The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-04-27

lAiDuSn the prison.
Threats on Every Side.
A representative of the State Jour
nal passed through the prison shortly
after the near riot and on every side
the heard threats against BisselIs life
Depend on SOuther.
Everything depends upon Preston
Souther, drug clerk in the Oxford
hotel at Topeka, who expected here to-
morrow morning to ascertain whether
Fred Bissell is the man who called at
the drug store betwee and O'Clock
on the morning of the murder and
purchased bottle of iodine, packag
OF Red Cross bandageS and a bottle or
& vaseline. On account of being unable
to stop the train at Lawrence last
night SOuther was carried on to Kan
sas City and returned to Topeka this
morning. He will probably arrive here
tomorrow morning.
Souther has positively identified the
bottle Of iodine found in the house at
Fifth and Taylor streets on the morn
ing of the murder.
''Wait Until Trial. "-BisseIl.
For two hours this morning Bissen
was questioned closer than ever be-
fofe concerning his actions on the
morning of the murder. He answered
al questions and nothing that is of
any consequence was aSCertained.
After he had been questioned about
an hour and a half, Bissell said:
Now I'm going to answer questions
one-half hour longer and then I'm
not going to say. "a word until the
trial
Ee made good his statement and
now refuses to discuss the case.
Bissell has regained his comp osure.
The danger he is facing at the prison
here was told to him late this morning.
IL apparently had no effect whatever.
Wild Ride Last Night.
BisseI arrived at Lansing at mid
night following a wild ride from
Lawrence in which the car occupied
by Sheriff Kiene, Robert Miller, To-
peka police officer, a State Journal
reporter and -Bissen was chased for
miles through the night by an auto
mobile which hung closely to the rear.
Bissell showed considerable concern
as to whether the mysterious car was
gaining on. them but aside from an oc-
cqsfona1 glance over. his shoulder, he
remained cool and attempts of officers
TO gain further discriminating informa-
ton were futile.
Asked About Topeka.
When are you going to take me
back to Topeka?" Bissell asked.
Man. you'll never go back there,
Miller replied. You wouldn't last any
longer than SNOWFALL in hot
This seemed to disturb him and he
asked no further questiors,
1t was only by the merest chance
that Sheriff Kiene and Miller went to
Lawrence last evening. They planned
TO go to Lawrence with Souther on
santa Fe train No. IA. which arrives
in Lawrence at $40 o'clock Souther
didn't appear and they thought some
CT returning to their homes but final
IN decided to make the trip, thinking
they might have overlooked Souther
and would find him on the train.
Flight From Lawrence.
When they arrived at the Douglas
county Jail. Sheriff Cummings IN
formed them that five telephone calls
from Shawnee county had been re-
iT1cr h i'm
against mob formed at Topeka.
They'll get no prisoner7at my jail
Cummings informed them all
Sheriff Kicne did not take the mat
Ter seriously but in a few minutes his
4Hife called up and told him that
mob was going through the Shawnee
county Jail. Even then Kiene did not
rbelieve it would go to Lawrence. In
"a few minutes another telephone
: message was received from Mrs. Kiene
+ Informing the sheriff that the mob
bad left for Lawrence.
"a Sheriff Cummings insisted that Bis
Z sell be kept in the jail. He sent for
al the shotguns, revolvers, rifles and
equities he had at his command and
tbegan loading the guns. But Sheriff
Kiene looked upon such plan as GER
tain of causing bloOdshed and it was
Finally decided to spirit Bissel away.
An automobile was ordered to pre-
pare for the trip and stop near a park,
2 Two blocks from the county jail Bis
sell was ordered to prepare for the
aDo you want handouts for him ?"
the sheriff asked.
Hoped He Would Run.
- NO" replied Miller. maybe the fell
bow will run
Walking in pairs in order not to
i attract attention. Kiene, Miller, a State
( journal reporter and Bissell walked
A. the park where they jumped into
. 1he machine. Then parley began as
10 whether to take Bissell to the coun-
~ Jail at Ottawa or to the state prison.
Kiene feared the Lansing trip because
D. order to reach the prison town it
would be necessary to cross the KaW
river bridge and they might run into
the mob.
81 Decided to Make IL.
Finally it was decided to make the
Lansing trip. A mad dash was made
T. oVer the bridge and the car continued
fl its wild flight until the point was
reached where the voad taken by the
Fleeing officials with their prisoner
turnsd off the road which led into
-flawrence from Topeka All sighed
with relief as the car swerved onto the
TonEanoXie road.
But their fears were allayed only for
a minute. They had not gone quar-
Ter of mile until Miller looked over
his shoulder.
Race With Pursuers.
There's car ruiIIng like the devil
right behind u.s. he cried
From then until Tonganoxie was
reached a mad race was on. The big.
high powered car driven by the off,
Gals went at top speed over the unfa-
miliar road. Officials and prisoners
hung tight to the sides and bounced
IN the seats continually Drive as thew
did at the highest speed the rnys-
FERROUS pursuers went just as fast and
remained about a half mile in their
wake until Tonganoxie was reached
AT Tonganoxie it was necessary to
make several turns to get on the right
road and there the pursuers lost
them- While the identitv of d. r.,..-