davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-04-28
He Is Nervous.
JURY IN BISSELL CASE

At $3.50 O'Clock Chief Hanlon and
Mrs Eva Cox. Sixth and Prospect
streets. had been summoned before
the coroner's jury and testified in the
Dinsmore murder case. Chief Hanlon
testified to the finding of the body in
the cellar.
Mrs. Eva Cox. who knows both Bis
sell and the girl. testified to seeing
BisseI. the girl and a dog on West
Fifth street, between Madison and
Van Buren, on the morning of the
murder
Before going before the jury Mrs.
Cox went to the undertaking parlors.
viewed the body of the girl to assure
herself that she had not been mis-
taken in her identity of the girl seen
with Bissell on that morning.
Fully nine other witnesses will be
examined before the hearing ends late
this afternoon
Members of the jury are: J. S.
Langston. William $. Anderson. F. c.
Bowen. J. h. Miller :. NJ. Martin and
G. r Ott
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-04-28
'ISSELL CRUMBLINC BEFORE WARDEN'S SWE
THOSE CARELESS NEIGHBoRs.

How careless of the neighbors of the
Bissell family not to inform public
authority of the habits of mind of
Fred Bisselll
In an editorial discussion of his
case, a Topeka newspaper. to whom
the state as it is constituted at pres
ent can do no wrong. says:
1.-The true lesson of the Bissen
case is that Bissell is a man unfit
to be at liberty, and If the author
tiles had known what the neigh
bors knew of his habits of mind.
they would have recognized in
him a dangerous sexual pervert
and placed him in safe keeping"
And it may be hat if the neighbors
of Bissell had gone to the authori-
ties with their impression of the hao-
it's of his mind. these same authorities
would have given them short hearing
and labeled them busybodies. They
even might have replied: please do
not take our time with telling us some
thing that we already know" And
ply because the authorities" had
full and complete record of the Grim
inal career of Fred Bissell. a record
that stamped him undeniably as a
sexual perve-t and a menace to So
ciety.
sell deemed it unnecessary to provide
1.-The authorities" with information al
ready in their possession.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-04-28
OF $50 in Crew, 626 Are Res
cued From Sea.
ELEVENTH BATTLESHIP LOST
Was 405 Feet Long; Had ~ In.
Guns; Cost Million.
German Submarine Sunk On
East Coast of England.

London. April 2S.-The British bat
tleship Russell struck a mine and sank
in the Mediterranean yesterday. the
admiralty announced this afternoon.
OF the crew of about $50. 124 officers
and men are missing and believed to
have perished
The Russell was one of the old
British battleships. having been con-
structed in 1OO0-1. She displaced
$4,000 tons and was 4O5 feet long with
beam of rs feet. She was puilt at a
cost of about s5,O00.00O.
The Russell normally carried a crew
of $50 men. Her armament included
four 12-inch guns, twelve e-inch and
twenty guns of lesser caliber. She
carried also four torpedo tubes. The
battleship Montagu. a sister ship of
the Russell, was wrecked on Lundy
in 1906.
The Russell is the eleventh British
battleship lost during the war. The
others are the Audacious. Bulwark,
Formidable. Irresistible, Ocean, Co
Hath, Triumph, Majestic. Natal and
King Edward VII. In addition about
35 other British warships of various
classes have been destroyed.
U-Boat Is Lost.
London, April 2S.-A German sub
marine was sunk off the east coast
yesterday, it was announced officially
today. Eighteen men on the sub
marine were captured.
U-Boat Sinks Steamer; Crew Saved.
London, April 2s.-The British
steamer, Industry, was sunk by a sub
marine in the Atlantic the admiralty
announced ehis afternoon.
The crew was left in open boats, but
was rescued by the steamer Finland.
Destroy British Coast Guard.
Berlin, April 28.-The admiralty
announced today that on the night OF
April 1927 German naval forces de-
stroyed a large British guard vessel
on Dogger bank and brought in a fish
ing steamer as a prize.
Danish Steamer Down; Captain Dead
London, April 2S.-The captain of
the Danish steamer Johanne was
killed when the vessel struck a mine
in the North sea, Gccording to q dis
patch to the Exchange Telegraph from
Copenhagen. The remainder of the
crew was landed at Hamburg The
Johanne was of 791 tons and was built
in 1908.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-04-28
RESTLESS
Political Cataclysm Inevitable,
Says Neutral Observer.
Ex-Premier VenizelOs's Public
Following Is Increasing.

Athens, April 28.-An impartial OBJ
server, who has Just returned from a
tour of all the mainland of Greece,
reports an amazing spread of senti-
ment in favor of Venizelos, the former
premier.
The Associated Press learns from
incontestable authority that several
leaders of the revoluation of 1909 are
actively engaged in planning a SINH
lar attack, although Venizelos depre-
Gates this and advises instead the
practice of patience and use of the
national methods. On the other hand
the recent plot against him failed only
by a hairs breadth, owing to the ex-
traordinary devotion and watchfulness
of his followers.
The Kings Attitude.
Frequent talks with King Constan-
tine have convinced the Associated
Press correspondent that the monarch
honestly is persuaded that a policy of
inaction is approved by a majority of
in regarding the recent demonstrations
of the growing popularity of Venizelos
as mere political maneuvers.
The weakness of the opponents of
the former premier lies in the discon-
tent among the rank and file of the
army who largely attend the meetings
of the Nenizelos party and who are
openly dissatisfied and declare that a
purposeless mobilizat ton is depriving
their families of their support.
1t is stated in well informed quar-
ters that so many soldiers have re-
turned to their homes without permis-
sion that the general staff is unable
to class them as deserters and is
obliged to grant them leave which
they already have taken.
Officers Disconnected.
Even the officers of the army with
the exception of those in higher COM
mand are discontented, notwithstand-
ing that an increase of pay has been
granted to them by royal decree Neu-
tral observers who are in a position
to judge declare that the present
situation cannot last sixty days longer,
and that unless an allied offensive
against Bulgaria relieves the tension
by sweeping Ehe Greeks into war with
their ancient enemies, a political
cataclysn in Greece is inevitable.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-04-28
WAR HEADS OF
MEX and u. S.
CONFER TODAY
ObregOn Discusses Situation
Freely With Reporters.
Positive De FactOS Now Have
Situation Well in Hand.
10000 SOLDIERS BACK HIM UP
Never Had Amy Quarrel With
Carranza, He Says.
Generals Funston and Scott
Reach Ell PasO Tonight.

Ell Paso, April 2S.-Generals Scott
and Funston are due to reach here to-
night when it is said arrangement will
be made for the first conference to
be held in Juarez tomorrow.
The Mexican minister of war held
several conferences today with the
military and civil authorities of the
de facto government of Chihuahua in
which every phase of the situation was
discussed so that the presentation of
the Mexican proposals could be made
to General Scott and Funston. Gen.
Obregon made it clear that the Car
rama government was prepared to
police thoroughly northern Chihuahua
and that the American troops hav-
ing fulfilled their announced purpose
of breaking up the Villa bands, should
withdraw
The 10000 Carranza soldiers
stretching across northern Mexico
from Sonora to eastern Chihuahua is
General Obregon's most potent argu-
ment that he could meet the situation
without aid from the United States.
Meets Newspaper Men.
After a conference with the military
and civil authorities in the customs
paper men, but added little to the re-
ports already given out. Asked what
he would do in case the American
troops were kept in Mexico. General
Obregon through an interpreter. said
THAT is a matter we hope to ar
range in conference"
Obregon in reply to a question said
he thought the de facto government
had sufficient troops to take care OF
Villa and his bands without aid from
the United States.
DO you think Villa is dead" he
was asked.
II do not believe Villa is dead" was
po1
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-04-28
736 SHIPS DOWN
War Toll More Than Two Mil
lion Tonnage.
Neutrals Lost 19S, Norway
Alone Losing 81 Vessels.

Washington. April 2S.-British esti-
mates of the European war toll of
merchant ships given in figures today
by the department of commerce put
the number at 736 with a tonnage of
more than two million.
Allied vessels lost number 53S and
neutral 1913. The estimates give Brit
ish losses as 40, French SO, Russian
As, Italian 27, Belgian 10, and Jap
anese 8. This does not include the
loss of 237 trawlers by the British,
seven by the French and two by the
Belgians.
Norway with 81 vessels DESTROYED
leads the neutral nations in losses.
Sweden with 40 is second and DEN
mark with %, third. Holland has lost
"a and the United States seven. Brit
ish losses amount to four per cent of
the total number in service and six
per cent of the tonnage.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-04-28
After Identification He Refused
to Make Amy Admissions.
WILL Be KEPT At PENITENTIARY
Must Serve Out Parole Until
Late in the Summer.
Warden COdding Spirits Pris-
Oner Away to Hiding Place.
(Rv staff CorrespondentD

Lansing, Kan, April 28.-
Preston SOuther, drug clerk at
the Oxford drug store at Topeka,
positively identified Fred Bissell
at noon today as the man who
purchased a bottle of iodine, a
package of bandages and a bot
tie of vaseline from him on the
morning that 9-year-Old Edna
DinsmOre was murdered.
Prior to this, SOuther had
identified a bottle of iodine
found at the house at Fifth and
Taylor streets as the same bottle
filled by him on the morning of
the murder.
Bissell, accompanied by five
other men, three prisoners and
two strangers in citizens
clothes, was lined up before
SOuther and Sheriff Kiene. Bis
sell wore citizens clothes and
stood third from the end. South
er studied the six men for sever
al minutes then stepped from the
room with Sheriff Kiene.
Sheriff." he said, 81 believe [
know the man."
snow Pres" said the sheriff,
Il want you to be sure. You had
better go in and look them over
again."
SOuther and Kiene stepped
back into the room. SOuther
studied the faces of the six men
all dressed in citizens clothes
again, probably for a minute.
Then he raised his hand and
pointed a finger straight at rred
BisSell.
Bissell Called 1t a Frameup.
Yes" muttered Bissell, you go out
of the room, cook things up and then
point me out"
Sheriff Kiene was standing behind
Bissell at the time. He walked around
Continued on Page Eighty
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-04-28
LAW HAS BEEN
IN EFFECT HERE
THREE YEARS
Sterilization Provisions Are
Now on Statute Books.
No One Seemed to Know 1t in
Case of Fred BisselI.
Responsibility WELL PLACED
Heads of Institutions VIII Be
Punished if They Neglect.
Judge SchOch Discovers Law
That Is MysteriOusly Lost.
RESPONSIBILITY WELL PLACED

For three years Kansas has had a
sterilization law on the statute books.
1t is mandatory. 1t places on heads of
state institutions the responsibility of
its enforcement Yet in three years
Kansas has been busy counting her
bank deposits, estimating wheat crops
anc preaching reform and humanity
to man. Possibly that was the reason
the law was forgotten During that
time Fred Bissell was in state prison,
his record was before the warden, the
board of corrections and the governor
But the law was not enforced. Instead
Bissen was paroled and subsequently
made a citizen by the governors per-
sonal official act.
Frequently discussion in Topeka this
week concerning the need of an ade-
quate law to meet situations such as
were confronted in the Bissell case,
has brought to light the law now on
the statute books. The law was found
today by Judge w. f. Schoch of To-
peka, former probate judge. The
measure was enacted by the 1913 leg
islature. 1t became a law without the
signature of Governor Hodges, who
was in office at that time, and has
been in force during both the5Hodges
and Capper administrations. So far as
is known the state has not enforced
SAAC a. Il any 0AIOlt WEI .Addue tO-
ward its enforcement, a glaring over
sight occurred in the case of Bissell.
Law Is Mandatory.
The law for the treatment of degen-
crates and habitual criminals is man
datory. 1t provides in strong terms
that the state treat inmates of institu-
tions whose record points to a public
need for the prevention of procreation.
The law requires prompt reports on
inmates of state institutions who are
deemed to be improper and inad-
n. : iaiiii -
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-04-28
GriIIing Questioning by Officers
May Break Him.
TELLS OF CRIME AGAINST BOYS
Says He Doesn't Remember
Bits of Evidence at Time.
Final Attempt at Learning
Truth of Late Events.

Lansing. April 2s.-At 2:SO o'clock
this afternoon Warden Coddine, As
sistant Attorney General Frank p
Lindsay and Officer Miller decided that
they would PIT Bissell through one
more sweating and cross-examine him
in new way. In ten minutes War
den Codding came out Of a closed
room and told a press representative
TO announce that the final eXamina-
tion was bringing results.
The officials are using kindness
with Bissen and pointing out to him
that at present he is a disgrace to his
father. mother sister and the state Of
Kansas and looked upon as degener-
ate of the lowest order. But, should
ne confess to the crime and it would
he found that it is true that he is suf-
fering a mental depression as result
of a kick on his head in his boyhood,
the state would pity him and see and
desire that ne be cured.
Continuing, the officers asked him
If he thought it possible for man to
commit such a crime without knowing
the details.
well" replied Bissen, 'at the time
Of the assault on those two boys 1
don't remember of tying their hands"
This and a series of other questions
along an entirely different line is
bringing results. according to Warden
Codding's announcement They are
permitting him to try his own case in
his own way.
He Is Nervous
Bissell is continually asking for
cigarettes and a demand for water is
being made every few minutes. His
composure is broken. officials say, and
each question is bringing results and
indicating that if the man is guilty
confession will be forthcoming shortly.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-04-28
SPRING HAS RETURNED
Once More the Wind Is Blowing From
the South.

Temperature averaged degrees be-
low normal. The wind is blowing at
the rate of IA miles an hour from the
south.
heavy frost occurred last night
but it is not thought to have done
much damage. Temperatures in all
the northern part of Kansas were
close to freezing. Potatoes, corn ard
garden truck are not up enough to be
hurt much by frost and it takes q
freeze to kill the fruit buds. Win the
wind in the south the weather was
much improved this morning. The
sun was shining and the mercury
climbed rapidly. Higher temperatures
are expected tonight by the weather
bureau.
The forecast calls for partly cloudy
and warmer weather tonight and Sat-
urday. The lowest temperature this
morning was 40 degrees at the wealth
er bureau. but the reading closer to
CONTINUED Page Six.D
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-04-28
EDISON QUALITIES AS
A REGULAR FISHERMAN

West Orange. y. J.. April 28.-
Thomas A Edison is back from
Florida. mourning the success OF
his latest invention. a patent
magic fish bait THE bait was
tor good said Mr. Edison Its
magic attracted every fish within a
mile and in the struggle of these
thousands of fish to get i piece of
the bait. they all missed 1t and 1
got no fish
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-04-28
Denver Uses Reynolds, Ex-
TOpekan, in Today's Game.
Grover Pitted Against Him by
Manager baltimore.
TOdaY's Line Up.

For the last game of the Denver
series here, Manager Oakes announced
that he probably would send Dec Rey-
nolds to the mound this ,fternoon
against the Savages. Reynolds was
formerly a Topeka pitcher, one of the
highest priced ever sent from h-re to
the big leagues, and many of his old
friends were anxious to see him in
action this afternoon.
Manager baltimore announced that
Grover would go to the mound for the
Savages. Neither team made any
other changes in the lineup. Denver
leaves tonight for Wichita e-d St. Joe
comes here for the second series to-
morrow.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-04-28
nm he BITE HIMSCLF TO
DEATH? JURY To DECIDE

Winnipeg, Man. April 2s-
Whether F. T. Morgan bit himself
to death is to be determined by L
royal commission here today Nor
gan, a trooper, lay in barracks with
suddenly sounded a bugle Morgan
jumped, his false teeth fell into his
throat. snapped together and sew
cred tissues which later caused his
death.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-04-28
May Visit Mex. "Front.' .

San Antonio, April 2s.-Army Off
GERS here believe General Funston will
make an effort to visit field headquar-
ters following the conference with
General Obregon. Before leaving for
Ell Paso. he expressed desire to in
spect the troops in Mexico and he may
make the trip if affairs of the depart
ment will permit.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-04-28
Wooed and Won
In 80 Minutes
In Boston, Too

Boston, April 2S.-C. Copetas, Pitts
burg restaurant man, arrived here to-
day to wed Angelica Stathatou of this
city, whom he met, wooed and won in
80 minutes, a year ago today. They
met here through a mutual acquaint-
aJlce last year and thirty minutes after
the introduction were engaged. And
this in Boston, too.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-04-28
new ENGLAND GETS LATEST
SPRING SNOW IN 27 YRS.

Boston. April 2s.-Snow fell over
eastern Massachusetts and Rhode
Island today. the latest date for an
appreciable fall in more than 81
years. The fall here was estimated
at two inches. 1t melted rapidly.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-04-28

Additional details in later
editions of the State Journal, on
the streets late this afternoon
and early this evening.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-04-28
BASEBALL TODAY

National League.
New York at Boston-game post
poned; snow.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-04-28

FOOLS may rush i'm whore angels
fear to tread. but they generally
wear the medals.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-04-28

WEATHER FORECAST for Kansas;
Partly .Ioddy and warmer to-
night and Saturday.
The Detroit times., 1916-12-05
is
OFFERED GAME
BY MICHIGAN

ANN ARBOR Mich. Dec o.
MSchiFsn gamc with syracuse 'or
1917 Is altogether contingent upon
the decision u the syracusc aujhor
titles. FOR contrary 20 some prevail
Ing opinions. Michigan hss cHered
this team game 70 oe played a.
Ferry Field
p G.. Bartelme returned 70 Ann
hrbor Ssfurday arcr his ofedule
r9aking '-ir and tho refusing r.
make sny definite statement Jefore
tho meeting - tbc athlet, board
Friday night did ssy that syracuse
had been offered a game What
rofsible substitute be had for 'hls
game in csse 'he Michizau rrs'
waS TUNED down be dld BOZ sF
The member of tae team have
teen awaiting 10 return ~ Bar
teins before eiec'ing capain and
20 he selection ~ next years cad
or will probably be made within A
few days Smith stll stands a. he
mort likely selec'lon, aliho nm
Raymond is 70 ~ considered
The Detroit times., 1916-12-05
lNTERLAKE MEN
TRY NEW SCHE NE
Iachtsmen to Chip In For
Regatta Expenses: Idea
l. Democratic

\ radical change I- me system
Of financing The annual Interlake re-
zstts, which will do much 20 fur
her popularire Yachting. hae been
adopted. Hitherto if has been Gus
tomsry 'or The commodore. invaris-
7iv man ~ wealth 20 def-sy the
expenses - the regatta .srgcly from
his private funds The new plan
provides a fund for that purpose
thru popular fIoscrp'iou among
fhe yach'ru-n .-terasf@f While
tae commgdlrs aG ae prsle zed 70
spend I'D he desires. this fund al.
-syf vl BE- av liable
in short this chems makes II
possible for = sportsman 81 moder.
ats FaaaHa-ts read he interiake a.
ISOLATION without assuming anan-
cial obligations thar would % at
barrsssing % Aim The idoa is =
sound American one Il gives an
ari'tocrafic porr n democratic "a
vor and he nep board of govern.
orF. ~ which Charles n Lynch. of
Detroit n chairman. should De
commended FOR its adoption
The Detroit times., 1916-12-05
CITY BOWLING
SCORES LIGHT

From ,he scores that are coming
IN no one would ever guess that
Det-ot, no home of champions and
one of the greatest Bowling ciues
in the world was srAElng city
tournament The tournament has
been going three days. and tn The
singles just one % score has been
reported r Cards turned r
2sf lslITo-sl -cl7 score last night
and as All may see. there vas
Guke Somewhere along the line
Fawcetf 'urr'4d Ia a trio % games
that fall JUST one pin shy OF 500
These are the singles Stars OF The
tournament 70 date
The doubles have new leader
Henning and Brown got count Of
I.lDs or Of their -vstefus last nigh
and that is The only score over I.
100 20 far Ramsey cluh still
tops the fye.man teams with
score of 2s22 Nobody has come
close 20 that vet
The Detroit times., 1916-12-05
s. YOAKUM IS
HUMAN WRECK
Carries Sears of Many Ring
BATTLES: Both Soakum and
Bloom In Town

X YOU ever noted carefully an
sutonobi.e thar mad Just completed
long and rough tour across
deserts and over aloualar r-s. pay
!rg particular attention io tHe dent
a. radiator sa-Ius axle s0-nt~red
windshield smashed fender. patch
I'd tires. lacked lamp lenses and
puacturec upholstery and The gen
erous assortment q 5nclenr scars.
you vtu 30 able 20 looA upon stan
lsy soakuu YoaSu~ o' Denver and
New Ic-k without shoes
Yo KUN IS .n town vi.h John
Re.-lsr. vho ls managing him these
DAYS. and he - ,h- oulli@sJ looking
pux tha, ever trimmed down the
pike Ted Nesser ls a movie Adonis
compared 20 Yoakgm. whose fes.
tures are battered .nto weird con
volutions that must be seen 20 be
appreciated. There are plenty o,
ancieut scars and there are a Few
fresh ones which were harvested In
the bout Nlth Charley White last
week. one look Is enough 20 Sat.
isfy he mos inc-edglous regarding
me touEhness Of Soakum Nobody
could tase ,hs oeatinEs that have
lef- their mark On ne westerner
ard survive If h- we're not sturdy
customer
Bloom also "a IN town. looking as
Trim az ever. ard frl % his old
tricks PN'l does nor seem overly
pleased wirb hls match a' windsor.
Wednesday night He kno~s al
about Yoskum. and fully realizes
jus, what 4 dishearrentuE Job O. IL
70 pummell This fellow INTO appar-
en- submission only 20 have MIN
tearing ir FOR more The nex' no
meut Bloom promises 20 aghi his
usual battle and that - All ne
fans ask
YoAkum IL making his head7uar-
ters ar the PARK a G. Vtlle Bloom
is hanging out ar fhe Campus A C.