is Flora Prediction.

Temperatures today averaged 25
degrees below normal The wind is
blowing at the rate IL miles an hour
from the northN est.
Snow was general over Kansas last
night, tho the fall in the western part
of the state was light. Topeka re-
ceived LOT inches between Z o'clock
last night and this morning. Con-
cordia received about the same
amount. but Dodge City and Wichita
reported only a slight fall. Temper
atures were higher in all parts of the
country last night and this morning
and, according to S. d. Flora. local
weather observer. t e end of the ex-
treme cold -eather T. in sight.
Last night at II O'CLOCK the mer-
curry stood at 16 dei rees. The fall
started at a a. m. and by 9 o'clock
this morning the temperature was 5
degrees The sky was heavily clouded
and the rise was very slow. The mer-
curry was not expected to go higher
than Is degrees this afternoon Con-
cordia was officially the coldest place
in Kansas, with a T adm one degree
lower than here T lperatures re-
ported to the local weather bureau
were at Concordia. IL at Dodge City
and 16 at Wichita. At st. Joseph it
was down to 2 above zero. while KAN
sas City reports ? reading of 10.
Partly cloudy weather tonight fol-
Continued on Page 81
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-14
Hard Fighting to Continue,
Says Won Hindenburg.
Know Allies Intend to Open
Enormous Spring Drive.
SOLDIERS CHEER PEACE NOTE
Central Powers Offer Read to
TeutOns at Front.
Captive Peoples Laud Kaiser
for Inviting End of War.

Berlin, Dec. 14.-Despite Germany's
peace proposals. Field Marshal Won
Hincenburg's declaration that there
will be no rest this winter still stands
A military authority today repeated
this quotation of the field marshars
remarks in commenting on the fact
that Germany weighed carefully the
peace question before announcement
was understanding that England did
not desire peace because the allies in
tended to launch an enormous spring
offensive.
Soldiers Shout With JOY.
German Great Headquarters in the
West, Dec. 13, via Berlin to London,
read at noon on Tuesday to all the re-
serves and to the troops resting behind
the front. Its contents were made
known to the soldiers at the front or
on the way to or from the trenches
thru announcement on 1mprovised bull
letin boards.
The effect of the announcement
was to call forth spontaneous shouts
of joy, tempered later by doubt as to
whether the entente would agree to
make peace now. 1t is generally
agreed, however, that the note comes
exactly at the right time and that in
case it is rejected the fighting will
continue with renewed vigor.
The inhabitants OF the occupied ter
ritory displayed as lively an interest
in the announcement as did the SOL
diers, and many praised the emperor
unreservedly for his peace initiative.
Now Hold All Wallachia.
Berlin, Dec. 14.-Al along the
front in Rumania the Teutonic forces
are making progress, it is announced
officially. All of great Wa1iaclis
south of the railroad between Bucha-
rcst and Tchernavoda is now in the
hand of the Teutonic forces.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-14
OUT ENEMY
Germans Now Hold All of Prov
ince of WalIachia.
Question Whether Rumania
Forming Line on Buzeu.

Berlin, Dec. IA (via Sayville Wire
less) ).-"FaEorable progres on the
whole front, despite heavy difficulties
caused by condition of the roads," was
reported from Field Marshal Won
Mackensen's front in Rumania in to-
days official statement All Great
WalIachia south of the railroad from
Bucharest to Cernwoda (Cernavoda)
has been cleared by the enemy.
While the warning nations are
awaiting definite development from
the presentation of peace proposals by
Germany and her allies. the operations
on the various fighting fronts are pro-
ceeding as usual. Interest in military
developments still centers upon Ru-
mania where the armies of Field
Marshal Won Mackensen are fighting
their way forward despite the diff
culties of transport caused by the bad
roads in a Rumanan winter
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-14
AID STRICKEN FAMILIES
Coroner's Inquest Into Mine Explosion
Set for Monday Morning.

Pittsburg, Kan, Dec. 14.-Stone
City and Mineral are stricken towns
today, following the explosion in the
coal mine where twenty men were
killed and seven injured. A move
ment for relief of the bereaved fami-
lies was started oday by the chamber
of commerce here. Most of the vic
Tins lived at Stone City.
Mrs. Lud Windsor, whose husband,
father-in-law and brother-in-law were
killed, was one of the first women to
reach the mine when news of the ex-
plosion reached the town. Force was
resorted to in preventing her from en-
tering the mine in search of her hus-
band.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-14
FOR BATTERY "A"
Topeka Plans Big Welcome for
Her Soldier Boys.
Every Band in City Will Meet
the Train at Depot.

Battery A is scheduled to return to
Topeka Wednesday or Thursday of
next week and at a meeting of a well
coming committee at the Chamber of
Commerce today plans were made TO
insure a royal greeting for the To-
peka soldier boys.
The troop train will arrive at noon
and at the Union Pacific station will
be a huge representation of Topeka
automobiles, all the bands known in
town and decorated conveyances bear
ing the emblems of different civic or
ganiZations.
The battery will march from the
station to the fair ground via Kansas
avenue. There they will be left in a
few hours peace in order that they
make camp in time to reach the
Chamber of Commerce at $50 where
big reception will be held in their
honor.
In Receiving Line.
Standing in the receiving line will
be Governor and Mrs. Capper. Mayor
and Mrs House, Mr.. and Mrs. Hite
Justice and Mrs Silas Porter, Mr.. and
Mrs J. w. F. Hughes, all parents OF
the commissioned officers of the bat
tery. Lieutenant Bartell and Lieut.
Claude c. Lull of the medical corps
line by their sweethearts or their i'm
mediate relatives as their parents dc
not reside in Topeka.
Following half an hours hand
shaking the Chamber of Commerce
will furnish a welcoming dinner tC
members of the battery in the dining
room at o'clock. The dinner is linn
tied entirely to members of the bat
terry.
Meeting at Night.
At o'clock the doors of the Cham
Der of Commerce will be thrown oper
to Topeka to participate in a bis
meeting of welcome. Addresses will
be made by Governor Capper, Mayor
House. Major A. NJ. Harvey and Capt
]. G. Waters. The addresses will bt
responded to by Capt. Marshall Hite
commander of the battery.
The battery will probably remain
encamped at the fair grounds severa
! days before the equipment is al
checked in and unpacked and they ar,
! permanently mustered out.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-14
New Cabinet Asks Parliament
for $4,000. 900, 700.
Makes Five Million Soldiers En-
listed in IL Months.
WAR COST NEAR 18 BILLION
Brings Grand Total for Britain
TO S17,66O,OOO,OOO.
Await Action on Peace Oner
Until Premier Appears.

Tordon Dec. IA war office sup
elementary estimate today provides
Tor an additional million men of al
ranks in the army for the year end
an. March 81. I917-making total
~ 400 600 for that twelve-month pc
riod
r.ondon. Dec. l4.-In moving a vote
Of credit of 4OO.OO0.00o POUNDS
$4,000. 600. .OOO) in the house of com
MONS TODAY. A. Bona Law, chancel-
fo- Of the exchequer. decided to con-
fine his speech entirely TO the Illlatl- ii II
ciaI size Of thc war Ind IN lhe
sence of Premier Lloyd-GeorSe any ~
former Premier Asqulth' oWIns o,,Id
ness was expected the depate Woulu
he merely along this line however
tbis will not prevent questions IN an
, fort to draw out the government III
regard to Cermany's peace PROPOSE,
.,lfbo il was regarded as unlikely that
1! " would succeed
Tsrona-aI Not Received Yet.
-rbe nroDosal of the central powers
1.ad NOT been received at the foreign
offiee this morning. It is understood
.implv to refer TO open negotiations
containing no terms, The consulta-
tfous Of the entente allies regarding II
.ra expected to be purely formal pre-
!
renlv in any event Great Britain
viii make no official comment until
Pussia. France and her other allies
EXPRESS their views
Todav's vote of credit is the four
teeuth since the outbreak of the war
bringin.; up the total for the presetit
financial year to t.75o, 100000 pounds
and the grand total for the war to s.
532. 900 600.
While there is always large at
tendance OF members on the day
vote Of credit is moved, even more
than usual interest was shown in to-
fav's proceedings owing to curiosity
as to whether any change would be
announced in the manner of financing
the war nd as to the reception by the
liberals of the now chancellors policy.
Costs 15.7fO.O0O Pounds Daily.
London. Dec. 14-Andrew Bonar
Law. chancellor of the eXchequer, an
ruunccd in tho house of commons this
afternoon that daily average eXpendi-
ture Of Great Britain in the war had
risen to I5.71O.0OO pounds.
Mr. Law said the actual expenditure
had exceeded the estimate. owing to
the increase in munitions and addi-
tiunal loans to Great Britains allies
and to her dominions.
The chancellor Of the exchequer
said that no proposals for peace had
vet been received by the British gov
ernment from the central powers. He
added that the entente allies required
adequate reparation for the past and
adequate security for the future.
The chancellor said:
Financially we cannot hope to go
OF indefinitely on the present scale
but we can go on long enough to
make sure that it will not be from
financial causes If we fail to secure
victory
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-14
WHY PEACE OFFER
Lord NOrthcliffe Says Internal
Dissension Prompted It,
Also Realizes the Enormous
Strength of Allies in 1917.
BY LORD NoRTHCLIFFE.

Copyright 1916. by the United Press1
copyrighted in Great Brittany
London, Dec. 14-Germany's peace
proposals are due to the fact, which
interned neutral correspondents in
Berlin have not been allowed to indi-
cate, that during the last few weeks
grave internal dissensions have arisen,
owing to the food shortage and the
reign of terror.
Moreover, relations have been great
ly strained between the various Ger
man and Austrian states and also with
Turkey.
Three Times Germany's Strength.
The Prussian government also has
learned that the British empire will,
during 1917. put forth an effort equal
at least to that of Germany in 1914.
and from the point of view of guns
and shells, three times that of Ger-
many at any period of the war.
The proposals have been received
here with contempt.
We are gratified that American
senses of humor and justice have seen
thru this bluff. France. Italy and lit
tie Belgium are firm as Plymouth
Rock
Suspicious of Peace Dove.
London, Dec. IA. = The caution
watch out; take care" sounded bv
Premier BRAND in his address to the
French chamber of deputies will also
be England's guidance in scrutinizing
the German peace proposals.
After the first shock of the news of
Germans peace plan and the first and
instantaneous decision to reject IL
there came today, with a strengthen-
ing of this determination not to maka
the peace Germany Graves. the BELIEF
that England and her allies ought
closely to examine the circumstances
of the Teutonic move. Press and pub
lie alike were more than ever con-
vinced today that some German trick
was behind the proffer." e
Most apparent in the German peace
offer is the attempt to gain the syr1-
pathy of neutrals. An attempt to
create dissension among the entente
allies is believed to be one considera-
tion of the note and the chanceliorts
speech.
England and her allies therefore.
intend to reject the peace proposals.
but before that rejection they intend
to scrutinize every word in the note
and the chancellor's speech for hid4
den meanings and to weigh all cfr-
cumstances of its delivery carefully.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-14
HIS HANDWRITING
BRANDS PATHETIC
STORY AS FAKE

Des Moines. Iowa, Dec. IA year
ago the board of parole received a
letter from Ed Smith patrol violator.
then in England asking that he be
pardoned on the strength of the fact
that he had Joined the English army.
The board took no action.
Today it received d letter on mill
tary letterhead stating Smith was
killed in battle and requesting a par
don be sent to Smiths mother in Okla
homa- Very touching-but the hand
-siting was Smiths in both letters.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-14
DIVORCE TO MARRIAGE
Once baseball Maonate Gilmore to
WeT Millionaire Widow

Chicago. Dec. ID -r-rs. .ienevieve
Gilmore was secret. divorced from
James A Gilmore New York, for
merly president of the old Eastern
Baseball league and also of the late
Federal league. here on November s.
it was learned today. Gilmore. 1t is
said. is soon to marry the widow of a
New Jersey millionaire. She was a
membor of the famous Florodora sex