The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-04-15
Acute Stage Reached in Knights
& Ladies Controversy.
Threatening Letters Received
by kirkpatrick, Is Report.
NONE OF PUBLIC'S BUSINESS
"JameS NJ" Would Not Say
Anything About the Matter.
Prosecution May Be Directed If
Writer Is Discovered.

Troubles in the fight for control of
the national order of the Knights and
Ladies of Security have reached the
Black Hand stage, according to re-
ports today in Topeka. At least three
threatening letters are asserted to
have been received by James NJ. Kirk
patrick, candidate for president of the
lodge. in fight against his father. W.
B. kirkpatrick.
For months the fight for control of
the society has been in progress
among the officers and prominent
members of the fraternal order.
James NJ. Kirkpatrick was selected to
succeed his father, w. B. Kirkpatrick,
in the fight before the national coun-
Gil in Detroit in June. Recently news
of the fight for control of the order
reached the newspapers. Now the
controversy has attracted nation wide
attention in fraternal circles.
In the last few days, it is claimed,
several threatening letters have been
received by the junior kirkpatrick.
The letters are said to have been based
on his fight against his father for con-
troll of the society An investigation is
now being conducted, it is reported,
and it is probable that a prosecution
may be directed if the writer of the
anonymous communications is caught
Threats of violence are said to have
Deen contained IN the letters.
All Information Withheld.
Efforts were today made by MEM
bers of the Kirkpatrick household to
suppress publication of any report
| concerning the letters. When MEM
| Der of the Kirkpatrick household was
| asked concerning Mr.. Kirkpatrick an
immediate demand was made to know
the source of inquiry. When it was
| stated that a reporter was talking, it
was promptly and emphatically stated
that no information would be given
Mr.. kirkpatrick does not care to
see reporters and we do not care to
have you see him. was the reply from
| the kirkpatrick home.
Later Mr.. Kirkpatrick was found in
the offices of the knights and Ladies
of Security. He would neither deny
nor confirm the report of anonymous
| letters. 1t was none of the public's
business whether he received threat
enng letters or not, he stated, and he
would not discuss the matter.
He Will Not Talk.
Il don't want to be discourteous.
but L won't talk about that matter"
Kirkpatrick stated. 1T isn't mat
ter that concerns the public"
did you receive threatening let
ters?"
Did they threaten your life?'
Are the reports untrue?"
What will you do?"
To each question kirkpatrick made
| the same reply.
II have nothing to say"
The interviewer asked for an APP
pointment.
II am going out of town. declared
! Kirkpatrick. 81 have no opportunity
to see anyone and L won't talk about
| this matter
One report today was to the effect
that the anonymous letters had &C
| casioned sufficient concern to induce
special efforts being made to safe
guard the kirkpatrick home. S19 West
Sixth avenue. 1t is asserted that an
| investigation of the letter writing plot
| is being conducted by persons under
Kirkpatrick's direction and in his
EMPLOY